Going into the latter stages of Tuesday night it looked like we had got it tactically spot-on. The incredible quality associated with the heights of Champions League football, however, had our visitors leaving thinking exactly the same thing. The result of course means it is difficult to argue.
The game itself could not have been different to our last outing against Napoli. On this occasion Dortmund, backed by their noisy and colourful travelling fans, came out of the blocks quickly.
We kept our shape well though and Chezz had little to do as a result. Any mistake at this level seems to get punished however and finding ourselves a goal behind left us with it all to do.
Despite our visitors enjoying the lion's share of possession we looked stronger as the first half went on, and a good spell culminated in Olly's equaliser. A great time to score and at that time it was very much game on.
For pretty much all of the second period it looked like there was only one team who could go on and grab a winner, Santi's superb strike at the end of a flowing move as good an example as any as it pinged the upright with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The world's best sides have the ability to strike on the break, even against sides with similar ability, and unfortunately for us we saw this at its most clinical. A goal and a defeat that is difficult to swallow and a result that leaves the group wide open.
Personally I left with a feeling of disappointment and not one of anger or frustration. Very quickly my thoughts turned to this Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park.
I have purposely left talking about the Norwich game until now for a couple of reasons. Firstly it seems correct given our thoughts are now back on the Premier League but also I always try to finish my thoughts on a positive note wherever possible!
Saturday was a strange game for me. For certain periods it wasn't particularly inspiring and we definitely weren't at out best throughout. Indeed when Norwich were putting us under pressure before our second goal, and when they scored, a victory definitely wasn't secure.
It was a day, however, with four truly memorable goals, especially Jack's opener after a mesmerising move that saw most of those present almost scratching their heads in disbelief rather than leaping around in celebration. Then Rambo's awesome piece of individual skill saw us home and dry.
Our entrance money saw us witness some footballing beauty on Saturday afternoon and we will need to produce more to get a result against a Palace side who were on the end of something similar when dominating their game against Fulham on Monday night.
That alone should be enough to make sure we are ready.
Come on you mighty yellows!
Frank
@stubbsy70
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