glorygloryeze
Ian Walker
Let's be honest, on paper we have a more ideal run-in than our competitors.
But as we know games are not won on paper.
We look totally shot, physically and mentally. In fact we have mostly looked that way since the last 10 mins of the first half against Arsenal if we're honest. Mostly.
The big factor really is that we kick-off our game agaisnt QPR after both Chelsea and Saudi Sportswashing Machine, who could both have won, leaving us 6th. No doubt QPR wil need to win as well and their survival need you can see it usurping our drive to get back to joint-4th.
Therein I think we'll not be able to hack having to claw our form back to being in the top 4...sadly...
I'm not evn going to talk about how far away the Gunners are likely to be by the time we play the game after QPR...
Whilst we played well in large parts today our first touch and passing was mostly awful - how many times were we in gvood positions when our final ball or control of the first ball was hackney marshes stuff?? Compare that to Chelsea's relatuvely slick one-two touch when they enjoyed possession. I think a lack of training/methodology (i.e. a plan B and some detailed planning for the opposition) and confidence means we are now spent.
We REALLY needed third this year, let alone fourth, as we will need to replace quite a few players. And to replace them with really good ones would have been easier and perhaps cheaper wih guarenteed CL games and income.
It's going to be far harder if/when we finish 6th (just ask Liverpool), but as long as we keep Bale and VDV (always preferred that if we were going to sell Luka it would be this summer, when there may be multiple bidders - and we could do with the money; he is not irreplacible) we have a good core to build around AND attract other good players.
Also, if 6th means get back a better long-term transfer strategy and progressive coaching/fitness set-up then I'd take that.
But as we know games are not won on paper.
We look totally shot, physically and mentally. In fact we have mostly looked that way since the last 10 mins of the first half against Arsenal if we're honest. Mostly.
The big factor really is that we kick-off our game agaisnt QPR after both Chelsea and Saudi Sportswashing Machine, who could both have won, leaving us 6th. No doubt QPR wil need to win as well and their survival need you can see it usurping our drive to get back to joint-4th.
Therein I think we'll not be able to hack having to claw our form back to being in the top 4...sadly...
I'm not evn going to talk about how far away the Gunners are likely to be by the time we play the game after QPR...
Whilst we played well in large parts today our first touch and passing was mostly awful - how many times were we in gvood positions when our final ball or control of the first ball was hackney marshes stuff?? Compare that to Chelsea's relatuvely slick one-two touch when they enjoyed possession. I think a lack of training/methodology (i.e. a plan B and some detailed planning for the opposition) and confidence means we are now spent.
We REALLY needed third this year, let alone fourth, as we will need to replace quite a few players. And to replace them with really good ones would have been easier and perhaps cheaper wih guarenteed CL games and income.
It's going to be far harder if/when we finish 6th (just ask Liverpool), but as long as we keep Bale and VDV (always preferred that if we were going to sell Luka it would be this summer, when there may be multiple bidders - and we could do with the money; he is not irreplacible) we have a good core to build around AND attract other good players.
Also, if 6th means get back a better long-term transfer strategy and progressive coaching/fitness set-up then I'd take that.
