We’re on a …
…roll? Bagel? You may ask where we have been – well, there wasn’t much to write about for most of February!
We didn’t score a goal until late in the month, although we didn’t play much in the first half. The window closed and Robbie came back, which must be a good thing, even if he was ineligible for a lot of the matches that came up? Now, he’s scored his first since his return maybe we can start to show some improvement. We have a better squad than we started the season with, but not very helpful for the later stages of cup competitions if cup-tied.
A draw with Arsenal was better than nothing, but all we are saying is give us a …
We needed goals in Donetsk, but they didn’t come and then we didn’t defend well in the last 10 minutes. The win at Hull was great, but a bit shaky! We perked up for 5 minutes in the second leg against Shaktar, but that was the end of that! It was welcome novelty to be back in Europe for 3 years after quite a gap – almost like the old days – but barring a miracle that’s it, at least for more than another year.
We did the hard work in the Carling Cup Final against…oh, I can’t remember who we played (some provincial team, I think?)…but not the easy part. Penalties are easy to take, except in the head – a bit of hypnosis wouldn’t have gone amiss – Harry, give Derren Brown a call?
We can’t score goals, yet amazingly our defence has held up pretty well this season? We’re on course for some record low totals at home this season, I’m sure…so what happens 4-0 against an in-form Middlesbrough! As Fred Trueman might have said, I don’t know what’s going off out there?
We want survival or just work your socks off to see how far we can get in the league and I guess it will be two seasons in the bottom half following two in 5th place! Progress will be a top half finish next season and certainly qualification for Europe as a bonus!
We can beat Sunderland, of course, if we’re up for it!
COYS.
The Platzel.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Platzel
Thanks for writing.
I reckon it’s way too early to talk about next season. So far this season we have had two lengthy spells of abysmal form. If we have another we will be relegated. Our form has improved and we do look a lot more solid but we are still a few more decent performances away from safety. It wasn’t so long ago that we would hear from any number of players saying that the team would push on for a top 6 finish. I hope some of the lads don’t look back at the Boro game and think that all the work is done. One bad result and other results going against us and we are very much back in the shit.
I feel sure that with our best team and everyone up for it we can beat Sunderland. Although I’d still take a draw if it was offered up front. When was the last time we won 3 league games on the spin? It hasn’t happened this so far this season. Maybe Saturday??????????
March 8th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Decent result versus the mackams in my opinion… would’ve taken a draw before the game. Now we’re 5 points clear of bottom 3, which considering we’ve got villa and chelsea next up is just as well!
COYS
March 9th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I fancy us beating Villa, what with their (sudden) questionable form… but the big question is, do we go all out and beat Villa knowing the repercussions?
I know it’s all about our safety first, but humour me for a second here. Back in the (good ol’) day, would our safety really matter more than screwing the Arse of a Champions League spot in the end? Food for thought, my friends, food for thought…..
March 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I understand what youre saying Farah. Id take a draw from the next two games very happily. The thing that really worries me is going to Liverpool for the last day of the season. I dont want that game to be the one that decides our fate.
March 9th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
About time we popped up with a last minute goal. We’ve been on the receiving end enough times.
Farah, I love the sentiment and if we had a few more points on board then I’d be all up for throwing the game to fuck up those scumbags but we need every point. Although, that is assuming we will be able to go to Villa and get something from the game.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Wattson, I think our fate will be decided by then. It would have to be a right royal fuck up of immense proportions if we were to throw away this ‘lead’ we have over the bottom 3… 5 points and a far superior goal difference. Surely even Spurs can’t screw this one up?
Any talk of ‘allowing’ Villa to win to stuff up L’arse is utter insanity. Since when do we owe Villa any favours? And to be honest, I don’t think the scum will even care - they seem to be on the up again and what with Villa’s resent ’slump’, it seems that the lucky gooner cunts might just pip them anyway, whether we beat Villa or not.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
All quiet on the bagel recently. Hows everyone feeling about this weekend?
March 12th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Well, I thought we had a good enough team to go to Sunderland and get a win. Villa are a better side than Sunderland, so I’m not filled with any real confidence about getting 3 points. Although, Villa have been a bit flakey recently so I’d be happy for a point.
We do have the players to put in a great performance. There is just no knowing when this performance will happen.
I predict a 2 - 2.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
i hate to say it but it needs to be stated:
i hope our boys were watching the arse last night - as that is the sort of mental strength we need to compete in a penalty shoot out!
sure anyone can miss a pen but none of them really looked like they had the stomach for it and i’m still failing to understand why.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Id take a draw from the next two games. Anything more than that is a bonus imo. But the 3 home games after that are must win against, WH, NU, WB.
Sputnik, there was definitely some confident, calm taken pens from both sides last night. But I think both keepers in the end were waiting for a mistake rather than trying to win it for their team.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Despite our recent upturn in performance, I really cannot see us getting anything out of the game. Villa have just been on a 5 day jolly to Dubai too, so will be well rested and mentally prepared you’d have thought, especially under Mo’N.
As I’ve said before, I’m not concerned about our away games, we have enough winnable games at home to get the points we need.
That said, the games at OT & Anfield may produce a surprise point or 2, especially if the title is decided by then and also a CL spot for Liverpool… In any case, I’m sure we’ll not leave it to the last day (famous last words…)
March 13th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
If GG is right, and I hope to God that he is and we have avoided the drop before we go to Anfield, by howmany points will we have escaped by when the season is over?
I will guess at 2 points. It’s gonna be close.
March 13th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I’m gonna stick my neck out and say we will be AT LEAST 6 points clear of the team in 18th when the season is over.
March 15th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Not sure I’m as brave as you, GG…. But I hope to god that I’m wrong - as is usually the case.
Interesting article in the grauniad about the Bentley/ Quaresma non-event.
Basically, they wanted Jenas - ‘Arry said ‘no’. They then wanted Bentley - ‘Arry wanted Quaresma, but Levy wanted more money - which then gave Quaresma’s agent time to get on the blower to Chelski…
Can’t see anything but a defeat against Villa… It is fascinating down the bottom - well, that includes the bottom half of the table - I just wish I was looking at it from the safety of 6th or 7th…
SO -
West Brom. DOWN.
Who else?
March 15th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Newcastle & Hull
March 15th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Yesterday I had the greatest salt beef bagel ever on Brick Lane. Reminded me of the good old days on this blog
March 15th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I fucking love it when I’m proven wrong!
COYS!
March 16th, 2009 at 11:49 am
come on YOU SPURS!!!!!!!
March 16th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
was that at Beigel Bake Wilson? - a slice of the old real east end - great stuff!
what a result for the spurs - we’re getting to really know how to win games now - Terrific (as ‘Arry says)!
March 16th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
My 2 points above the the drop estimate might have been a tad conservative.
For the drop;
Newcastle
Boro
West Brom