we have under-performed at home results wise. Our away form has improved this season so far. We are / have been controlling long periods of games without unlocking the door and scoring. Pablo is a different type of key that can unlock stubborn, park the bus approaches to defending. A fit Pablo and Michu and some better luck and refereeing at home and we could easily close the 5 point gap between us and the teams above us. We have a tough string of matches to come in number but fortunately quite a few where we can expect to earn 3 points if we play to our ability.
I think we are at the top in a two league system. I can see the others above us slowly pulling ahead now and Its up to us to try and stay where we are.
As the OP on this post, I didn't intend any throwaway lines I genuinely think Pablo can help us get the right shape in our attack and get the ball into the danger area, where Wilfy can keep on scoring goals for Swansea action!
Good to hear it wasn't a throwaway line there campioni as suggested by another poster - thank you for clarifying that. I only raised the point that you saw the return of Pablo making so much difference to your team game to the extent that you would climb the table. I thought perhaps that there were other factors in the current set up that could be tweaked that might have a greater impact. In mentioning the "RVP effect" that some suggest is so important to Man U, I wasn't trying to compare the two players, merely the fact that you seemed to suggest that Pablo's return would have a similar effect and stimulate your side. The follow on from that was that in pushing on and climbing the table (your words and not a throwaway line as you've stated), then which of those clubs currently above you do you think you can overhaul? I thought those were a pretty reasonable questions for a football chat forum.
In that case campioni I disagree. I think Hernandez gives us another option and can make a difference but not to the extent that we'll actually climb the table to any significant degree when he returns. As others have said, he can do a job but he's rarely a match-winner. I thnk someone mentioned we're at the top of a two-tier League and Pablo can certainly help us maintain that imo. Yes, Sparkey, very reasonable indeed. Nobody is suggesting otherwise.
Not sure about Pablo - inconsistent. He is capable of genius stuff but not often enough to make up for his lack of fitness and performance level -- for my liking. As for teams above us? I can see Soton and Newcastle falling back and possibly Spurs.
Other possible teams to catch - Everton at an outside bet, and who really knows what Man U are going to end up doing this season? We've got to have ambition to achieve this, otherwise we never will. We could easily have settled for mid-table in the Championship - it seemed ridiculous to image us in the PL a few years ago. The club moves on and so should our ambitions.
southampton to give them credit are a big club who has not performed for years. I think they have the right manager and set up now to be comfortably in the top half and they are still building. the rest above us are quality sides and its going to be difficult because our squad is so small to keep up with them due to the quality they have in reserve. If we can stay as close as we can to where we are then we will have done pretty good..
the table is already split in two - 9th and up and 10th down. There's a 5 point gap between us in 10th and Spurs in 9th, whereas there's only a 5 point gap from 10th to 18th. I guess not many people factored Southamptons performance this season into how we would better last saesons final position and it willbe hard to catch them up from this point unless they suffer a collapse. At the moment if we finish 10th we will have done ok.
Agree Dai. Especially when you consider we haven't been playing at our best so if we could have a decent period over xmas it will be interesting to see our league position.
How deep is the Southampton squad. Let's see where they sit at the end of Jan. If they are still in the top 7 then congrats to them; but I expect them to drop off. Injuries and fatgiue will have its impact as well a run in the FA Cup. They are one team we could replace or be level with in the top tier.
Finishing anywhere in the top 10 would be an achievement this season with your European committments - maintaining where you are now would be seen as success by anyone outside your club. Expectations saw many on here thinking you could go better again than last season - that would have really been a major leap forward. Let's change it around for a minute and assume that the return of Pablo and other factors don't have the hoped for effect upon your form. Being currently at the top of the "second division" in the Premier league, do you see any threats from below you that would change that and jeopardise your expected top half finish? Your nearest rivals Brom and Villa seem to lack any consistency at this level to trouble you, and I think Hull are in free fall from their decent start to the season. That leaves Stoke, Norwich, West Ham and possibly us as potential suitors to a top half finish, The trap door favourite contestants must feature the three that are already down along with Hull in the mix for me, though none of us in the bottom half are anything like safe yet.
What price Pulis to perform a rescue act for Palace? Another couple of unexpected wins will put the cat amongst the pidgeons and create pandemonium in the lower reaches of the P.L. It's still too early to label any teams as being "trap door favourites".
I still think Cardiff aren't that great but have a very good Manager who has you well organised. Lose him and you'll be right in the do-do. Unless Cornelius makes an impression I still struggle to see where your goals are going to come from. I also agree with Vetch that Palace will improve under Pulis. I don't like his teams generally but he will make them much harder to beat imo. Throw in Sunderland who will improve with Poyet at the helm and it's anyone's guess. Looking at the table and it's anyone from 10th down so that means us too.
I am very light thank you Aussie, and VETCH's opinion is as valid as mine. EDIT: - if I'm being "defensive", why are you always so "offensive"?
I've just scoured my post,sparkey,and can find no mention of you not being able to express an opinion,so I don't understand your reaction to MY having one,and also expressing it.
