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Stung by the Bees

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse a humiliation at the hands of a struggling 1st Division team comes along. Hard on the heels of a poor performance in the home defeat to those jolly Geordies was an extreme embarrassment at the hands of Brentford.

The omens were there. Lawrence pointed out a solitary
Magpie on the walk to the ground, helpfully adding that it was
the 2nd time that day he had seen such a solo bird. We
should have killed it on the spot (or Lawrence) but walked on
with an air of trepidation. An early goal from Coleman,
unfortunately too early for the programme hunter in the
group, should have been the start of a goal fest. But that is
not this current crop's way of thinking. No killer instinct you
see. Instead we witnessed a series of fluffed chances and a sharp move down into 2nd gear.

The on-going failures to keep a clean sheet against even lower division sides was evident once more. A simple run, cross and header just before half time showed that no matter who you play a 1-0 lead is always vulnerable.

The second half continued with huff and puff and fluffed attempts alongside some smart saves from the home keeper. Even escaping a penalty miss (credit to Mucha for a good save) was not enough to shake this bunch into a sense of urgency. Extra time saw that ever increasing inevitability of penalties and the blood chilling impact of going out with a whimper. Somewhere in the evening air above Griffin Park a beady eyed Magpie circled. Its job had been done for another day.

Still, we returned to the decent pub we had found earlier through a weak bladder moment and the manager kindly let us stay back for a few commiserative beers. And through the beer talk bubbled tales of stunning victories to come, starting on Saturday. After being done over at the hands of Magpies twice within four days, just don’t tell a certain little birdy.