Just over a month ago our title hopes were in tatters, after a 3-0 home loss to Chelsea leaving us 11 points off the pace. What a joy that was. No complaints, I thought defensively Chelsea were absolutely solid. Probably the best unit I have seen for ages. We don't help ourselves though, chipping balls up to the likes of Arshavin/Eduardo/Vela etc who probably have a combined height of 6ft between them, what’s the point. Easy pickings for the likes of Carvalho and Terry. Why not play to our strengths rather than to their advantage?
Their open play goals. I'm sure they were two carbon copy crosses from Cole. What did we not learn the first time? Why back off that much after only allowing him in to our half twice, two times is all he needed to play two decisive killer balls in. Ok great, lets just rub salt in the wounds.
Leads me nicely on to Drogba. Oh how he was the butt of everyone's jokes. Now look at him. What a good player, it pains me to say it. Reminded me of a game I watched from behind the goal at Euro2004, Ruud van Nistelrooy was very much the striker in form back then. Germany was beating the Netherlands 1-0 and Van Nistelrooy was a virtual spectator for the whole match. No exaggeration, Germany never gave him an inch all game, he hardly touched the ball. That’s when you find out you have a world class striker in your ranks, on 81mins with the centre back all over him somehow he managed to score a superb goal and rescue a point for his country. But that was all it took, one touch, one chance, one goal. Bit like Drogba, did nothing but stick the final boot in on a couple of goals. What more do you need your striker to do. It was just one of those days, when they got that free kick around the edge of area on 86min, of course that went in too and I walked out with everyone else.
Our midfield had no problems against them; I would probably go as far as to say we were stronger than them in this area. I actually thought our defense was ok too, I know they let in three goals (ok I’m bias but sorry it was a flattering score line) but really if they are top of the league and they are the benchmark, yes they have the best defense I've seen but we are not that far off them! We struggled big time up front. We were never at the races. That was what the difference was in my eyes, once they got the ball up there they had Drogba and Anelka. We had sod all. So for all our efforts at getting the ball up there, it was never going to materialise in to anything.
Come back Bendtner all is forgiven I now I see, understand and miss all what you offer to the team and I promise to appreciate you from here on in cause I will cast my mind back to this period we sustained without you. Groveling and promises over. Hey its January any 6ft target will do at this stage, nudge nudge wink wink Arsene, please... I trust in you n all but 'big size' cover for our impressive centre backs and forwards, no more pint sized attacking midfield maestros, we have loads of those now.
While were on the subject, a MOAN: I knew it was too good to be true, Van Persie, great player but way to injury prone. Loads of promise and potential but he has never completed a full season, has he? Call me unsympathetic but it just really annoys me. He broke his toe in January 2006, fractured a metatarsal in January 2007 and damaged a knee on international duty in October 2007. After finally starting to enjoy a relatively injury-free 2008/09 season, he started out in all Premier League games and in only 11 appearances was our second highest scorer with eight goals but check this, he also had eight assists. So vital to the team, then gets injured again on international duty. Let’s see if he can impact on the 09/10 season, he was on course but I am sure he is never going to be a 25goal a season player. There I said it.
So our first season as season ticket holders and everyone was poking fun at us saying it will be the first season we finish outside of the top four. Oh I guess all them haters must of been referring to Man City wedging us out or something. Rain check: Man City are 5th and Mark Hughes has been sacked. So despite only losing 2 and the four above all losing 3, 4 even 5 games each its the ridiculous 8 draws that have been their downfall. Shame on you Toure and Adebayor. See you in April!
So, back to the game in hand (what an important match, I will be on tender hooks) a win will put us, ER HELLO yes 1pt in front of Man U and only 1pt behind Chelsea. Right in the mix with every chance of winning the League, we are doing ok in the Champions League and still in the FA Cup (where were you when Jermaine Beckford's goal dumped Man U out, LOL) We love a big match fact: Manchester United had never before lost in the third round of the Cup - or been knocked out of it by a lower-division side - during Sir Alex Ferguson's 23-year reign as manager, but they began 2010 on the wrong end of their biggest upset in this competition since they were dumped out by Bournemouth in 1984. Shame. Well done Leeds, only forty-two league places separate you from Man U but I thought you thoroughly deserved the victory. It was a thrilling tie and I enjoyed all 95 minutes of it.
Ok really back to the game tonight, see I'm so anxious I can't concentrate...
I immediately thought Bolton are considered our 'bogey side' but news just in, that was only under Sam Allardyce! So there is hope as we've won our last six games against Wanderers, scoring 14 goals in the process. Also, the Trotters have only won one of their last 20 league games in London. We will be missing the absolute revelation of the season, Alex Song who has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations and there's nothing like a sacking of a manager to fire the troops up?! Wanderers will again be led by assistant manager Chris Evans and first team coach Steve Wigley. Cries of WHO? I hear. We'll see how it goes, you never know on their day anyone is capable of beating anyone in the Premier League so let’s not get complacent.
How exciting.
