Lucy’s Last Word: ‘Our form has improved but we face a race against time to survive’

As the saying goes, ‘it’s tough at the top’. But as it turns out, it’s also quite tough at the bottom too.

Because at a glance, February wasn’t too bad for us. If we’d looked at the fixtures beforehand, we probably wouldn’t have expected anything against Chelsea anyway, we’d have loved a point against Man United, we’d be glad to stay in the FA Cup and we knew we’d get zilch at Anfield.

But somehow it feels like we could have got more points than we did and maybe had some more luck go our way.

The Relegation Scrap: Points Over Performances

When it comes to being at the bottom, points matter more than performances. We’ve improved, there’s no doubt, and that detail feels good. We’re a bit less whiney and a bit more encouraged.

However, we’re regularly looking at other results of teams around us, and predicting that date we’ll be confirmed for the drop.

The impending probability of relegation suddenly feels less like anger and more like disappointment – thinking of what could have been if we’d started to play more like this in October rather than now.

The gap is closing with the teams around us, it’s not all doom and gloom. Every game (cliche alert!) is a final from here on in.

Defensive Frailties and Difficult Fixtures Ahead

There are difficult fixtures ahead. Man City are on a roll and Villa have some making up to do, so it feels like we’ll do well to get anything out of those two games – and if we don’t, it feels like the end of hope.

The fans are definitely appreciating the extra effort. The team feels more like a unit.

That said, we can see where the gaps are. Liverpool are difficult opponents on any day, but a couple of the goals you saw coming about three passes before the strike.

Our defenders allowed too much space and were just a step behind.

A defensive masterclass might not win a game, but we definitely need to smarten up at the back.

Losing Control of Our Destiny (But Let’s Take Spurs Down)

Then if a bit of luck goes our way, some more of those chances might turn into goals and we’ll look in better shape.

But still, it feels like we’re close to not being in charge of our own destiny and that’s the worst place to be. It’s too little, too late.

The least we can do is bring Spurs down with us.