by Ade » Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:52 pm
I think the second half of this season will tell us where we're going under benitez. Let's face it, we've been done out of at least 3 or 4 points in the league by dodgy refereeing (Garcia's goals at Bolton and Boro, Izzet's handball off the line, two bizarre dead ball calls to Man Utd that both resulted in goals, the freekick to McCann yesterday when he's got off the floor and held his hand up to apologise for doing a vieira), we should be on 27/28 points by now.
Then there's the injuries, and Owen leaving us 2 days before the transfer window deadline.
Basically, we're not gonna be this unlucky the second half of the season, we're starting to play well and to a pattern, with a settled side, with a key striker to come back and the funds to sign another in January.
Chelsea can't keep up this kind of form all the way through the season and Utd are still vulnerable, despite their recent form.
We're doing all right and I reckon as long as we can put a run together in the new year we'll be nearer to the top two at the end of the season than we are now. That should be enough for a CL spot and to persuade Stevie G that it's worth staying on for at least another season. For me, that's all we can realistically hope for, with maybe the Carling Cup and good fA Cup run as a bonus.
Interesting reading about Chelsea's supposed transfer window targets: Joaquin, SWP, Defoe. No mention of Gerrard, but if they do sign Joaquin and SWP, Duff's gonna be out of favour surely. And if they do overload their squad in the window, that's where they could screw up their own title challenge - like the Rodney Marsh effect at Man City in the early 70s.
For me, Arsenal will win the title, Chelsea will lose momentum in the new year, and Utd will be in and out of form. I can see us coming 3rd.