Evening all. Going to try something different today and do a bit of a before/during/after sort of reaction.
Pre-game feelings
Well, do I need to stress the importance of this game? Nope. I can’t help but look at the Palace game next week with a bit of worry. But also, I’m trying to bring it back to the here and now and focus purely on Burnley. No point worrying about Palace if we don’t do our job tonight.
A win isn’t necessarily going to be easy – need I point to Wolves home and away? But it’s fair to say a win is expected. Who knows – do our job tonight and maybe Bournemouth will win us the league tomorrow? Stop it! I need to focus on the job that needs to be done tonight. Not that my “focus” will do or change anything that happens on the pitch. Or will it?
The Line-up
Yes! I likey. Like many, I wanted to see the Rice-Odegaard-Eze midfield. This line up shows our attacking intent – hopefully we can capitalise with goals. Lots of goals. I’m a little surprised at Havertz over Gyokeres. Not because I think it’s the wrong move – maybe I’ve just forgotten about Havertz a little bit recently.
Little gutted not to see Timber on the bench. We really need to get minutes in his legs if he’s to be ready for the UCL final. Argh… I’m looking too far ahead again. Here and now. HERE AND NOW!
Mrs OddFather is on a night shift tonight so I need to get the OddKids bathed and asleep early to make kick off on time. Dinner is made, washing is mostly done. Let’s do this!
Half Time
Get in, Havertz! Set piece again, ole ole!
So much for putting the kids to bed on time… The OddSon was in bed on time and just had to drift off – instead he was obsessed with having his nose wiped every 5 mins. Eventually I did escape his room… 26 minutes into the game!
Luckily I had text commentary from whoever the chap is on Arseblog today. Thank you random stranger. I mean I could have followed Sky Sports or BBC commentary but I’m a creature of habit.
But I managed to see the goal go in, that’s the main thing right? I’m not going to lie – I’m a little disappointed it’s only 1-0 at half time. But win. Just win. That’s all we need to do. Burnley aren’t making it easy, but I didn’t expect them to. If it’s 1-0 at full time, it’s 1-0. Although I really don’t want to have to face the last 10 mins of this game at just 1-0 – so please don’t do that Arsenal. My heart can’t take it. Again!
Sounds like the crowd is really behind the team. No surprises there – the fans have been fantastic recently. Don’t let the fans down lads!
Full Time
And breathe! Fuck me. Someone definitely didn’t get the memo when I asked not to have to endure such a nervy end.
Ok. So firstly, what the hell is up with the Pep leaving announcement during half time? Some sort of sadistic Pep mind games? If so, he can go fuck himself.
I have to admit, Havertz was probably lucky not to get a red card. I was thinking earlier today about how we may get through the season without a red card – and was worried for a second I had jinxed it with my supernatural powers.
It was a nervy second half without much quality. I didn’t enjoy it. But then Hincapie fell with his ass literally exposed. And I laughed. And laughed again when I saw the replay. What? Were you expecting expert analysis here? Sorry folks, not that sort of blog.
Any way – we got the 3 points. That was the job. Sure, I would have liked to have upped our goal difference to take at least some of the pressure off Sunday. But the situation remains – we need to win on Sunday.
What next?
Usually I like to focus just on us and handle the task ourselves. But selfishly, I need a favour tomorrow from Bournemouth.
You see, my wife has booked a holiday over half term, and it just so happens she accidentally (but possibly on purpose) booked a flight that departs with half an hour left to go in our match vs Palace. I cannot take getting onto a 4 hour flight without knowing if we are champions.
I also cannot just leave Mrs Oddfather to board a flight with two kids on her own either. Can I?
No. Unfortunately that’s not an option.
So Bournemouth – please please help me out! Next time I write a football post will be Monday next week… when we’ll either be champions for the first time in 22 years… or an alternative I really don’t want to think about.
If there is a surprise tomorrow, maybe it warrants a bonus post. Fingers crossed.
