So yes, I'm late. Yes, I did not watch the game. Yes, all I got was the extended highlights on MOTD, and yes, watched it a few more other times online.
So what did I think? (a) a routine win is always good; (b) goals from Bent Nick are always welcome; (c) it's always good to see the likes of Eboue, Ramsey and Walcott putting in a good day's work; (d) a clean sheet is like the best bloody thing since sliced bread these days; (e) Man U losing is extra appealing; and (f) our 6-1 win against Everton on Day 1 after their performances against Chelski and Man U feels really really good right now.
We've got another week of rest now. Which is great. Since Man U and Chelski will now endeavour to entertain us mid-week: with Man U taking on West Ham at Old Trafford, which should be interesting (I'm going for a 2-1 away win), and Chelski taking on Inter. Mighty nice. The weekend should be interesting too. Chelski take on Manciti at home, which will be interesting only to see if Manciti succeed in snuffing the life out of Chelski. But then again, they were so crap together with Pool on Sunday that you never know if all you'll get is a weak 3-0 capitulation. Since Man U have the extremely important task of taking on Villa in the Carling Cup as well, our game v Stoke takes on even greater significance.
As for our game then. I know we were absolute crap against Chelski and Man U both at home and away. I know we were equally crap at Stoke in the FA Cup. But in my mind, games such as the one we'll have on Saturday are what will make or break us. First, a win - and we'll move above Man U. Second - it's precisely these games that we will need to step up to the plate for. Stoke will be confident enough after their showing against us in the FA Cup. And it's never going to be easy. 3 points, and I'll be super chuffed.
Meanwhile, Bent Nick has some rather intelligent mentions. Apart from realising that he's gonna have to deliver, he's also sharp enough to remember that "last season, United didn't win against any of the big four and they won the league, so it shows anything can happen."
Of course, dear Watson. Anything can happen, and it's all the more frustrating that we've basically shot ourselves in the foot with our four performances against the Big 2. Just two points from the 12, and we'd be ahead of Man U and three behind Chelski. Anyways...
Nothing much else going on. Wonder if Fabianski's going to get that "virus" that's going to rule him out for 8 years...
1 comment:
Well I'm happy with the weekend results. Just one main grouse.
Thought Bendtner should concentrate on just being the centerforward. There were a couple of times when Walcott or someone else broke free and Bendtner was standing outside the box waiting for a pass rather than standing on the shoulders of the last man.
He improved on this in the second half and challenged Mensah. If he keeps doing that, he'll have more opportunities on goal and a couple of them might even accidentally go in.
Really shows the state we're in when one of our best players is Eboue! Eboue for Barca, I say. :)
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