That's indeed the question; we have a very small squad (at least entering the transfer window), so we're somewhat vulnerable should injuries/suspensions pile up. Cleared the first hurdle in that regard, though...had a stretch in December where the fixtures were coming thick and fast and half the side looked exhausted, but 10 points in 12 suggests that we've rebounded well from that, and the remainder of the year doesn't feature anything like December's meatgrinder. Still, that's the reason many Saints fans have us as outsiders for the top four...we can make it, as we have a first team capable of piling up points, but whether we can avoid a bad month remains up for debate.
It's going to be an exciting season, I cannot see any breakaways, and even Chelsea and City have lost their impenetrable images, though I can't see them being caught. The rest is left to the next 7-8 teams.
Omogooner Apologies but I couldn't resist the opportunity to torment the Arsenal fans last night!! For the sake of keeping the game fresh, football needs some teams to lose stock and for others to push for positions that might previously have been considered unattainable. For much of the 1990's we had to look back with nostalgia to the great days of Lawrie Mac when we never knew which football star would be turning out for us next at The Dell and sit back and watch the club struggle to avoid relegation each season despite having players the calibre of Le Tiss, Ronnie Ekkland, Jimmy Case and Alan Shearer at various times. Wenger has had his time and should be looked on fondly for revolutionising the game in the 1990's when he could parachute the exceptional produce of the French coaching system in to your team. I can recall driving home from work one day when he had signed a number of players like Henri and Vierra and the BBC sports reporter questioning his judgement. Every dog has it's day and I think Wenger is perhaps looking a little disconnected by more technically savvy managers like Mourinho and Koeman who also may be considered to understand the transfer market a bit better. I'd like to think that Saints can recapture some of the magic of the Lawrie Mac era and have a good stab at Europe, perhaps offering more than Arsenal have done in these competitions in recent seasons? Everyone like to see the "bigger" teams brought down to earth and the arrogance with which Wenger has conducted himself, especially since his inability to win silverware has become more apparent, has not endeared him to fans of other clubs who relish getting one over his team, knowing full well that the Frenchman will make a statement that he thought his team did not play badly, were not outfought tactically, had a decision awarded against them in error or the referee missed a penalty, etc. I am fascinated by Victorian football and it is amazing to understand the sporting principles which underpinned the sport in it's infancy. For me, Wenger is demonstrative (as was Ferguson too) that perhaps the "sporting" element has gone out of the game. Whilst I am smart enough to see how and way football has evolved and appreciate the commercial pressures now involved, I'd like to think that there are some basic , sporting principles apparent in the game. Unfortunately, Wenger's less than philosophic approach is the polar opposite of this and explains why fans of so many clubs can gleefully mock Arsenal supporters when their management regime in sad and sorry decline can't accept defeat. The Clown
Life's all about opinions and some facts. Fact is Arsenal have a great squad that should with its depth finish in the top 3 or 4 easy. Remove Wenger and add Mourinho then Arsenal with the same squad would finish 1st or 2nd. As for us finishing top 4, yes without a shadow of a doubt we can but as many people have pointed out, quality depth in squad could be a issue depending on injuries, suspensions and of course that big factor " Lady Luck" Here's to a great second half of the season for everyone and its what makes the Premier league the best league in the world. .
