Can't agree that we've been poor all season because, if that were the case, we'd be nowhere near top four and already qualified for the CL knock-out stage. It just doesn't square. What is clear is that since the beginning of November there's been a terrible decline in the team's performances.
Two or three remarks, though. Not bringing on Foden from about minute 60, when it was crystal clear that neither Merlin nor Kev had been functioning from the beginning of the match, is simply incomprehensible. Bringing him on right at the end is simply an insult. What on earth is Pep thinking? What must the lad be thinking?
Our inability to vary our tactics is worrying. Teams have got us sussed. The pretty passing in an arc from side to side outside their box, waiting for a gap to appear which simply did not appear, was repeated over and over in the most sterile way. One thing we're barely doing, which we executed well during Pep's first season, and brilliantly during the Centurions season: the overlap on both touchlines, and the angled cut-back along the ground right into the opposition box. Walker did it once yesterday in the first half, it didn't get through, but it was beautiful to see. Sane's out, so it's not really an option on the other side (it's unfair to ask either Angeliño or Zin to do it, they just don't have the pace, and in Mendy's case both his pace and confidence are shot). But Pep must have told Walker not to do it, presumably because he doesn't have the legs to get back any more. Whatever it is, we're missing it, direly, as a way of mixing it up, and alternative to the probing through the middle, which absolutely was not working yesterday. High crosses: forget them. They are meat and drink to the opposition, and that is true of virtually everyone we play. Laporte scored the crucial goal at Brighton in the final game last season. Otamendi, yesterday. Two central defenders. That tells you everything you need to know.
And now, something else. A friend I met in the car park afterwards said something that I have to hold my hands up to. We as supporters are really not great. If things are going our way, it's all fine and dandy. It's normal that things should have gone flat after United's second. But I expected us to give the team more in the second half. Even in the south stand, nothing much was happening. A bloke in my row left at half time! I mean, what the actual? Another bloke in my row - a good blue, who I know and like - left fully twenty minutes before the end. Now it's not for me to police other fans' behaviour, but it leaves me very puzzled indeed. I don't care about other club's fans, that's neither here nor there for me. We criticize the players – legitimate – we criticise the manager – legitimate – we might take a good long look at ourselves sometimes. Are we becoming entitled? I hope not.
Oh and one more thing. Two seasons ago, we accumulated a never before seen 100 points, and won two trophies. Last season, we achieved a never before seen domestic treble. These are things I never expected to see, even after the takeover. It is right that we as fans should not forget too quickly. But for any truly great team and manager, these things should be ancient history. Only the current season counts. Only the next match is real. Otherwise, you're already sliding towards a mindset where you've put your slippers on, you've lit your pipe, and you're sitting by the fire reminiscing. I'm a grandfather, but I don't fucking want that! Because there's only one stop after that one...
Yesterday hurts, and will carry on hurting for days, like a burn, but the rags are essentially an irrelevance. Our title challenge is over. The season isn't even half over, and there are trophies to be won. Be critical – that's our prerogative – but let's get behind the fucking team on match days! Otherwise, I mean really, what's the point?
