It was always going to be sticky — one of our better players had to be sold with the club in financial turmoil and doubts lingering over Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin. Even a settled comfortable mid-table outfit will have crap results; that is a symptom of “mid-table”.
And we are neither mid-table nor settled. With a whole bunch of newbies, how likely is it they could come in and instantly revitalize things? Well, the fact is they nearly did.
In the midst of pain, the consensus up to the 87th minute was “Hey, this is good”. Okay, it all went to hell in a hand cart with most pointing at Dyche’s substitutions but others reasonably asking: Why couldn’t the defenders defend during that crucial period?
The point is: Do you choose to focus on the first 87 minutes with the potential that was shown? Or the 9 mins of disaster that is argued to be at the manager’s door? I’m going with the first 87 minutes given the circumstances.
My hope is the newbies will come through and see it through next time. Plus pitch forks and torches just don’t work; fans should know that given the amount of times they’ve tried it. Better to get behind all concerned.