But let's be realistic. It's a mathematical chance now. Luton are going to finish bottom. But it's now looking more likely that Southend and QPR will be a few points clear of us, scrapping for who stays up. Apart from Luton, all of the teams who three weeks ago were in the mix have outperformed themselves. And if Luton are doomed, we can't expect them to take crucial points at Loftus Road, which might bring Rangers back into the shite.
If we beat Preston a week Friday, the faint hope becomes much more realistic. And then we have Plymouth, A win against them, and we're half-way to what I see as the magic 48. In other words - we need 12 points from 4 home games. Hence... keep the faith! As to yesterday. We outplayed them in the first half - bar their goal and a short period afterwards when heads dropped a little. We had a decent penalty shout (in a few minutes ITV will show whether that and the handball pen shout in the second half were valid). But we were woeful in the second period until Healy came on and gave us the lifeline. "Chelsea boys are taking us down," indeed. But although there were some "Bates out" calls, I'm pleased "Wise out" didn't get much traction with the crowd. (OK, so the "Chelsea boys are taking us down" was well adopted and is also targeted at Wise...) What the hell is the point of getting on the back of the manager at this stage? We've just got to face the fact: he's our manager until the end of the season at least, and we may as well get behind the team. Once again, we proved what effing fantastic fans we are, especially away from home, and although we're right to be gutted about what's happening right now, we have a choice: we can niggle and bicker and slag off our team (which can only weaken our slim chance of staying up); or we can sing our hearts out for the lads and stiffen their resolve to complete what would be a great escape. Why not adopt that classic England theme at our remaining games to gee them up? Final point on yesterday. The tactics were basic - hoof it for Kandol (leaping) and Cresswell (running). I know more seasoned observers are going to slag off Kandol. But I think I know why Wise persists: he leaps like a salmon. I was impressed with that, if not his composure in front of goal or his first touch on the ground. And percentage football is probably the right call in our predicament. We were a tad unlucky yesterday, and although I'm not absolving the players or the manager from that shite in the second half, I just think what they're trying is is a reasonable strategy. I'll be at Southampton - taking with me memories of last season.... On On On! -- Richard Young Freelance writer and editor http://snipurl.com/EFCblog http://rjgy.blogspot.com/ 12 points to go... . _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist it's a God awful small affair
