This viewpoint is ******* mental. Clarke is a gutless coward if he thought someone was a better bet to take a penalty so made the decision to get him to? It’s not remotely gutless to make a decision. You’d argue getting a centre back to take one before the main set piece taker was if anything a bold decision. Didn’t work out - but you can’t blame Clarke for the fact it went to penalties and if they’ve practiced in the week, Earl might have been as good as anyone else. Probably was to be taking the fifth one. Alternatively - Connell is a gutless coward for not overruling his manager and taking one? What exactly is the point you are trying to make? You’re just misplacing anger and listening to no reasoning whatsoever. It is clear you strongly think Connell should have taken a penalty. Clarke didn’t agree. Doesn’t make him gutless - and it certainly doesn’t make Connell gutless.
I wasn't there yesterday but listened on the BBC (Radio Bristol) and their commentators were constantly naming Philips and Connell. So they were clearly heavily involved. And they occasionally said how good the pair were. Must be a matter of perspective I guess.
It’s a matter of frustration. My reaction was a bit knee jerk. I guess it’s borne out the frustration that our “big hitters” are consistently failing to get us across the line in home games. A more objective opinion is that our finishing is *****.
This bizzare idea I keep hearing about Luca not being good enough has blindsided me. There’s a reason he’s our captain. He always gives his all, makes loads of good tackles to break up play and has plenty of quality yet some have decided we can do better. It’s like people only watch for the mistakes in his game and forget anything good. He’s not the perfect player, but he’ll certainly go on to be a regular in championship, I just hope that’s with us.
It's not really 'mental' though is it? Connell is supposed to be one of the best players, he's the captain so should lead by example. He takes free kicks and corners so a penalty is hardly a stretch - are we saying he's the sixth best dead ball striker at the club but the first or second choice for corners and free kicks? To not have him take one of the five penalties and have Earl take one ahead of him is absolutely batshit mental. Why don't we make Earl take the corners and free kicks then?
Yes I thought it strange that Earl stepped up before Connell. But then again who's to say Connell would have scored? Remember back in the 90s when we beat Leicester on pens after Archdeacon's screamer, guess who missed one? Neil Redfearn...