Today I watched both CLFC and CAFC and would like to offer an unbiased comparison.
a) CLFC, in short, ran their legs off for the cause.Despite only playing two previous games this season and having a number of people who hadn't seen each other before today, the teamwork and understanding between individuals was remarkable! CAFC on the other hand still seem unable to communicate with each other and consequently offer little danger to the opposition especially in a 4-5-1 formation, compared to CLFC's 4-4-2.
b) CLFC never gave up: heads didn't go down, the effort and no little skill kept them in the hunt and the opposition who, I suspect ,expected a stroll in the park, could never relax. CAFC on the other hand seem to accept their fate once they're behind and the effort subsides accordingly. Not strictly true today of course but was there any real effort to win?
c) AFKA's half time team talk! I haven't worn a pair of boots in anger for around 30 years but after hearing his stirring words of encouragement to the sweating troops even I felt 'Yes , we can do this! If it wasn't for my 'problem' I'd have sqeezed into a red shirt and gone 'over the top' with the lads! No-one was slagged off and along with a bit of advice everyone was boosted into giving that little bit more effort.On the other hand I can only imagine what Parky's HT talk might comprise: whatever it is it never seems to make much difference.
d) As far as player ratings are concerned no-one in the CLFC team would have rated under 7 or at a stretch 8. They were playing superior opposition in terms of training and experience (they even had team tracksuits and shirts with their names on!) but never let it worry them. CAFC ratings are shown on other threads and speak for themselves.
The CLFC game was most enjoyable and played in the right spirit: the ref ensured that! The CAFC game was a real struggle to sit through, the end can't come soon enough!
0
Comments