You Just Can't Rely on Arsenal.

It's been a bad few days for football results.

First of all, City managed to come from in front to lose at Ipswich.  I wasn't suprised.  My mother told me that City were sure to win, but... she says that EVERY week. Of course she's right sometimes.  But apart from the very rare good result, Portman Road's never been a good place for us.  I remember going there to see us get tonked 5-0.  I think it was 1979.  I haven't checked.

Also this Sunday, Arsenal did the same trick as City to lose at Old Trafford.  Couldn't they hold on to a lead... just this time?  I thought they were supposed to be good at that.  I suspect they'd rather give United (and "Smug Player of the Year", Ronaldo) the title on a plate rather than let Chelsea take it back to London.  Chelsea's lost points to Wigan on Monday has surely settled it, and has kept me away from the sports pages since then.

You can't rely on Arsenal.  I've NEVER been that keen on them (on any teams that play in red... or blue) but on occasions I've rooted for them (like this week) and they've ALWAYS let me down.  The BIG one of course was the 1978 Cup Final when they were hot favourites to beat Ipswich.  YOU know what happened.  What a painful day!

And a few years ago I cheeered at hearing the news from the Cup Semi-Final that Arsenal were 1-0 up against ten-man Manchester United with only minutes to go.  Again, YOU know what happened.  And are we allowed to forget it?  Those Ryan Giggs goals are rolled out by the BBC at any excuse.

Well, back to City.  It looks like we should still be in the Championship for next season, and I do have a little confidence in Roeder to put a solid challenge together.

As for where the chips are going to fall in the next few weeks, the Premiership does seem to be staying at Old Trafford.  In fact I'd be in favour of handing them the Champions League too, on condition that we don't see them on TV any more this season.

As for Ipswich, perhaps the most fun would be to see them get to the Wembley play-off final and be well beaten by some other "City"... Stoke, Bristol, or Hull.  Or perhaps lose on penalties after dominating the game.  OH YES!!! That's the best!