It’s the season that continues to…happen. Last month, we went in with some momentum – we beat Fulham, progressed in the FA Cup and got a point against City. The tide felt like it was starting to turn. The cliches were in our favour.
The Villa Wake-Up Call
But the giddiness came to an abrupt halt when we disappointingly lost at Villa. The thing is, that shouldn’t be an unexpected loss, especially this season. It just felt like we’d allowed ourselves to dream of survival, whilst watching the world crash down around Spurs. It was feel-good, with results for teams around us starting to benefit us.
The Villa defeat brought reality back to the fore. What really killed the vibe was the Spurs and Forest game being played simultaneously. There was a last-day-of-the-season feel. Sure, we can all point and laugh at Spurs, but Forest being the beneficiary of their misfortune was a fresh burn for us. That day could have been so different all-round for us.
Cup Dreams and Tactical Dilemmas
Then, there follows the disappointment of not making the FA Cup semi-final, something else we allowed ourselves to daydream about. The team selection didn’t suggest we were really going for it. Of course, there are league games to consider, but in hindsight, maybe playing 90 minutes and going for it would have been a better option than playing 120 and bowing out on heart-stopping penalties.
It’s the hope that kills you, ultimately. What a crazy game from 90 minutes onwards. One for the history books, but the pain of watching the Pablo penalty will linger on.
The Uncertainty of the Survival Race
Heading into the final stages of the season, I just don’t know what to expect. I know that’s not insightful, but does anyone have any feeling of how this will end? Nothing about this season – the last few seasons, in fact – feels like anything we have experienced before.
A friend asked me this week about whether we’re going down. And honestly, that was the moment it hit me. Obviously, as fans we talk about it weekly, if not daily. But suddenly being asked about it and admitting it could happen, felt more real.
A Squad Without Egos
I do think we’ve come to a point that this is now a team. A couple of games last month showed the difference it makes when the big egos are gone. That could really work in our favour if the squad isn’t shaken up by tantrums, injuries or fatigue.
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