Will we win the league this season?

If we can keep within 5 points of the leaders to January and strengthen in january anderson semenyo etc get Rodri fit again. Then were favourites
 
I mentioned on here the other day that arsenal only had 2 wins from 4 games and that draws are starting to creep in. Now that's 2 wins from 5..with a loss in.

Someone replied and said those two draws were to solid teams and insinuated we shouldn't read too much into it

I disagree. Dropped points are dropped points. There's no asterisk to say that they were a against decent sides that changes the tally.

They're clearly winning less than they had been. 2 wins from 5 isn't great form, it's irrelevant who took those points from you and how good they are. Maybe just a few signs they're not some dominant force compared to the rest this season.

That said, I'll be stunned if they drop any points next weekend v Wolves
 
Scaring Europe to Death said:
I agree to a point, but we also need a really big statement victory rather than just relying on beating two promoted teams at the Etihad when Arsenal were facing a couple of difficult away fixtures (one of which we also lost)

Sooner or later Arsenal might be facing Wolves when we have a difficult opponent

Arsenal will be feeling like we did in 2011-12 and I can still recall the agony of our defeats at Swansea and Arsenal (ironically when Arteta scored) and the feeling that we'd blown it.

However let's not forget that the United machine was starting to creak and that despite all the trauma we still ended the season as Champions
Click to expand...
Winning at Real Madrid would be a nice statement.
 
City have done great some far considering the fuckups happening in defence. This is one thing I cant put my fingers at. Our defence more or less is Nunes Dias Gvardiol and OReilly. Extremely talented set of players marshalled by Nico G. Another great player but he aint Rodri. So comparing it with our other title winning sides. I can only find two faults - Nunes not walker at RB. Instead of Rodri Gundo we got Nico BSilva.
Is this such a big difference that arguably the best defence of last 4-5 years have started shipping goals like Burnley.
Pep needs to get the hold of that.

In terms of title challenge, one thing to remember is that we have trips to Anfield and Stamford bridge to go to - Arsenal took 1 point from those trips and are 2 points ahead. How many points do you guys think we take from it ?
 
I was curious about the narrative that Arsenal have played harder games, so wanted to look at it. We've both played 7 of the top 10, they've played 3 home, 4 away, we've played 4 home, 3 away. However, we've been to their place, they haven't come to ours, so I would say that's even.

You could maybe make the argument that Newcastle and United would be top half. Newcastle we've both played away, United I just wouldn't call a difficult away game, traditionally it's always been hard for Arsenal which is why they say as much.

You would probably expect Sunderland to drop, removing one of their top half away games and they have 7 players at AFCON when we go there.

They've also play 4 of the bottom 5, 6 of the bottom 7, most at home which are essentially gimmes.

ArsenalCity
HomeAwayHomeAway
1. Arsenal 33 pointsN/AN/A(18 Apr)*1 point
2. City 31 points1 point(18 Apr)*N/AN/A
3. Villa 30 points(30 Dec)0 points(24 May)*0 points
4. Chelsea 25 points(28 Feb)*1 point(4 Jan)(11 Apr)*
5. Everton 24 points(14 Mar)*(20 Dec)3 points(2 May)*
6. Crystal Palace 23 points (14g)3 points(24 May)*(21 Mar)*(14 Dec)
7. Sunderland 23 points(7 Feb)*1 point3 points(1 Jan)
8. Liverpool 23 points(8 Jan)0 points3 points(7 Feb)*
9. Spurs 22 points3 points(21 Feb)*0 points(1 Feb)
10. Brighton 22 points (14g)(27 Dec)(4 Mar)*(7 Jan)0 points
11. Newcastle 22 points(25 Apr)*3 points(21 Feb)*0 points
12. United 22 points (14g)(25 Jan)3 points3 points(17 Jan)
13. Bournemouth 20 points(11 Apr)*(3 Jan)3 points(17 May)*
14. Brentford 19 points3 points(11 Feb)*(9 May)*3 points
15. Fulham 17 points (14g)(2 May)*3 points(11 Feb)*3 points
16. Leeds 15 points3 points(31 Jan)3 points(28 Feb)*
17. Forest 15 points3 points(17 Jan)(4 Mar)*(27 Dec)
18. West Ham 12 points (14g)3 points(9 May)*(20 Dec)(14 Mar)*
19. Burnley 10 points(17 May)*3 points3 points(25 Apr)*
20. Wolves 2 points (14g)(13 Dec)(21 Mar)*(24 Jan)3 points


Now I'm not expecting us to win the title this season, I do think Arsenal have looked better so far but I am optimistic that it could start clicking for us soon, granted we've only 14 or 15 players I semi-trust.

