This probably goes without saying but I just want opinions. I am really happy with this window and I think we've strengthened quite a bit, despite no out and out striker to replace Ba. I think the Villa game was massive and you could see what the 3 points meant. Now if I'm being honest, I don't see us getting anything from the next 2 games, and that's a worrying prospect. Should results go against us, we could find ourselves right in the thick of it. (if we're not now!) Does anyone expect anything from the next two, and are alarm bells ringing again if we lose them both?
My worry is that if we do lose both then not only will we be in the relegation zone or very close to it but whatever fragile confidence was gained by beating Villa will be shot again.
Actually, I've got a sneaky feeling we'll get something from Chelsea (maybe just eternal optimism?) The good thing is, I think, that the players can relax a bit as no-one else is expecting us to get anything whereas you could see the tension when Villa scored on Tuesday with the players thinking they absolutely had to get a win. If we get something from the next 2 great, but to be honest, its the 4 after that (Southampton, Swansea, Stoke & Wigan) that we need to target - say 8 points from those 4 and I think we'l be fine
I have a feeling we'll beat Chelsea after seeing how they caved in ( again ) against Reading. Spurs too are no great shakes at present so who knows whih team will turn out for them. They seem to be relying on Bale an awful lot and with us having better defenders now hopefully we can shackle him.
I think we might sneak a couple of draws. Even then the alarm bells could be ringing, depending on other results. If we lose both then we are in seriously deep doodoo.
We've been woeful before the Villa game, but show the same knd of skill and determination and we'll give Chelsea a good game. Not that Chelsea can be compared to Villa of course.
I think we can get something against Chelsea. Spurs I'm less confident, but I'm going to the game so I'll be hoping with all my heart.
The thing that impressed me the most about the Villa performance, was that we limited their chances. The penalty they scored from was a real giveaway, rubbish/brainless bit of defending, and the rest of their chances were pretty comfortable saves for Tim. Really, if the midfield can hold it together for more than 45 minutes, we stand a chance of points in both fixtures.
Saylor and Colo as a partnership is beast. Hopefully we can keep it together for significant amounts of time, and hopefully Mibwa will live up to expectations. Imagine if we get Tiote back on form with the competition? ----------Cisse------------- Gouffran-------------Ben Arfa ----Sissoko----Cabaye--------- -----------Tiote---------------- Santon---Colo--Saylor----Debuchy ------------Krul----------------- At our best we're a solid team at the back, we need to get our side back to full strength.
Fair point, Marv has looked good recently. For me, he and Gouffran are the two who would most likely take turns replacing each other from the bench. The rest of the team looks solid.
For some reason, I have a feeling we'll get something and quite possibly a win, against Chelsea. We're due a good performance/win against Chelsea at home. I remember back in the Mourinho days, we regularly turned them over. I believe Mourinho never managed a win against us at SJP. Perhaps I'm talking cobblers, as I've been riding on the crest of a wave for the past week - I thought the Villa game would have put a downer on my week (thankfully not). I'm just rolling down positivity street at the moment, so am hoping that things carry on looking rosey. So, we'll definitely get six points from our next two games.
Marv has been Marvelous recently. His trickery and skill on the ball are what we've missed since Ben Arfa went injured. Among the back five I'm most worried about Debuchy. He seems solid but does have the occasional lapse in concentration(reminds me of Titus ), but let's hope he can fix it and become Raylor 2011/2012-like.
