So Stoke haven't done us any favours. To be honest I wasn't too hopeful, yes the Britannia is a difficult place to go but Stoke are not the beast they used to be. They seemed to have lost their physical side, perhaps in a bid to appease their fans with more 'pretty football'. So when I saw the final score was 2-1 to the scum I was disappointed but not down heartened.
What we cannot forget is that it is in our hands, something it hasn't been for a long time. If we beat the 17th and 18th teams in the league we are in the Champions League, simple. If you had said that to someone at the start of the season they'd have taken it straight away. Quite simply if we aren't good enough to win those two games then we do not deserve to be in Europe's premier competition.
With regards to Wigan, I think them wining the FA Cup may actually help us. After such a historic day for the club it is difficult to get yourself going again. After winning the FA cup final no game can really compare. So for that reason I expect Wigan to be the opposite of buoyed on Tuesday, I imagine we will see a Wigan side struggling to get going after such an emotional weekend.
To end I just want to talk about the FA Cup and its importance within the modern game. I couldn't help but feel slightly envious as I watched Wigan lift the trophy yesterday. Undoubtedly playing in the Champions League every season is amazing, but if you offered me the FA Cup and fifth would I take it? Yes. For me its all about silverware. When we look back in 20 years at our history what will say? 'Yeah that was a great side, they made the Champions League 16 years in a row'. Or will we say 'That wasn't a bad side really, they won a couple of FA Cups'. I would rather we say the latter.
Thoughts and views appreciated,
Come on you Gooners!
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