We've had a tremendous season. Extremely consistent. Picked up great results against the 'big boys'. Destroyed some of the poorer sides. We've played direct, attacking football and some of the goals we've scored have been brilliant. Our back 3 has improved beyond all recognition - and our wing backs have covered more ground than any I've seen at the club in my 30 years watching. Our central midfield have been aggressive, skilful and hard working. Mowatt, Palmer, James and Kane have all at various stages, had excellent games of is. And our front 5 or 6 have done what Big Val had asked. We have a style of play that demands extreme hard work, team work, and an understanding that three subs could be made at any time. There is no room for any egos in this system. Nobody has moaned about being subbed early (unless I've missed any) and all have probably sacrificed personal glory for the good of the team. Yet tonight we're all rubbish. Yes Swansea have done a job on us over 2 legs - I'm not daft enough to not concede that. And yes, people are allowed to criticise the players - I'm not one of those who is against that. But they aren't bad players. We've just come up against a side who've beaten us over 2 legs. That's it. I'm proud of the players and the coaching staff, and thank them all for the enjoyment of this season. You Reds.
We don't. We just think they had a poor couple of games at the end of an otherwise unbelievable season. They're good players, but too many of them just didn't turn up when it mattered most. No complaints here. Proud of the lot of 'em.
I not sure anyone does, a bit of heartache and disappointment yesterday but these lads have done our town proud.
Not sure I’ve heard much of that tbh. I personally think our players have played above and beyond. They’ve given everything. Finishing 5th still feels surreal. I don’t think it’s being harsh, saying they fell short in the semis. No one expected us to be there.
Fair points all 3 of you. I've just seen a lot of posts slating Woodrow, Collins, Dike, Palmer over the last 12 hours. Emotions are high at the minute, so let's not be daft.
I think it’s just typical knee jerk stuff. I still love them all and our coaches too, we’ve just not had enough over the 2 legs. I’m absolutely gutted but doesn’t change how proud I am of the season.
You could dissect each of those. Woodrow: top goal scorer, runs his blood to water, hasn’t had the service he thrives on. When he gets it, he’ll score goals. Proved again yesterday Collins: should have caught it, got punished for it. He’ll know that. Otherwise been a key player for us this season Dike: raw. Needs to learn the game to play at the highest level. And I think he will. Also needs service. Pele wouldn’t have scored with the service he had over two legs. Without him we’d arguably have been nowhere near the play offs Palmer: work in progress. That midfield spot was always a weak link for me. Probably the strongest option we had to choose from, Kane’s injury came at a bad time. Not really his fault. To criticise any of them after the season we’ve had, is a bit mental.
Woodrow for me is a great player who's been amazing for us throughout his time here but he's not perfect and has also gone missing at times including for the entirety of the play offs (barring one shot which was excellent). Collins is someone I've always thought is a poor goalkeeper in the traditional sense but excellent sweeper keeper. It works for us in general but if a team plays a different way that counters our style successfully then it goes against us massively. Dike. Great player. Not perfect but great player. Palmer. Due to circumstances and the January transfer window has been thrown to the wolves a little bit. Lads got potential but shouldn't have had to play as big a role as he has.