The Bagel.

Me an the old boy have been goimg to games for the last ten years or so, he’s not doing so well health wise so wont make the journey, true yido thru and thru, mind. He made me the yid I am. Cant make the match tomorrow so I’ve persuaded me mam to go to the game with me!

Its her 1st game ever!

hope she doesnt start a fight, she is a bit fiesty.

What a game to be a first one!

Oh matron!

Better news is that Fabregas is a doubt with a virus.

Let’s hope it’s Typhoid!

Bagel, glad that you are back to your old bready self. Your usual optimism and extra curricular activities have brightened many a gloomy Monday morning. It’s quite understandable that you may have been feeling a little undercooked after all your exursions on and off the pitch.

The Bagel has risen!!!!!

(Finbarr Saunders would be proud of that one)

Thank you to you both for the smelling salts.

I read some horrible article in the mail (? I’ll try to find it) about what’s the point in the middle of the Premiership from 5th down to 17th and then there was another about Everton and ourselves becoming part of a new big 6. Unfortunately this last one seems to be based on very little fact but it’s a nice idea.

Come Sat…tomorrow…Zokora and JJ will have no option but to play with passion. The atmosphere will be as electric as it has been at all our biggest occasions this season. I’m smiling just thinking about pulling on my shirt.

The Bagel.

However, you are right. Talent will always tip the balance.

Berbatov, Keane, Zokora, Lennon…we are a league away from West Ham, and have proven that determination and talent can prove deadly when we played Chelski at home… They are harder to beat that Arsenal. Arsenal have more ’star talent’ than we do - so do chelsea.

We did one, now it’s time to do the other.

Pressure is surely the real factor here. This is - ignoring the opposition - a must have 3 points. The expectation, and pressure, is what our players must learn to conquer..

Oh, and we need some decent tactics.

In seasons gone by, average players have often raised their game when it came time to play the scum. David Howells is a good example. He hated the other lot and it showed. What he lacked in skill he made up for in passion and usually did a good job for us in midfeld against them.

Now, if Zakora and Jenas could combine their skill with the passion to win at all costs then Fabregas can be kept quiet and we will win.

Bagel, i did see the West Ham v Chelsea game and in the 1st half West Ham really did put them under a lot of pressure. They were up for it and it showed.

I shall call on the spirit of Graham Roberts to lead the way. Slamming Charlie Nicholas into the stands at Highbury - now that’s what I’m talking about.

Yesterday I read about West Ham’s desire to win against Chelsea; how badly they need the points, the derby factor, the Joe Cole factor etc, etc and then woke up this morning to read that with all their passion they managed a 4-1 defeat.

I didn’t see the game and I don’t know how spirited their performance actually was but I don’t think that’s what anyone but Chelsea had in mind.

How much of a difference can passion make, in real terms. A Drogba? A Robben? A star studded bench. Passion is undoubtebly key but it’ll only work if in you favour if the other team aren’t feeling it too.

Apologies sounding so grim, after all passion is why I love this game. Just wondering what difference it makes at the end of a season with a table looking pretty much the same as it always does.

The Bagel.

It’s not good enough to win on Saturday only to throw it all away against lesser opponents in the remaining games.

I think also that this game is more than just about beating the most hated, vile football club on the face of this earth and also collecting 3 vital points. It’s the next natural step on our return to the top.

WE HATE ARSE***