14.4.18
Las Palmas looking to get back to winning ways after losing again last Sunday against their biggest rivals Levante, there is now a 10 point gap between both clubs and in the opinion of The Saint it is now too much for Las Palmas to be able to make up with only 6 games to go.
Saturday saw them play 13th position Real Sociedad who themselves haven’t got much to play for.
6 mins gone and the first chance for the visitors but header is wide.
On 9 mins, another very fast break by the visitors and some neat one touch football puts the lively winger Januzaj clear but Las Palmas keeper Chichizola makes a good save.
20 mins gone, a very lacklustre start by the Las Palmas team with no shot yet on goal
Then after more attacking play by the away team, on 21 mins the visitors break down the left, cut inside the box and Mikel slots one home. An easy goal. 1-0 down. The crowd after the goal starts chanting insults towards the chairman about the poor season.
The atmosphere in the stadium is very negative and it’s rubbing off on the players.
Another chance arrives for the visitors but again the shot is wide.
32 mins in and another chance for Sociedad but again saved by the Chichizola, the Las Palmas keeper.
On 37 mins Las Palmas finally get a shot at goal, the lively winger Ezekiel produces a good centre that finds Etebo but his shot is high and wide. Home crowd cheer as they have seen a shot!!!
No more chances after that before its half time
The Saint´s HT Verdict – Poor first half in a half empty stadium with no atmosphere. Fans are voting with their feet and staying away. You can’t blame them after another poor away performance last weekend and another defeat. The team doesn’t seem to have much fight left in them and a win in this game doesn’t seem likely.
The second half begins with a much better start by the home side and Tana takes a weak shot in the opening minute.
Another good break by LP but a poor cross comes to nothing.
57th min and good chance for the visitors stopped by a very good last ditch tackle and captain Garcia averts what looked like a certain goal.
75 mins and Real miss a sitter from 5 yards, the big centre forward Imanol somehow puts his header wide.
80 minutes in and we win our first corner!!! A good chance but sub Calleri heads it just over.
Just thee minutes to go before the game’s end and another chance for the home side but again the header by Garcia is just over.
Full Time – Las Palmas 0 Real Sociedad 1
The Verdict of The Saint – That was probably the worst performance I’ve seen for many years by Las Palmas.
As a Saints Fan and supporting them through the 90’s, only just avoiding relegation most years, we had to rely on the team giving 110% which helped the supporters get behind them and of course the brilliance of a certain Matt “ Le God” Le Tisser.
Now what I witnessed on Saturday was simply disgraceful. The team were going through the motions and it looked like a pre-season friendly. There was no fight, no tempo to their play and no excitement for the loyal fans to cheer about. It’s not surprising the attendance was so poor and most fans deciding to stay away.
The fans who were there showed their anger towards the chairman, but until he departs I’m afraid there is little hope of them returning to La Liga next season.
I know mathematically they have not been relegated yet but it’s only a matter of time. There do not seem to be many young players coming through to the first team so let’s hope we can get a new chairman in charge who will back the manager.
Next home game is next Sunday 22nd April 17.30 V Alaves.
No “PIO PIO” from me this week, they just don’t deserve it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!From UDLasPalmas.es: