Are we nearly there?

[TheBigMatch]

Should have beaten Liverpool at Anfield (last mininte goal).
Buried l'arse at the Lane; and should have beaten them at the Emirates.
Should have beaten Man United at the Lane (last seconds).
And about to beat Chelsea at Wembley ray:.

The arrival of Woodgate and Hutton will surely continue to make a big difference to our defense.

If King is available for the biggest matches it will be rock solid.

Perhaps we need a captain, a leader, in midfield.

But overall it's hard not too feel that we are finally getting back to a side that wins trophies and can qualify for the Champions League.

After our recent performances I don't see why we can't go on to beat Chelsea and also make a very good stab at taking the UEFA cup. Looking forward to being, is it?, the 4th most successful English club.... and a more successful cup winning club than l'arse once again....who needs the league anyway?

But we probably will need to do so if we are to hold onto Berbatov.

 

[Dougal]

I hate making these points to fans of other teams, it sounds so desperate. Hopefully we can put the 'Nearly Men' tag behind us soon ray:

 

[worcestersauce]

We put out a bit of a makeshift side against arsenal in December with two young midfielders with one premier start between them and arsenal were fortunate to get the win, they were well releaved at the end and they had their strongest possible side out.

We then out played them twice in the CC semi followed by outplaying Manchaester United.
These things alone must surely point to a major improvement, we didn't just hold our own against better teams we matched and bettered the "better teams".
What we need now is what Man Utd had on Saturday, an attitude that drives them never to give up and accept a situation or a result, that is the difference between champions and other good teams.

 

[guiltyparty]

Are we nearly where?

 

[walworthyid]

We are closer than we have been for 2 years. The things that Ramos has improved on compared to last season are the same things that we had the season before. We should have beaten the Scum twice. Drew with Chelsea away and gave them a good game with ten men at home. Drew with Liverpool twice. We could play teams off of the park and get rough when needed. We used to play for the entire 90 (+ what ever Clattenburk decides to add on) minutes of the game.

I am not trying to start yet another Jol v Ramos debate, I loved big Masrtin but I feel that Ramos is the real deal, I am only saying that we have what we had 2 seasons ago only now we have better players.

I would say that if Ramos had an entire pre-season we would be in the top 4, not challenging for it, we would be nearer to winning the league than we would to being 5th. Next season we will kick some serious arse, with or without Berbatov. I actually think that once he has experienced lifting the Carling and UEFA cups he will stay anyway.

 

[Evolution]

We look a shit load fitter and he seems to be getting the best from the players too. Never have I seen Steed and Lennon track back and double up with defenders as much as they do now.

It is looking good but we need to invest in key areas in the summer and try to hold onto Berba.

 

[tRiKS]

I remember under Jol us being the better side in games against the top teams too.. so far both mangers have creditable draws against the CL teams, narrow defeats with notebale praise of our efforts and only one win each. We are close but any suggestion that Ramos is closer than jol was is currently incorrect.

 

[knilly]

this season is about cups and putting a good run together to finish as high as possible in the league.

if we win a cup, or two and finish top eight we'll have high hopes for next season.

and once juande has a few months pre season to get the players he wants in, and the players we already have to play the way he wants. i think we'll have the best chance of any team outside the top 4 to not only break the cartel, but to push towards actually winning the prem.

or am i just being overly optimistic again?

 

[Dibby]

I hate making these points to fans of other teams, it sounds so desperate. Hopefully we can put the 'Nearly Men' tag behind us soon ray:

Agreed ray:

 

[DC_Boy]

yep - nearly where

if 'are we able to give the top 4 a good game consistently' - probably - we'll know more after the 24th when we play the biggest game v a top 4 side since the 1991 semi final - perhaps even since the 82 lge cup final

are we near turning the top 4 into the big five - mmm we'll almost certainly need at least one more season to have even a chance to do that - probably 3 or 4

 

[Real_madyidd]

Are we nearly where?

There.


I have guessed no, since I think we are here.

 

[Leachie]

I remember under Jol us being the better side in games against the top teams too.. so far both mangers have creditable draws against the CL teams, narrow defeats with notebale praise of our efforts and only one win each. We are close but any suggestion that Ramos is closer than jol was is currently incorrect.

Except we lost to Arse in last season's semi and beat them this season 5-1.

Also, we lost at home 4-0 to United last season and they only just snatched a draw from us this season.

On that basis, I disagree with you as it would seem we actually are a bit closer.

 

[chinaman]

Yess, we are almost there . If we

don't lose Berbs in the off-season;

both King and Bale return to 100% fitness and form;

sign one to two real inpact players in midfield;

then watch us overtake Liverpool and challenge for the league title next year.

 

[Adam456]

Things look to be going in the right direction, the squad is fitter and we've made some more good signings but....let's not speak too soon. Nearly every new manager gets a good run and not all turn out to be the panacea the fans thought during that good run e.g. Glen Roeder at the barcodes (although I admit that everybody except them thought it was a one-off)

So let's smile knowingly, give the goons grief about the semi but keep the predictions quiet a little while longer eh ?

 

[claw_diddy]

This is a transitional season, but I am optimistic that Ramos will improve on Jol's achievements. Jol was good, Ramos will be great. But we are probably at least 1 and half season away from being close to this potential greatness.

 

[sloth]

Round the corner and over the hill. Not far now!!

 

[haxman]

Except we lost to Arse in last season's semi and beat them this season 5-1.

Also, we lost at home 4-0 to United last season and they only just snatched a draw from us this season.

On that basis, I disagree with you as it would seem we actually are a bit closer.

That's what I'm thinking as well. Definite improvements in fitness levels, we look much more solid in defence too. Remenber that most of the players before this transfer window were the players that Jol had, we're getting to where Ramos is starting to build the team to how he wants it.

 

[N10toN17]

We are so close, I can smell siverware.

 

[don1]

i feel things are looking better for us i am very impressed with ramos

 

[SpurSince57]

Round the corner and over the hill. Not far now!!

mg: