Spudulike

That's a very good point Coco. We needed someone to tell people to calm down. Pace and energy are good but West Ham shut us down and we (players and manager) couldn't work out what to do. It looked frenetic to me but lacked a plan and, in the second half, it didn't feel like we were creating real chances.

Yep. Irrelevant. We're not a bank.

[I'm a realist / pessimist about these things] We won't win anything unless we can: 1. Grind out results when we aren't at our best; and, 2. Deal with the pressure of big games like this evening or our cup match. I think we didn't turn up mentally ready and, being honest, took West Ham for granted. I'm sure that some players may be at risk of having their heads turned by other teams in the Summer and our poor showing at Wembley this season will be at the back of everyone's minds. Focusing on positives, second place will feel like a genuine achievement but, as others have said, we can't rely on City, United, et al underperforming next season. All in all, this evening has been sobering. We were well beaten too.

We didn't deserve it. We were arguably lucky against Palace and, tonight, we were not there from the first minute onwards.

We agreed not to discuss that...

Two games for CFC before we next play. Looks like the writing is on the wall. What the f*** is it where we let late games slip when we've done well all season?! This is reminiscent of last season. Fair play to West Ham, the twats.

Gemma!! :-) How are you? What a badly timed return to the shed :-(...

I'm well thanks (well, West Ham notwithstanding); I hope you're well mate.

Thanks mate; much appreciated. A badly timed return :-)...

sh*t. Game over; we aren't coming back.

Do the girls come with the van?

Not particularly as tiredness hasn't really been an issue and we've managed the rotation well. It's just a few games (like this, poss) where we haven't been able to get a result. The sort of games where CFC have found a way to win. Honestly, we are looking a bit desperate now. Europe wasn't a help but we are doing well enough for it not to be the determining factor.

Being honest, we've ridden our luck recently; WH are working their socks off. Our luck may be about to run out. Edit: and we need two. Even a equaliser leaves us with tons to do to get the league title.

Arse and feck...

Half an hour to go and, pressure is great and all that but it isn't happening atm. This has the appearances of being a draw, or worse. We'll have to push up, with all the risks that involves.

This reminds me of us vs Palace; we're trying too hard and not making progress against an organised West Ham who, obviously, want to derail us. Half time changes needed to create some space and (counter intuitively) to slow things down, to allow us to build controlled possession and create better chances. A good game for CFC though :-)

sh*t. Over confidence is not a good thing to take into games like this. We're daydreaming.

Cool. I'm ever so pleased for you mate. Tonight? On paper, it's a good game for us but games are inherently unpredictable and there's a pressure on the players (not yet seen thankfully) in having to win as a loss or even a draw makes your job so much easier.

I'm gonna try Gemma's 'we'll never win this' tactic. :-)

Congratulations! I'm very glad things have worked out so well. Boy or a girl?

Nah. I'm well pleased with everything but I don't think we've ever been on your pace this season. We're at about 95% of where you are. We've failed at a few key moments. Second, with the Gooners out of top 4, is great. :-)

I'm good Bobby; and you? I'm well pleased about our season but not looking forward to next, even though there's no rational reason we should do badly at Wembley.

I was dealing with a difficult personal situation tbh. It took a long time to sort out but things are much improved Rob. I should apologise to Shedenders for the unexplained absence: it shouldn't happen again.

Nor me :-). That said, I don't want to tempt fate. We are chasing well (better than last season) but are wholly reliant on you dropping points, which seems unlikely.

I've still not read anyone who explains, sensibly, WHY Roy made that choice. Incomprehensible.