Champions League

[Ragatino]

Not at all.
Its all about how the team reacts. Two years ago after 0:3 at Villa Park we won 3 in a row (I think including Spurs trashing and Man Urd win).
But I also remember how hard getting the points was back then - 2:2 at Leeds, 0:0 vs Leicester

It wasn't a game that felt like a 4-1 but we deserved to get beat. One thing we know about this group of players is that they bounce back.

We're a different animal today from that team 2 yrs ago. Ipswich will take a mauling no doubt about that. Beyond that Brighton are on the beach, still a good team but we have to take revenge for that joke loss at SJP earlier this season.

Chelsea at home after that is a match that will determine who finishes higher us or them. Head to head, eye to eye to see who the best team, who wants it more!

It's gotta be us, we are the better team, we batter them at SJP most of the time.

[Zippity]

Whilst I admire your optimism, Raga, and wish I shared it...I don't.

I've got an uneasy feeling about these last 5 games.

The run after the Cup win was great and the win itself has given the players a new level of confidence and self-belief. However, mitigating against those are factors which haven't changed-the paucity of the squad, for one, meaning we can't do much to change tight games or chase/close them out as needed and meaning we can't rest key players. Add to that that we're capable of some dreadful performances (as well as brilliant ones) and the 'missing Eddie Howe' factor...

...like I say, I'm just not as confident.

[PhoneymcRingRing]

To me our last 4 fixtures are tough

[Ragatino]

Whilst I admire your optimism, Raga, and wish I shared it...I don't.

I've got an uneasy feeling about these last 5 games.

The run after the Cup win was great and the win itself has given the players a new level of confidence and self-belief. However, mitigating against those are factors which haven't changed-the paucity of the squad, for one, meaning we can't do much to change tight games or chase/close them out as needed and meaning we can't rest key players. Add to that that we're capable of some dreadful performances (as well as brilliant ones) and the 'missing Eddie Howe' factor...

...like I say, I'm just not as confident.

Eddie will be back in action even if it's via video link in due course.

Good use of 'paucity' Vocab win of the week Mr Zip! Your point is absolutely correct. The squad doesn't have much in the way of game changers.

Anthony Gordon aside, it's abit thread bare. So, we do need our mercurial winger to come up with some magic off the bench to dethrone Barnes from his one safe seat.

We have an advantage as we are solely focused on the league, those around us have more games due to Cup commitments.

Chelsea play at home in the UEFA Conference League Thursday before our fixture on Sunday. They'll want to progress and win that tournament.

Villa, City & Forest are all in the Semis of the FA cup. With Villa playing Palace you'd think they will play the final v City or Forest.

So that's a nice distraction and they have tough games too, slips will happen.

We just have to focus on us. Arsenal's Champions League run is everything to them. We can beat them, we've done it 3 times this season and we've not had players available.

So I'm still sure we will finish top 4, we're in command of 3rd place.

All 5 of our games are on Sundays. That's a full week between matches to rest, recover and prepare for the next.

Eddie & the team are 'The best Monday to Friday Managers' so we have the time, we have the ability.

It's case of wanting it more than the rest.

Aside from one match, since before the Cup Final these lads have proved the do want it more than the rest.

Keep the faith! HOWAY THE LADS !