- Apr 5, 2014
- 25,981
So Albion beat Blackpool 2-1 in front of 33,000.
Southampton need to beat Tottenham Hotspur to win the title, or avoid defeat to be totally sure of going up.
It ends 0-0.
Albion fans fume it was a fix, evidence and counter evidence is offered. It's always been a fascination of mine.
Collecting verifiable accounts together, I have come to the conclusion it wasn't fixed. But, there may have been circumstances that led to the draw.
Going into the match Southampton have a +7 goal difference of a buffer against us should we win. Even then, they have scored more goals than us.
As the match wears on it becomes apparent we have only dented that by one. There needs to be an impossible swing to turn things around.
So the questions I would ask are:
If the match was fixed, there was no need for it and:
Why did Spurs get very upset when a penalty appeal was tuned down ?
If Southampton could not go down come mid-way through the second half, why did they not make any effort to try and win the title with Bolton Wanderers only drawing ?
I do wonder if those watching Match of the Day that night were looking for reasons. But I think the blame for any perceived tameness in the match lay on the terraces.
Spurs fans had caused a lot of trouble that year (including at The Goldstone). They were no less hostile at The Dell. There had been trouble in the ground.
I don't believe there was any fix but do wonder if the prospect of trouble may played on players minds.
Thoughts from those old enough to remember ?
Southampton need to beat Tottenham Hotspur to win the title, or avoid defeat to be totally sure of going up.
It ends 0-0.
Albion fans fume it was a fix, evidence and counter evidence is offered. It's always been a fascination of mine.
Collecting verifiable accounts together, I have come to the conclusion it wasn't fixed. But, there may have been circumstances that led to the draw.
Going into the match Southampton have a +7 goal difference of a buffer against us should we win. Even then, they have scored more goals than us.
As the match wears on it becomes apparent we have only dented that by one. There needs to be an impossible swing to turn things around.
So the questions I would ask are:
If the match was fixed, there was no need for it and:
Why did Spurs get very upset when a penalty appeal was tuned down ?
If Southampton could not go down come mid-way through the second half, why did they not make any effort to try and win the title with Bolton Wanderers only drawing ?
I do wonder if those watching Match of the Day that night were looking for reasons. But I think the blame for any perceived tameness in the match lay on the terraces.
Spurs fans had caused a lot of trouble that year (including at The Goldstone). They were no less hostile at The Dell. There had been trouble in the ground.
I don't believe there was any fix but do wonder if the prospect of trouble may played on players minds.
Thoughts from those old enough to remember ?