Here we go – new season about to start, can we do it – or will our hopes be dashed yet again? Am talking about the elusive 19th – just in case!
Well, we’ll have a better idea by xmas, and we’ll know by May 2010. But are you hopeful, I mean really hopeful – or is it just a misguided dream?
Well, guess the next number – 52, 57, 57, 67, 77, ?.
And what about this – 11, 32, 30, 39, 50, ?.
Any idea what those sequences are?
The 1st one is the Goals Scored each season under Rafa – starting season 04/05. Can you see the trend? Improvement – definitely – FACT!
The 2nd sequence is the Goal Difference – again under Rafa, starting 04/05. Improvement – FACT!
Okay – looks good and positive – and bearing in mind that last season was the most successful in Premier League – we’re heading in the right direction. And remember that Torres and Gerrard only played 17 PL games together! If we get 30 this season….could be explosive!
Okay, another question whats the average age compared to Chelsea and Man Utd. Well ours (for 1st 20 at least) is 25.5. Man Utd and Chelsea – are both over 28. The average age for PL champions in the last 10 years is 26. Looks good?
Our oldest player is Carragher – 31. Voronin only just turned 30. Hyppia has gone. We’re a young team.
What are Man Utd without Ronaldo – well time will tell – but I cant see any creativity – if you watch the match at anfield – Ronaldo didn’t play – they were completely ordinary. And what about Chelsea – well new manager – so will need time – but again have they got stronger from last year – not really!
We have lost Alonso and Arbeloa. Arbeloa has been replaced by a better player in Johnson – he looked good on Saturday! With Alonso going – our midfield may improve. Perhaps the 22 yr old Lucas will follow thru his fine pre-season form. Aquilani will add something, and maybe Plessis may show something. Then there’s a couple of players called Mascherano and Gerrard!
The bottom line – we are closer than we have ever been under Rafa. The squad is peaking at the right time – the last season would have been tremendous experience. And we have improved, whilst others have weakened.
This season, I hope – as fans – we unite even more and become the true 12th man! I have hope in my heart, but for the first time in a long time – I have hope in my head!
Do you?
YNWA