In the excerpt from Nick Hornby's "Pray: Notes on the 2011/2012 Football Season," the author comments on the use of grammatical structures, particularly the third conditional, which creates a hypothetical scenario. He expresses a sense of exasperation with this technique, indicating that too much focus on the formal aspects of language can be tiresome.

Hornby suggests that while such grammatical nuances might be recognized by grammarians, they can detract from the essence of storytelling or commentary. His tone implies a desire to move past technical discussions in favor of a more engaging and direct narrative, reflecting his broader commentary on the sport and the experiences surrounding it.