Whilst it seems we are out of it, the seasons swings some roundabouts - in the last 2 weeks, we have had some things just not go right, the refs at Sheff Utd, some basic finishing at Arsenal and unbelievable scenes at Everton (that picture of DDG fk at past 94mins still haunts me). In that same time, City had a lucky call vs Aston Villa, snuck over the line vs Brighton and were gifted 2 goals by one of the best keepers going. Yes, it is too idealistic to say everything goes your way, but if a couple of those went right i.e. we got a point vs Sheff Utd and held on vs Everton whilst City dropped points in one of those three we would be talking about 3 points rather than 8 with an easier next couple of games than them.
The margins in football are so tight and if it swings the other way, before you know it we could be in touching distance.
Regarding our defence, I agree it was atrocious against Everton, that was a game to close out from the start of the second half, but I feel sometimes as sports fans we forget that other teams have also come to play and are professionals. They came out with some intensity at the start of the second half and yes we buckled, but that first goal was again such slight margins - in the build up if the ref lets Fred keep the ball (when he was fouled) rather than the other way it never happens, then De Gea actually shows conviction on the cross and it dwindles away. I watched City vs Villa and I can tell you Villa made a lot more clear chances than Everton got near to doing, but they didn't make it count, Everton did. A positive take on the Everton game was that after we buckled to 2-2, we did all of the running and a combination of howlers in the final minute cost us.
The defence conceded a lot less last year and even this year there have been some good signs. There is a chance the lack of consistency means we fall into the midst of a top 4 battle, but I would say there is as much chance that we go in a mini run, and come the game against City be in a position that a win puts us right on their tails.
Whilst we are no doubt frustrated, the Everton game was really depressing, and I hate the idea that we played so well, scored some nice goals, controlled the game but could not get 3 points part of me thinks that we as fans are falling to the media's attempts to discredit Ole and continue to make us look weak and a failure. For those that want to see progress, we played Liverpool twice, all the talk after the first one was we should have won, then we went away and beat them in the second.
I for one will be cheering for Spurs this weekend, and hope that City drop points and we turn it on against WBA to maybe, just maybe start a shift in the momentum.
Having watched Utd game in game out all throughout the last few years, dreading games but watching them as you never know - to now be at a place where it looks like there is some team spirit, the manager does not stink the place out and ultimately look forward to Utd games can only be a good sign.