Yea, was a poor all round performance even though relatively weak opposition.
However, we need to take into account, that a team that was in the third division (using old terms) of the English leagues last year was playing the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS, so they would have been more than up for it.
For some of those guys it will have been the biggest games of their lives to date, and may even be the biggest game they ever play in. Also the simple matter that this was the F.A Cup, and though not as important in the grand scale of things as it used to be, it does still have that magic about it, that make such games happen, year in, year out.
The negatives are all to apparent, so dont think I need to touch those, but in terms of positives, the resilience and fight we showed was excellent. The Liverpool of a year ago today, would not have had the self belief that we could come back, and we would be out.
But that night of 25th May 2005, did more for us than bring home the trophy for keeps. It also gave the players the belief that WE CAN come back when behind in games, and we do have the quality to do so.
Much in the same way we came back at the Reebok last weekend, a year ago we would have lost that match too.
At least we are through and still the possibilty of another Cup along with the possibility of still winning the Champions League again (though defending of today will be puished sverely by 'better' teams!).