I don't know why, but I do have a good feeling about today and despite the poor run of form in the league, I think this is going to be where it all changes. I think this is where it has to change. Note, please, I am not saying it has to change.
When I say this, what I mean is, we are about to enter the business end of the season where points matter and defeats are not just about not getting points, but seeing the teams around you either move further ahead or start to get closer. What we need to is start taking the chances.
Now, I'm going to maybe be a little controversial with my next suggestion; we need to drop Gabby. What I really mean is, we need to see Delfouneso given a run and an opportunity to show that he can put those chances away.
Gabby always has a good start to the season and don't get me wrong, I think he is a fantastic player, but he always usually has an average second half to the season and as Martin O'Neill has said this week and last season, it's not as if we are not creating the chances - so maybe it is time to give somebody else an opportunity to put them away.
Since Gabby last scored for us in the League, a great goal against Manchester United on December 12th, he has had six shots on target in six games. Had one of those gone in, against say West Ham or Arsenal, we would now be fifth.
Yes, it is extremely easy to look back at a few statistics, but Gabby does seem to be almost guaranteed a place and I just think if Delfouneso were to get a little run in the team he might surprise a few of us and if he doesn't, O'Neill still has his Gabby to fall back on and if he does, surely it can only give Gabby a kick up the backside, something I think he might need.
But, that is just my little bit of something to talk about today. Now to the match.
Early Team News
Telegraph
Cynics might suggest that O’Neill was attempting to draw attention away from the weaknesses to his team ahead of their fixture at Fulham today. Stiliyan Petrov, James Milner, and Gabby Agbonlahor did not train yesterday, Stephen Warnock’s shin injury is serious. Nigel Reo-Coker, who has a broken ankle, could have played his last game of the season.
It is impossible to predict who Martin O'Neill will pick, but that is from one of the papers today.
Updates, Banter and Link Dumping
I'm going to enjoy today. The wife is out with the kids, hopefully shopping all day. I mean, it took her 25 minutes to pick a top to wear last night when we were going round to see some friends. Twenty-five minutes to pick a top; hopefully she'll get lost and forget to come home until the football is over.
So, all there is left for me to do is tell you that fastbackace won the t-shirt for predicting 0-0 against Arsenal and that all t-shirts from this week will be getting posted out today. also, that we will be doing updates from Twitter today and that we have asked for your suggestions on how we should refer to John Terry in the future and the best ones are getting re-tweeted. Click here to follow us, if you are not already.
We will also be doing updates here and if we find interesting stories or news we will be listing them but please also, list anything you think is interesting in the comment section - links are fun and we like to click.
For now, coffee and toast today and if you are going to the match today - remember, you can email photos to
Team NEws
Big Bad Brad Friedel, Lule Young, Ricardo Dunne, King Carlos, James Collins, Stewart Downing, Webcam Young, James Milner, Stan Petrov, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey.
The bench: Little Brad Guzan, Curtis Davies, Nick Shorey, Habib Beye, Stevie Sidwell, Fabian Delph and Nathan Delfouneso.