Our run-in this season makes uncomfortable reading with a last eight games featuring five against top six teams and Chelsea, Spurs and Man City in the final four. I could easily have sleepless nights worrying about these and the portents of doom have increased significantly after the Norwich result. However, there may be some respite in this nightmare scenario and, possibly an even worse finale. The FA Cup could make things worse for us even if we bow out on Saturday. If Liverpool make the Quarter-Finals then our match against them on the 17th March will be postponed and that could push it back to make our last four nightmare a last five nightmare. So let's pray they are knocked out before then. On the other hand we could actually really benefit from Arsenal making the next round of the Champion's League. If they do then our match against them on 31st March falls conveniently between the two midweek Quarter-Final legs and possibly they would play the Wednesday before and the Tuesday after. I think it fair to say which of the games would be their priority. And finally, it goes against the grain, but if our arrogant neighbours from Stamford Bridge make the Semi-Finals we will play them on 28th April, which apart from being my birthday will be the Saturday after the Semi-Final 2nd leg and they may also, if they get that far, face an FA Cup Semi-Final replay a few days after playing us, so again, we may not be their priority. There's no point in adding the two Mancs to this list, away games up there may be a bridge too far but I will be cheering on all Liverpool's FA Cup opponents and hoping Chelsea and Arsenal progress in the Champion's League. Anything that will possibly make our run-in even slightly easier has to be a bonus!
So if the big clubs keep on winning...then the fixtures are kind to us however then we face to best of the best on good form. Double edged sword really. Also now that the FA Cup semis are at Wembley no more replays.
