It depends how you review the season:
- Last season we finished 4th, I think we will finish 3rd this season
- Last season we won the League Cup, I would argue the FA Cup is stronger and if we win that, I would say that is an improvement as it is a better trophy
- Last season we got to the semi of the CL - I really don't like this comparison. Reason being, we beat Kiev and PSG, both were shit and we dodn't have a shot on target against the first decent team we played. We had a favourable draw
It is all down to opinions, but I think we are a different team than last season and I think the way we impose ourselves or at least try to impose ourselves in big games, is a credit to the team and the manager. Not least because some of out players are limited
Well it's all irrelevant until the end of the season really isn't it and guessing the outcome and conveniently guessing it works out better than last year means nothing.
FA Cup is of course stronger but if we get past Arsenal we are then in a final with 1 of 2 teams and we have beat neither this season over 2 games each. Not saying we can't win it anything can happen in one game but it's all ifs and buts again to suit an argument that we have progressed. We simply wont know that until the end of the season and even if we won the FA cup and finished 3rd whilst it is progress I highly doubt it is the kind of progress we expected after the summer investment.
How about this champions league comparison, we beat PSG who was the runaway leaders in the French league, there wasn't even a contest. This year we went out to the team top of the French league by 3 points.
We have and should be accepted on the whole been poor this season with some exciting glimpses. This will only get better for next year
I agree with what you say, in the most part. Having Jesus and Gundogen injured for the majority of the time they have been here, certainly hasn't helped
I was at the emirate when they did them 1-3 during the Mancini heydays - I think it was 2012? Heard an Arsenal fan saying "oh they're really good!!!"When was the last time we won away to Arsenal?
Yup. And the most annoying this is we literally did everything right against Spurs away but threw away a 2 goal lead, Everton at home Koeman admitted they were scandelously lucky to score and we should have won 5 or 6-0, Arsenal away and Liverpool at home we were superior but wasteful and we have had shocking referees all season.Need to start turning the imposing ourselves into wins though. It's all very well playing nice football but winning ultimately is what this game is about. If you can get both then all the better. We have the former mostly but not the latter currently. I don't think any fan of any side has ever come away from a game where they have won against a top side and said "we won yes but we didn't play very well and didn't deserve it"
The play has been fine in general from a good on the eye perspective but Poor defensively, too lightweight at times in midfield and poor finishing.
Good teams this season away from home all comps.
Barca - loss Spurs -loss Everton - loss Liverpool - loss Monaco - loss Chelsea - loss Arsenal - draw rags - win.
1 win 1 draw 6 losses.
At home
Everton - draw Liverpool - draw Spurs - draw Chelsea - loss Arsenal - win Monaco - win Barca - win.
3wins 3 draws 1 loss. I game to come.
Overall 4 wins, 4 draws 7 losses.
It has been our problem for a few years and it needs addressing.
It is meaningful that we can retain possession, but it's still obvious that despite all the possession we're vulnerable up front and don't create or take enough chances. Weak in both boxes. Personnel at both ends needs to changeYup. And the most annoying this is we literally did everything right against Spurs away but threw away a 2 goal lead, Everton at home Koeman admitted they were scandelously lucky to score and we should have won 5 or 6-0, Arsenal away and Liverpool at home we were superior but wasteful and we have had shocking referees all season.
Feels like ridiculously fine margins but if we had the same rub of the green that Chelsea/United/Leicester last year had we would be 10 points better off now easily.
10 points out of a possible 30 against the other teams in the top seven suggests we do not deserve a top four finish.
That record is frankly appalling 11 matches and managed less than a point per game.
They have all sussed us out - defend in depth knowing we try to walk the ball into the net and wait for our defence to do the inevitable cock.
That more than anything has disappointed me in Pep, he should have been far more pragmatic in all of these matches.
10 points out of a possible 30 against the other teams in the top seven suggests we do not deserve a top four finish.
That record is frankly appalling 11 matches and managed less than a point per game.
They have all sussed us out - defend in depth knowing we try to walk the ball into the net and wait for our defence to do the inevitable cock.
That more than anything has disappointed me in Pep, he should have been far more pragmatic in all of these matches.
We'll be fine and finish third, which is pretty much where I rank our present set-up.
Liverpool seriously missed an opportunity last night after our result.
Probably afford to lose one more at somewhere like Southampton.
Seen a poll on twitter which asked is top 4 and the fa cup a good season. Fuck me we really have gone backwards haven't we, it's 2011!