Writer: Mike Field 
Date:Thursday October 8 2009
Time: 9:00AM
Stiliyan Petrov has his sights firmly set on the Top 4 this season after last season's close shave.
Speaking to SSN, Petrov believes our draw against Manchester City shows we can deal with the chasing pack, and after our experience and the disappointment of last season that we are well placed to improve on that.
The pundits are all tipping the Top 4 chasers to be the usual Everton, Villa, Spurs and now Man City, with Villa obviously having the benefit of experience from being 8 points clear of Arsenal before our form caught up with us.
'The experience of being in the top four for much of last season was great. The early signs have been encouraging and we are trying to achieve.'
Petrov also points to our results over the past few seasons, to indicate our last campaign wasn't a one off and to answer any critics that it is blind loyalty to believe that a 'lucky draw' (in my opinion, I know plenty disagree) against Man City means we can make it this season.
'We've shown in the last three seasons that we can compete. We've had good results in that time against the top teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.'
Personally I'd have said Chelsea, not Man U buy hey ho.
'The experiences of the past couple of years will also stand the younger players in good stead for the battles ahead.'
Now if we could find a Plan B or a way to not have Heskey be a minus one when he's on he pitch, we'd be all set.![]()
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