I don't want to put a downer on us before the game tonight but I think we do need to improve our big/significant game record to take the step up to the next level.
I may be thinking we're not very good in them because we've played so many and are bound to lose some but, off the top of my head, the following games stand out over the last decade.
2010 - Chelsea PL & Bayern Munich CL
2011 - Man City FA Cup
2012 - Man City PL
2013 - Real Madrid CL
2014 - Sunderland LC (well it was big for Moyes and could have made a difference)
2015 - Arsenal FA Cup
2016 - Wolfsburg CL and West Ham PL
2017 - not a single game but quite a few games in that long unbeaten run should have been wins rather than draws
2018 - Sevilla CL & Chelsea FA Cup
2019 - Take your pick from a number of games along the home straight
This is not me having a whinge as I know we are where we are but recently we do seem to falter rather than come through when it comes to the real crunch games. Maybe this is unfair and I sincerely hope it won't be the case tonight (I do see us winning by a couple) but it will be a 'trend' that needs reversing moving forward.
Big Game Record
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 24 minutes ago
I think, like most your games seem to be, first goal will be key. Since lockdown resumed you've struggled in the opening minutes and teams have either missed good chances, or youve got a pen. Once you have the goal though you've been exceptional and put teams to the sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure that's entirely accurate. Spurs, Bournemouth and Southampton all scored first, so getting the first goal wasn't key to maintaining that unbeaten run. And of the 9 games since restart, only in the Villa match was our first goal a penalty.
posted on 22/7/20
I get you Diafol. I'm not trying to make an argument that we've been great in crunch games. We haven't. And I'm more pessimistic than most people on this board about tonight's match.
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 3 minutes ago
I get you Diafol. I'm not trying to make an argument that we've been great in crunch games. We haven't. And I'm more pessimistic than most people on this board about tonight's match.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know
I do think we'll win tonight though. We just need to start quick IMO and set the tempo right straight away. We can then hopefully manage the game better.
On another note it really does annoy me when I at least put some thought into an article and a one-liner article or a WUM gets much more comments!
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
On another note it really does annoy me when I at least put some thought into an article and a one-liner article or a WUM gets much more comments!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
wouldn't worry about it, i have noticed that if you want to all but guarantee no responses to a comment, make it a 3-4 paragraph one, well thought out, with plenty of evidence supporting a comprehensive argument. the wums will run a mile, and even people interested in the debate will not know how to handle a proper argument (this only applies to football of course, there's no pogba on the politics thread for instance).
nature of the beast diafol!
posted on 22/7/20
The dream is to win by at least 3 tonight but whatever happens tonight it’s still in our own hands at the weekend.
posted on 22/7/20
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 3 minutes ago
The dream is to win by at least 3 tonight but whatever happens tonight it’s still in our own hands at the weekend.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
the only possible way west ham could be relegated would be to lose heavily tonight - 7, 8-0 type heavily - so i did wonder whether it wouldn't suit both teams for them simply not to turn up, and forfeit the match 3-0.
posted on 22/7/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
On another note it really does annoy me when I at least put some thought into an article and a one-liner article or a WUM gets much more comments!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
wouldn't worry about it, i have noticed that if you want to all but guarantee no responses to a comment, make it a 3-4 paragraph one, well thought out, with plenty of evidence supporting a comprehensive argument. the wums will run a mile, and even people interested in the debate will not know how to handle a proper argument (this only applies to football of course, there's no pogbaon the politics thread for instance).
nature of the beast diafol!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Next time shall I just write an article comparing football with religion (with no basis) and let that one run. That's what you're suggesting right?
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Next time shall I just write an article comparing football with religion (with no basis) and let that one run. That's what you're suggesting right?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
that is indeed exactly what i am suggesting.
posted on 22/7/20
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 22 minutes ago
I get you Diafol. I'm not trying to make an argument that we've been great in crunch games. We haven't. And I'm more pessimistic than most people on this board about tonight's match.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Include me RR, I'm hoping we manage a draw