brummie

The only surprising thing about Hillsborough was that it took so long to happen. Anyone who went to matches in the 80s and stood will tell you about situations where they were basically in a cage with far too many people in it, unable to feel the floor and unable to move anywhere. I remember a match at Upton Park in which we were crammed into way too small a space and I genuinely thought someone would die. It was that bad. I saw it on YouTube a while back and I felt sick watching it. Chelsea’s chairman back then wanted to put electric fences up. Google Stamford Bridge in the 80s and a photo of that place alone will tell you all you need to know about how football fans were treated. Although ironically I just read that the pricing for our home match against Chelsea this weekend had the cheapest adult seats at £58.50 - for a match played at eight o’ fucking clock on a Saturday night, so although we’re not treated like animals who risk our lives going to games any more, they’ve introduced a different kind of contempt - economic - instead.

Also, her face doesn't move, largely because it's 90% botox by the looks of it.

Also, isn't their stadium built into a cliff or something insane?

I think it’s seen as a joke by fans of clubs who aren’t in it, partly because if you look at West Ham’s run to the final it seems insanely easy. Ours has been tougher- obviously still easier than EL but: Hibs Mostar Legia Warsaw AZ Alkmaar Ajax Lille Olympiacos and then if we get there, probably Fiorentina. That’s way tougher than West Ham had. It has also thrown some really tough ties- Mostar was tougher than you’d think and Legia Warsaw (lost away) and Lille (beat on penalties) were really tough. Then there’s the fact that we’ve played 12 matches in the competition already - we’ve had awful injury problems already this season and until last week looked dead on our feet. No, they aren’t CL ties but traipsing around places like Mostar or Warsaw on a Thursday night takes a toll. To Emery’s credit though, we’ve only lost once in a Sunday match following a Thursday game. Clearly knows how to handle it, but it’s gruelling. Having said all that - it doesn’t feel like a joke competition to our fans. 18 months ago we were stinking of relegation. We haven’t won anything for 28’ years. Next week we’re in a European semi final and have a very real chance of winning another European trophy. That feels massive, and if you play in it next year and get to the same point (similarly having been recently out of the top flight and also having not won anything in decades), I guarantee, you’ll love it.

I don’t mind Karren Brady (even when she was running Blues, she made sure it remained a hilarious shambles, so that’s fine by me) but PornDwarf strikes me as a particularly unpleasant person.

God bless the blessed Unai, great news indeed.

Castore still demonstrating their commitment to quality. Look closely. So fucking shoddy.

Ollie Watkins in the second half today gave what I really reckon is the best 45 minutes performance by anyone, this season. Unplayable.

It hasn't all been shite, though, toony, has it. *you and me know the truth*

OMFG

Onana wasting time against Coventry.

We just need to carry on grinding out results for a little bit longer.

Also - Morgan Rogers, what a great piece of business that was.

Good performance for us today, after a fucking knackering week, It says a lot that, in the Gerrard era, I was on here saying Ollie Watkins was never going to be good enough. Jesus. How wrong.

We are dead on our feet, I wouldn't be surprised if we lost our game at home to Chelsea. Totally fucked by injuries*, suspensions, European games kicking in, really, really feeling it. On the other hand, we've got two matches, both at home, before Spurs play again, so theoretically, we could open up a 9 point gap if we won them both. I can't see it, though. * yes, yes, yes, I know.