Sunday Stroll Aboot the Toon

Well the momentum is certainly with us on the run-in.

Since our defeat against the Baggies we have scored 12 goals and conceded just 1 if we can keep that going we can get this Europa League spot. I for one would not have believed we would be in a position to claim it. In October it was imposssible, in January it was pipe dream and now its almost a reality. Thankfully Spurs are now paying for a long season of CL involvement and the fact that they have quite a tough run-in against all the teams above and around them.

Spurs are showing that what Liverpool hae been able to do over the last 6 or 7 seasons of constantly being in the latter stages of the CL and maintaining a top 4 position is in itself an achievement. Especially with the donkey squad we have had!!

It will become increasingly harder to finish in the top 4 and clubs who need it year-on-year are going to have to spend bigger and bigger. Man U, Chelski and Man City have to keep up their spending trend. Arsenal are slighty different they only have couple of more seasons and their staduim debt is paid and then perhaps they will use the money they take off their fans every week. £890 is the cheapest adult season ticket! Thats double Fulham so you are paying £40 a game for Arsenal with season ticket. Madness.

We also have to spend to catch up however we have to be sensible. There are 6 teams in the PL currently vying for Top4 so 2 teams are going to miss out every year and now that the FA Cup Final is guarenteed one of the Europa League spots there could be more seasons like this where only 1 Europa League spot is avalable from the League table. I think its better, after all getting to a Cup Final is more of an achievement than finishing 6th (sometimes 30 points - 10 wins behind the Champions).

If QPR get their act together with Ecclestone's and Briatore's billions we could be looking at 7 teams. I dont think we can realistically challenge for the League next season. We have to revamp the squad considerably with the addition of 5 quality players at least and possibly a couple of squad players. We need to get about 13players off our wage bill. From the League table we dont look that far away but lets be honest, none of the teams above us have had a very good season and they cant all be that bad agan next season.

So it will take time to integrate new players. Thats why my additions for next season are players already playing in the PL. It takes too long with foreign players, they either hit the ground running (Suarez) or take a season or two (Alonso). Or they are just crap (Biscan,Babel,Diao,Traore, Morientes,Jovanovic,Degen,Insua,Poulsen,Intandje,El Zhar) Christ if you fielded that 11 every week you would get relegated - from the Conference!

During yesterdays game the commetators mentioned that the Oxygen Thief that is Joey Barton is on our shopping list. Why would we waste our time with that piece of shit?
Hopefully that is nonsense. Baines seems to be out of reach Mr Moyes getting very upset and Baines himself poo-pooing the idea. That leaves us Luis Enrique of Newcastle or Gael Clichy. Cant really see the latter he hasnt won fuck all at Arsenal in 5 years he isnt going to come to us for another re-building exercise.

Sylvian Marveaux looks like being on his way from Rennes, currently groin strained, which isnt a good sign for a winger but it is a free transfer, so if he is crap or injured we can get rid of him and make some money. I would still like to see N'Zogbia in our Red shirt. He can play either wing or just off striker.Oh yes and Chung-Yong Lee from Bolton to keep Standard Chartered happy. Its all about the sponsors!

Yesterday's performance was a bit stop-starty but we got there in the end, as usual Dirk was brilliant and Spearing too. Nice to see Flanno get tested by Guitierrez and Kenny swapping him over to left-back in 2nd half rather than subbing the boy. Newcastle looked like they were on their holidays already.

If Man City can beat Spurs in their game in hand we will have 5th place sown up. Just 3 more wins please. Never thought I would be so happy to see Europa League football!

I see Torres' career at Chelski continues to flourish, outshone by Drogba again and subbed after an hour. I hope he has a great game next week and scores 3 before Vidic (if he is still on the field) breaks his leg and ends his career. Mersonometer looking good at 5-1 to us.

Give Kenny the Job already!!!

YNWA

P.S. New away kit ordered, nice!