It's pretty nailed on that it will be top 5.There might not be anything between 3rd, 4th and 5th by the last couple of games. I saw figures earlier in the week showing England top of the coefficients table and top two countries get an extra place.
Though it would be piss funny to finish above Arsenal.
Looked like the preparation for next season started yesterday.Not sure if there is any finishing 3rd over 4th. Just hope we can secure either and get as much meaningful game time into the new players and McAtee/Lewis. The preparation for next season should be starting now.
There's some logic to what you say but the team will be out to win on Wednesday and progress as far as possible in the CL, that's just the way Pep is and I wouldn't want it any different TBHHad a thought related to this last night and decided to look at our league form this season when we've had to juggle a midweek cup game and a league game at the weekend.
Seems pretty obvious actually when it's laid out like that. At the start of the season when we were playing every seven days we were doing brilliantly. As the season's gone on, midweek games have hit us harder and harder. Hopefully once we're out against Madrid and back into a weekly run results and performances should pick up again.2-0 W vs Chelsea
4-1 W vs Ipswich
3-1 W vs West Ham
2-1 W vs Brentford
---- D 1-1 Champions League vs. Inter ----
2-2 D vs Arsenal
---- W 2-1 League Cup vs. Watford ----
1-1 D vs Newcastle
---- W 4-0 Champions League vs. Bratislava ----
3-2 W vs Fulham
2-1 W vs Wolves
---- W 5-0 Champions League vs. Sparta Prague ----
1-0 W vs Southampton
---- L 1-2 League Cup vs. Tottenham ----
1-2 L vs Bournemouth
---- L 1-4 Champions League vs. Sporting ----
1-2 L vs Brighton
0-4 L vs Tottenham
---- D 3-3 Champions League vs. Feyenoord ----
0-2 L vs Liverpool
3-0 W vs Forest
2-2 D vs Crystal Palace
---- L 0-2 Champions League vs. Juventus ----
1-2 L vs Manchester United
1-2 L vs Aston Villa
1-1 D vs Everton
2-0 W vs Leicester
4-1 W vs West Ham
---- W 8-0 FA Cup vs. Salford City ----
2-2 D vs Brentford
6-0 W vs Ipswich
---- L 2-4 Champions League vs. PSG ----
3-1 W v Chelsea
---- W 3-1 Champions League vs. Club Brugge ----
5-1 L v Arsenal
---- W 2-1 FA Cup vs. Leyton Orient ----
---- L 2-3 Champions League vs. Real Madrid ----
That run at the start of the season when we had no other commitments is the best we've played this season, and that run of games between the Juventus and PSG ties is when it started to feel a bit like City again... until the Champions League came back and we started looking leggy and tired and devoid of ideas again.
Our record in Premier League games after a full 5-7 days rest this season is W7 D1 L3 (70% win rate - gets you roughly 75-78 points over a season). Our record in Premier League games after 2-4 days rest is W5 D4 L4 (39% win rate - gets you roughly 57-59 points over 38 games). Hopefully we can trend up again once Madrid knock us out.
When we look back at this season I think Pep's decision to go strong at Spurs, which resulted in Akanji and Dias both getting injured, started this bizarre run that's seen basically everyone except Haaland, Gundogan, Bernardo, and Gvardiol go down with some kind of injury. Hopefully we can just get the next two weeks out of the way.
But on the other hand, we just have a squad that's full of players who can't manage the schedule of two games per week anymore. The rest of this season should be about consolidating what we've got (top 4-5, go for the FA Cup if we can) and focusing on next season instead of over-extending ourselves in the Champions League.
When United start creeping up the leagueWhen do we know if its top 4 or 5 who qualify?
It's pretty nailed on that it will be top 5.
Great results for us this weekend and the fight is on. I don't think it means anything different to finish 2nd or 5th. As far as I can tell prem clubs go straight in to the league stage.
To be fair we only have ourselves to blame for where we finished in that league table. We had enough easy games.With the new champs league format you get no benefit from finishing 1st or 5th just look at Villa draw they got after not being in the champs league for decades! Look at the draws we got when we first got into the champs league with the seedings hampered us for years!
Also for coaching and bedding in new players into the team . Pep needs more time with the playersNot being in the Champions League is going to do us a huge favour. You're talking about a potential 6 more huge games midweek that we won't have to play. Could be vital for squad fitness. We can also go full tilt at the FA Cup.
Being in the Champions League latter stages is too much for this squad where they are fitness wise this season. Concentrate on securing top 4/5 and our place in the competition next season and plug away with the rebuild in the summer for another go at things next year.
We need to learn from that experience, however, because, should we qualify, we might land an even harder draw next autumn. That’s why it’s imperative that the club gives Guardiola a stronger, deeper, and fitter squad and that he adapts so as to have as many as possible in form. It’s doable but probably won’t be without hiccup.To be fair we only have ourselves to blame for where we finished in that league table. We had enough easy games.
If finishing anywhere 1 - 5 is enough that's great as it takes some pressure off. Just need to make it safe as early as possible.
Not bad for a potentially sinking ship…Still confident we will finish 3rd
He is clearly lampooning all the fanny wipes from last season.Bournemouth won’t drop ANY more points?
Finishing 2nd over Arsenal would really upset the tarquins and send their fan base into more fake outrage.It's pretty nailed on that it will be top 5.
Great results for us this weekend and the fight is on. I don't think it means anything different to finish 2nd or 5th. As far as I can tell prem clubs go straight in to the league stage.
I think so. Dortmund and Bologna both did this seasonIt's pretty nailed on that it will be top 5.
Great results for us this weekend and the fight is on. I don't think it means anything different to finish 2nd or 5th. As far as I can tell prem clubs go straight in to the league stage.
We are unlikely to add a new Gundog / Kova when we have Rodri and Gonzalez. O'Reilly, Bobb, Macatee and Echeverri are good prospects tooLooked like the preparation for next season started yesterday.
Gonzalez running the show. Khus looking great next to Boulders and Marmoush wreaking havoc.
Add a proper RB, new Kev and new Gundog/ Kova and we’re looking very smart.
Not for a while yet… Depends on how various countries teams do in Europe. However its looking favourable, would take an absolute disaster from all English teams to not happen I believe. A win over Madrid would help enormously!! :)When do we know if its top 4 or 5 who qualify?
Obviously 2nd is better than anything lower but I'd take 5th now if it means we get CL next year and I guess more importantly we start to look like a decent side with our newer younger players all part of it.Finishing 2nd over Arsenal would really upset the tarquins and send their fan base into more fake outrage.
Yeah. Hopefully all the top 8 sides keep beating each other and it should open up for us.Top 4 now looks very very much a goer which is joyful ..