awful day

What a day.....

Well ive been on many away trip and safely say that was the worst by a mile.
The coach was a joke, the driver couldn’t even find his way around Cardiff and we then broke down after an hour at the services, had to wait over an hour for an engineer to come out (from Cardiff) to fix it. We eventually got going to hit all the traffic etc etc and all this after leaving at 7am

No time to relax in a pub and have a few drinks and enjoy the day, straight to the ground and straight into the seats but the one positive was we made kick off.

Firstly I admit im fuming still so just want to say what a magnificent season this has been and the players have given everything considering everything off the field....

Todays game though...
Marshall looked a nervous wreck, he is a very good keeper and has been magnificent all season but he was totally at fault for the second goal. Im not sure he even needed to come for that cross but when he decided he did he had to get to it and got no where near it.

Defence
Well it was a joke and in fairness has been most of the season. Gerrard was doing ok before his injury but his season overall has been average. Blake has stepped in and done a job and Im happy with the full backs generally. The free kick was pretty unstoppable but the 2nd and 3rd blackpool goals were simply dreadful defending, criminal.
Hudson I have always stuck up for but enough is enough, I don’t care if we paid 1m for him if he will terminate his contract (doubt he would) and as one of the reported highest earners I would release him. All season he has had about 2 brilliant games for us, 2 good games, a few average and all the rest have been shockers. He was awful today and against Leicester and to think he is our captain is a joke.
Jay going off diminished our chances drastically, he is our most important player and makes out team, the sub then from Jones IMO was a terrible terrible mistake..

Etuhu coming on...
I have said for many weeks but this guy is useless, he has pace but nothing else. If jones is bringing him on because he has a bit of height then its a waste of time as Alan Wright in his time at Cardiff won more heads than Etuhu, I think ive seen him win 2 headers all season. Rossco would have won more (chops won more headers) and added so much more, a failing on DJ’s part. Also Etuhu doesn’t seem to have any sort of footballing brain and anticipates absolutely nothing. I was screeming at the amount of times chops made runs out wide from poxy long balls and we had NO ONE in the box. Im even getting so worked up and angry writing this because it was unbelievable.

Only person to come out with real credit was Chopra who ran his socks off in what was basically a lone role really. Scored a great goal and unlucky not to get a second, with a little help from others around him he could have done so much more damage. Thought Ledley had a decent game but cant think of anyone else to mention.

Summary, Ledley wont sign a new deal so he will go and I would release all this out of contract, Enks, Capaldi, Commingues, Feeney, thankfully Etuhu will return to Man City, Kennedy unless he is on a small wage. I expect cut backs as well as we simply cant afford what we have at the moment and personally think Witts and Jay will leave and others depending on bids. Over to you Jones

After the FA Cup final I felt really proud of the lads because they gave everything that day. While Im proud of the season im finding it impossible to feel proud of them today.

Going to sleep now and hope im not as gutted/angry/depressed tomorrow but doubt it. So close yet so far.

Our defence was schoolboyish today. DJ has screwed up with this defence this season and I have lost confidence in him rebuilding it.

Hudson was an awful awful mistake and while I dont rate Gerrard he is good enough to be back up. I havent lost faith in DJ's ability to sign defenders but he must take action and if possible get rid of Hudson.

Hudson has been a mistake, he has had a coupe of decent games but generally does not install confidence in me. What is more worrying is that DJ seems to stick with him.

I admit before the game I would have went with Hudson, i felt with Gerrard having been out and IMO Hudsons reading of the game is much better together with Blackpools one up it would work....it didnt clearly.
Thing is no matter who DJ played he cant have expected such shocking defending for both goals, even Burke, why didnt he throw himself at the ball on the line.

I like DJ and want him to stay but I cant for the life of me get my head around bringing Etuhu on ahead of Rossco

I like DJ and want him to stay but I cant for the life of me get my head around bringing Etuhu on ahead of Rossco

Etuhu first touch has been schoolboyish. His running with the ball is schoolgirlish.....however he has managed t get pass some defenders and get a shot on goal. I'm afriad Ross has not done that all season.

started of brilliant.up there early in the witherspoon pub and going well until half time. then it was like having your soul ripped out after.couldn,t wait to get home after the match,straight to bed when i got in.didn,t even attempt to put the telly on.never mind always next season.

I admit before the game I would have went with Hudson, i felt with Gerrard having been out and IMO Hudsons reading of the game is much better together with Blackpools one up it would work....it didnt clearly.
Thing is no matter who DJ played he cant have expected such shocking defending for both goals, even Burke, why didnt he throw himself at the ball on the line.

I like DJ and want him to stay but I cant for the life of me get my head around bringing Etuhu on ahead of Rossco

I agree mate, changing the back four just before a final is asking for trouble. In hindsight though, maybe we should have asked for that trouble!

excellent post TBTH