Upton Park Beckons

Not quite sure how all this works since I tried before but failed. But now I just need to write about everything come what may as we try to find a way to the elusive 19th title. Last season was the closest we’ve come since a long while and it still hurts no matter how positive a spin you may try to put on it. And naturally our hopes were raised for this season. Things haven’t quite gone as we hoped. You could already see it coming once Alonso wanted to move and the whole situation dragged on too long for new signings to be made and coming in earlier to settle. I do feel that Aquilani might be a good signing but with his injury record and not fit till October by then our title hopes would probably be gone. Some have already written us off but it might actually have been good for the team to start this way. Who knows it might have been enough to get the players started again and this is why tonight would be really important.

We’ve done relatively well at Upton Park in recent years but last season was one of our worst displays there. Ended up winning but with them Hammers struggling so far, we must seize the opportunity and come away with the three points. Don’t care if we do it the ugly way. Sometimes you yearn for the old Benitez sides that just grinded out the results. Now we’re one of the most entertaining because shots keep flying at goal but don’t hit the net quite as often. That’s exciting because you always wonder when the goals will come and when they finally do, it’s a great burst of joy that you can feel in your gut just exploding.

Other than Chelsea (and now Utd) doing what they do best (win), they still haven’t quite run away with things yet. We’ve usually done well after returning from Europe, but having to do so at Upton Park makes it much tougher. The return of Benayoun to his old hunting ground is making the headlines but I expect Noble to keep him relatively quiet (if he gets to start that is). Well he is starting it appears. The lineup looks quite compact but all the big names are in it so if we don’t win, you can expect the daggers to come out flying at Benitez again.

Well keeping my fingers crossed that we finish with three points. Arsenal were back in their groove and with the two big games tomorrow, if we win and they don’t, things could get really interesting again. Back later.