Destiny's Child?

Last time I posted was before the F.A. Cup game against Arsenal and I think were unlucky to go out. Mr Webb was his usual helpful self. I fully expect him to join Mike Riley with as season ticket at Old Shiteford when he retires from reffing. Bizarrely though he is still one of the better ones in the League. He just seems to have a mare when he refs us.

So as I write today we have won 9 League games on the bounce since then and more importantly 15 games since we actually lost in the League with the festive double header against Chelski and City. Its slightly ironic that that is actually what stands between us and an amazing achievement.

Last summer I HOPED we would finish 4th. At Xmas I had FAITH we would finish in the Top 4. Now I am daring to dream. As of today I now BELIEVE we can win the League

We are playing some ridiculous football. 4-0 vs Everton, 5-1 vs Arsenal, 4-3 vs Swansea, 3-0 at St Mary's, 3-0 @ the theatre of delusions when we could have had 5 pens, 6-3 away at Cardiff, 4-0 vs Spurs and of course today's 3-2 heart-stopper against City.

It reads like something out of Roy of the Rovers or indeed our halcyon days of the 70's and 80's. When you came to Anfield you got whooped. Anything other than a 4-0 drubbing was a result. We seem to be back to that level of performance and belief.

Today I think it is also the 1st time the players truly believed. Their reaction at the end said it all. A post game huddle with Stevie G crying. Its a little ironic that he may finally get his medal in the twilight of his career and I don't think anyone can begrudge him that, if it happens. He has now scored more goals for the club than Kenny Dalglish and has GOD in his sights, amazing for a midfield player.

I am in awe of what we are doing and yes it could all still end with us being 3rd but how can you now not believe??? I still think defensively we are shocking. Glen Johnson especially and whoever partners Skrtel are useless.  2-0 up today and with 10 minutes pressure and we crumble. We stopped pressing the ball and stopped tracking runners. Johnson's limp leg to block Silva's cross for the 2nd was exactly that, limp. A proper defender would have put a firm foot in which would have garnered a corner at worst. If we have to pay Pompey a Million if we win the League I suggest we return Glen with the funds,,,,

While we have largely eliminated the individual errors which have peppered the majority of our season we do not seem to grasp the concept of jockeying someone, showing them the line and blocking crosses. Paul Merson said yesterday that City and us suffer from the same thing, with such emphasis on attack its hard to keep the back door closed. At the end of the day that is what the fans pay to see, entertainment.

I certainly wasn't expecting a boring 1-0 today (that's for the Chelski game) and 3-2 is exactly what I did expect but it was the manner of it which ultimately frustrated me and amazed me at the same time. We again were blitzkrieg in the 1st half. Raheem Sterling took the most expensively assembled squad in the League to pieces on his own in the 1st half. Ably supported by the rest of the team. Only Mignolet didn't burst into the City box, thankfully ;-)

The 2nd half we sat off and literally got torn to pieces by Silva and Milner... We also got some breaks Suarez was lucky not to walk after his theatrical dive after Demichealis completely missed him and but for an eagle eyed Sky camera man no-one would have known Skrtel punched one clear. possibly some karma for West Ham's dodgy equaliser yesterday. It was also ironic that the very player City were worried about non being able to play actually gave us a gift of a winner. Thank you Vincent.

We are clearly still a work in progress and nowhere near the finished article but we have not had a better chance to break our Premier League duck and close within 1 title of ManUre. Additionally I don't think we will have better chance in the next 5 years. We cannot compete with City and Chelski financially and ultimately that will take its toll.

Chelski will actually buy a striker and City must surely get someone who can play centre-back with Kompany? Lets hope not.....

I am living on my nerves and the Jeckyll and Hyde nature of our team continues to amaze me. Their attacking verve and never say die attitude is outstanding they do not know when they are beaten. Here is a bizarre stat.We have conceded 3 goals 5 times in the League this season but have lost only 1 of those! Yet have conceded 2 goals on 8 occasions and won only 2! Bonkers.

Here is to  the last 4 games. Norwich defenders do not sleep when Liverpool are in town especially when Suarez is around.3 hat-tricks in 4 matches says it all. Chelski will be hard but we no longer need to win. Yes, mathematically we do but I cant see City winning all their remaining games. Palace away is looking very tough, we don't play well against Mr Pulis' teams and they will still be in relegation battle. Newcastle at home on the last day sounds like the perfect fixture to lift the Premier League title for the 1st time!

YNWA!!!

P.S. Obviously no post from me this weekend would be complete without reference to the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. I think almost everyone in football now grasps the wrongs that were were committed at the time and the pain it has caused the victims families. The only thing that irked me was the clapping for a minute at Wembley yesterday before the Arsenal vs Wigan game.

Sorry not on. Hillsborough,Heysel,Ibrox,Munich and Ellis Park football disasters are not something to show your appreciation for by applauding. They are sombre events that require reflection.

Clapping to celebrate a deceased player etc I have no problem with but for a disaster where 96 people were crushed and trampled to death, I don't  think so.

Walking on clouds, for the 96.