Chris in London
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 21 Sep 2009
- Messages
- 13,328
Lets assume the rags, Chelsea and Arsenal are shoe-ins for the top 3 places (or at leastr 3 of the top 4 places).
The fourth Champions league slot - which must be our true aim despite the public suggestion that a top 6 finish will do - is up for grabs between us, the dippers, Spuds and Villa.
We all know we have not played well the last 2/3 games, we all know we can do better. We all know that unless Robi has decided he wont play for us any more, our best player is a game or so away from coming back into the team. But look at our squad - RSC yet to hit form, but we know how good he can be. SI not quite at the top of his game, but we know what he can do too. VK and ned champing at the bit and ready to put the back 4 under pressure... there are not many squads who look stronger than ours.
Compare that with the scousers - a number of good players, but only two that put fear into other teams and who both seem likely to miss another 6-8 weeks of the season each with injury. Compare it with Spurs - good first team, but how often have they fallen away in the second half of the season? Likewise Villa - are Dunnie's red cards and own goals (much though we have to thank him for) completely a thing of the past? They too traditionally fall away later in the season.
It would be brilliant to win the CC but in a cup competition you can go out just because the ref has a stinker. Whether we get into the top 4 or not is down to us and us alone.
And it is because it is down to us that I am confident - we have the resources that other clubs do not have. We have an ability to strengthen that other clubs do not have. The league is decided over 38 games, not 10 - our strength, I am convinced, will show over 38 games.
The fourth Champions league slot - which must be our true aim despite the public suggestion that a top 6 finish will do - is up for grabs between us, the dippers, Spuds and Villa.
We all know we have not played well the last 2/3 games, we all know we can do better. We all know that unless Robi has decided he wont play for us any more, our best player is a game or so away from coming back into the team. But look at our squad - RSC yet to hit form, but we know how good he can be. SI not quite at the top of his game, but we know what he can do too. VK and ned champing at the bit and ready to put the back 4 under pressure... there are not many squads who look stronger than ours.
Compare that with the scousers - a number of good players, but only two that put fear into other teams and who both seem likely to miss another 6-8 weeks of the season each with injury. Compare it with Spurs - good first team, but how often have they fallen away in the second half of the season? Likewise Villa - are Dunnie's red cards and own goals (much though we have to thank him for) completely a thing of the past? They too traditionally fall away later in the season.
It would be brilliant to win the CC but in a cup competition you can go out just because the ref has a stinker. Whether we get into the top 4 or not is down to us and us alone.
And it is because it is down to us that I am confident - we have the resources that other clubs do not have. We have an ability to strengthen that other clubs do not have. The league is decided over 38 games, not 10 - our strength, I am convinced, will show over 38 games.