Fine margins

This has become my favourite footballing mantra these days, about how regardless of skill levels and commitment, it is these fine margins that occur so often in football matches, where on another day a decision would go the other way or the ball would sneak either side of the post that are the deciding factor.

Yesterday was a perfect example.

Whilst nobody can begrudge the baggies the points yesterday as we weren't at our best and they had the better of the game and dominated the second half, on another day the ref wouldn't have made such a ridiculous decision to give them the corner that they scored from, and the BLATANT foul throw that brought about the winning goal would have been spotted by the ref who was looking straight at it. Honestly, it was one of the worst foul throws I've seen in years and it simple basics that the officials surely must have seen.

But then again back on the other side of the coin we've had a fair few dubious decisions go our way during our ten match run, so I'm certainly not complaining too much as it was probably about time these fine margins were going to go against us.

Disappointing result, but absolutely not a disaster or time for negativity so lets roll up our socks and get back on it in time for the Chelsea game on Wednesday

 

I thought their first goal was a strange one! First their striker was crowding in on Bunny, who definitely pushed him, had the ref spotted that, it's a nailed on penalty! The fact that he didn't spot it raises the question "How could he fail to notice Bunny knocked to the floor then laid upon while his team-mate scored into an unprotected goal?"

You could accept the ref was unsighted for the push because Bunn was behind the player and therefore hidden from view! The rest that happened was in clear view of the ref and a definite foul!

 

Also the handball would often have been given. Oh well, these things even out, we are told. And we were a bit lucky to withstand the Sunderland fightback and even Wigan could have gone on to win the game.

Basically, if you had told me that half way through the season we would have 25 points, I wouldn't have believed you. I imagine we are all happy enough with how this season has gone so far.

 

"Because we know when we add up all those inches, that's gunna make the ****ing difference between winning and losing." - Any Given Sunday Speech

 

Often it's hard for teams to notice this 'evening out.' People forget about the moments where luck was on their side and remember when luck isn't on their side!

 

Human nature I'm afraid! One of the workers on the farm where my Dad worked said to the farmer one Friday, "My pay-packet was £5 light today!"
The farmer said, "Didn't you notice that it was £5 over last week?"

"Blast yis," he said, "I don't mind overlooking one mistake, but buggered if I'll overlook two!"

 

Incidentally Munky, how was your trip to Posh, you certainly picked one with goals in it

 

2011-2012 PL: 18 games NCFC 21 points. Team in 18th: 14 points
2012-2013 PL: 18 games NCFC 25 points. Team in 18th: 15 points

So we are a win ahead of last season on both counts (points total and safety margin). Happy Christmas all!

 

That's good to see! 7 point gap last season, 10 point gap this season. Do you know what position we were in after 18 games last season?

 

We were 11th, with a goal difference of -6.

 

Talking of fine margins... Looks like villas game was on a knife edge.

 

Although the Baggies first goal was perhaps fortunate, I have no complaints about the result. Whereas CH out thought Ferguson tactically, I think Clarke out thought CH on Saturday. Second half he got his tactics spot on knowing he could bring on an extra attacking player as they certainly didn't need four at the back and Olsson stepped up into midfield when needed.
The only thing that should have been rewarded was Snodgrass ability to whip in dangerous inswinging free kicks. Both Martin, and Turner in particular, missed gilt edged headers from superb free kicks.