Football IS about the highs and lows as one week you win and the next week you lose. The nature of sport is that for every winner there has to be a loser and in some sports it is many losers to the one winner so acceptance of defeat is an important part of continuing to compete.
Last night I supported my League Two selection, Exeter City, as they took on Northampton Town in the Play Off Final. Exeter finished fifth and Northampton finished seventh so there was a superficial advantage but in the semi-finals Northampton had beaten Cheltenham who finished fourth so they were full of confidence and it became quickly apparent that Exeter were without anything like that.
We were warned by the commentary team that Red and White is a losing colour scheme in the Play Off Finals and Exeter quickly capitulated and showed nothing in terms of effort or inspiration. The whole match was dominated by a competent Northampton side that won everything in the air. Maybe Exeter should recruit people with height if they are to compete in future.
For a short while Exeter played the ball on the ground and started to dominate play but the frustration of a poor performance was played out in an uncontrolled tackle by Dean Moxey on an unfortunate player in black. The red card was deserved because the diving in was from behind and he connected. With 10 men an already poor performance became worse. Exeter showed no signs of fight and readily allowed two late goals to end up 4-0 down.
FALSE CROWD NOISE
After that I decided to look at the AMAZON offering for the last half hour of the match between Crystal Palace and Burnley. I was also playing a computer game and found myself looking up more than I usually do because the crowd noise made the match sound really exciting. Don't get me wrong as it was a determined Crystal Palace that were battering the Burnley goal at the end of the match and one slightly different deflection might have given the Palace an equaliser but the AMAZON crowd noise was louder than other providers and maybe a way to go in future.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY OFFS
Now that the National League has agreed that play-offs can take place and all bar one of the teams has agreed to participate I want to know when the matches will take place. Checking the official website all the play-off dates are in April and May which have now gone. Come on whoever is making decisions on behalf of the league. Publish the dates so we can start looking forward to some real football at a good standard but with friendlier fans than you get at League Clubs.
F.A.CUP SEMI FINALS
So there are no surprises in the final four. The F.A.Cup has picked its traditional sides for the four slots and we have two mouthwatering matches at Wembley.
Chelsea will take on Manchester United, and Arsenal will take on Manchester City.
The matches are scheduled for the weekend of July 18th/19th but I have not yet seen the decision as to which match will take place on which date.
MY BLOG
With all of the lower leagues cancelled in terms of promotion and relegation it looks like I will be picking the same teams for next season. There is no need to change. As we approach the top of the pyramid, however, there may be a couple of selections that I do have to make.
Weymouth are in the playoffs in National League South and whilst the odds are against it if they do gain promotion I will have to choose between them and Torquay for my National League selection. I will always check the internet coverage as it changes season to season. Bath City might be a good choice as it is a lovely city to visit and I could impress the wife with the beauty of the place.
.
Another possible choice at National League level is Yeovil Town but Torquay United offered me a friendly welcome when I went to drink at their bar and there was a good win that day so they told me I should return soon which I have not done since then. The parking there did not make me feel comfortable so I wish it was better organised.
League Two will force me to make a decision. Do I keep Exeter City who are staying at Level 4 or choose Southend United who are dropping down from Level 3? I intend not to decide until the season is over but we shall see.
League One could be a problem. Let me look at the options ..... Plymouth Argyle? They are popping up from League Two. Bristol Rovers? They are an established club in League one. Sunderland? A club that have a great history and really need to rise back up to the level that the support demands. Lincoln City? Managed by Danny Cowley who I have had an eye on since his Braintree days.
The Championship should be Brentford who I have grown to love over the last few seasons but who only became my pick because Wojciech Cszsesny (easier to say than to spell, I have to check every time) played there for a short time. Neal Maupay has gone on to Brighton but the team have played very well without him and Olly Watkins has slotted well into the scoring role.
Brentford DO have a chance of promotion, though, so if they get to the Premier League I will be dropping them (keeping a side eye open) as I can never drop Arsenal (well not until we get relegated under the lack of funding of the Kroenkes). Who might take over if Brentford ARE promoted. The choices would be ..... almost certainly Cardiff City, for the same reason as Bath City, as it is a great place to visit with plenty to see and a good social life.
