I have been evaluating our season from the “head" and “heart" standpoints.
My head tells me that after 46 games our final position of seventh was fair and correct. Over a full season good/bad luck and good/bad refereeing decisions even themselves out.
My heart tells me that we were the better side yesterday and that with a half-decent referee we would have won it and been in the play offs.
There is, however, another consideration. Before the play offs were introduced the “head" conclusion always had to be right. Final league placing was always a true reflection of a team’s season. But the nature of the play off system changed all that for some teams as we now have a cup-like competition of just a few games where there is no chance of luck etc evening out. I know yesterday’s game was a normal league game but as so much depended on this ONE game for us it was vital that it should not be decided on one shocking refereeing decision. This was effectively our play off Final. There would never be any other opportunities. It was the final coffin nail for us. If this game had been played say eight games back and in exactly the same way and with the same refereeing then we would have had time and opportunity to put things right and still make the play offs but not now.
My head and heart tell me that we could well have beaten SW over two legs and I reckon we would be capable of beating Barnsley in their present form or Bolton in the Final.
So overall both my head and heart are saying we could very well have been robbed of promotion by one decision. Of course others could say much the same about their team in relation to a Cup or play off game in the past but this thread is based on the recent experience of DCFC alone.
I would be very interested to hear what others think.
Head v heart
posted on 8/5/23
Behaviour like Klopp's should not be tolerated. If managers got a ten-match ban for that kind of thing it would soon stop. Similarly any wagging of the finger by a player or similar dissent should be an automatic yellow card. I can't understand why the ruling bodies have never done this - it similarly only serves to encourage a general sense of contempt for the officials.
posted on 8/5/23
Yep!
posted on 8/5/23
To add insult to injury I see Barnsley had a strong penno appeal turned down which could have levelled the game first half.
posted on 9/5/23
On the other hand, we did get a questionable penalty at home to Rotherham in 1986, and that’s only 37 years ago, so maybe these things do even themselves out.
posted on 9/5/23
In Derbyshire, nestled by the River Derwent,
Lies a football club with a proud event,
Known as Derby County, they've played for years,
Through triumphs and struggles, through cheers and tears.
Their stadium, Pride Park, stands tall and grand,
A place where loyal fans forever stand,
With voices lifted high, they sing and shout,
For their beloved Rams, without a doubt.
From Bloomer to Didzy, and all in between,
Great players have graced the Derby scene,
The Rams have tasted glory, a title won,
A moment of pride, a job well done.
But football is fickle, fortunes can change,
And Derby has seen their fair share of pain,
Relegations and hardships, they've had to bear,
Yet the Rams keep fighting, with spirit and flair.
For the fans of Derby County, it's more than a game,
It's a passion, a love, a source of pride and fame,
Through thick and thin, they stand by their team,
Through highs and lows, their loyalty supreme.
So here's to Derby County, a club so dear,
May their future be bright, without a fear,
May they rise again, to the top of their game,
And forever be hailed, in football's hall of fame.
posted on 9/5/23
Good lord View, was that a spontaneous outpouring or has it been marinating for years?!
I just about remember that game Vidal - at the BBG on a typical BBG pitch and Christie (?) scoring. Boy was that tense! But are you suggesting we may need to wait another 37 years for another evening out. (I hope noone is going to take "evening" as a vowel.)
posted on 9/5/23
Correction - noun
posted on 9/5/23
https://twitter.com/JakeBarker1212/status/1655989818197778432?t=rW2Erh2YL2mRIEBexgllWQ&s=19
Embargo lifted, still have to have a business plan though
posted on 9/5/23
Great news! Also, there can be no problem with a sensible business plan. Clearly this type of planning has been sadly lacking in the past.
posted on 9/5/23
https://twitter.com/Curt__98/status/1655990102068264963?t=SmSuDsTo2BYQMVzIrVS-gA&s=19