What a way to go into the christmas break, a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Real Betis and we were lucky to get nil. After 30 minutes with CDT 3 down it looked like an avalanche but a mildly improved second half and Betis taking their foot off the pedal spared us that much. Fair play to Betis they are top and looked the best side we have seen this season, they should go up as worthy champions but the lack of fight and heart from Tenerife was scandalous and some players are just not good enough to play at this level.

Few players can be spared criticism after this, only Nino and Mikel Alonso put in the effort and goalie Aragoneses made some telling saves again despite being at fault on the second Betis goal. Prieto and Beranger were pitiful in defence, notably they are 2 of the new players brought in by Sporting Director Llorente – he hasn’t a clue. It took Betis just 6 minutes to take the lead with their first attack, the home defence was ripped open as Sevilla set up Emana for a cool finish.

The second goal came out of nowhere Las Palmas born Ruben Castro found himself through on Aragoneses when he released his shot, it looked like the keeper had it covered but he missjudged it and the ball was in the net. Sergio made up a little for his mistake with a few good saves, one at the feet of Molina and another double stop at close range. The third goal was a joke, Julio Alvarez lost the ball under no real pressure but Prieto had a chance to clear the danger but gifted the ball to Emana for a simple goal. The despair of the 14,191 crowd was clear as many turned theiir anger on the players and management.

At least it didn’t get worse in the second half but the damage was done and the players didn’t have enough ideas or heart to put things right. Mikel Alonso had a decent chance but put his shot high and wide. Kome was a puzzling choice for the starting line up and added nothing to the game, it was a relief when he was replaced by Juanlu after 54 minutes. Some 10 minutes later Omar came on for Alvarez, another abject failiure, and the young wide player started to make things happen, he jinked past 2 players and just put his shot over the bar. There was no way back though and the murmours of discontent will continue through the clubs AGM this week and into the January transfer window. Coach Mandia is under threat and just who will be selecting any new players is anyone’s guess. Things need to improve fast in 2011.