Ultimately though, the point of the post is that I think our fixtures have been pretty even and we've had the benefit of going to their place already...And we were a last minute goal away there from being 1 point top ourselves.
 
coolcity said:
Sorry but he's right. Nobody knows what the score of the next match will be but that's a different subject entirely. The big issue in this forum, particularly in the post-match, is the unfortunately quite high number of idiots who lose the plot completly after a bad result.

One clown early on in the season said "We're light years behind Liverpool and it will take 2 seasons at least to catch them. Plenty more have said, even after the Leeds then the Fulham matches, that we have no chance of catching Arsenal. Another said Arsenal won't lose 4 matches this season. Well they've lost 2 in 15 so why wouldn't they lose 2 more in the next 23?

Meanwhile everybody knows who Pep should have played or brought on because it's easy AFTER you've seen the outcome, but they still know better and "Pep should go" - I even saw those three immortal words after the Fulham match, while another was slating the recruitment from the manager, coaches and players right up to the owners - yes, we now need a change of ownership!

Then of course we have the Scapegoat of the Season. This time it's Savinho, last season it was mostly Doku and Gonzalez.

These are just a few of the gems we have had, some as recently as last Tuesday. The reality is they're all clueless to varying degrees but it's entertaining and annoying at the same time.

As i said in the post-match last night, I think the mistake that many are making is that they don't see this as a 90-100 point team and assume that because we're not going to hit those heights we have no chance of winning it. It probably isn't at the moment, but what they don't realise is neither is any other team - we won't need 90 points to win the league.
Click to expand...
You're a tad pompous, always trying to come across as No 1 City fan, never worried about a poor result or performance and demeaning/insulting/ridiculing the views of others, like you're some sort of football genius and guru yourself. Difficult I know, but try and get over yourself.
 
Mancini’s Pastilles said:
If we can keep within 5 points of the leaders to January and strengthen in january anderson semenyo etc get Rodri fit again. Then were favourites
Click to expand...
I'm not picking on you in particular - this is a general observation.
We're not playing FIFA 26, or whatever it is these days.
Generally we haven't done much January business under Pep, and to bring in the 2 mentioned we'd have to shift players which is far from straightforward.
I've gotta be honest with Semenyo - just because he hit a hot streak people are pleading for him, and I don't see a way we shoehorn him in.
Anderson would work to rotate with Bernie though
I see us pretty much going with what we have hoping Rodri is back in the NY - we've got something that's starting to click let's see where we go
 
At the beginning of the season I thought we stood no chance of winning it; sides in transition don’t win the title do they?
But we have surpassed what I thought was possible. I still think Arsenal are strongest but we have a glimmer of a chance thanks to Pep. Villa too are very strong. A great ride in prospect. C’mon City.
 
IrishBlueSince92 said:
Not a chance

Too inconsistent and their keeper and centre half’s aren’t up to it
Click to expand...
You might be right but a year ago no way would that keeper and centra halves have held out for a draw against arsenal playing with 10 men for over an hour.

They have definitely improved. Will it be enough? Well no because I think we are going to win it but if it was only them up against Arsenal I would give them a great chance
 
pepguardiola'smoustache said:
Utter twaddle.
Click to expand...
It’s not really twaddle i get what he’s saying in that there feels like there is less pressure when you are chasing.

Already the narrative can be written that arsenal have blown the chance to build a insurmountable lead and have now allowed our selves and Villa maybe even Chelsea back into fight.
 
IcriedwhenTueartleft said:
You're a tad pompous, always trying to come across as No 1 City fan, never worried about a poor result or performance and demeaning/insulting/ridiculing the views of others, like you're some sort of football genius and guru yourself. Difficult I know, but try and get over yourself.
Click to expand...
He’s calling out fans who absolutely lose their shit when a single match weekend of results don’t go our way and he is 100% correct in doing so. Guess what? Next weekend might go in arsenals favour and the gap again goes to 4 or 5 points but that doesnt mean the sky is falling in or that the title race is over for us.

A lot of football is still to be played and there are going to be ups and downs
 
MCFC1993 said:
I was curious about the narrative that Arsenal have played harder games, so wanted to look at it. We've both played 7 of the top 10, they've played 3 home, 4 away, we've played 4 home, 3 away. However, we've been to their place, they haven't come to ours, so I would say that's even.

