So far the season has fallen into two distinct periods, and in my opinion we are about to enter the third and final phase.
The first 11 games saw us pick up 25 points (2.27ptspg). We had won seven games, drawn four, were unbeaten, scored 17, conceded only eight with four clean sheets. We were third in the table having beaten Sunderland away and having drawn matches with Arsenal and Spurs at home.
The pundits were waiting for the bubble to burst and saying that we had not faced a real test. Our success was built on a hard working side, but also the continuity of picking the same back five with Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye in central midfield in just about every game. Add to that Demba Ba’s eight goals, including two hat-tricks, and it’s no wonder we were doing so well.
Well, whilst the bubble has not burst, we can certainly say that we have been severely tested. Phase two of the season opened with games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. A serious injury crisis and players away at the African Cup of Nations. It included a transfer window which thankfully saw no major outgoings and although we signed a new no9 we unfortunately acquired no new defensive resources. So how did we cope?
Played 14, won five, drawn two, lost seven, scored 19, conceded 28 picking up 17 pts (1.21ptspg) and five clean sheets along the way leaving us sitting 6th in the Premier League table.
Given a stated target of top ten, with many fans hoping for best of the rest (eg 7th) we are well on target. Personally given the interviews with Yohan Cabaye and others when they signed in the summer a target of silverware or a place in Europe was implied in the camp.
Well we are still on target. Actually Phase two can be further split, as 6 games at the beginning where we lost four and drew two to a much more respectable five wins and three losses after that. So two points per game even with the ACoN players missing and Yohan Cabaye suspended.
We now have a break for players to recover a little. Our full first team available and a fixture list that means 13 games with trips to Arsenal and Chelsea whilst entertaining Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester City at St James Park. The only worry is the strength in depth at Centre Back given our performance against Norwich, and the reality that we are ‘best of the rest’ at best with our demolition at Spurs.
So what can we hope for? A return to our invincible start to the season, going unbeaten and averaging 2¼ points per game which would give us a massive 70+ points for the season? Or a continuation of our more modest form of phase two which could give us only 55 points?
To many it will depend upon our Captains availability. Others believe Alan Pardew when he said that he was happy with our defensive cover.
Personally I fully expect a defensive crisis just when we don’t need it. Together with a struggle against the other top sides. I said at the start of the season that I expected at least 55 points as we lost a dozen points from inconsistency last season. I also fully believe the evidence of my own eyes. We are a far better team than last season. So we should get at least 60 points. On top of that we have a new Number 9 and a returning Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye.
My best guess is five wins, five draws, 62 pts and a place in the Europa League.
I look forward to the insights that hindsight will bring.
@Wolfie
I’m sure 25k fans are delighted they moved to the Emirates. They couldn’t get into Highbury.
Pretty obvious why they moved really.
But as I said, if you asked them whether they would have preferred to turn Highbury into a modern stadium and kept it as Highbury I’m sure they would.
Ask your Granda. 😛
@TAE
You be careful fella. Make sure you are never alone with Granda Wolfie. He seems a bit over friendly. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY STAVERS i allready figured im wasting me breath here, dont think you ever ganna be able to see the woods, cause of them trees in the way 😆 enjoyed the banter 😆 try be a bit more postive in the future mate 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@TAE
I call it being realistic
You keep those fuzzy wuzzy feelings going fella. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I knew a lad who always thought good things would happen in his life. He was so positive.
He knocked over by a bus. 🙁
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I have an uneasy feeling Wolfie is writing another loooooong tale about his Granda. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I knew a lad that was so negative about getting knocked over by a bus that he didn’t go out .
A bus crashed into his house while he was reading a pessimists guide to the optimists world and he was knocked over.
Strange how things happen isn’t it. 😀
wolfie(Quote)
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/550917966?-19388 looks like we can cross hoilett off our summer shoping list 🙁
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
http://ppt。cc/9iT1
zhanlins(Quote)