In 2009-10, we dropped stupid points. Twice we lost to the rags in the last minute, costing us 2 points that should have been in the bag. Drawing at home against teams there for the taking Fulham, Burnley and Hull and losing at home to Everton. A total of 11pts that we could and should have had...Those points would have given us a total of 80pts and a 3rd place finish.
2010-11, we did it again, dropped unecessary and stupid points. losses away to Sunderland, Wolves, Villa and Everton cost us at least 8pts and Stupid draws at home to Blackburn, Brum, and Fulham cost us a further uneccesary 3pts, to which we can add a further 3pts we dropped to Everton at hime. All in all this past season we have dropped a total of at least 11pts that were ours for the taking. We could and should have accrued around 82pts this season and it is those silly dropped points that could have sen us finish on 82pts, 2pts ahead of the rags. But for our own fault, we could quite easily have been celebrating a double League and Cup winning season.
Be under no illusion that although we sit as joint 2nd on points, our total of 71pts is unusually small for that position. In the 10 previous seasons, only in 2001 would we have finished 2nd. Twice we would have finished 3rd, on 5 occasions we wuld have finished 4th and on 2 occasions, 71pts would have left us in 5th position. Next season, if we are to seriously look to challenge for the league,we need to be eradicating those stupid losses that have affected us over recent seasons.
A look at the points totals that have won the league in the last 10 seasons (and our present shortfall) shows we seriously now need to push on...80 (-9), 86 (-15), 90 (-19), 87 (-16), 89 (-18), 91 (-20), 95 (-24), 90 (-19), 83 (-12), 87 (-16) and 80 (-9). Even clawing back those stupidly dropped 11pts, would have only gained us the title in 2 of those years.
The signs are good but we have work to do. It won't be easy but we can do it.