The celebrations at Swansea on Saturday rang out of 21 games undefeated, referring to 20 League games and 1 in the FA Cup mirroring that of the 1921/22 season, but for me it is all about the League and not the cup and it is the 20 game League record we have now set that counts.

If Saints go to Watford on Sunday and get beaten, then for some our undefeated record will be over, but not in my opinion, this season is all about the League and the cup is an aside and indeed one that could get in the way of our ultimate goal if we are not careful.

So for me the ultimate record is that of League games unbeaten, we have the ability to stretch that one a little further, but the FA Cup could halt the record dead in it's tracks at any moment, especially if we get drawn away to Liverpool or Manchester City should we beat Watford, who given the weakened team we are likely to field on Sunday will fancy their chances themselves.

Should they do just that and knock us out then we will be in the bizarre position of celebrating 21 games undefeated before the game, then having to amend the lyrics of the song at the final whistle to celebrate only 20.

The chances of us singing 44(+ with replays) at Wembley in May are fairly slim, indeed slimmer than actually reaching the 39 undefeated league total that we could potentially reach, if we carry on as we do.

That is why I would prefer the song to be about the 20 Championship games only and don't get our party being pooped by an FA Cup defeat.

However we do have to be very careful that this doesn't become a millstone around our neck, each game being more about staying undefeated rather than winning.

It has to be used as a spur to keep us on track, in recent weeks as we approached the record we have got to within a point of Ipswich, indeed we would have stayed above them on goal difference had they not snatched a last minute equaliser at Leicester, we have to stay focused on our task and that is the League.

Photo: Action Images

Stevebish added 10:39 - Jan 23 To be honest you almost want to lose the game at Watford as that will stop the unbeaten run and take the pressure off, while also enabling us to concentrate on the league.
-1

saintmark1976 added 11:02 - Jan 23 If we get beaten by Watford on Saturday Nick I would be astonished. The game is on Sunday.
2

SaintNick added 11:10 - Jan 23 stevebish, if we lose at Watford the unbeaten league run is not over, it is still in place,
1

Bowlercow added 11:40 - Jan 23 Would I like to win the FA cup but miss promotion to the PL Bet your boots I would I remember a second tier team beating the then mighty Man UTD to win the cup It took two more seasons after that to get into the first division But yes Nick like you I have counted to 20
1

highfield49 added 13:32 - Jan 23 Whatever team we put out at Watford I don't think it will be much weakened. As has been said many times in recent weeks we now have a squad that can be rotated without too much disruption in style, ability or application. We seem to have a decent second string goalkeeper, at last, and if the central core of say THB, Smallbone and Adams start the match then the left and right flanks can easily cope with the introduction of numerous alternatives very capable of playing at this level. We have nothing to fear except fear itself, or whatever the original 16th century quotation actually was, so let's just take it as another game that we learn and improve from no matter the result.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Everton Polls