When Losing Doesn't Feel So Bad

We lost by one goal last Thursday and we lost by two goals last night. But last night's defeat was much easier to swallow than the 1-0 vs Tremayne's mates and the mood after the game and in the pub was virtually indistinguishable from if we’d have won 3-0. Why? Because last night we played like a team, we pulled together exactly as we needed to and tried hard to play the game the way we want to play it. We all seemed to want the ball, we all tried to to do the right things on and off the ball. We all tried harder, but in a more focused, working-as-a-team way, rather than toiling in vain as 11 individuals who happened to be on the same pitch, as happened at times last week.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, of course, far from it – we gifted them a couple of their goals, which made the difference between getting a result and losing. And there were times when we didn’t get close enough to each other to make the short passing game easier, and times as per usual when our short passing was below par. But it was an improvement from the previous week and the feelgood factor was in evidence. There are few more enjoyable things than seeing a well-executed Accies attack, two or three passes, maybe a one-two, some excellent decision making leading to a chance or a half-chance. From my left-back berth I often get a terrific view of these flowing moves (and on rare occasions I’m even involved in them!) and it really is a pleasure to watch. We all love playing football together and when we get it right, it feels amazing, collectively.

No one likes losing, but if we have to lose matches, last night was the way to do it. Hopefully we can improve again next week against Sam’s team and get a result. Stick together, listen to what Thorny says and try our level best not to forget everything we ever learned about football as soon as we cross the white line! Every time we’re together on the pitch we must try to do the right things and help each other from whistle to whistle.

We’re finally playing regularly against teams at a similar level of competence to ourselves, which is giving us the chance to enjoy our football more than ever before. Long may that continue. And if you'd offered me "goals scored: 24, goals conceded: 21" after 11 games, I'd have snapped your hand off. Up the Accies!