I was looking at the fixture list when it was publicised during the summer. I noticed that it wasn´t very kind to us during the autumn but would be significantly "better" from January onwards. From August to December we´d entertain 7 of the suspected top 8 teams with only Manchester City to play at home on the last day of the season (and yes, I suspected Everton to be up there amongst them, not Birmingham!). With the Premiership being as tough as it is with no easy games at all I was really concerned that we´d get in to some really difficult times (loosing breeds loosing so to speak and I´m afraid that´s what happened). With the prospect of having a sell out of our stars during the January transfer window I wasn´t less worried.
Now we´re in January and the "easy" part of the season is coming closer (it was supposed to start yesterday). Unfortunately with the self esteem shot to pieces but on the other hand with a lot of players coming back from injuries. Will we be able to resurrect the season and change it around? Well it´ll ofcourse depend a lot on what happens during the January transfer window and if we get more injuries to our key players (almost all senior players are key players at the moment due to our slimmed squad).
As most West Ham supporters are aware of 42 points might not be enough to keep us up and therefor I´ve decided to go for 43 and see what we have to do to get there. 43 points would be a perfectly safe place, wouldn´t it?
I´ve tried to avoid hoping for sensational results and therefor I´m not counting on any points away vs. the so called "top teams". Those points will be bonus points if we manage to get them.
Let´s see in the crystal bowl how the total points will be at the end of the season:
January:
WHU - Wolves: 3p (postponed)
Aston Villa - WHU: 0p
Portsmouth - WHU: 3p
WHU - Blackburn: 3p
Total January: 9p
February:
Burnley - WHU: 3p
WHU - Birmingham: 1p
WHU - Hull: 3p
Manchester United - WHU: 0p
Total February: 7p
March:
WHU - Bolton: 1p
Chelsea - WHU: 0p
Arsenal - WHU: 0p
WHU - Stoke: 3p
Total March: 4p
April:
Everton - WHU: 0p
WHU - Sunderland: 1p
Liverpool - WHU: 0p
WHU - Wigan: 3p
Total April: 4p
May:
Fulham - WHU: 1p
WHU - Manchester City: 0p
Total May: 1p
Total 2009: 18p
Total 2010: 25p
Total 09/10: 43p
As we all know (or presume) it´ll probably be enough with 36-38 points to stay up (based on experience from the last couple of seasons). But without being overly optimistic 43 points is quite a realistic target.
However, there´s a lof of ifs to this argument and a lot of things that can disrupt the "game plan". For example: If the team stays together or if the club decides to cash in on a few players. If the self esteem is irrepairable. Will the team be able to pick up the pieces already during the so important January and February when 16 of the 25 points should be picked up?
Will we stay up? Well, if we perform and get the results predicted above then no problem but I guess we just have to wait and see, don´t we?
There´s a lof of questions but no answers at the moment. I´m looking forward to follow this one up during the rest of the season.
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January
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8 comments:
No Self esteem????? have you seen the last few performances (not including away at the spuds)?? the team are playing well and individual players have been missing, with those players returning and (fingers crossed) us able to keep hold of star players we should be able to drag our self clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
Really interesting read. When put like that even an old grouch like me find it plausible that we (may)stay up.
Our chances in the Wigan game, as in our very last game - the one against Fulham - will depend heavily on how the teams will be motivated. Let's hope none of the teams have much to play for.
I'd have to agree to within a point or 3, but i think we will play better against the better footballing sides and drop points agaist the scrappers, ie, wigan pompey etc, but 40/45 points is what i expect. only one problem though, it is going to be a year with a high points relegation total.( we bin there before)
You are very kind to us during January with Cole still out and no forwards able at all. On the other hand we may a grip of one or two extra during March and April....
no6: I hope you're right but we need to get some belief in the gameplan so we don't have a mental breakdown everytime we feel chased and have something to lose.
I agree with Dicks that the lack of self esteem we show sometimes is a genuine hazard.
That has been state dependent and doesn't show in every game.
Let's hope Straumur/CB Holding, or whatever you want to call them, doesn't read this.
I'll reserve my prediction until after January. A hell of a lot can change from now until then.
Anonymous:
I´ve watched them and it´s been looking better in some of the games but sudden lapses in the games have led to a goal or two that unnecessary (why is that so hard to spell? :-)) has been shipped in. I hope you´re right though and that we don´t have a self esteem problem, that way it´ll go much easier. ;-)
englandsnumber6:
Let´s hope you´re wrong... ;-) But you´re probably right, when we´re involved in the relegation scrap we´re bound to see high points relegation total.
Prince H:
I don´t see it as being nice to us. I´m looking at the fixtures and it´s in January and February we need to gather the points, with or without CC. If not, well I suspect we won´t see another "greatest escape".
TBI:
That´s the wisest thing to do but I needed something other than the take over to think about for a while... ;-)
at the end of the day we got to get behind the team and hope they start getting the wins they desevre we need to get another striker but one that can score not just anohter waste of time one
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