I feel nervous constantly throughout every game other than the rare occasion where we've blown teams away! Maybe it's because the stakes are high and we're playing for something. For most recent seasons, we've been pretty much safe by this point so league games didn't keep me on edge the way I am at the moment. This is what football is all about, where every game matters, and you start watching other teams games desperately hoping they drop points. Not quite the same feeling if you're aiming for 13-15th place...
I would suggest a part of that is due to not conceding as much territory and possession as other teams, under Ivic we had a lot of pretty aimless possession, and even now that we're able to play a bit more openly, we're still not conceding many chances
Didn't McCarthy bare a massive grudge against Watford. Heard something about it when he was Manager of Millwall. Did he have a bit of a spat with GT? He was a de-stabilising influence on Connolly when he was ROI manager. Told him if he wanted to play for the international team he had to move to another club? Or have I eaten alot of cheese and dreamed the whole thing up.
Happy with the line up. Wouldn't say I'm confident though given our away form and Cardiff's recent run. Win would be massive though
Foster on the bench is also interesting, is he fully fit I wonder? You'd have thought this would be his kind of game rather than Bachmann's
It is nice to finally be in a period where we don't seem to have to worry about what craziness whoever picks the team is going to come out with game to game, week to week. Good to see nothing silly like JP being pushed out to accomodate Gray now we have a midfield again happening, too.
Zinc keeps his place, which is a bit surprising - not sure away at Cardiff is the type of game he'll thrive in.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a keeper subbed off apart from injury. Why not though. If your striker was having a bad game you would replace him
Himself and Lazaar both did late fitness tests and Lazaar made the bench so he must be close to a return. Tough game today but we've been in decent form and we go into it knowing 2 of our rivals have won. Big chance to lay down a marker a get a win away to a playoff hopefuls.
I Remember Richard Lee being a tactical sub on at one point and it turning the game. Can't remember much more than that about it.
Well we don't really have anyone to replace him in that advanced role, but anyway, he's played well in the last two games, could be that missing link we've been crying out for for so long
Im in two minds to watch Final Score. Seeing Jason Mohammad being smug if we lose. He's a decent bloke and a good presenter - he just gets a bit too excited when they go to Cardiff's game.
I'm a big Foster fan, but I have to agree that it is probably for the best that he is only on the bench today, as he has only been back in training for a few days and todays match has probably come just a bit to early to throw him back in at the deep end.
Still no Gosling. Success has already overtaken Perica. If he comes on hope he proves himself. Sema and Zinckernagel could swap in and out on that left hand side of midfield. Need to help out Sarr and Kiko as I expect MM will have briefed that most of our attacks come down the right.
From memory didn’t Chelsea also do it in a league cup final against City as it went to a shoot out? Can’t remember the specifics but the keeper coming on was supposedly better at pens but I don’t think he saved one and they lost.
Kepa had cramp and was gonna be subbed for penalty specialist Caballero, but he refused to come off and alas City won the shoot-out...
