Why can't we...

[Parm]

haha, I'm more than happy for the press to blow smoke up the arse of Arsenal and utd (and the chavs) let us quietly get on with things.

[fowlen]

We have suddenly exploded and started scoring at will.
We only scored 4 against Bolton, but I think we had 24 shots on target!

Our confidence is sky high, and I think that if rafa plays the majority of the team each week we have as good a chance as ever.

It is also strange, but our best few performances over the last couple of years have come when Pennant has not had a part to play........ the fact that we are able to retain possession and play intelligent football when he is not available says something to me......
At the same time Lucas has brought alot of the calmness and stability to our play that Alonso brings. He is not quite on Xabi's level, but he is certainly showing that he can play and do a good job for us.

Harry has also had a very positive impact on the team. Don't think he was that special against Bolton, but he certainly looks hungrier than he has since his first season with us.

[thekop]

I firmly believe it is ours for the taking if we concentrate on ourselves and not bother with other team's results. We have the best striker in the world, the best midfielder in the world, the best manager in the world, the best scouser in the world and the best fans in the world.

**** the arse, **** the mancs, **** the chavs.

It's all about Liverpool.

Amen

[AFII]

Torres could easily have scored 10 more in the last few games. How many one on ones with the keeper have he missed?

As Rafa said, we can play even better

[Red Chilli]

Not only has this run of form coincided with my use of the phrase:

I've got a bad feeling about this game, I can see a 0-0 stalemate

in every build up thread since and including the Besiktas game, it has also coincided with Rafa's reluctance to use the "2 defensive midfielders" policy which so blighted our early season games.

For me it's quite clear, this team is good enough to play without 2 defensive midfielders, we don't need a back 6, we can function with 1 defensive midfielder and then opponents find it hard to deal with our attackers.
Check the stats, it all backs up, 2 defensive midfielders does mean a 0-0 stalemate, 1 defensive midfielder means we play with flair and belief.

I think this squad CAN win the league, they need the belief and the manager needs the confidence to ditch the 2 defensive midfielders policy and go for the 3 points.

[Konstro]

Speaking about African Cup let`s hope that the final will be between Ivory Coast and Ghana as it will mean that Drogba and Essien won`t play for Chavs. Our game and AC final are on 9th of February. I hope we are the ones that will crush their unbeaten home record as it will give us huge psychological boost coming into crucial part of a season. Till then I won`t mind if they will keep their record as long as they get few draws.

Looking at Arsenal fixtures not too many people have high hopes for barcodes and boro but those next 2 games against opposition desperate to get anything will be very, very difficult for arse. Eventhough they won last 2 games they really miss Fabregas. Now Hleb is injured again. If barcodes play "in your face" football for ninety minutes thay stand a chance of getting at least draw. We might dislike Barton but on wendesday night i`ll be cheering for him for a change as his performance can be really crucial for an outcome. I hope arse won`t pick 6 points in north - east.

As for mancs, who da ... are man united?????

[Craig_H]

We can

It's a long race, only time will tell if we have the quality and the mettle. We're definitely in with a chance this season though. Only a fool would rule us out.

It's that old adage of 'take each game as it comes' but it's apt.

We cant be thinking about titles now, as rafa would say, just focus on each game, one at a time. Dont look too far ahead, just keep our eye on the ball with each game we play, and see where it takes us. If we can win in Marseille too, that'll help as it'll give us a nice confidence boost as well as the ability to put the CL to bed til Feb.

So i dunno about you lot, but as always, i am focusing on the next game and supporting my team.

[Craig_H]

we can, i have been saying it all along, and to be honest, if we dont win, i think we will go damn close.
Honestly speaking, when each team is on the top of their game, we are the best. Not only because of our ability to score, but because of our ability to keep the opposition quiet. If we can find some consistancy and some confidence against the rest of the big 4, we will win the league.

