I've been reviewing this season, to understand why we have performed so poorly and have identified some 'key moments' that have gone against us, often at crucial times, which have added up to a miserly 28 points from 30 games. Brighton (h ). Trailing 0-1 and early in the second half we had two moments that could have changed the match. First Gray misses an absolute sitter, shortly afterwards Watford were denied a stonewall penalty when Murray handles a goal bound Pereyra free kick and the referee/VAR ignores the incident. These were two match changing moments that didn't go our way. One was our fault and the other was the fault of the official. Brighton went on to win 3-0 Everton (a ). Losing 0-1 and Gerri not only gets pushed in the back but tripped at the same time in the penalty area, but no penalty was awarded. Could have given us a great opportunity to have equalised. West Ham (h ). Having equalised straight after half time, Hughes missed the easiest of tap ins to make it 2-1. Had that gone in, I'd have expected we'd have got something positive from the match, however, we lost our way and the introduction of Antonio saw us finally lose 3-1. Newcastle (a ). With Watford winning to an early Hughes goal, Newcastle equalise with handball goal. The first of FOUR handball goals scored against us this season. This denied us a priceless away win. Arsenal (h ) Flores' first game and Watford came storming back in the second half coming back from 0-2. Doucoure made a last minute lung bursting run and almost won us the points with a shot in the last kick of the game, but unfortunately for us it went wide. It was a moment that could have had a dramatic impact to our season and we ended up with 1 point instead of 3. So you can see, in the first 5 games we had key moments that all went against us. Poor referring decisions, bad VAR reviews and bad misses from our players. We ended up with just 2 points, but arguably could have had about 11. A massive swing, and has been a noose around our necks all season because of that unfortunate start. I'll skip past the next few games as they largely went by without incident. The next game of note was Spurs away. Winning 1-0 and entering the last few minutes, Deli Ali handles the ball to control it and scores. VAR gets it wrong again AGAIN, and we end up dropping 2 more valuable points. Southampton ( a) We were winning 1-0 and looking likely to see the game out, only for it to turn in the 78 minute when Southampton equalise but a hand was used in the build up. It should clearly have been disallowed, but Southampton's goal was allowed to stand and with he momentum swing changed the direction of the match in Southampton's favour and they went on to score another late goal in a 2-1 defeat for us. Leicester (a ). The game was an even contest, with very little drama, then for a reason only the referee can fathom, he awards Leicester a penalty out of nothing. They of course score from this and go on to get another with the last kick to give them an undeserved 2-0 victory. Another big moment that conspired against us. Liverpool (a ). Strangely this is a game we should have won. We spurned THREE glorious chances to score. Real sitters too. Liverpool score a brilliant Salah goal just before half time, then add a second in injury time to give them an undeserved win. Sheff Utd (a ). Winning 1-0 and comfortable, then Hughes gives away a clumsy penalty which they score from. We should have seen this one out yet the shoot ourselves in the foot once more. Spurs (h ) Tight match with very little in it, then for once we get a break and Michael Oliver awards us a late penalty. Deeney sees his spot kick saved though and a glorious chance of winning was wasted. Aston Villa (a ). We were winning this one, but Villa came back strongly to equalise. That should have been that, but once again we screw up with the last kick of the match and they nick it, 30 seconds over the allotted injury time. The referee blew the final whistle straight after the restart. This was a real kick-in-the-teeth result. Everton (h ). Winning 2-0 and coasting. Everton then score right on half time, when Yerry Mina not only pushes Cathcart in the back but handles the ball before scoring. VAR misses it once more and Everton seize the momentum swing and score again less than a minute later. To rub salt in the wounds we concede another last kick of the game goal to see a game we should have won comfortably, end up with nothing. Brighton (a ) Winning 1-0 and comfortable. The game was coming to its conclusion and we would have seen this out, when inexplicably Mariappa panics with no one around him and fires the ball into the back of his own net. A goal completely out of nowhere and another chance to win is thrown away. Leicester (h ) Almost another give away. A tight contest which we edged on chances, only sees Chilwell score what looked like ANOTHER 90 minute winner. This time we actually did something positive and equalised with a 95th minute goal. To give some balance, we have had some things go our way, but these have been minimal and low impacting. Like the penalty we were awarded against Chelsea, or the penalty Leicester should have had in the first half at their ground (even though the referee evened that up later in the game). That amazing clearance off the line in the final minute against Spurs. The de Gea fumble for our first goal against United. That probably allowed us to win a match we may have ended up losing. So these moments, and there's a tonne of them, have mainly gone against Watford. They all add up, and even if half of these events didn't happen or were reversed, we'd probably have at least 10 more points. It's easy to forget these moments, and I'm sure there are other things which I have forgotten about, but this really sums up our season. Last minute goals, VAR missing handball goals, poor referring decisions and missed chances at key moments.
I think if we had avoided conceding most of the goals we've conceded this season, and scored a few more penalties, we'd have a lot more points.
With regards to the Spurs games, didn't we have a cast iron penalty turned down at their place? By that time VAR had never overturned a ref's decision regarding penalties, that changed the following week. At home we did miss a penalty but Pussetto did make a goal line clearance at the end so that one evens out a bit. At Southampton, that defeat was a blessing in disguise as it meant the end of QSF.
Football club in 'things go against them during a season shock horror!' Who would have known!? I want more bad luck. I want us relegated with another ghost goal/handball/own goal/VAR controversy!
Yes I know it was controversial but I felt needed saying. I stopped short of pointing out that it was all clearly part of the PL plan to relegate us but i think that goes without saying.
