morla84 Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Amazing game, followed up our first away win in ages with our first win from behind. Exactly what we needed to get our season back on track! Brilliant atmosphere, bedlam at the end when the winner went in. Thats what football is all about, moments like those. Reminds me of the 4-4 with Arsenal in that I have went from being so despondant to jubilation in a short space of time. Bring on Spurs! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samag Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 It was a necessary evil like. Great timing with Ashley coming to watch as well. true may not have went as mad in the transfer market. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Looking at the table it's such a damn shame we didn't beat Reading. Sitting joint 10th looking on for a top half finish. 5 games time hopefully we are there. If the last 2 results are anything to go by, we could do a bit of damage now due to how open/poor the league has been this year. A top 8 finish is suddenly very possible. Need to sort out that awful goal difference though. 13 games left, realistically think we can expect to pick up points in all of them - maybe Citeh away is one game that could be a stretch too far but with the new boys in the squad, I genuinely don't see why they should fear anyone. Not outside the realms of possibility that we can pick up another 25-30points. All depends if we decide to cut loose in the league and go for the wins (not got a lot to lose) and focus on the Europa league adventure. 52/55pts good enough for top 6? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boosden Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Amazing game, followed up our first away win in ages with our first win from behind. Exactly what we needed to get our season back on track! Brilliant atmosphere, bedlam at the end when the winner went in. Thats what football is all about, moments like those. Reminds me of the 4-4 with Arsenal in that I have went from being so despondant to jubilation in a short space of time. Bring on Spurs! This this and this Been doubting my season ticket (Terrible to say) but it's days like this that remind you why you go. Amazing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Flash Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Looking at the table it's such a damn shame we didn't beat Reading. Sitting joint 10th looking on for a top half finish. 5 games time hopefully we are there. If the last 2 results are anything to go by, we could do a bit of damage now due to how open/poor the league has been this year. A top 8 finish is suddenly very possible. Need to sort out that awful goal difference though. 13 games left, realistically think we can expect to pick up points in all of them - maybe Citeh away is one game that could be a stretch too far but with the new boys in the squad, I genuinely don't see why they should fear anyone. Not outside the realms of possibility that we can pick up another 25-30points. All depends if we decide to cut loose in the league and go for the wins (not got a lot to lose) and focus on the Europa league adventure. 52/55pts good enough for top 6? (My initial post has been more almost completely irrelevant because I've noticed the league table I was looking at is wrong ) I do hope you're right though. The way we played at 2-1 down today certainly gave me massive hope that we're just going to go for it now and see what happens. Getting some confidence and moral back is/will be a huge factor in how we finish because we were riding that particular wave last season to great effect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Getting a bit carried away tbh, we will drop some silly points before season out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexf Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Yeah we're not suddenly going to win every single game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Tbh i looked at the table last night and after we get past the Spurs game most of the remaining games ( City away aside) are all very winnable. We could make a late surge in theory but we all know that this game isn't like that and we will probably be bite on the arse more than once before May. But in theory there is opportunities for climbing the table considerably between now and May. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brendan_Rice Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Is it safe to say we shouldn't be worried about relegation any more? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaizero Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Yeah we're not suddenly going to win every single game. http://data.whicdn.com/images/8837973/tumblr_ljjcmejey81qc1kt8o1_500_large.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pata Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Once we get out of the relegation battle we can play without any pressure. That combined with some competition for the starting lineup spots and new boys wanting to impress could result in a nice end to the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexf Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Beren's great post earlier summed up the game, but I will add a few views of my own. Best game seen at SJP for years...both sides going for it and we just about shaded it for the chances and dominance we had in the first half. The addition of the new guys has made a huge difference and both Sissoko(obviously)and Gouffran(less obviously)were instumental in this win although everyone busted a gut to get the result. As some have said, Gouffran was a revelation up front in that he was always prepared to make runs with the ball and then come back to bolster the defence/m/f when we were under the cosh.He is far more mobile than Cisse and quicker over a distance even though he is not blessed with scorching pace and he holds the ball up well and usually finds his own man with the resultant pass. Will never score a mountain of goals but will get his share and create chances for others too. This guy was a steal if this performance is an indicator of his regular standard and he lasted the pace really well. Sissoko was of course the star of this match - he has the best engine of any m/f player we have had since Rob Lee and reminds me of Terry Mac in many ways with his lung-bursting runs and clever play. Just Like McDermott, he will get quite a few goals, more than average for a m/f player because teams will find it difficult to track him for 90 mins. Considering this guy has just come from the French league his 2 performances so far have been a credit to his fitness and stamina. Undoubtedly the buy of the window and may be the buy of the whole season. Will be worth an absolute fortune if he keeps this up..... Cabaye was back to his brilliant best, undoubtedly lifted by the presence of his big mate and the new signings....he was always in the thick of it and looked a perfect example of a top midfielder, tackling and creating with equal gusto. We have some great choices in m/f now and once everyone really settles, there are few PL sides with better midfielders. STaylor and Colo were strong at the back and needed to be in the second half - did NOT think the Colo/Ba incident was a pen, Webb got it right because Ba's head was low and Colo, as the defender, had to try to clear the ball....its a different matter from tripping or holding a forward in