I know it's no longer the aim, but you look at the table and think we are essentially guaranteed CL football next year with 5 games still to play. In reality obviously it's been the case for a while, but I don't think any of us expected it to be this comfortable in the end. I mean in terms of making the CL these last 5 games will be a procession - we could lose 3 of them and still make it, that's just a staggering turn around from last year. No scrapping, no looking up the table ruefully, no telling ourselves week in and out that we can take advantage of the slips of teams above us in the race for fourth while ultimately sitting midtable. No annual debate about who would like us to be in the EL and who doesn't. All of our attention is focused on bigger dreams. I'm still struggling to adapt to having something left to play for at this time of year, it feels like it's been forever.
No matter what happens over these next 5 games, I'm immensely proud of the team and Rodgers for what they've achieved this season. Dream big of course, but never forget what an achievement it is to even be in the conversation.
Very much second this.
Looking back, I know we had just destroyed the league leaders (Arsenal) 5-1 but to think that even back then quite a lot of our fans began to think it
could be our year, ahead of the midweek trip to Fulham. As far as others were concerned, 4th was still very much the target, being a few points back from the then-top three at the time. Realistically we needed to go on a Godly winning run to catch up and then keep pace with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, yet had only managed to win four games on the bounce once all season. Alas, we've since put together a sequence of nine straight league wins, a sensational run of form.
Barring a collapse of epic proportions - and even then it would require Arsenal or/and Everton capitalising by winning most/all their remaining matches - we will be in the Champions League next season. At the very least. That makes me happy. I remember thinking back in January how nerve wracking it would be if the battle for 4th went to the final day. It still could, but we sure as hell shouldn't be involved.
Finishing 2nd or 3rd would be much of a muchness now given the choice. I guess 2nd would look slightly more appealing for prospective targets, and we would gain a bit more money, but they're virtually the same thing. 1st though? Give me some of that.
But however the season ends for us, it's been a great one. The memories will stay with me for a long time.
The dream could be over this Sunday (if we lose), it could be hanging alive by a thread (if we draw) or, preferably, it could be on like donkey kong (if we win). Let's all hope for the latter to come true.
