Tuesday, in the game against Manchester City, it’s probably fair to say we were given a footballing lesson.
Without Nakamba and Lokonga, City’s multi-million pound squad carved us apart with Haaland scoring a more than respectable five goals with a lack of protection, for the defence, not helping our situation.
Although I’ll admit to feeling disappointed at exiting the FA Cup at this stage, it was, if I were being honest, probably expected, with our squad being stretched to the limit by injuries.
But I have to say, the defeat did leave a bitter taste in my mouth and I’ll explain why!
No matter what the score was, I’ve always been of the belief that as a paying spectator the rules of the game should be adhered to and on Tuesday night they clearly were not.
With full time approaching I, like many others, was expecting the electronic board to go up indicating, after several substitutions and VAR interruptions but it didn’t, re-watching the game on TV, it appears that a mere TWO seconds were added on.
Now there was me believing the current etiquette was to provide the paying customer with as near to a full 90 minutes of action and entertainment as possible, clearly we did not get that on Tuesday evening.
Okay, we could have conceded another goal (or two) but, so what, rules are rules!
Where will it all stop, if it is allowed to continue?
Could we enter the scenario whereby blatant penalty appeals are turned down?
So what is the answer?
My view is we should enter the Denis Law scenario whereby the legendary Scotsman scored FIVE goals in a cup tie against Luton Town only for the game to be replayed due to floodlight failure, any chance of the bodies at the Football Association going down the same route?
I’d suggest not a chance, but at least I’ve got this off my chest!
COYH
Luton Town v Aston Villa?
Luton Town to Win!
Aston Villa to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – Surveying The Ongoing Situation Around Us
The rules of the game were not followed.In truth the match was stopped before any added time was played.
I hope the Hatters have put in an official complaint.Not that we want the game replayed, but to register our concerns that the officials made a serious mistake and that it broke the rules.
By the way, “The Denis Law game”( which I attended ) was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
haaland and de bruyne put on a masterclass of the highest order. there whole team seemed to go up a couple of gears. but the best goals were scored by clark.giving us a glimmer of hope. the glimmer soon evaporated, a game some will want to forget, but what a pleasure to see great players at the top of there game. it showed the difference money can make.COYH.
Fair comment MH But as for Denis Law he actually scored SIX goals at Luton in the 1961 cup tie before the game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch Regards, Alan R
Very weird coincidence of the 1961 cup tie, which I didn’t see but remember well. Yes, Law scored 5 in the abandoned game ( waterlogged pitch) and the score at the time was, guess what? 6-2. The replay was the following wednesday afternoon, oddly. Luton won 2-1 and Denis Law did indeed score again. A great quiz question – who once scored 6 goals in a cup tie and ended up on the losing team?
Wonderful goals from Jordan Clark are some consolation and Haaland’s not a bad player either.
I read the matchday program, especially the thoughts of RE, and as soon as I saw the team sheet, I knew the priority is the league fixtures, Man City want the FA Cup more than we need it, and put out a very strong team, we could have played others instead, but I take it as a positive, as some will learn from it, I am hoping Sambi and Adebayor will be back this weekend.
I hope to see perhaps 1or 2 more recognised defenders Saturday. Be happy to win 1-0 in a less expansive game than lose 2-1 and praised for heroically going for it. As the pundits keep saying. Just my opinion.