the box. We were lucky to get away with it though, because Ba was a whisker away from scoring.. Cisse is not yet back to his best..should have had at least one and probably 2 in the first half and we can only hope he clicks soon because up front is where we are lightest now. Chelsea have some great players and we did well to come back after they went ahead...Mata was excellent in second half, and Lampard was always a threat. They lost their shape a bit after we eqiualized and fortunately we finished the stronger. Both our first and winning goals came at a good time, esp the last one as they had little time to respond. Cannot finish without holding my hands up about Pardew's subs...I'm not a great fan of this guy but he did get it right today....Gouffran had run himself into the ground and needed to go and although Sissoko looked strong, he must have been shattered after all the ground he covered. Must also credit Jonas for a fine goal and much improved display. Fabulous entertainment and the promise of a better future as there is some real class in the side now - delighted for the fans and credit due to Ashley for once because the gamble will hopefully now pay off...even though we all knew it needed doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRD Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 In perspective: Reading - Scored our first set piece goal (Cabaye free kick) Villa - First away win Chelsea - first come-back win, back-to-back wins in 11 months. Things are looking up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 As we all love to be realistic about how we finish and take 1 game at a time, days like today make you love football and the possibilities. Today's mentality should be carried into every match from this point on - we have the talent and heart to take it to any team now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRD Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Have to admit though that first 10-15 minutes after restart I was cussing Pardew for reverting to type. What followed was pure orgasmic heaven. Had not enjoyed a game like this for a long time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bimpy474 Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 In perspective: Reading - Scored our first set piece goal (Cabaye free kick) Villa - First away win Chelsea - first come-back win, back-to-back wins in 11 months. Things are looking up. They are, i'm actually more pleased with the play, movement and counter attacking pace, in such contrast to what has gone before this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 In perspective: Reading - Scored our first set piece goal (Cabaye free kick) Villa - First away win Chelsea - first come-back win, back-to-back wins in 11 months. Things are looking up. Just a goal from a corner next week and I'd call it a pretty perfect season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRD Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Aye, not many times this season we can say we have played as a team and not strangers. Sissoko and Gouffran slotting effortlessly into our system was amazing to see. Sure we took plenty of positive vibes from the last couple of games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tollemache Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Is it safe to say we shouldn't be worried about relegation any more? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRD Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 We've got ourselves into a good platform with the last 2 games and confidence seems to be coming back. Reading, QPR, Southampton have been hitting some form recently though, and even freaking West Ham managed a win. Cautiously optimistic as long as Pardew knows how to keep the momentum going. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Getting a bit carried away tbh, we will drop some silly points before season out. Yeah we're not suddenly going to win every single game. I don't see anyone claiming 13 out of 13, but there's no reason for us to write off any of the remaining games (Citeh aside if they're back to full health/still in title challenge): Spurs (a) - probably second toughest game of the 13, would strongly fancy our chances if we repeat today's efforts Southampton (h) - their longest trip of the season, slight worry about Europa hangover but new boys can't all play Swansea (a) - third toughest fixture for me; week after League Cup final so potential Wembley hangover for them Stoke (h) - we know we can outplay them, Sissoko and MVM will only help us to match them for power (Walters esp) Wigan (a) - chance to reverse last season's thrashing, all of the new faces should be bedded into the squad nicely Citeh (a) - tough trip, Mancini wants to be within 5 points of Utd after this game. Fulham (h) - not the best travellers (glass houses, etc) mackems (h) - NETD, marra. Baggies (a) - they've not got the biggest squad, will find themselves running out of steam after a superb opening half scousers (h) - toughest home game left, a draw will most likely look a good result by this point. west ham (a) - surely safely mid-table and seeing out the season QPR (a) - surely relegated and seeing out the season with a group of overpaid and uninterested mercenaries Arsenal (h) - (n)either team could be playing for something by this point. We've been desperate for a bit of momentum all season, a couple of good wins and the energy from the new faces could have done the trick to set us on our way. As we showed in the beginning of last season and the end, once we get ourselves a head of steam we're canny at grinding out results and finding a way to get a win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spark Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 I have to say, that fixture list looks a lot easier than it did 2 weeks ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowlingcrofty Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Is it safe to say we shouldn't be worried about relegation any more? No, if we lose at Spurs and a resurgent Southampton turn us over, we're right back in the scrap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp40 Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Looking at the table it's such a damn shame we didn't beat Reading. Sitting joint 10th looking on for a top half finish. 5 games time hopefully we are there. If the last 2 results are anything to go by, we could do a bit of damage now due to how open/poor the league has been this year. A top 8 finish is suddenly very possible. Need to sort out that awful goal difference though. 13 games left, realistically think we can expect to pick up points in all of them - maybe Citeh away is one game that could be a stretch too far but with the new boys in the squad, I genuinely don't see why they should fear anyone. Not outside the realms of possibility that we can pick up another 25-30points. All depends if we decide to cut loose in the league and go for the wins (not got a lot to lose) and focus on the Europa league adventure. 52/55pts good enough for top 6? I would have thought given the 6 point gap 7-6th that is not possible. I would settle for 10th and winning the Europa. Are we genuine contenders for this competition? we've just beaten the european champions, what a season this could turn out to be if we won something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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