We're CAPABLE!

For the majority of this season, I have enjoyed the positivity that has emanated from our club and my fellow fans. To a large degree, I believe that this positivity and general team spirit has been key to our success.

But now we have lost two games on the trot and picked up just 1 point in the last three games, games which we really should have made the most of. These three games have caused us to slip into the bottom half of the table. Talk of relegation is unfortunately rife, but unjust.

I'll explain. A mere three weeks ago, we were all excited by the prospect of fighting for a top half finish and maybe even a European place. I for one didn't expect us to get into Europe, but it was a nice target to dream about achieving. The main point however, was that we were all realistically hoping for a top half finish, our expectations had increased in comparison to those we had at the start of the season.

Why had our expectations or realistic aims risen? Were we deluded? The simple answer is no. Our expectations had risen because we all knew that we were capable, capable of more than simply avoiding survival.

Admittedly, we were humiliated at Stoke on Saturday. Unfairly in my eyes, as we didn't play in a manor that deserved a thrashing of its kind. Nonetheless, we deserved to lose, no matter what the scoreline, a loss that would have resulted in 3 lost points no matter whether Stoke won by one goal or by four.

But, on the grander scale of things, the last two results can be considered as a blip, maybe as a result of injuries. Prior to these two matches, we had played very convincingly against Bolton and taken a point away from a fellow top half team, perhaps in a game that we could have won. Before that, we managed 3 points against the same team that went on to win the Carling cup against Arsenal.

The point in me writing this article is to say this, we've not suddenly received a reality check. We have for a large part of the season been a top half club, and whilst we may be marred by injuries and suspensions, that hasn't changed. We have 8 games coming up, 8 games that we could potentially win. Merely 1 month ago, I would have fancied us to give the likes of Chelsea a good run for their money.

I'm not being deluded however, I think injuries and suspensions are hindering our ability to achieve what we're capable of. Pardew has been unlucky in recent weeks, he has seen his best players unable to play due to injuries and suspensions. However, despite the injuries and suspensions, I have faith that we are still capable of beating clubs like Wolves, West Brom and Blackpool.

We just need to cast aside our doubts and take one match at a time. If we lose, then we're capable of bouncing back. A win against Wolves at home is definitely something we're capable of achieving and would be a good place to start. That would put us on 39 points, and much closer to survival.

So, let's think positively. Let's not even contemplate relegation unless we slip down into 17th place. We're capable of more and you all know it.

Haway the lads!

 

Spot on mate!

I've been on a pessimism binge recently, as i always am after we lose, but reflecting we have been hit with injury's.
I fully expect us to finish where i have predicted on other threads, top ten outside of Europe (8th-10th).

 

Miffed we won't win the league but as long as we're in the same division to have a crack at it next year... I'll be happy.

It's a tight league this season and it's been full of surprises but we've hit the skids due to injuries to key personnel and that's affected our performances and results.

There are enough games left to ensure survival and perhaps finish comfortably above the bottom 3 places. It's that close to date that goal difference and the odd point can make a big difference to finishing positions.

 

Which makes to 4-0 even worse. While our GD is still better than those around us, it could make the difference. Not between 17th and 18th, between 10th and 11th...