28 Dec 2025 11:43:54
One of Sean O'Driscoll's (much underrated and a great thinker about the game) dictums was that he couldn’t affect the result, but only the performance of his players. Yesterday was a classic example. Performance excellent, result up to 'fine margins' type issues such as ref decisions, missed chances, etc.
I will rewatch the game today away from the emotion, but I will say the referee bottled the decision to award a blatant second yellow for Gvardiol. As easy a decision as any ref could hope to make but he fluffed it. The City player wasn’t even looking at the ball when he stopped Jesus breaking.
Their second goal brings to mind SOD's second maxim to mind. Instead of criticising refs we should try to help them. There was so much going on in the box from the corner with 20 players in and around a crowded penalty area I was watching the ball rather than than MGW being wrestled to the floor, so I didn’t spot it.
What about a rule change where any grabbing or 'wrap a round grappling' is automatically a foul, supported by VAR review. It reminds me of the shambles that was the line out in Rugby Union back in the day. Now ref keep the lines apart, lifting is allowed, no jumping into and across the line and certainly no off the ball grabbing or obstruction.
A few disallowed goals and penalties would soon put a stop to it imo ( ok, at the expense of more VAR time but it’s a goal scoring or penalty situation therefore game changing moments). But, if it’s not done then let’s not moan about it and the lottery it’s become.
Incidentally, I thought we deserved a point yesterday, likewise at Fulham even though the performances were chalk and cheese.
28 Dec 2025 15:47:39
Dyche obviously not doing his job properly then stokey cause performance wise there hit and miss every other game. and at end of day it doesn't matter what we should of or deserved to get it's points that matter I should of and deserved to win lottery last night but guess what I didn't boooooo.
28 Dec 2025 17:00:05
If Dyche can't motivate the players against teams not in the big 6/ 8 then we have a big problem and the team can't progress.
The players have proven that they are good enough. Anything less than that against the other teams is not good enough and they have to change their attitude. 100% against every team, not just put yourself in the shop window performances.
COYR!
28 Dec 2025 17:19:11
Skegs things will look different with Aina, Sangare and Yates back in the side. Hutchinson and Jesus (Edu) improving and a threat in every game.
Dyche is doing ok and things will improve.
28 Dec 2025 17:32:24
Shaun Dyche
Played 14 won 7, drew 2 list 5 50% win rate
That's way above any manager we've had after first joining the club.
28 Dec 2025 18:34:09
Did I mention, I was 1st on here to say we should get him ???? keep believing reds ?.
28 Dec 2025 18:36:34
Shaun Dyche
Played 14 won 7 drawn 2. 17th in the league
Thats way lower than any manager we've had after first joining the club.
28 Dec 2025 18:37:29
The wins have come across nobody teams. ?? if we didn't beat them we would be in bottom 2 loses against Everton and west ham he will be gone thank god.
28 Dec 2025 18:51:25
We were in the bottom 3 and are now 5 points clear of it
Your mate nuno on 2 wins from 13 and according to you he's a far better manager? ?.
28 Dec 2025 18:53:03
Excellent posts DTP and Bse. Skegg and Larry you do make me laugh sometimes my friends. You must think man management is like pressing a button and suddenly everything’s firing on all cylinders and we are Real Madrid! ????It’s real life not armchair football manager
Let’s have a dose of reality shall we. ….
When Cloughie arrived his first half season record was played 17, won 3, Lost 6 drew 8. His League position to start with was 13th and he finished 16th
The next season he got us up to a solid 8th.
See DTP stats above but bear in mind he’s inherited a club in free fall, taking over from one disaffected manager and an incompetent one. He started 4 points below safety and he’s currently 5 points ahead of the drop. He’s been here just over 2 months, inherited a crop of injured key players ( Wood, Murillo, Yates recently, Aina) with no transfer window and no pre season.
We didn’t show up against Bournemouth ( his first Prem game) Brighton, Everton or Fulham, however we have been brilliant against Man Utd, Spurs, Leeds, Liverpool and ground out a result against Wolves. Our performance yesterday was excellent but with no luck.
I’m reminded of John McGoverns wry quip that as soon as he joined every game he played he got a standing ovation! ????.
28 Dec 2025 18:57:29
Kiss my ass hats, get on with it ???.
28 Dec 2025 19:27:31
Let's see where we are after the next 2 games ladies ? rose tinted glasses again. dyche will be gone after them or will be gone for the summer either way he's a stop gap because he will never be better than that fact ?.
28 Dec 2025 19:36:33
Hopefully 3 points better off, but I'm sure will be to your displeasure.
28 Dec 2025 19:42:21
I mean wtf did you just watch skegs? Any manager for me who can make his team play actual football and work hard doing it is good enough for me? Don't think you could actually pull any weak links out with players, just simple mistakes against a cheating team. (Should be playing hartlepool)
28 Dec 2025 19:57:28
Skegs wins against “nobody teams”? Like Liverpool at Anfield. I hope Ed 1 doesn’t catch this post mate ……. ????.
28 Dec 2025 20:04:07
He will keep is up that's the job he was bought into do. I mean surely we can't be worse than wolves Burnley west ham with all the talent and money that's been spent on this squad just saying.
28 Dec 2025 20:15:41
Unlike some fans on here that where rose tinted glasses I'm sure ed would agree Liverpool are not the team they were at the minute and pretty much anyone as a chance of beating them.
28 Dec 2025 20:15:46
So now he's going to keep us up?
Must be lovely in there?
28 Dec 2025 21:45:19
My rose tainted ass skegs,. my one eye beats your two you lover of all sky sports want. Can't see the football for the 5p acca.