The turning point of this season (Part 2)

Since it was requested, even if sarcastically, who am I to refuse.

Well anyway for me the turning point of this season was the FA Cup game against Preston. Although we won that game I think it changed our form. Before the game we'd just hammered Bolton 3-0 and Newcastle 5-1 and started playing the best football we had all season. Our attention then turned from the league and although I love the FA Cup and want us to win it every season, when you haven't won the league for nearly 20 years then the FA Cup can take a back seat.

It was possibly our strongest side, besides Reina, and we were never really tested it was 90 minutes our key players didn't really need to play. It resulted in Xabi Alonso picking up a knock which also had a huge affect on the way we played in the second half and until he returned from the injury. It also saw Robbie Keane waste chance after chance and knock his confidence even more.

Jan 10th to 28th mate. Turned our season

Our turning point of this season?
January 2009.

I also can't help but to think that Rafa's ranting played a part in that January slump. It may not be the factor, but everyone thinks that's the cause. And it also looked as though Stevie's case affected everyone, but him.

Our turning point of this season?
January 2009.

I also can't help but to think that Rafa's ranting played a part in that January slump. It may not be the factor, but everyone thinks that's the cause. And it also looked as though Stevie's case affected everyone, but him.

agree with you mate. worst month we had the whole season.

Since it was requested, even if sarcastically, who am I to refuse.

When we win tomorrow, you know you're going to have to start one of these threads before every remaining match this season!

You've got your work cut out for you! 

 

i know what you're saying about the Preston game and resting our players Billy, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

We were on the back of a couple of very good performances but imagine we had tonked Preston for another half a dozen goals, Keane hat-trick, no injuries, etc.  We could be saying that that is where we won the league...

Fine margins make or break a season.  It didn't work out that way for us this time.


As one who thinks Rafa should play his best available 11 every game with just a little tinkering if a player is really tired (Carra could be excused if he asked for a week off - which of course he won't) I am happy with a strong side put out to keep those lads in form.  Remember, we hadn't played for 6 days and had another 7 days before the next game.

I am all for giving the youngsters a run out if possible but it should have been the perfect chance for Keane and Babel (who both started) to hit some form.  The same goes for Lucas who came on at half-time for Alonso.

Sometimes it pays off - sometimes it doesn't.

The turning point?  Lucky kidney stones methinks   ......Let's examine the evidence:- We draw at Arsenal; win 3 - 0 home to Bolton; win 5 - 1 away at Newcastle and win 2 - 0 at Preston.

Then......Rafa's return, minus the stones........ sh*t hits the fan!  

It's them stones I tells ya!  

When we win tomorrow, you know you're going to have to start one of these threads before every remaining match this season!

You've got your work cut out for you! 

 

The next one is waiting

The next one is waiting

I can't wait DLS.  I can't wait.

Was about to bump this!

hope the turning point of the season will be today.! people would remember this day forever!