We've hit a bit of a blip recently - as all teams do at some point - but I'm still pretty confident that we'll finish our league campaign strongly. Not having Mane and Matip available for selection has been a pain in the bollox but fuck it, I'm sure we'll kick on again when they eventually come back.
While I don't think it's fair to dismiss Leicester's title win, and while I'm not normally one for using ifs and buts, I still think it's pretty fair to say that had Leicester not managed to pull off one the biggest shocks in the history of club football then we'd have seen a title fight between Spurs and Arsenal last season. We finished 10 and 11 points (respectively) behind those clubs last year so the fact that we're now in amongst the pair of them and tussling for 2nd place is an absolute fucking testament to the job our manager is doing.
I know most football forums are prone to suffering from mood swings, especially after a poor result, but yesterday was particularly bad on here. Some people writing off our title chances, others saying we need to sign as many as 7 new players. A complete and total loss of perspective. Too many people forgetting where we finished last season and already expecting way too much. Which again, I guess is credit to our manager. Sure, there is still plenty of work still to do, but fuck me, given how short a time he's been here, and given how steeply our trajectory is moving upwards, I can't fathom how any red couldn't be enjoying this season so far. It's been howl
Turn Southampton over at home and we'll have a day out at Wembley to look forward to. And not just any other day out either. If we get the mancs it will be a fucking cracking buzz. On top of that we have a home draw in the next round of the FA cup. Send the kids out again and see how they do. There are at least 3 of them who are nailed on to become first team regulars over the coming years so blood them away I say. Let them at it. See how far they can go. If we make round 6 then the senior players will probably take over from there. But I'd love to see the kids given another run out against Wolves next week
As for this league challenge of ours. Yesterday certainly took some wind out of our sails. I'll admit it felt like a kick in the bollox. As did our draws with the mancs and Sunderland. 3 league games without a win now and Chelsea have Hull at home today. One would have to assume Chelsea will pick up 3 points, as should Arsenal at home to Burnely. So by tonight we should be looking at a top 4 of:
1. Chelsea 55
2. Arsenal 47
3. Spurs 46
4. Liverpool 45
Even taking our recent blip into account, that is still a pretty strong position to be in. We're more than capable of beating Chelsea at home and it's certainly not beyond the realms of possibility for Arsenal to go to Stamford Bridge the following week and take points off them too. There are always, ALWAYS, twists turns and surprises in this league. Especially when you get to the last 15 games. 10 points behind with 16 games to go is not insurmountable. Sure, it's bit of a gap alright but it's doable. If we can regain some consistency when Mane and Matip return and stay in the thick of it then we'll give Chelsea something to think about
If we were 7 points behind with 5 games to go then I don't think anyone would be throwing in the towel. That would still count as an active title challenge. If we were 5 points behind with 3 games to go then same thing. It would still be a real possibility. So why the fuck should we give up when there are still 16 games to go? 10 points can be eaten into. It can be done. Give Chelsea a hiding in 2 weeks and we'll get this show back on the road. Of that I have no doubt. A good result for Arsenal the following week and the title is essentially a 4-way shoot out
What's not to enjoy?