Had we turned up in most of the first 15/16 games of the season we might be doing better. To score one goal v Brighton,West Ham ,Sheffield, Burnley and Bournemouth at home between them is pretty appalling regardless of what luck we maybe didn't have.
I would say another ‘key moment’ was the appointment of QSF. We lost an awful lot of ground over those 10 league games with really only three decent performances, against Arsenal, Spurs and a fading Norwich.
We haven't had the rub of the green with VAR which I think most would agree with but the Everton and Spurs incidents you mention are not clear cut in my view. The foul on Delefeou not given at Spurs was far worse. The fact is if you asked fans of Bournemouth, West Ham and Villa you will probably get the same tale of sorrow. You make your own luck and we haven't done enough this season so far.
As I mentioned. I've tried to keep it balanced, not a focus just on referees. It is clear there has been a combination of things which has gone against us. Some of our own making, some bad luck and some bad decisions. It's the sheer amount of games though that has surprised me. When it's all written down, it's 15 matches, which is 50% of our games. Sure most teams will have tales of woe, but I think you'd struggle to see 50% of games, where either a controversial or major incident has gone against you. These late goals. No ones fault but ourselves, but there have been a lot. Is that down to tiredness, mental fatigue, poor game management or just bad luck....maybe all of that on occasions. It just strikes me as a season, if it could go wrong it generally has. Even with all that, we've still beaten Liverpool and United, did not lose to Spurs home or away, took a point off Arsenal and Leicester. So we've done a lot better against the traditional top six and higher placed clubs this season, than has been the case in previous years. Beat Wolves and were undefeated against a high flying Sheff Utd too (although they're a bit crap now). So it's not all been a pile of crap, but it's certainly one I'd like to forget about.
Villa away you forgot to add that Mings should have been sent off for a second yellow after his hand ball and so wouldn't been on the pitch to deflect the winner in!!
I've said it before but we didn't look ready at the start of the season. We didn't look fit enough, we didn't play with enough intensity and yes we didn't have a lot of luck go in our favour but you can make your own luck. I sincerely hope that we stay up and this was just a blip and we can move forward although I don't expect many players coming in or out this transfer window although. If we got a centre back I would be happy with just that to be honest
I have to agree with that. If you look at the points ratio since Pearson took over, it's more than good enough to stay in the league. I think he inherited 9 points from 14 games. Since that time we've picked up 19 points from 16 games. An average of 1.18 ppg, which would equate to around 45 points, which is inline with my expectations for this squad. We probably don't need a major overhaul, just a couple of players here and there. If we can use those touted players we currently have on loan, that would help the forward line and left back position. Central defence is the key area, and obviously high on the club's priority. If we can retain the players we want to keep, then I suspect only a couple of players would really need to be added to what we have. All this only applies if we keep the current coaching set-up of course.
We won't be spending any money this summer to strengthen the squad. We had no money before CV19 and the virus will have worsened our financial position considerably.
I hope Deulofeu's injury doesn't turn out to be a key moment. I am so nervous about tonight but I would be feeling a lot more confident with both him and Sarr charging at the Burnley defence.
I'm glad those moments didn't go in our favour as it would've just papered over the cracks of how utterly shyte we've been at times this season. Relegation battle is the only thing that's going to see Gino spend some money on some defenders and a striker. Also, if every team had an incorrect decision gone their way we'd probably be in a similar position. Most exciting end to a season we've had since promotion as well.
It's only exciting if we survive. Just like the FA Cup final, it was only exciting until the kick off, then the slow realisation that we were going to be embarrassed sunk in. I agree, that it could give everyone a bit of a jolt, as the impression I got was a bit of complacency. I doubt we'll spend big though, just a couple of astute (hopefully) signings to cover issues in defence. Cucho and Suarez, if we get them, could have a big impact to our squad next season.
With regards to performances, missed chances, sure (although we've not been a very clinical team for a long while tbf), but we have been very unlucky with decisions
As much as it's 'good' that our season didn't peter out in November yet again, we can only say that if we finish 17th or higher! I don't think we'll spend much this summer, nor will anyone outside of the big clubs. That said, a couple of players in key positions and we could be fine
With Estupinan, Cucho, Saurez all hopefully being integrated, we really only need a starting CB and a RB to give Femenia competition. Obviously if we sell Pereyra and Doucoure which is highly likely, then Doucoure will need to be replaced.
The only thing I would add to that is I'm not too sure whether a RB would be a priority as Janmaat (remember him?) did sign a new contract recently. Pereyra is certain to go, however, I think the gloss over Doucoure has faded over the past couple of years. It wouldn't surprise me is he's still with us next season....provided we don't go down of course.
While it's more than fair to say we've underperformed this year, I honestly cannot remember another season where so many decisions have gone against us. We've had very, very bad luck this season.
No, it would still be exciting even if we narrowly went down. Disappointing of course, but a close relegation battle is exciting almost by definition. The run-in to relegation under GT in 1996, for example, was hugely exciting with some amazing games.
I remember the 12/13 season fondly despite ultimate failure, but who the **** can enjoy a narrow relegation?
Burnley (a) The weather was a bit hot and Deeney looked slow and wouldn’t have scored if we’d have played until Christmas. Such are the fine margins at this level.
I started reading this and my immediate thought "if if's and but's were chips and putts we'd all be Tiger Woods".
Pozzo not paying bonuses the players were due before this season started caused this. Pozzo being a tight **** has caused this. Pozzo OUT.
