Igor the Interim

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Yes, I think we all know that, and part of that happening is for the fans to be onside and enthusiastic. It's important!

On Wed, as we headed into the 90th minute, the crowd sang a really, really loud 'Oh when the Spurs...' and I noticed an uptick, a final burst of energy which resulted in us winning the penalty to win the game. There was, for me, a direct correlation between the two things.

It’s really interesting your final point there.

I get the sense that we may have truly hit the nadir at the club, as it’s clear both fans and players have realised that the way it was all going down was going to destroy us. So it looks like the players have all agreed to just get together, get to the end of the season. But equally the fans have made a big effort that you see on socials to turn the atmosphere around.

It is clear the atmosphere at the stadium, particularly against Saudi Sportswashing Machine and Palace, was the bottom. The nervousness from the fans, the negativity, the anxiety was palpable. So to whatever extent everyone has been able to get aligned, and to realise we could not sink any lower, it is a good thing.

I think this is also where someone like Poch does well, and maybe where Tudor has done well. It’s the smaller behavioural things that you permit or otherwise that build into culture. The things that sound a bit silly or Rosenior like (eg like making the squad shake hands with everyone else every day) do matter. And I think we’ve completely lost that in the last few years. I wonder if we’re now getting back a mini version of it, everyone is coming together,

 

[billyiddo]

I think the factor which gives me far greater encouragement is that our simple work-rate and desire to win those second balls as well as keep the lines compact/not give up spaces between the lines has greatly, greatly improved all of a sudden. I agree, this is going to be a battle, and Gray V Anderson feels like a key, key battle to be won. But I'm confident. If EVER there was a game where an early goal for us would see a surge of confidence perhaps light some touch paper for a convincing win, then it is tomm...truth is, a 95th min deflected off the arse cheek winner for us would be equally welcome. I'll take the three points any way possible!!!

A win in any which way is the only thing of importance - we've seen the lift that a win v us gave West Ham, to give that to Forest at this point would be catastrophic