vrotherham1964

Surely, if Burnley (7th last year and in Europe), Leicester (PL champions 3 years ago) and Brighton (recently beat MU) are crap, who isn't crap? It seems to me Burnley, Leicester and Brighton are exactly at our standard and therefore who we have to beat if we are to be OK. Weirdly, I feel we are a bit better than these other teams and for much of the games, looked it. Maybe we just need a better mental strength and leader on the field, a bit like our manager was as a player.

There is always hope - when there isn't I'm finished with my 54 years of support and that hasn't happened yet, despite the 'Branfoot Years' and the dark 'Minus 10 Period'.

Like most of us I guess, Monday was very disappointing. With Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City coming up in the next 5 games, I noticed I'm starting to get a little worried and yet I'm normally an optimist. I wondered why and then I realised there is some logic as to why I'm worried. 5 games in we have 5 points, which at this rate will give us 38 points (maybe enough). However, looking ahead, the Top 6 games represent 12 games of the last 33. If we assume we only get say 4 points from these Top 6 games, then we need maybe 31 points from the other 21 games, which is virtually 1.5 per game. To be safe this year, logically we either need to win occasionally against the Top 6 or win plenty of games like Brighton at home. Of course, although I'm worried, win away to Liverpool or at home to Chelsea (pleaseeeee) and all worries will go away - for now! It seems to be what being a Saints fan is all about; going from optimism (sometimes blind) to worry, but the passion never wains.

Over the years I knew we didn't do too well in the opening games, but when I checked it's awful! In the last 30 seasons we have only won the opening league game THREE times: WBA away 1-0 2013/14, Leeds home 3-1 2011/12 and Coventry away 1-0 1999/2000. Here's hoping Sunday is our second home win in the opening game in 31 years!