'tis the season

To be depressed. Yes. It is. Despite the fact that we've got a game tomorrow to look forward to. Despite the fact that with a 2-goal win, we get to go top of the table. And why, you may ask, would that be so?

Let me spell the ways. First, the injury circus carries on - to degrees of farcity. With Walcott and Denilson possibly back (and Le Boss will say probably earlier than necessary), there is now of course the quid pro quo that Nasri and Ramsey are also out, and Merida too. Le Boss has the low-down on this, so I shan't pain myself to go into it any further. Quite simply, no team can get through such disruption on such a week-in, week-out basis. And for all the good news on the playing field, I fear this will be the basis from which we will likely falter. Put it this way; we haven't even started on our Champions League campaign again. And woe betide the day we have to start with Traore and Eastmond, and have Jay Emanuel Thomas and Francis Coquelin on the bench in Europe. Bolton let us off the hook, but I don't think even the likes of Porto will be so charitable to our Carling Cup squad.

Second, if there is a way to mitigate against the freakish injury situation we have right now, it is to go into the transfer market early, decisively and with the least disruption and uncertainty to the squad. That hasn't happened, the moment has passed and Le Boss has made it all the more depressing by suggesting that we are "not close" to bringing anybody in. We have what? 12 more days to go? If he wasn't going to make any signings, I would've as boss, said it early and given the squad the right frame of mind to get through the tough fixtures we have ahead of us.

But no, he first linked the signing of a new striker to Bent Nick's injury. It's 10 more days it seems. So great, what's going to happen should it get pushed back yet again? Do we scramble with 24 hours to go? Even if he comes out 101% fit, let's not forget we're still missing RVP, and Eduardo's just not doing the deed. That just ain't right - for the squad, and for the fans. Le Boss has trumpeted the hunger in the team, but you have to question his own hunger if he thinks we can get through with the injuries we have and the youth (and injuries) of the remaining squad. When Merida gets injured and its becomes first team news of concern, you know for sure you're up shit creek.

Third, at some point, you're going to have to start wondering about why exactly our players seem to be so injury prone. I mean, for all the shit I've said about Chelski's Cap'n Fantastic, he seems to be made of some real hard shit. He gets a right kick in the head, and he's out. REALLY OUT - as in unconscious. For what? 2 minutes. 5 minutes later, and he's back on the pitch. Merida gets a kick in the foot and he's out for god knows how long. And then...our guys get regularly injured during training too - see Nasri (x2) and Ramsey. Now why the hell is that? If you get crocked by a Bolton arse, I can understand that, but during training? Gimme a break. Better start investing in a few flight-simulator type of training machines, or skip training altogether. Let me just say this: it surely ain't just down to luck, or the lack thereof.

So we may just start Walcott and Denilson tomorrow. But let's see what happens. I sense the ghost of Matt Le Tissier with the two. Ever watch that movie Unbreakable? Shit, if Theo ain't made of glass himself.

As you can see, this one Arse is a frustrated Arse. We have the title in our sights. It's right there. We could even go top tomorrow. And what happens? We refuse reinforcements coz the prices just aren't right. Yeah, right. It's been said the real transfer action usually doesn't take place till the last 72 hours or so. I won't hold my breath - though we've got that little issue of a Man U visit on the last day. The 31st. Just what that day will bring, we shall have to see.