I dont think anyone, whether they're one of us, a manc, a goon or a chav can say that with any real substance.

It's completely unqualifiable IMO.

[Craig_H]

If we beat Utd, we can win it. The table on 01 Jan 2008 will tell us an awful lot about Arsenal's durability over the Christmas period.

If we're within 6 pts of the top on New Year's Day we have a very good chance. We can beat anyone on our day. We just need to be in touch enough to make the big "6 point" matches count. Under Rafa to date, we've never been able to do that in the league.

On current form, i'd like to think we might've closed that gap down to 3 points by NYD.

[Red Chilli]

Speaking about African Cup let`s hope that the final will be between Ivory Coast and Ghana as it will mean that Drogba and Essien won`t play for Chavs. Our game and AC final are on 9th of February. I hope we are the ones that will crush their unbeaten home record as it will give us huge psychological boost coming into crucial part of a season. Till then I won`t mind if they will keep their record as long as they get few draws.

Looking at Arsenal fixtures not too many people have high hopes for barcodes and boro but those next 2 games against opposition desperate to get anything will be very, very difficult for arse. Eventhough they won last 2 games they really miss Fabregas. Now Hleb is injured again. If barcodes play "in your face" football for ninety minutes thay stand a chance of getting at least draw. We might dislike Barton but on wendesday night i`ll be cheering for him for a change as his performance can be really crucial for an outcome. I hope arse won`t pick 6 points in north - east.

As for mancs, who da ... are man united?????

I'm predicting that Arsenal will lose to Boro. Boro are a funny team, they'll be **** for an entire season and then they'll win at Old Toilet or Stamford Bridge.

I think that'll happen in their next game, they'll beat Arsenal 1-0 or something stupid.

[Craig_H]

If we follow form of the final part of the past few years then we are in with a good chance, we are always stronger than the other teams in the second part of the season. My only real worry is how good Arsenal look, I am starting to wonder if they will lose at all.

Me too mate.

I remember the mancs last season, and how far their momentum took them.

Week after week, we were saying "It's early days yet, they'll slip up"

Things like "Nah, their squad is too weak, they'll get injuries soon and it'll feck them up"

Then we got to April and there was still no sign of any letup from them.

We all know how it ended up

[Red Chilli]

Me too mate.

I remember the mancs last season, and how far their momentum took them.

Week after week, we were saying "It's early days yet, they'll slip up"

Things like "Nah, their squad is too weak, they'll get injuries soon and it'll feck them up"

Then we got to April and there was still no sign of any letup from them.

We all know how it ended up

African Cup of nations though. Toure and Adebayor

[Craig_H]

Take a look at the 2nd half of the Villa game,they are not infallible.

It's things like that which worry me more.

Sure they're incredible when they click and most teams wont cope with them. However, they cant do that all the time and everyone KNOWS they'll have games or periods where it doesnt click.

The worry is when they win DESPITE that, as they did at Villa.

That's what wins titles.

[Craig_H]

If we can beat Utd at Anfield which I think will happen plus take points off the other big 4 away from home then we have a great chance, the best we've had in a long time.

We're starting to kill off the poor teams now which is something we normally struggle with doing, but we have to start beating the big 4 away otherwise it will all be in vain I'm afraid. Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal very rarely drop points so it's going to be difficult but keep believing...I know I will be! YNWA.

If we keep dispatching the lesser sides and make draws at home to Brum and Spurs a distant memory, i dont think we'll need to go and win at Arsenal, Chelsea or United.

They'll take points off each other and if we win the other games, we'll win the league.

[Craig_H]

The difference this year is we are still in with a chance just as we are entering, historically our peak period of form lasting the rest of the season. We are so gonna be in with a shout come the serious end of the championship. I keep thinking he has been in exactly the same situation at Valencia in his first season there and we know what happened....

My only worry with the Valencia comparison is that they won the league with about 78 points. There's zero chance of that tally winning you the Premiership.