I’m not going to lie, I’m frustrated.
Frustrated that after a year of improvement under Garry Monk we’re back again. That despite having the best young talent I’ve ever seen pull on a Blues shirt, we’re fighting for our lives.
And yet, three points against Derby ends it all, regardless of anything else. Then again, we’ve been saying we only need one win since the team returned from the coronavirus-enforced break.
Some might point to Pep Clotet as being the reason we’re in this position.
It’s hard to argue that the Catalan isn’t somewhat to blame. Playing one way throughout pre-season only to change when the real ball comes out because we look weak. A shocking home record, a team that looks allergic to scoring and with a defence holier than the Archibishop of Canterbury.
Sure, he’s had to put up with interference from others but with hindsight I really do think he should have more spine to tell them to piss off.
Speaking of others, a lot of people are blaming club CEO Ren Xuandong as the architect of this mess.
Again, it’s hard to argue with that.
Since Ren has come in, Blues have regressed while spunking inordinate amounts of money in transfers and agents fees. But I suppose that doesn’t matter if you get to put your trackies on and show the pros that you could have been a footballer too, had the breaks gone your way.
On the other hand, I almost pity Ren.
Despite having an expensive foreign college education, he’s reducing to being a nodding dog for his master, “Mr King”. Worse still, Ren is a lapdog for a master who probably didn’t finish primary school and who no doubt has to have his minions explain the hard words on the menu when eating at a fancy restaurant.
Is it any wonder Ren acts the way he does when he’s someone else’s bitch?
You could even point a finger at the EFL.
We’re used to them being useless but they’ve taken it to new dimensions of late. While the games finish tomorrow, we don’t know for sure what the finishing table will look like.
They might blame the people who run the independent disciplinary commissions but the truth is if the EFL had a spine, punishments would be fixed and immediate. Football shouldn’t be about who can afford the best accountants and lawyers but the way it’s going that is what will happen.
It’s not fair on the fans of the teams involved either. I remember how crap it was waiting to hear what Blues’ fate was going to be – and we weren’t in danger of going down. Without firm answers, managers can’t plan, players don’t know their futures and fans are left scratching their heads.
It’s all bullshit.
Yet one win tonight ends it for us. Here’s hoping Blues can get something and end the angst for us, even if it’s only for a short time.