Great Win At Chelsea! Will It Help?

After a fantastic win yesterday at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, the media have put us back in the title race. According to the papers, and even our own players, we are back in the hunt for our first Premiership title since the Invincibles. This result is just like Man Utd should have been and will inspire confidence and belief in the team that will propel us to new heights this season and almost certainly result in a trophy.

Or will it?

I find myself doubting that this win really means much in our title challenge. I said a few weeks ago that it was over, and I haven't changed my views. We can win it, but it'll take some enormous blunders from Liverpool and Chelsea to hand us the title. Also, I fear that this win will produce an almost identical response form the team as after the big win over Man Utd.

We will crush Burnley in the Carling Cup tomorrow and then we will likely stumble at Wigan on the weekend. Remember the 0-0 draw last season against them at the JJB Stadium? Their pitch was despicable and they defended for 90 minutes to earn a draw.

In order to win against Wigan, I honestly think the first-team will have to put in a performance every bit as tough and determined as against Chelsea, perhaps even better. Because there is something about the our last two wins that has been bugging me in the back of my mind: we didn't deserve either of them.

So don't get me wrong, I realise that that is how one wins a title: getting undeserved wins. But the fact that we were, against both Dynamo Kyiv and Chelsea, rather unimaginative and toothless suggests to me there is a real problem in the side attacking-wise. We couldn't break through Kyiv except by one lucky (skilled, but lucky) long ball from Fabregas which Bendtner slotted home, and we were being crushed by Chelsea until our offside goal leveled us and knocked the confidence right out of Chelsea.

Frankly, we are, at the moment, playing very badly, and yet winning matches. Perhaps this is just one of those phases in the year when this happens: it often does in the November-December timeline. But what happens when we can't break a team down and we get punished for it? Example given: Home to Aston Villa and away to Stoke. Let's hope this is fixed soon.

But turning our attentions to Burnley tomorrow night, I don't think we should have many problems. Yes, they will do all they can, and they did beat Chelsea, but if our youth players can sweep aside a full-strength Wigan, they shouldn't have any problems with a Championship side like Burnley.

The thing with the youth team is that they are just so determined. Unlike the first team this season (unless it's against a big-four club), our Carling Cup teams are determined to win. They put it all on the line and play as if their life depended on a victory. They are fearless and skillful, not afraid to showcase their talents, even if it does sometimes get them into trouble. They have exactly the characteristics that a title-winning side must have, and for this reason, I believe that this may be the year we once again lift the Carling Cup.

Add to this determination and excellent mentality the fact that Silvestre will be fit and starting Tuesday to bring experience to the back line, and I think we could be in for a real cracker tomorrow night. Predictions? At least a two-goal margin of victory and progress to the next round of the Carling Cup. Until then,

Fab 4