I've tried to remain quite positive through the fog, but to be honest, I can't grasp any shreds of positivity now.
What was clearly evident to me, was the body language of the team, from the first minute really. There were players on the field that clearly didn't want to be there. Our senior players have let us and themselves down badly. The team play with fear, they don't have any mental strength whatsoever and had no heart for the fight yesterday. It was a cup game and the desire to win was evident from one team only. Our backs have been against the wall for a few weeks now and to turn out a performance like that, instead of showing fight, was spineless in my opinion.
When the team are behind the posts after conceding try after try, they are disjointed, some are shaking their heads as if to send a message to supporters to say 'Well I'm trying my best'. The 'team' has deteriorated to a group of individuals that look to be embarrassed to be associated with each other. No player is taking any responsibility. The difference in spirit between the two teams was also evident. Incredibly, we still don't look fit and we are ending the month of April !
If they had wanted that yesterday, they would have taken it, for themselves, for the under fire coach and also us. At the start of the season, the words are 'they want to do it for the fans' at home and make the Jungle into a fortress. Very weak words now, with no evidence that's what they really want to achieve - and that's all we are getting now, words and excuses. Eighty minutes after eighty minutes are abject, the defence is abysmal and we have no idea how to break a team down.
If the players and staff have had sleepless nights, the supporters have to wake up to that 'effort' this morning and go to work and try and 'defend' their team and club. I'm fed up of saying 'We are s***' !
They are no longer playing for themselves, each other, their coach or indeed us. We are losing supporters in droves.
A very sad morning to be associated with Cas.