What happened today was very interesting, and a lesson for the lads. It showed that a mid-table team, at the end of the season and with absolutely nothing to play for, still want to scrap with us. Why? Because we're the incumbent champions. If they had equalised, believe it, the players and the entire stadium would have celebrated that as if they'd actually won a trophy.
That's how it will often be in this run-in. That we negotiated it is as important to me as the victory over the Arse. We did have nine shots on target, to be fair, and hit the woodwork. We should have put the game comfortably to bed. We didn't. That happens. What then counts is character, determination, sheer bloody mindedness. We can do that game too. This was not another Forest. That's the only important thing for me.
The pressure on Arsenal is now huge. Any kind of cock-up against Chelsea — and even a draw against them would be a cock-up — would be hugely damaging. We'd still be top, and with two games over them. I'm expecting them to win, and comfortably.
In any case, we now have two games at home. I believe the Hammers game will be another scrap. Could be a banana skin. A draw is certainly possible. I'd be astonished if we didn't take the three points against Leeds. The Arse, by contrast, have to now go to Saint James's Park. I'd be as astonished if they won there, as if we got anything other than a win against Leeds.
But ok, it's football. Strange things happen. I'm only talking about plausible outcomes here.
For the moment… we're at the wheel.
