- Aug 25, 2011
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I think you have to take into account that points have been shared out a bit more this season across the league. Look at United they didn't have much more than last season yet occupy 4th and have been 3rd. Our very slow start has contributed to this, which was to be expected with the complete mess which has been left thanks to AVB and his tantrums and Sherwood alienating the squad. I think he's doing a good job but we'll get a much clearer picture next season.It's too early to tell how things will shake out. We need to see how we do in these last 12 games, many of which we should win. It seems many people forgot that we actually finished with 69 points last season, which I believe was our third biggest haul in the PL era. Finishing 5-10 points worse off from that would not represent a good season in my opinion. Not when we spent so much money on shoring up our defense and had a stunningly injury free season from most of the key squad members.
There's also the unforeseeable in regards to how the transfer window will shake out. NO ONE thought we'd sell Modric, Bale, Sandro, and Van der Vaart within a two year span at this same point in 2012. 2.5 years later, they were all gone.
This game against Swansea is pretty important for us. Lose to them and things could go to shit really quickly, as we'd be only one point ahead of them in 7th, and the race for top 4 would be finished, as we'd possibly be sitting 9-10 points out of 4th. Who knows how this squad would react with nothing to play for.