I know I've been the voice of doom on here for about two or three months, and I'm sorry if you're sick of hearing me predict disaster. So I'd like to post something more hopeful today. I honestly feel we can beat WBA if we take the game by the scruff of the neck and get the rub of the green (sorry about all those mixed metaphors). West Brom have nothing to play for other than the glory of finishing eighth instead of ninth and our players should be up for it big time. Then, even if we draw, I think there's a good chance that Arsenal will beat Wigan or that Sunderland will lose their last two games. (Personally, I feel pretty sure that Newcastle will get what they need against QPR, whose players don't even give a damn about not finishing bottom or anything except picking up their inflated wages for being uninterested, but there is also the chance that Newcastle will lose their last two games.) Finally, even the Man City game doesn't look quite the hopeless cause it did a few weeks ago. Mancini is a lame duck and there are always squabbles going on there anyway, so we may be facing a divided squad who feel their season is over (and players who won't care about putting themselves in the shop window because where else are they going to get the salaries they're getting now?) So, I can't believe I'm saying this after the way I've felt over the last three months, but all is not yet lost.
To win today we need to be at them from the whistle. Someone on the Pinkun is suggesting we all shout shoot when they get into the final third! Sounds like fun to me!
Whilst its good to be optimistic and hope that other teams will do us favours by making mistakes and losing games etc, I would rather we won ourselves. Also, just because teams don't appear to have any reason to win a game, it is no guarantee that they wont go out to beat us! I cannot help remembering the dreadful last match of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage when we were hammered! We were outside the relegation places, with what appeared to be the easier match against a team who didn't need to win. However, as soon as Fulham scored we appeared to fall apart. I was at that match and it still haunts me today along with that game at the start of this season against them which I also attended. Ironically, the last time we were relegated from the Premiership the team that saved themselves were West Brom who we play today. Some might say they are due us a favour!
Also, our record against Man City since we returned to Premiership is appalling. So, in my mind at least we really need to beat West Brom because we cannot count on beating Man City. Also Man City will want to finish their last home match with a win in front of their own fans!
we will beat WBA and Draw with Man city or the other way around and finish 12th repeating last years result
I really hope so! Some teams and fans seem to think if they go down they can bounce straight back up. But, the last time we went down it took ages. So, rather not take the chance.
It is definitely refreshing to hear your optimism, Vietnam, and I say that quite genuinely. As for the Fulham game, that was a win or die last game. As I recall, City played quite well until the first goal went in and then collapsed completely. I seem to recall that a very young Korey Smith was the single exception, fighting every inch of the way even when the cause was lost. That's the sort of spirit we need today (but no lost causes please!).
See what happens when optimism creeps in Vietnam! I reckon your change in mood changed the day for us all!
