Slowly, we are returning

It's been over two weeks since I last posted, and since then we've won against Swansea and drew against Dortmund in the Champions League. Progress? Slightly.

We're not playing excellent football, that will soon come, but we are efficient enough in our displays. A wonder goal (and it truly was a one off strike from Perisic) prevented us from winning away at Borussia Dortmund, who are a fantastic team.

To demand a high scoring victory over Swansea was extreme. The main objective was to win, and win we did. Unconvincingly it has to be said. At times we clung on. Yet a 1-0 victory over Swansea got us the same points as Man Utd got for beating us by a considerable higher scoreline. Yes, goal difference could come into things. But we have over 30 games to fix that.

If we can keep grinding out these results whilst our team are finding their feet, then we will definitely be up there with the best of them, in England and in Europe. Players like Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta will influence this team,  not only on the pitch but in the dressing room too. Ju Young Parks workrate will be infectious. Per Mertesacker's presence in the team will be exactly as it appears: commanding.

We aren't the Invincibles. No team will ever be that good. But we are still a very good side. With a lot of room for improvement. Wojciech Szczesny will carry on getting better, as will Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Frimpong, Aaron Ramsey and more frighteningly so will Jack Wilshere. Add this to prospects such as Ryo Miyaichi, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then there is plenty to be excited about.

Sure, we should be in a far better place. But not everything works out the way it should. We have to react to every hit we take, and we are just about getting there. If this season we can hang on and keep battling away, we will reach the summit of English football in the near future. Is this team capable of challenging for the top? Of course they are.

Tomorrow is another big test. We've fared better at Ewood Park in the past few seasons than what we usually do, and with Blackburn in a mess, I expect us to go and show what we're made of. Stand up and be counted. How many people have dismissed us? It's about time we shut the haters up.

Very slowly we are picking up momentum. Expect us to continue that tomorrow afternoon.