With all the talk from opposing fans about how we haven't played any big teams so far this season (although we have played spurs, napoli, marseille, swansea away, a west brom team on good form) maybe they are right.
With the Dortmund game on Tuesday i feel this is where we can see how the team will truly perform this season against the other 'big boys'. If we can beat Dortmund then it will show we can beat anyone in the Premiership. The game on Tuesday will arguably be our hardest this season, unless we get someone like munich, barca or madrid in the next round of the CL.
Dortmund are without doubt better than any team in the Premiership, if we beat them, then what reason do we have to fear anyone in our league.
This isnt me saying we are going to beat everyone, but if we do win this week, we can go into those games knowing we have already beaten a superior team this season.
The True Bench Mark
posted on 20/10/13
Jeff
I would say the turning point was beating Bayern 2-0 in Germany in March. After that our players realised that we can beat anyone in Europe. This hasn't changed so far and we are nearly in November.
If they keep confident then I reckon we are in for a good season.
posted on 20/10/13
I have to admit I've been impressed by how well you are playing so far this season especially after the Villa result.
Looking at your fixtures though i think the next month will be where we find out if you're are genuine title contenders. In the next 5 weeks you play Dortmund twice, Chelsea in the league cup and then play Liverpool,United and an on form Southampton with only Palace being an "easy" game in the league.
Regardless of how well you're currently playing this is a massive test for any team.
posted on 20/10/13
We meet Dortmund at the right time.
posted on 20/10/13
You're definitely stronger than you have been in years, and your form is scintillating, however I am still expecting you to drop off and finish 3rd or 4th, and it will take a lot more form/results this season to sway me.
posted on 20/10/13
Ollie, that munich game did clearly change something at the club, all the commotion at the loss to villa was ridiculous to see and was obviously just a blip.
I just feel a win against dortmund would really send out a message as we go into this tough list of fixtures over the next couple of months, and shut a few people up as well. They all know dortmund are a better team than theirs, would strike fear into them.
posted on 20/10/13
Charming & wonderful:
How can you say we are stonger, but then state we will finish in the same position we have been the last few years, United walked away with it last year, but they are really not looking the part this year, only finished a point behind chelsea last year and i wouldnt say they have strengthened any more than we have, city look a bit inconsistent.
We win against dortmund, it shows we can beat all 3 of those teams.
posted on 20/10/13
Well I think that City and Chelsea are both stronger, and with regards to United, I have this inevitable feeling about them. Don't think they will be finishing outside the top 4. I think top 2 will eventually end up between City and Chelsea. It's more by process of elimination that I end up with you at 3rd or 4th. Not that you haven't improved, but you aren't the only variable, there are 19 other teams.
posted on 20/10/13
The true bench mark is at the end of the season.
You can lose to shît like Palace and still win the league, you can beat City, United and another top team and still finish 5th (ask Spurs !)
posted on 20/10/13
By the way everyone goes on though, it only matters if we beat the top teams... kind of the point of the article.
They act like the only variables are the ones we are about to face in the next couple of months.
posted on 20/10/13
I also think you are obviously good enough to beat any team. But then so are lots of teams. Consistency over the whole prem season is another thing... But i'm not a soothsayer, it will be interesting to see.