TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

That nasty taste you have in the mouth after an upset, is slowly diminishing after the loss to the rags - especially the manner in which the game was lost. The wound United inflicted with yet another last minute goal is far from fatal but it could have serious consequences as we aim to qualify for the much coveted Champions League spot.

I wrote in the latest edition of the Branch newsletter that I was warming to Mr Mancini - and I wont retract that statement - but I thought he got it wrong for the THIRD time against United. We were to respectful of them and far too cautious in our approach. We certainly weren't the free scoring goal machine we had been in recent games.(albeit against inferior opposition) The emphasis appeared to be on the defensive side of our game rather than offensive. But if your going to try and defend what you have and concentrate more on not losing than winning, then you have to be resolute from start to finish and not lose the bloody game!! I would have much preferred to have lost the last two derby matches, playing in the style we did in the 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford, in September.

Prior to the Eastlands derby game, we were in the ascendancy. We were scaling the mountain before us, edging nearer and nearer to the summit. But given Spurs' two fantastic wins over Arsenal and Chelsea in consecutive games, that summit has has become a greater obstacle to overcome. Even Liverpool and Villa's midweek wins have put a spanner in the works. The target we aim for is not surmountable, but it will be harder to reach the finishing line ahead of our rivals. Spurs are definitely in the driving seat now but we have to give it our all to push them into the passenger seat!

It's not the end of the world. It's not all doom and gloom. Their is light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately it's not quite as bright now as it was a week ago. If we have been guilty of complacency then let's hope the derby defeat will have knocked that out of our system and that we will have no adverse reactions in our forthcoming performances.

Our next day out is Arsenal at the Emirates. Never an easy place to go to. So lets hope that Arsenal, having had some poor results of late, are not the wounded animal that United were. The Gooners game isn't necessarily about quality of performance - it really is all about winning. Defeat and positive results for Spurs, Villa and Liverpool will put a totally different perspective on the fight for fourth place. We really do need some 'favours' off some of our Premiership rivals.

So come on you Blues, go to North London and give it your best shot. This is no time for faint hearts. If you want it badly enough - go out and prove it!! Quit the idle talk. No false promises. Do the business first. Do the walk then talk as much as you want.

(Written Pre Arsenal Game)  

Geoff Stevenson

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