Simpson the Player
Last night's game felt more like a dress rehearsal for a football match than an actual game.
A hushed atmosphere, a feeling like the game didn't matter all that much (like a friendly, or a testimonial), and a horrible sense of inevitability about the scoreline.
Ward's penalty - well taken though it was - was not in the script. As if he'd ad libbed City's one-goal lead, something he'd be discouraged from refraining in the first performance.
Burnley's two-goal denouement, however, felt right on-book, applauded by the Assistant Directors behind me (or could that have been BBC Burnley, or whatever they're called...)
But one warm water bottle of comfort on a cold Ricoh night was the sight of Robbie Simpson on the pitch again.
And didn't he do well?
Simpson improves with every game, and I think he's now worthy of a starting place - either on the right, or (preferably) as a striker.
He's strong as an ox, direct as a dart, and doesn't seem as timid as the other players. Timid of making a mistake, or not playing to the system. None of that with Robbie. He was a breath of (cold) fresh air last night.
No dress rehearsals on Saturday, please, City - it's performance time.
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