There are many many reasons for the awful season we have had so far and the fact that only a miracle will save us now. Many players have let us down and continue to let us down but despite all this we have been so very close to picking up draws and wins its untrue. We have literally given points away left right and centre. There have been loads of "if onlys" and " back luck" or "referee mistakes" but thats just the rub of the green and would not matter one iota but for just two moments of self destruction. I believe that at the end of the season we will look back at two key flashpoints that were 'Sliding doors' moments 1. Joey Barton and his foolish sending off against Norwich. Where would we be if he had not risen to the bait? 2. Cisse being sent off against Wolves. Ditto Just imagine if these two very avoidable sendings off had not occured. As a minimum I believe we would have beaten Norwich, Wolves and Cisse at Blackburn would have been worth a goal or two. Three wins and 9 more points would have us mid table - clear of any relegation battle. On top of that there is the momentum from winning and the team spirit would be far better than at present, thus relieving the pressure on the players which maybe would allow a few of them to play better. Maybe even Barton would be flourishing? This momentus should have resulted in at least another win - at The Villa So despite everything else that has happened, these two moments, that lasted maybe 5 seconds each, may well prove to be the difference between our survival and relegation.
Good post Melaka. Disagree with you over the Barton sending-off though. He was sent off for a non-existent head butt which (obviously) wasn't seen by anybody, least of all the officials. He was sent off for being Joey Barton.
Good post but for every bad decision we get against us somewhere during the season we will get those decisions go for us.No consolation I know but hey !Last saturdays sending off was key.With Cisse we might have had a chance without him we are stuffed.
I agree Melaka. In particular, I think Cisse's sending off could be the pivotal point of the season. I don't think these things always do even themselves out. With Cisse, we would have beaten Wolves and been in a better frame of mind, with a better team, to have beaten Blackburn.... and gone on to save our PL status. As it stands now, I'm not at all sure we will.
