IMHO we still have two great chances of silverwear. Our performance last night was terrific. We outplayed Arsenal and were very unlucky not to win. People, including BR have said we've lost ouradvantage. But I think that we have an even greater chance of success at Highbury. Everyone knows Arsenal's away form is better than their home form. So it's not like they have "home advantage." All we lacked last night was someone to finish those loose balls that bobbled around in ther box. Can you imagine what would have happened if Bellamy had been their instead of Cort? I think we'd have murdered them. With Bellamy we would have also had the option of the long ball which results in a 1 on 1. Bellamy normally has about 2 of these chances per game.But of course it's not just Bellamy we'll have back as Dyer could well be back to his full fitness fo this match. Arsenal have got CL games now until we play them. Arsne will be resting players because they'll be knacked and of course Henry is still banned. I think we should be solid favourites to beat Arsenal and then of course favourits to lift the cup.

As for the league, we're 6 points off top with a game in hand. Liverpool were 11 points clear of ManUtd at one point and now the Manure are favourites. We have the easiest run in and I believe that we'll win all of our remaining home games. IF LR can play as he did last night, Bellamy and Dyer return quickly and play as well as we know they can, If Jenas continues to amaze then there is no reason why we cannot win the league with a few games to go!

When we've won the double, we'll look back on last night as a vital match. It was imperative that we payed well last night because in the previous 2 games against Arse and Liverpool we didn't create and the team spirit looked poor. Yesterday will have lited the team spirit and now we don't have to think about a loosing streak due to absences of players. We know we can beat the best side in the league without Speed, Jenas, Dyer and Bellamy. When these lads come back we'll be on fire.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

Answers

Great optimism Jim, I sincerely hope you're correct!

As for being 6 points behind (academic), we're effectively 7 points behind; Manure's goal difference is +22 on ours (Ar$e's is +13, and L'pool's +11). I can't see us making up that goal difference in 9 games, that doesn't mean I think we're out of it, only that if it comes down to goal difference we've got zip of a chance.

As for the FA Cup, why not!!! ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

Well if we beat Arsenal, want to bet it's v Chelsea in the semi?

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

That crossed my mind, too, Lynda but, you know, Boro have a great recent record against us in Cup competitions...

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrggghhh!

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002

But we are unbeaten at the Stadium of Light if we drew Boro (and got through)

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2002