That was more than a bit disappointing. And not that the team didn’t play well, it was a fairly decent effort, it was just… disappointing. Depressing, even. To see the team you love trying so hard and just unable to come up with the goods is just tough to watch.

I won’t do the finger pointing that a lot of others are doing. We know we’ve got issues that need to be addressed. Bitching won’t change that. And I hate to sound like those afflicted with blind faith, but the team needs support just now. Not whinging. Things will get better. Some players will go and some will arrive. We may only have a fight left for third or, perish the thought, fourth place… But it could be worse. There are worse things in the world than third place in the Premiership. Now, onto more important issues at hand… Liverpool.

This is a match we can’t afford to lose. That might be an apt description of nearly every fixture left on the list. They’re coming off a good run of form, but also have some injury and suspension issues. It should be a good match. I read earlier the suggestion that Campbell should come in at center half and let Gallas or Vermaelen fill in for Clichy. That’s not a bad idea at all. Perhaps it would give Gael the time he needs to get back up to form. We know he’s had his troubles of late, but I’m still hopeful he can turn it around and perform at the levels we’re used to seeing from him.

As for Almunia… I’d be quite surprised if Wenger replaces him. Stunned, actually. So, I really hope this is the match that he finds his form again. I think it’s more of a mental thing with him. The press he’s probably been hearing about him hasn’t helped, I’m sure. But, we need to stop leaking goals for stupid defensive mistakes, of that there can be no doubt. If we’re outclassed by a world class striker, so be it… but the stupid defensive errors have cost us the silverware this season. To have scored 60 goals in 25 games and have to think that we’re going to come away again this season with nothing? It simply boggles the mind.

Up front, I really do hope Bendtner can start, but I imagine we’ll start the same way we did at Stamford Bridge. Poor Andrey will have to go it alone up top. But, he’s had some luck against Liverpool in the past, we all know. Could we see the tongue lolling, shhh blowing Russian of yore? I hope so. And a cracking game from Cesc wouldn’t hurt, that’s for sure. Not that he hasn’t been playing well, but he’s gone a bit quiet on the goal scoring.

So, we’re set to start in about 45 minutes. It’s a crisp 32°F at the Grove, and could drop a bit more. Let’s hope the fire’s are burning on the inside.