A very bad case of cup fever
Southampton 2 Charlton Athletic 1As performance's in the cup go, this season has taken the biscuit, and this from Charlton, who ruddy invented the Hob Nob. I used to bemoan the fact we couldn't get past the 4th Round of the FA Cup and occasionally actually believed Curbs when he annually rolled out the
"a team like us can win the League Cup" line. This season's cup record for your enjoyment: Defeat at Hereford in front of just 2,000 people, Blue Square North Northwich bloody Victoria in front of a gleeful FA Cup television audience and poxy Alan Pardew in the Paint Pot, a competition we almost got a bye into the friggin final.
I know you worry about me, so you'll be pleased to know I had learnt my lesson from Sunday and spent yesterday afternoon at home (11/11 is a Bermudian public holiday) and avoided the pub, any internet feeds and the online commentary and watched a film called
Chéri with my sleepy-other-half, whilst jiggling my daughter on my knee. Time well spent.
Whilst I watched Michelle Pfeiffer educate a young French dude in the lessons of love, previously super Alan Pardew was educating his ex-assistant in the lessons of playing progressive football with confidence.
It appears strange that in early November Parkinson no longer appears to know which formation or line up to play, whereas just two months ago it all seemed so easy. One bright spark apart from
McMuppet being suspended for three games, was the late introduction of a Leon and Deon strike partnership resulting in a long awaited goal from open-play. It is said that Luke Holden also make a decent impression, but for me now it is all Parky earning his new contract.
One has always felt that the confidence around the club has been brittle, both on the field and on the terraces. Last night's result and the inexplicable dropping of Randolph hasn't helped the doomsayers, of which there are plenty but I hope the fans give the team a chance on Saturday because we have to stick together and it's not been very often we have started games in 2nd place this last decade. Come on you reds.