10 days after the final, I have only just brought myself to watch the MOTD Cup Final highlights. What struck me most was the superb honesty and sportsmanship shown by Delaney in his comments when interviewed on the pitch. No bleating about refereeing decisions or near misses. Just an admission that United were the better side on the day and we didn't quite do ourselves justice. His comments were a lesson in how to accept defeat with dignity.
Of course Clattenberg screwed up when he failed to play advantage. But do we really think that even had Wickham scored, Palace would have held on for 60 minutes? There was no disgrace losing to a club who have spent millions and millions putting their squad together. We gave it 100%. Pardew's tactics almost worked. But in the final analysis we just fell short. Don't forget United also hit the woodwork twice.
The real reason we lost wasn't Clattenberg. It was the fact we were playing against a squad of top class internationals. We just fell short. But how good to see Delaney able to accept defeat with dignity and without the hint of sour grapes which most teams offer up whenever they lose.
Delaney - Top Man!
Of course Clattenberg screwed up when he failed to play advantage. But do we really think that even had Wickham scored, Palace would have held on for 60 minutes? There was no disgrace losing to a club who have spent millions and millions putting their squad together. We gave it 100%. Pardew's tactics almost worked. But in the final analysis we just fell short. Don't forget United also hit the woodwork twice.
The real reason we lost wasn't Clattenberg. It was the fact we were playing against a squad of top class internationals. We just fell short. But how good to see Delaney able to accept defeat with dignity and without the hint of sour grapes which most teams offer up whenever they lose.
Delaney - Top Man!
