Agreed.
It's been evident ever since matches resumed behind closed doors. The absence of crowds has definitely helped certain teams who have a surfeit of x-factor players and conversely has hurt teams, like us, that do not.
How many times over the years have we heard players and managers, in the aftermath of a spectacular strike, say things along the lines of 'Oh yes, he does that all the time in training'?
Well, now 'training' has become match day. Technically proficient players are attempting the 'spectacular' with far more regularity. In the absence of crowds, they do not feel any pressure; no fear of the criticism if it doesn't come off.
It probably explains why Man U have performed much better behind closed doors. To use a cricket analogy, many of their 'superstars' are flat-track bullies; they are Graeme Hick. It is noticeable, though, that on the couple of occasions in lockdown when the pressure has been on, irrespective of the absence of crowds - v Arsenal in the FA Cup semi, and in their make or break Champions League group match - they were found wanting and lost both. Those performances are probably a better indicator of where they are, than the matches when they can strut around against the likes of us who they know can't hurt them.
It is our misfortune, and absolutely typical, that a once in a lifetime event has occurred to create the perfect conditions for x-factor players to flourish like never before, right at the point when we have a squad that is completely bereft of them.