I have plans for next season and I hope I can keep my real life under control as it is far easier to blog when things are going well. Until my next post, keep supporting your local teams.
Last night I supported my League Two selection, Exeter City, as they took on Northampton Town in the Play Off Final. Exeter finished fifth and Northampton finished seventh so there was a superficial advantage but in the semi-finals Northampton had beaten Cheltenham who finished fourth so they were full of confidence and it became quickly apparent that Exeter were without anything like that.
We were warned by the commentary team that Red and White is a losing colour scheme in the Play Off Finals and Exeter quickly capitulated and showed nothing in terms of effort or inspiration. The whole match was dominated by a competent Northampton side that won everything in the air. Maybe Exeter should recruit people with height if they are to compete in future.
For a short while Exeter played the ball on the ground and started to dominate play but the frustration of a poor performance was played out in an uncontrolled tackle by Dean Moxey on an unfortunate player in black. The red card was deserved because the diving in was from behind and he connected. With 10 men an already poor performance became worse. Exeter showed no signs of fight and readily allowed two late goals to end up 4-0 down.
FALSE CROWD NOISE
After that I decided to look at the AMAZON offering for the last half hour of the match between Crystal Palace and Burnley. I was also playing a computer game and found myself looking up more than I usually do because the crowd noise made the match sound really exciting. Don't get me wrong as it was a determined Crystal Palace that were battering the Burnley goal at the end of the match and one slightly different deflection might have given the Palace an equaliser but the AMAZON crowd noise was louder than other providers and maybe a way to go in future.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY OFFS
Now that the National League has agreed that play-offs can take place and all bar one of the teams has agreed to participate I want to know when the matches will take place. Checking the official website all the play-off dates are in April and May which have now gone. Come on whoever is making decisions on behalf of the league. Publish the dates so we can start looking forward to some real football at a good standard but with friendlier fans than you get at League Clubs.
F.A.CUP SEMI FINALS
So there are no surprises in the final four. The F.A.Cup has picked its traditional sides for the four slots and we have two mouthwatering matches at Wembley.
Chelsea will take on Manchester United, and Arsenal will take on Manchester City.
The matches are scheduled for the weekend of July 18th/19th but I have not yet seen the decision as to which match will take place on which date.
MY BLOG
With all of the lower leagues cancelled in terms of promotion and relegation it looks like I will be picking the same teams for next season. There is no need to change. As we approach the top of the pyramid, however, there may be a couple of selections that I do have to make.
Weymouth are in the playoffs in National League South and whilst the odds are against it if they do gain promotion I will have to choose between them and Torquay for my National League selection. I will always check the internet coverage as it changes season to season. Bath City might be a good choice as it is a lovely city to visit and I could impress the wife with the beauty of the place.
.
Another possible choice at National League level is Yeovil Town but Torquay United offered me a friendly welcome when I went to drink at their bar and there was a good win that day so they told me I should return soon which I have not done since then. The parking there did not make me feel comfortable so I wish it was better organised.
League Two will force me to make a decision. Do I keep Exeter City who are staying at Level 4 or choose Southend United who are dropping down from Level 3? I intend not to decide until the season is over but we shall see.
League One could be a problem. Let me look at the options ..... Plymouth Argyle? They are popping up from League Two. Bristol Rovers? They are an established club in League one. Sunderland? A club that have a great history and really need to rise back up to the level that the support demands. Lincoln City? Managed by Danny Cowley who I have had an eye on since his Braintree days.
The Championship should be Brentford who I have grown to love over the last few seasons but who only became my pick because Wojciech Cszsesny (easier to say than to spell, I have to check every time) played there for a short time. Neal Maupay has gone on to Brighton but the team have played very well without him and Olly Watkins has slotted well into the scoring role.
Brentford DO have a chance of promotion, though, so if they get to the Premier League I will be dropping them (keeping a side eye open) as I can never drop Arsenal (well not until we get relegated under the lack of funding of the Kroenkes). Who might take over if Brentford ARE promoted. The choices would be ..... almost certainly Cardiff City, for the same reason as Bath City, as it is a great place to visit with plenty to see and a good social life.
I have plans for next season and I hope I can keep my real life under control as it is far easier to blog when things are going well. Until my next post, keep supporting your local teams.
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