Ok so this is and has been a very tough season for us all and we are only at the start of December. In a year many of us, me included hoped we would positioned to be the title favorites we have gone one step forwards 3 steps back....again ....again
There is no getting away from a couple of issues namely we have been savaged my injuries too important players and our squad it would seem is just not as good enough, presently.
But lets take a short break from all the doom and gloom and look at some positives. We have kept 3 clean sheets on the trot. We seemed to have calmed down defending set pieces, gone is the obvious edginess defending set pieces the expression of nervousness and inevitability which use to be painted on Carra's face has been replaced with that more familiar determination and confidence. Rafa has obviously mixed it up and we are defending set pieces differently, noticeably not putting someone on the line, which i think is an excellent idea.
We are undefeated in 6 now. Whilst the results have not been great we are slowly, begrudgingly moving in the right direction. There is no getting away from out current situation, with a combination of a new back four, a new system and horrific injury woes the team has lacked stability. Our players have been frustrated and heads have dropped, the customary slaughter onslaught from the tabloids has not helped but alas coming out of this weekend we have gained on the lg leaders and our squad is nearing coming back to full strength, just as the 3 main title contenders squads are due to be weakened.
United have a defender crisis brewing, Arsenal are without RVP which makes a huge difference to that team and Chelsea have the African cup to contend with. We obviously need to pick up the pace, but the there has been signs of improvement. Stevie looks to be returning to full fitness and is starting to play some nice football again. Carra has seemed to settled again. Benny is fit again, Reira is back, Torres may be on his way back, Aquailani may be about to start is first game, Masher is coming back to his best and Ngog has shown some real maturity and looks like he will make it into the senior team, not to mention Agger is back and Insua has been very solid.
Our next 3 games are all at home against teams that like to play open attacking football, Florentina, Arsenal and Wigan. I personally think its set up to really be the confidence shot we need to get things moving again and I am predicting 3 wins on the trot from these fixtures. Florentina need a win and the pressure is off us. The least our lads can do is put on a show for the fans who have traveled around europe with them this season. I have a feeling this could be a battering.
Then we have Arsenal who have a tough away trip to Olympiakos who need the win. Arsenal coming off back to back defeats to ManU and Chelsea need a result if they are going to keep in it and hopefully we can be at full strength for that game. Another Win in the same week against a top side with a squad growing in strength and perhaps we can start to build some momentum going into Chrimbo.
We have Pompey and Wolves after that before the last game of the year against Villa. By time we meet its very possible we have put 5 wins together on the trot and thats exactly what we need to do.
So lets all get behind the team Wednesday night and let it be the start of a 5 game winning streak leading into that game with Villa.
Dare to Beleive Red Brothers and Sisters
Walk on with Hope in your Hearts
There is no getting away from a couple of issues namely we have been savaged my injuries too important players and our squad it would seem is just not as good enough, presently.
But lets take a short break from all the doom and gloom and look at some positives. We have kept 3 clean sheets on the trot. We seemed to have calmed down defending set pieces, gone is the obvious edginess defending set pieces the expression of nervousness and inevitability which use to be painted on Carra's face has been replaced with that more familiar determination and confidence. Rafa has obviously mixed it up and we are defending set pieces differently, noticeably not putting someone on the line, which i think is an excellent idea.
We are undefeated in 6 now. Whilst the results have not been great we are slowly, begrudgingly moving in the right direction. There is no getting away from out current situation, with a combination of a new back four, a new system and horrific injury woes the team has lacked stability. Our players have been frustrated and heads have dropped, the customary slaughter onslaught from the tabloids has not helped but alas coming out of this weekend we have gained on the lg leaders and our squad is nearing coming back to full strength, just as the 3 main title contenders squads are due to be weakened.
United have a defender crisis brewing, Arsenal are without RVP which makes a huge difference to that team and Chelsea have the African cup to contend with. We obviously need to pick up the pace, but the there has been signs of improvement. Stevie looks to be returning to full fitness and is starting to play some nice football again. Carra has seemed to settled again. Benny is fit again, Reira is back, Torres may be on his way back, Aquailani may be about to start is first game, Masher is coming back to his best and Ngog has shown some real maturity and looks like he will make it into the senior team, not to mention Agger is back and Insua has been very solid.
Our next 3 games are all at home against teams that like to play open attacking football, Florentina, Arsenal and Wigan. I personally think its set up to really be the confidence shot we need to get things moving again and I am predicting 3 wins on the trot from these fixtures. Florentina need a win and the pressure is off us. The least our lads can do is put on a show for the fans who have traveled around europe with them this season. I have a feeling this could be a battering.
Then we have Arsenal who have a tough away trip to Olympiakos who need the win. Arsenal coming off back to back defeats to ManU and Chelsea need a result if they are going to keep in it and hopefully we can be at full strength for that game. Another Win in the same week against a top side with a squad growing in strength and perhaps we can start to build some momentum going into Chrimbo.
We have Pompey and Wolves after that before the last game of the year against Villa. By time we meet its very possible we have put 5 wins together on the trot and thats exactly what we need to do.
So lets all get behind the team Wednesday night and let it be the start of a 5 game winning streak leading into that game with Villa.
Dare to Beleive Red Brothers and Sisters
Walk on with Hope in your Hearts
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