Dreaming of Survival
Have you ever dreamt that you are trying to run away from something, but the more effort you put in, the slower you travel? If so, then like me you'll understand how our survival push feels right now. The exhilaration of Saturday's win swiftly became anti-climatic firstly when Nobby Solano missed from the penalty spot, and then when Ryan Taylor scored Wigan's winner. Increasingly it seems that despite Alan Pardew's sterling efforts, we couldn't really have picked a worse season in which to be targeting 17th place because even 40 points might not be enough at this rate.
We have a fairly straightforward run-in that doesn't include Chelsea, Man Utd or Arsenal, but then Wigan are in the exact same boat. However, Sheffield United have a tricky looking spell coming up with trips to Chelsea, Bolton and Man Utd during their next five fixtures, which might suggest they are the most likely team to catch. Meanwhile Manchester City are quietly dropping down the table, but with two games in hand I can't realistically see us drawing them in, and I have similar sentiments towards both Fulham and Villa.
Whilst it remains out of our hands, we can look at the next eight games and make a case (based upon Saturday's performance of course) that the 17 points that would take us to 40 points are potentially there for the taking. A win at Watford, four home wins and draws at Man City and Everton might just see us reach the magical mark with two games still to go. This aggressively optimistic scenario is tinged with regret of course, because of the succession of Board level and managerial post-Curbs mistakes that got us in the mess in the first place. However then again, West Ham's dire showing suggested we might have been in this state anyhow.
My new baby son perhaps brought us some good fortune on Saturday, and the wife and I have decided to pull our oar for the rest of the season by giving him the middle name 'Charlton'. At this tender age, they do little other than sleep, so let's just hope he's now dreaming of survival.
posted by New York Addick @ 4:46 AM
8 comments
Just to say, even though Man City have two games in hand, they are against Arsenal and Chelsea!
What's his 1st name - Rodney?
Many congratulations to Mr & Mrs New York Addick from a London gooner. Hope the boy takes after his mother both in terms of looks and footballing ability!
He has asked for anonymity, but it's not Rodney. With a middle name like Charlton, he will have more than enough humiliation.
Lucky your in New York, over here and you'd have Social Services round, over there I assume you will now get life long membership to the Rifle Association
I was concerned it might be considered as cruelty. I'm waiting for the first American to say, "That's great, how about Chuck for short?"
Why didn't Robbie Keane get an extra match ban for a frivolous appeal against his red card at the weekend?
Can you investigate NYA?
congrat on the baby. charlton is my middle name as well.