What an edge of the seat game at the Hawthorns yesterday! The gripping contest ended all square at 2-2 but that only told part of the story. All in all, a point at home to championship challengers Arsenal is a reasonable result, but is a little bitter sweet when you're two up in the last twenty minutes.
In hindsight, the point was critical when you consider the other results which saw Wolves win at Villa, West Ham draw at Spurs, Wigan closing the gap by edging Blues and Blackpool sharing the spoils with Blackburn. The bottom of the league is ridiculously tight but is proving to be incredibly exciting. The good thing is that we're unbeaten since di Matteo's removal and Roy Hodgson has instilled a desire to battle that is being rewarded by a constant trickle of points.
Yesterday's defensive performance against Arsenal saw vital contributions not only from the back five of Carson, Meite, Olssen, Shorey and Reid but an all round team desire to track back, close down and battle. More of this is needed in the final eight games starting in two weeks time with the visit of our Premier League nemesis, Liverpool. No goals in nine games and countless conceded. So as we enter the crucial month of April, we are really none the wiser about whether we are staying up or returning to the second tier of English football.
The positives are centered around the fact that we are very much alive and kicking. A similar feeling exists at Molyneux, Upton Park and to a lesser extent, the DW Stadium. Can the same be said at Villa Park, St. Andrews and Ewood Park? Let's not forget Blackpool, Fulham, Stoke and Newcastle, who are also very much in the mix. Log in for the next update in two week's time.
No comments:
Post a Comment