Because we need it - or at least I certainly need it. (1) based on the form guide (last six games) we are playing like a team 15th in the table. That's not relegation form. (2) in the last six games we have gained a point on Hull, Cardiff and Fulham (though Fulham have a game in hand against Liverpool tonight), and two points on West Brom (3) we are almost universally acknowledged to have outplayed two of our relegation rivals on their own patch (based on match reports) and have been unfortunate to be punished for it (4) one of the teams we outplayed (though admittedly lost) are 3rd in the form guide, on a great run, so to outplay them in those circumstances can only be described as impressive (5) and our home form is what will keep us in the league - we played superbly against one of the main title challengers to get a point (6) over our last two recent games I was hoping for at least a point and not damaging our goal difference by too much - we have achieved that (though admittedly one rival has gained two points on us) (7) the rival that has gained two points on us is one of the favourites for safety, despite only being three points ahead of us (though they have a better goal difference) (8) if we continue to play as we have over the last six games (excluding Newcastle) a bit of bad luck here and there won't relegate us (9) we have getting on for a full squad returning from injury and our central midfield are finally working well together (10) our surprising January signing (Yobo) has fitted in well (11) we are financially strong and the form of our most valuable players suggests they won't be sold even if we do go down! Anyone got any more straws that want a-clutching?
In a world of hire em fire em, our board show admirable resolve not to go down this path. Stability is afterall good. This will indicate to any future managers that we will be a fair and patient club especially when we can see progress (Or even if we can't!) A quick look down the UK football pyramid shows that a managers position is not one of longevity. Its not just the top flight either. Right through the list its like finding a needle in a haystack finding anyone who was with their current club in the last decade. There is a certain irony in me commenting on this I know, but its all madness! Bah!
Derby, Nottingham and Leicester are all much easier for our long suffering away day fans to get to than say, Newcastle, Southampton and Liverpool Which I know is fundamentally flawed as possibly all three of them will be heading in the opposite direction to us, league wise
What if cromer had mentioned the nice short journey to portaloo rd next season? That's at least half positive because they will have slumped to midtable where they belong! Bah!
Oooo, I've got another! Howson will soon be back and then we'll be raining goals, hallelujah! We are playing better, now Tettey's back, With Howson too, we'd have to be better right? Bah! p.s. Are we allowed repeats from the last positivity thread Rob?
Yeah, Howson returning is a definite positive and an improvement on our squad (though with all due respect General, I believe I covered this at (9)!) No reason why there can't be repeats if they still apply
And Posh could get promoted to the Championship - that would be positive from my point of view if we were to sink down (which we won't of course will we ....... will we ?).
And, to address another topic elsewhere, when Elliott Bennett returns it would give us options at right back too ...
We probably won't break swindons record of conceding 100 goals in a PL season. We have already surpassed, infact more than doubled Derby's rather unwanted PL low points record of 11. Based on the seasons form (the last 26 games) we are playing like a team 16th in the table! At Hughton's annual medical, the doctors could confirm that when shown pictures of his arse and his elbow, he was able to diferentiate between the two! We are still 12 league places above our local ........................whats the word? Rivals.............No, erm..... little help here! Fellow participants? Bah!
Good point - and given our "last six" form is 15th (six opponents with an average position in the table of 10th) our form is getting better! I regularly forget these guys exist. As much as I complaina about the regular infestations whenever we get a bad result, it is the only thing that reminds me they are around so I suppose it is a necessary evil Don't talk it up!! And I should have said that strictly speaking this is about the present...
Damn it! I meant there is no way West Ham or WBA or Cardiff could get any points tonight! With our luck of late Fulham and Sunderland will probably win!! Bah!
