So we're getting that point of the season, just under 10 games to go, and we're sitting 7 points behind the 4th placed team (Chelsea) having played one game more than them. Chasing a champions league spot which we know is well out of our hands. Even if we win all 9, that doesn't guarantee us 4th place, and that's a huge ask for any team in any league.
We're seeing the typical articles on the official site and in the Echo, on the BBC etc. with quotes from the manager and players saying stuff like "Champions League place still a possibility" and stuff like that. Whether it is a possibility or not, is a different story. I've gone through the usual stages:
1. Starting the season optimistic and being backed up by our performances.
2. Remaining optimistic despite not winning enough games. Saying we deserved more than we got.
3. The classic ups and downs. Ups always follow with me saying "there's a long way to go and we can easily do it". Downs followed by "there's a long way to go and we can still do it".
4. We edge towards the final third of the season, and we're just starting to come strong. I analyse our remaining fixtures against our opponents and argue why we can close the gap based on the games we have to play, the games others have to play, and current level of each team's performance etc. For example "win our next 3 games, and then it will be interesting going into the spurs game at Anfield".
5. Feeling absolutely destroyed when we lose one of the easier games that we really need to win, and swearing that it's the final straw "All we have to play for now is pride, and possibly league position with Everton" . This year it was the West Brom game at home. (Still can't ever remember being so disappointed after a game of football by the way... ever).
6. We come back and win a few on the bounce and people start to comment on our excellent form and ponder whether or not there is still enough time and points left for us to sneak 4th.
The next stage is usually the same: We don't finish 4th (we actually don't really close the gap much atall) but we finish the season on an a very optimistic note and we all say the same thing: "If we carry this into next season, we will finish top 4 at the very least".
And then the cycle repeats. Throw in the odd variable like a change of manager and/or a cup triumph here and there, but this has generally been the same since the start of the 09/10 season.
I rate myself as one of the most optimistic Liverpool fans out there, and I always look at the positive, and don't dwell too much on negatives. But I just feel that even though we keep believing we are moving forward each season, and that "It will be different next season.. that'll be our season", the facts show we actually are not progressing at all.
My question is, Can anyone show me or tell me any hard facts that we are actually moving in the right direction? Any proof that 2013/2014 trully WILL be our season? Any reason to believe that our end of season form WILL carry on into the following season and that it won't all be the same all over again next season? Or are most people skeptical and think we will do roughly the same or even worse next time round?
I'd really like to hear from others, because despite having no facts or evidence, I trully do believe that next season will be much better. But I can't put my finger on why I feel that way. Help please.