While it is difficult and possibly clutching at straws, after much reflection and finally getting over Sunday’s performance there are some positives.

- We surely can't play as naively again as we did at the weekend. If it represents a low point in our defensive prowess, hopefully the gaffer ran the riot act and we can finally get our act together. The defeat was as much to do with a lack of team defensive discipline as it was individual errors.

- Better to play badly in the League and have another 14 games to make it up than have a horror story in the Champions League which is our only other hope of silverware.

- The Chelsea game offers quick retribution for players to prove themselves at the top level, they should be chomping at the bit. Wenger spoke of a "different animal," I want to see wounded tigers next week.

- We won at Chelsea last season and will have some players back/fitter such as Diaby and Bendtner who will give us added physical presence.

- Win at Chelsea and the gap is five points assuming they beat Hull - which I have no doubt about. Hardly down and out, although as Wenger said we need something special...

- Chelsea still have Liverpool, Everton, Man Utd & Tottenham away and Man City & Villa at home. Man Utd too have tough fixtures remaining such as trips to Goodison, Villa Park and The Stadium of Light. Nothing is won or lost in January and May is a long way off still. There is also the small matter of Manure vs Chelski to come.

- In comparison we have a less daunting run in, on paper only Man City, Stoke and Birmingham could prove tricky.

- Light a candle and pray that RVP is fit in March. He is back in training.

- We are at Birmingham the same weekend Chelsea entertain a tough Villa side and Man Utd go to a Bolton side with a certain Jack Wilshere. I smell an Eduardo brace to banish the memories of 2008 and bring us back into the title race at the very stage where we fell badly two seasons ago. Sometimes sport writes such scripts...

- If Nani can suddenly play well maybe there is hope for Clichy and Denilson.

- If we win the title it will be one of the greatest accomplishments in our history. Oh and it’s 21 years since 1989, Mickey Thomas and all that. Read Perry Groves' book for an account of how the impossible is possible.

Feel better yet?