10 out of 12

Thats the point count over the festive season. Not an actually bad return isn't it? Altho others might disagree, I think that those are really 10 good points. Nevermind the 10-match winning streak, we are now unbeaten in the last 11 league games. Nevermind Chelsea getting away with the title, we are now laying the foundations for next season (how badly I want the league, even in my most optimistic mind I don't see that happening this season). But what impressed me more was the the way the team played, like last night. How ironic it was to see Fat Sam substituted an attacking player with a defensive one, while Rafa did the opposite. Fat Sam settling for a draw while Rafa going for all 3. And this happened at the reebok, where Bolton are known to bully teams out of the park. To be frank, previously, if the team conceded early silly sloppy goals like last night, I would normally think that we can normally kiss any chance of getting anything out of the game goodbye. Instead, the team came back, twice, and even nearly managed to find the winner. It seems that nowadays, the team (read : Rafa) always sets out for a win, even while playing away, and for me, so far, that's good enough. If it was GH last night, I imagine that, instead of putting in Cisse and Luis Garcia, he would have put in Dudek as 2nd goalie.

Next, Luton away. I think that Rafa will put in the strongest team possible because he would not want the likes of Gerrard, Alonso or Carra to not play in competitive matches for the whole of two weeks. Or maybe he will play them and subs them after 60 minutes. If this is the case, I don't think that Luton will pose any problem. If not, expect Burnley and Palace again.

Oh, and happy belated new year + christmas to anybody ever bother to read my postings.

Oh oh, I stole the christmas tree pic from Mary's website (sorrrrry mary :))