Scrappy win just what we needed
KAT LEE’S CLARETS VIEW
ONE down, two to go. The victory over Middlesbrough wasn’t the best match in the world but we got the three points that we needed.
I’m sure everyone was expecting a bit of a scrappy match given what was at stake if either side lost, but I don’t think we were quite prepared for the sheer amount of decisions that went against us by the referee.
At one point Callum Chambers should’ve been sent off no question about it, however he was constantly given a slap on the wrist but no booking. In turn, George Boyd tapped an ankle and the yellow card was straight out.
This happened continuously with penalties not being given, handballs being ignored, reckless challenges going unnoticed (even ones that happened right in front of Pawson’s eyes). It was one of the worst refereed matches I think I have witnessed at Turf Moor.
Middlesbrough were unbelievably cynical as well. There’s obviously been a bit of animosity between us both recently but it was amplified during Boxing Day’s match.
While of course we wound them up about going up as champions, the actual level of cynical play from them was unfathomable for a side that’s spent so much money.
At this point in time, I’m not worrying about how we get the points, I’m just happy when we get them.
John Flanagan, as good as he is (or used to be) made some terrible decisions and I’m not sure he even passed to a claret shirt the whole time on the pitch. Even Dean Marney had a bad game, which is unlike him. Ben Mee played everyone off the park and thoroughly deserved man of the match.
What none of us understand is why Defour isn’t playing a full 90 minutes. I feel as though the minute he and Vokes came on things started going are way more.
The goal may have been a mistake on the keeper’s part, but I’m pleased for Gray that it came from his shot. Hopefully this will boost his confidence and get him scoring more for us, especially in the important New Year’s Eve match against Sunderland.
We really needed to win on Boxing Day and we fought tooth and nail to do so. If we can keep that level of drive against Sunderland, we can get three points from them too.
If things go our way we could be 10th in the league going into our match against City, and that would be the best we’ve had it in recent Premier League history.