Bottom Fishing

"And now for today's line ups........No.6 Mark Fish...." - Am I hearing this correctly? Had the ravages of my recent stag weekend caused me to hallucinate and imagine terrible things? This was clearly the most ridiculous team selection since Jamie Stuart played a series of games during the mid-1990s. How much more did he need to humiliate himself and the club in order to ensure he was consigned back to the reserves where he belongs? Regardless of El Karkouri's suspension, there was a fit and perfectly capable replacement on the bench, and one who proved it during the second half.

The first half was simply the most inept 45 mins I can recall seeing against a side that can only be described as average at best. Had Deano not been at his brilliant best during the first half, we could easily have trailed 4-1 or 5-1 at half-time. The first City goal was actually an own goal by Hreidarsson, and Perry was at fault for the second but the lack of confidence caused by Fish's lumbering presence, was rippling through the rest of the side who somehow managed to nick a goal from their only worthwhile attack of the entire half. The passing was woeful with Murphy in particular guilty of wanton profligacy. Out on the right wing, the pathetic figure of JJ led my friend to comment that he should have been a fashion stylist or make-up artist, given the way he minces around the pitch terrified of getting an injury or ruining his hairdo by challenging for headers. It truly was astonishing that we could play this poorly after having had two weeks to train hard and put the WBA loss behind us. Aside from Deano, only Konchesky could be spared some blame given his work-rate and excellent pass to Thomas for the goal.

Curbs made the two obvious changes at half-time, thankfully putting JJ out of his misery rather than being tempted to play him as the second striker in the new 4-4-2 formation. In essence, we began the 2nd half arguably with the team that should have started the game, but unfortunately we now had a 45min match with a one goal handicap.

The second half was little better, the lack of pace in the midfield causing the side's momentum to stall inside the City half, the team limited instead to hopeful punts up to Bartlett (who barely won a header all game) and hopeless punts up to Jeffers, who in fairness looked reasonably lively despite the poor service. Murphy came more into the game, but his body language (and not for the first time) suggested he would rather be elsewhere. Thomas had a great chance to level matters midway through the half, but his finish was rushed and summed up an off-day for Charlton's cameo performer. Holland put a header against the bar but his overall contribution on his 500th league game would probably rank about 490th.

The equaliser when it came was greeted with a curious reaction - almost one of guilt, shortly followed by virtual silence at the final whistle - no wild celebrations today of a point miraculously gained, but recognition that the usual end-of-season collapse had started in earnest. Is Curbs going to become the 40-point manager, capable through his organisation and caution of steering a team to this important mark, but unable to push them beyond it? Where was the ambition today? Where was the realisation that with just a handful of games to go, this club has a unique opportunity to push on to the next level, ie. European qualification? This was a lunchtime stroll in the sun instead of 90 minutes of passion and effort.

Such is the mediocrity of the Premiership outside of the top three, the league table still suggests a finish of 7th or above is attainable, though the points total required to achieve it (perhaps 52 points) is a more telling statistic, since it would ordinarily not warrant more than a mid-table finish at best. With four teams averaging less than a point per game, and three running away with things, the remainder (Everton excepted) are bunched together, unable to find the form required to pull away from the pack. I wouldn't be surprised if this pattern repeated itself in the future given the difference in resources between the top three and the rest, and frankly it does not do the Premiership 'brand' credit at all.