One really encouraging thing about this season so far. In two of the games when we went behind (Stoke, Liverpool) we came back to get a point. In the other, we almost certainly would have got at least a point if that incompetent referee hadn't ruled out Jerome's equaliser. Compare that to our relegation season, when going behind meant game over. There are a lot of reasons to be hopeful about this season at the moment.
Absolutely. The way we have played in the home games has been immense. As you say, with a more competent referee, we should have equalised against Palace (or had Jerome been fully fit, could have taken the lead after 10 minutes!!) and could probably have gone on to win and we should have thrashed Stoke. The way the entire team celebrated after Wes's goal last Saturday was a joy to watch. OK, we had that 'blip' against Saints, but that was after 'Grabbangate' etc and all teams have an off game. I feel we can give most teams a good game this season!!!
Alex Neil always gives the opposition due respect, but unlike his predecessor the last time we were in this division, is not ****-scared of them. It's 11 vs 11 when that first whistle goes - not 22 vs 11, as Mr Hughton would have you believe Plus, as the OP says, going behind now translates into a steely resolve to get back into it, rather than an excuse to raise the white flag!! Long may it continue OTBC!
I am 99% sure that we would have lost the game under CH. Every time we went behind it was almost like the lads had already accepted a loss was inevitable. Glad that's changed now.
