October was a nice month for us, and definitely the month in which our luck turned this season. As usual we have been slow starters, but this time it felt as our turnaround arrived early.
We are not really that much better off now than the same time last season though, but the confidence in and around the team is greater now than last season. Then, we recovered from the loss of Lescott and had to reshape our team that had seemed scattered and unfocused. Regaining cohesion and performing great towards the end of the season we found ourselves on top half once more.
Now, we are top half as well, if only 8th, and with no more than 3 points to spare on Wigan at 17th.
At least we are in the right place, at a time when the table is about to set, which puts us in a great position going forward.
Blackpool, led by charismatic Ian Holloway are our first opponents in a very exciting month. Bloomfield road has hardly been a stronghold for the newcomers, and their first victory at their own ground came in the last round when they defeated West Brom, another newly promoted team.
I can't see passed us winning this one. Maybe they will gain some confidence or momentum from finally winning at home, but I don't think it will be enough for them. We should outclass them.
Bolton at Goodison has been a nice match in the last few seasons. It has been some time since the wanderers has scored at our ground, and I think they might have a hard time getting anything passed Howard, and our defense that has been getting better and better lately. A hard opponent, as always, and I expect a close game with few goals. Home win, but with no more than two goals in it.
I already mentioned our start last season, that like seasons before that had been less than happy for us. Arsenal at Goodison was perhaps the rock bottom, that we hit in the very beginning. From then, everything got better because it couldn't get worse. The next time we met the Gunners, at Emirates, we were on top form and could have gotten even more than a draw from that one.
I think, that this time around it will be something in between those performances, hopefully a draw, but at least not a 5 goal defeat.
Sunderland, at stadium of light, is what awaits us the week after Arsenal has visited. Like with Bolton at home, Sunderland away has been good for us lately. An opponent that we rightfully respect, and it is perhaps that respect and focus that brings our superior quality out. Sunderland are good when they are allowed to defend and counter-attack. But we don't usually mind teams that like to sit back and defend, just let them try that approach, and we will grind them down.
West Bromwich Albion has been a success story this far into the season. They still play attacking, good football, but are more experienced this time around. A tough opponent, and one that might be a lot tougher than they are generally given credit for. They belong in the Premier League, because they have seemingly learned to curb their approach, so they are no longer naive, but they have maintained their positivity and focus on quality. I am looking forward to this match, it should contain some great football.
-MF
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