We are passed the half way mark and the business end of the season is fast approaching. There have been many twists and turns so far and now seems to be a good time to sit back and take stock.
It has been widely reported that United are facing into a tricky few weeks but I feel that we can approach these games with some optimism. The next 8 games will see us take on Liverpool (a), Stoke (h), Chelsea (a), Liverpool (h), Ajax (a), Ajax (h), Norwich (a), Spurs (h). There is also the possibility of an FA Cup 5th round tie sandwiched between the two games against Ajax if we overcome the scousers.
While this does seem like a daunting schedule I firmly believe that it could be the perfect motivation to focus minds and gives the squad a big chance to prove the critics wrong. The home drubbing against our noisy neighbours aside we have managed to get some good results in the big games this season (beating Arsenal home and away, bagging 3 points against Chelsea and Spurs, inflicting revenge against City in the F.A. Cup and taking a hard earned point from Anfield).
While the squad has come in for criticism from all quarters this season nobody can ever question their experience or never say die attitude. These are attributes which will prove invaluable over the coming weeks and there is now a massive opportunity to build up some momentum and put some proper pressure on ManCity. We are coming into games against Chelsea and Liverpool at a time when neither side are even close to firing on all cylinders. Both are battling for fourth place and find themselves under more and more pressure as the weeks go by.
The recent victories over City and Arsenal will have galvanised the squad and a few more positive results against the top teams will have us nicely placed to mount a serious title challenge as we enter March. Having notched up 16 wins from the first 22 league games of the season I feel this team is definitely due a bit more credit. It’s no secret that we are light weight in the middle but it’s by no means time to write off the class of 2012 or the great man who picks the starting XI every week.
There’s no hiding the fact that we’ve had a disaster in Europe this season but we are still very much in with a shout in the League and have a chance of winning a first FA Cup since 2004 (a medal so many of the more senior members of the squad crave). First up is Liverpool on Saturday afternoon……… let’s hope it’s the start of another famous end of season run-in.
