Well today we went by car and went straight to the ground rather than meet mates in pub. Inside ground, pint of Fosters £3.10, programme £3 and a balti pie £2.50. Only 39,000 there ! That is a poor crowd for us and Man City only sold about two thirds of their tickets which is unusual. If ever there was an indication of the credit crunch, this was it.
I have to say in the first half some of the passing play in midfield was fantastic. It had me smiling to myself cos I've never seen the like before. We really did have City chasing shadows but did not threaten their keeper at all and they scored just before half time with about their first attack.
Start of the second and I expected our lot to come out chomping at the bit.....not likely, City scored 2 more ! Their goals were not the result of good footy more our inability to clear the ball in the box.
I have to say Diouf is disappointing. I don't think Cisse is fully fit. Today Craig Gordon looked like a clown.
We brought on those perennial plonkers Murphy and Stokes to no avail. Have to say the second half showing was diabolical. The worst I have seen for some time and I 've seen some bad ones believe me.
I'm a bit puzzled at what went wrong today, but we seemed to lack the belly which for a team of Keane's is worrying. Next up at home is Boro and we will have to play miles better or we'll get whupped.
Bought tickets to go to the Wigan away game before this game.Wished I hadn't now.
To top the lot we jogged for 20 mins back to the car in torrential rain and were both soaked through.
The joys of being a footy fan.
Gary, not so happy to be a Mackem.