What cost us 4th .... and why I am happy

[CITY FOR LIFE]

First of all thought I would leave it until this afternoon and then come on BM to review what has happened.

What cost us 4th.... easy, late goals in games such has the 2 derbies and 3 of those 7 draws, burnley, Hull and Fulham. End of: those extra points would have seen us home.

Happy... bloody right I am...and why....this is why:

Nearly full house's every game.
COM's starting to feel like our ground now.
The singing has improved greatly, although the odd game could be better, prob because of a poor away support.
Poss 5th if not 6th place finish, was that not what we wanted in Aug.
European Nights next season to look forward to.
Some great games: Chelesea H & A Arsenal H in Lge and CC, Utd away though we lost 3-4, Utd in the Semi, Birmingham 5-1, Winning at Boro for a change, Villa only last week, Burnley away and there are plenty more to add.
Going to games knowing we would be entertained and score goals.
Adam Johnson

It has been interesting, it has been entertaining but more then anything it has been a vast improvement, A game in May mid-week fighting for CL placing I will settle for that kind of season.

And one other thing, well done to the crowd last night from start to finish we nailed it.

 

[davymcfc]

certainly a lot of positives to take from the season. lets enjoy the world cup and make a fresh push next season. onwards and upwards.

 

[BlueBas]

I have to say I was gutted last night, but in the cold light of day I'm pragmatic about not reaching 4th. It now gives us a foundation we can build on without wholesale changes to the team We can keep the core of the team together and with a few additions (Left back, attacking mid, right footed winger and possibly another striker), we can really consolidate and push on next year. Yes, it would have been brilliant to be able to bring in the likes of Ribery and Torres, but I also think they could upset the balance in the team and dressing room. Now, keeping the majority of the squad together (those that want to stay and be part of our future), will really allow the team to grow together and push on. If we can instil some of the Dunkirk spirit of us against the rest of the world (a bit like Mourinho has for Inter and did for Chelsea, but without the ego and arrogance), keep Mancini and improve the squad, we could in the next couple of seasons really push to where we want to be - winning silverware, competing for the premier league and the Champions League. If we stick with Mancini and most of the squad we currently have, I really believe we could get to where we all want to be!

 

[Born to be Blue]

Agree with most of the posts in the op. I would add that we was robbed in the draw against Hull .That late penalty was harsh to say the least, one of several poor decisions over the season - I don't think they evened out . And if only we had played Everton as per the original fixture list.
But lots of positives to look back on.The worst part for me has been the negative spin from the media which I think has stirred up a lot of disruption amongst the players and fans - we must be ready for more of the same next season. Yesterday I was a Blue, today I am a Blue and tomorrow I will be a Blue - So fuck 'em all!!

 

[DazWire]

I agree with much of the above. I think we lost 4th place with that run of draws we had. Last night was our last chance to try and pinch it back and we narrowly failed. Just look at how the team has progressed during the last couple of months or so. No more defenders standing in the box like bleeding statues with players that don't have a clue what there supposed to be doing.

Things are definitely moving in the right direction with the team. I do think there needs to be more pace in that area between midfield and the forwards. Rather than holding out on the wing trying to get the cross in I think A.J. had a good few chances last night to whack a cross in first touch.

Watching that area in the Tottenham side and you could see they all had greater awareness of where their team mates were and what they were likely to do.

This will come for us in time and when we knock Tottenham out of the Europa League next season, Wednesday night and 4th place will be long forgotten. B.M.R.

 

[CITY FOR LIFE]

I have to say I was gutted last night, but in the cold light of day I'm pragmatic about not reaching 4th. It now gives us a foundation we can build on without wholesale changes to the team We can keep the core of the team together and with a few additions (Left back, attacking mid, right footed winger and possibly another striker), we can really consolidate and push on next year. Yes, it would have been brilliant to be able to bring in the likes of Ribery and Torres, but I also think they could upset the balance in the team and dressing room. Now, keeping the majority of the squad together (those that want to stay and be part of our future), will really allow the team to grow together and push on. If we can instil some of the Dunkirk spirit of us against the rest of the world (a bit like Mourinho has for Inter and did for Chelsea, but without the ego and arrogance), keep Mancini and improve the squad, we could in the next couple of seasons really push to where we want to be - winning silverware, competing for the premier league and the Champions League. If we stick with Mancini and most of the squad we currently have, I really believe we could get to where we all want to be!

Aggreewith your commentsand having just listened to the Chairmans interviewon the OS it sounds like it is 'Mancini' next season which is great news. I must say the interview is excellent and the kind of news and approachwehave neededfor years.
13 weeks to the new season, can't wait.

 

[southstand117]

Agree with most of the posts in the op. I would add that we was robbed in the draw against Hull .That late penalty was harsh to say the least, one of several poor decisions over the season - I don't think they evened out . And if only we had played Everton as per the original fixture list.
But lots of positives to look back on.The worst part for me has been the negative spin from the media which I think has stirred up a lot of disruption amongst the players and fans - we must be ready for more of the same next season. Yesterday I was a Blue, today I am a Blue and tomorrow I will be a Blue - So fuck 'em all!!

agree with the media bit, that also for me has been one of the worst parts of the season but we need to learn to live with. Last night was hard to take as we always seem to fall late on, last year uefa cup, this year semi final CC and last night 4th place.. As horrible as it was/is I hope next year it's the league we're going for ad it's a learning curve, for us and the players.. Keep the faith blues, we are one bunch of lucky bastards and one day we will get there!!

 

[The Pink Panther]

Lots of things added together, but IMO one of the biggest was the lack of goals from midfield

NDJ -0
Barry - 2
Ireland - 2
Johnson - 1
Petrov - 4
Viera - 1
SWP - 3

 

[CITY FOR LIFE]

Lots of things added together, but IMO one of the biggest was the lack of goals from midfield

NDJ -0
Barry - 2
Ireland - 2
Johnson - 1
Petrov - 4
Viera - 1
SWP - 3

Good point.

 

[colinbellsboots]

the legue table does not lie, but we have mooved on reguardless of what the media would have us believe,

BOBBY MANC FOR PRESIDENT......you heard it here first.