Firstly i was pleased with the lads last night. Off the back of spunking AC Milan 3-0 and our form in the last few games i thought we could be in for another 5 goal stuffing in the capital. To almost scrape a point, as gutting as it is to concede in the 95th minute, the result wasnt too bad. I mean were we really expecting something at Arsenal? The nonsense about champions league will now stop in the papers. Europa league is our realistic target depending on FA Cup winners, hopefully on of the big clubs will nick it. I would have taken top ten start of the season but with the start we have had and the current state of play i will be very disappointed falling any lower than 7th. I'm concerned we are on a bit of a run with no wins now. Missed a golden opportunity against Wolves to pick up a couple more points. With Norwich and WBA the next two games i think this is the crucial part of our season. Anything less than 4 points against those two and we could see us slipping..... and worse the scum over the river closing that gap. The luck we had at the start of the season has well and truly dried up. If we are really a team looking to get into Europe this year then the lads need to be winning the next couple of matches. Personally i think Liverpool will nick 6th, the top 5 being the manchesters, Chelski, spuds and gooners. That leaves 7th between us and the mackems i think. What will disappoint me more than losing 7th spot is if the unwashed take it from us. Its been a long time coming being NE top dogs again. We have home games against Norwich, Bolton and Stoke which we need to come away with maximum points. We have away games against West Brom, Swansea and Wigan, again we need to target picking up at least 4 points there (being pessimistic). Sunderland have QPR, Wolves and Bolton at home which they would fancy themselves to take wins against. Fulham, Villa and Blackburn away are good opportunities too. On the face of the remaining fixtures us and them have could end up cancelling eachother out which would hopefully see us keep the 7 point gap we have at the minute. Footballs never that easy though and Everton have a tendancy to finish well.... Its going to be an interesting 10 games starting with Norwich. We need to be winning our home games to stand a chance of the Europa league and hope Spurs, chelsea or Liverpool get the FA cup. Any one else nervous!!!!!!
Must admit I have never been one for the North East mini league of mediocrity. I never understood why we and they gloat about it. This year it might actually mean something if we qualify for Europe. Don't get me wrong I understand why people want to finish above their nearest and dearest, but its just not for me. I'll chip in on the wind up about being the best team in the North East, but it only means something if you qualify for Europe or win something. I think we'll finish 7th. Said it for a while and I'm sticking to it now. But Liverpool are still not settled and still in transition so who knows.
Why shoud we think Liverpool will nick 6th ? They've been unipressive all season and are on a dodgy run of form at the moment. If we don't let them leave with all the points on Arpil Fool's day there is no reason to think they'll reel us in
