Another False Dawn

[Cripps_orig]

Its been a season of false dawns.

3 i think this season

[LDG]

2 wins in 6, results have slipped at the wrong time as usual. It's still in our hands of course, but it is now a lot more closer than it needed to be. The only saving grace is that our rivals have some tricky games to play.

There's no excuse if we finish 4th after the head of steam we built up, it's done nothing to ally the fears that this team is a bit weak mentally.

RPQ was a poor display. Wigan just outplayed us...I don't think we were weak mentally.

I think it's purely down to a lack of options within the squad. We're knackered, and now have injuries to Arteta and Walcott which compounds the situation.

It's purely down to squad quality, not lack of effort or mental weakness. We have no second options and have been very lucky to have RVP fit all year.

[Flavs]

Yes, a bit tense although Spurs game in hand is this week, is Newcastle's too? If so then things will be a bit clearer after that.
If they win their games in hand then it's squeaky bum time. If they don't then a win vs Norwich and the St Totteringham's Day bunting will be flapping gaily in the breeze.

After Wednesday all teams will have played 36 which should give us a great picture of where we are really at. Disgusted with Blackburn yesterday tbh they just didnt bother against Spurs and look like they have given up already, however Bolton will be a different beat altogether, that added to the news he isnt England boss will hopefully put Arry into full on twitch mode.

[Flavs]

See if it were me i would stick Park on the left now and tell him he has 2 games to prove he is worth keeping in the summer, he used to play there for Monaco and cant be any worse than Gervinho is at the moment tbh.

I would even be tempted to play Chamakh up front against Norwich with RvP on the left just to change it around a bit.

But its Wenger who seems to have no concept of how to change it around a bit so i guess we will stick as is.

[Flavs]

We have to finish the season with two wins really....though a spuds loss/draw and a draw for chavs/newcastle means we just have to beat Norwich.

We cant risk finishing 4th though in case Chelsea win the champions league

Di Matteo has some squad selections to think about bless him, FA cup, needs to ensure league qualification but also can get it winning the chumps league (Although with all the suspensions I cant see it) talk about eggs in one basket

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We cant risk finishing 4th though in case Chelsea win the champions league

Di Matteo has some squad selections to think about bless him, FA cup, needs to ensure league qualification but also can get it winning the chumps league (Although with all the suspensions I cant see it) talk about eggs in one basket

Indeed but in LDG's scenario (if the Spuds lose), only the Barcodes beating Citeh and Everton by about twelve goals each would stop us finishing third. It's basically all dependant on midweek whether it goes to the last day or not.

[selassie]

*Sigh*

I don't why they do it to us? I'll admit I'm very nervous about the last 2 games, the team really have to step up and get the job done.

I'm convinced it will go to the last day, the Spuds seem to be picking up form and the Chavs are in top form right now.

Let's just hope we do it.

[fakeyank]

There are no certainties in football, but in order to win shit, you have to be consistent. It's what SAF has instilled at Utd. They're no better than us as a team IMO, but they slip up far less. Once you have a capable unit, as we seem to have now (a few quality additions aside), all you need is the right attitude, desire and consistency.

Broken record? Maybe. But it's true, else City would be ahead of Utd on talent alone.

So why is there room for optimism? Because we're getting some of the basics right. Start with a solid foundation and build on it.

It relys heavily, as many have said, on keeping hold of RVP. But build on what we have, and we're certainly going to be there or thereabouts next year.

As far as questions surrounding previous years go. Well, it's clear to me at least that players past, didn't have the bottle or attitude, or in some cases, quality.

Nasri - Good player. But no doubting what he's all about, the lesbo ****
Cesc - Heart wasn't fully in it despite having the desire
Denilson - LOL
Bender - LOL
Flamini - Again, about the money
Adebayor - Money
Clichy - Liability
Senderos - Prone to nerves

The list goes on and on.

Most of them were good players when looking at ability alone. But they lacked the mental strength, desire and attitude. And this is where it's different.

Signing of Lukas looks to be a positive step for AFC. Signings like these will help us keep a hold of players like RVP.

I would also like to see some positive changes in terms of a replacement for Pat Rice, getting in a defensive coach, an actual Plan B in games etc.

Getting rid of the dead wood aka Chakma, Denilson, Diaby, Almunia, Arshavin would be a good start as well. I'd rather give the younger players chances than have these players turn up for us. Ideally, we'd sign a couple of players when these guys are shipped off!

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Two wins of course would be great, although I feel four would be enough for third even though mathematically three wins by eithe Barcodes or Spuds could pip us.

Norwich are awful at the mo and WBA is going to be a test, defense could see us through there rather than attack. If we are to go into games with our tails up, I believe Oxo should be starting with Song and Rosicky. Benny did OK but Gerv is woeful at the momwnt (see I said it)

I dont believe Newcastle or Spurs will finish with three wins, two in form pub teamers (Torres and Suarez) should hopefully see to that

All we can do is Hope for the best mid week and beat Nowrich.

Then hope to get something from the las game.

WBA have nout to play for so they will be more relaxed in the last game its just how we play.

[Gubby Allen]

This season in a way has taught us absolutely nothing - good or bad, as you could argue that we have not played one single match with any pressure or real significance to it.

Of course, the Milan games were huge, both of them in a way, the Spurs game has proved to be an important one, both Chelsea games too.

But we have games which decide 4th every season, which we generally do well in, we'll always have important local derbies that will count in the C.L race and we will almost always have a C.L second round tie, which naturally will be pressured.

We haven't had any games that are outside of pressure & consequence not experienced every season. In not one cup game were we playing for a trophy or even a clear run at one, had we beat Milan it was a QF V Barcelona, look who was left in the FA Cup SF's and when we went out were no more than 4th favourites. We were out of the title race by September.

We seemed to have improved mentally insofar as we don't look like we're sure to toss away a 3 goal lead as soon as we concede one, nor get bullied in game like Stoke like we used to, so maybe had we had one of those games we'd have been better than the last few years, but on the flip side it may have confirmed yet another false dawn.

Also, don't ignore the fact that since February we've more or less played once a week and when games come twice a week is when we struggle, which is another factor which doesn't help analyse anything.