Ally Robertson: Until relegation is confirmed, I will keep believing
This team has already been written off, but until there is an R next to our name, there is still hope.
I must admit I was encouraged by the performance at Vicarage Road, and commitment was shown by both the players and the fans, who were absolutely fantastic.
We deserved to get something from the game and if Salomon Rondon had just put away one of those chances, we could have come away with a win.
If we play like we did against Huddersfield, there is no hope, but if we keep playing like we did against Watford we have a chance, even if it is a slim one.
After six defeats in a row, morale is probably at an all-time low, but hopefully the players take a crumb of confidence from that performance.
Alan Pardew switched to a five-man midfield for that game, and we looked far more secure without the ball.
The home crowd will probably be hoping for something slightly more adventurous this weekend, but it’s worth remembering the team created chances against Watford.
It doesn’t matter what formation you play, as long as you win. By this stage of the season, I couldn’t care less if we played absolutely dreadful, as long as we managed to pick up some points.
Chris Brunt was moved into central midfield at Watford. I prefer him on the left wing myself, but don’t mind where Pardew plays him as long as he’s on the pitch.
I still maintain he is our most creative players currently available.
There have been a few calls for Pardew to throw the youngsters into the team because the senior players have failed this season.
I understand the sentiment, but personally think that’s a dangerous ploy.
When things are going this bad, throwing an academy player into this pressurised environment could set them back on their development.
If the team does go down with a few games to spare, that would be the time to take a look at the young proteges at the club, and assess which ones will be useful next season.
Until then, we need to lean on the experienced professionals in the group to deal with the pressure.
Saturday will be a difficult game, because Claude Puel has got Leicester playing well.
But I refuse to give up hope until we are mathematically down.
Leicester proved a few seasons ago that miraculous escapes are possible. Let’s hope ours starts this weekend.