You could maybe make the argument that Newcastle and United would be top half. Newcastle we've both played away, United I just wouldn't call a difficult away game, traditionally it's always been hard for Arsenal which is why they say as much.

You would probably expect Sunderland to drop, removing one of their top half away games and they have 7 players at AFCON when we go there.

They've also play 4 of the bottom 5, 6 of the bottom 7, most at home which are essentially gimmes.

ArsenalCity
HomeAwayHomeAway
1. Arsenal 33 pointsN/AN/A(18 Apr)*1 point
2. City 31 points1 point(18 Apr)*N/AN/A
3. Villa 30 points(30 Dec)0 points(24 May)*0 points
4. Chelsea 25 points(28 Feb)*1 point(4 Jan)(11 Apr)*
5. Everton 24 points(14 Mar)*(20 Dec)3 points(2 May)*
6. Crystal Palace 23 points (14g)3 points(24 May)*(21 Mar)*(14 Dec)
7. Sunderland 23 points(7 Feb)*1 point3 points(1 Jan)
8. Liverpool 23 points(8 Jan)0 points3 points(7 Feb)*
9. Spurs 22 points3 points(21 Feb)*0 points(1 Feb)
10. Brighton 22 points (14g)(27 Dec)(4 Mar)*(7 Jan)0 points
11. Newcastle 22 points(25 Apr)*3 points(21 Feb)*0 points
12. United 22 points (14g)(25 Jan)3 points3 points(17 Jan)
13. Bournemouth 20 points(11 Apr)*(3 Jan)3 points(17 May)*
14. Brentford 19 points3 points(11 Feb)*(9 May)*3 points
15. Fulham 17 points (14g)(2 May)*3 points(11 Feb)*3 points
16. Leeds 15 points3 points(31 Jan)3 points(28 Feb)*
17. Forest 15 points3 points(17 Jan)(4 Mar)*(27 Dec)
18. West Ham 12 points (14g)3 points(9 May)*(20 Dec)(14 Mar)*
19. Burnley 10 points(17 May)*3 points3 points(25 Apr)*
20. Wolves 2 points (14g)(13 Dec)(21 Mar)*(24 Jan)3 points


Now I'm not expecting us to win the title this season, I do think Arsenal have looked better so far but I am optimistic that it could start clicking for us soon, granted we've only 14 or 15 players I trust.

Ultimately though, the point of the post is that I think our fixtures have been pretty even and we've had the benefit of going to their place already...And we were a last minute goal away there from being 1 point top ourselves.
Click to expand...
That table doesn’t give me much confidence honestly. They have to still play away to Everton, Palace, Us, Spurs and Brighton. We on the other hand would have to go to Chelsea, Everton, Palace, Sunderland, Pool, Spurs and rags. So that’s 7 tough away games compared to their 5.
 
Danny Tiatto said:
It’s not really twaddle i get what he’s saying in that there feels like there is less pressure when you are chasing.

Already the narrative can be written that arsenal have blown the chance to build a insurmountable lead and have now allowed our selves and Villa maybe even Chelsea back into fight.
Click to expand...
So if arsenal somehow lose on saturday to wolves (i know, i know, but i'm hypothesizing) it is better that we don't beat palace on sunday in order that we can stay behind arsenal to hunt them down later in the season?
 
roy.or.r said:
That table doesn’t give me much confidence honestly. They have to still play away to Everton, Palace, Us, Spurs and Brighton. We on the other hand would have to go to Chelsea, Everton, Palace, Sunderland, Pool, Spurs and rags. So that’s 7 tough away games compared to their 5.
Click to expand...

Not disrespecting Sunderland but they'll have 7 players at AFCON when we face them. So it should be an easier game.

I also think Leeds away will be a difficult game for both teams. Generally I usually think United (A) is okay for us, Arsenal usually struggle there more. Spurs could be another 'we don't really want to win' type game. Liverpool (A) is usually a write off but we just don't know with this current Liverpool team.

Can't write off the home games either, every title race Arsenal have dropped points unexpectedly at home.

There are a lot of variables, I think the most decisive variable is that we've been to their ground. Give me 2 points behind Arsenal, with them needing to come to the Etihad, we take that.

We still need to improve and hope Arsenal fall off a touch though.
 
Danny Tiatto said:
It’s not really twaddle i get what he’s saying in that there feels like there is less pressure when you are chasing.

Already the narrative can be written that arsenal have blown the chance to build a insurmountable lead and have now allowed our selves and Villa maybe even Chelsea back into fight.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but in one breath you're belittling posters who think the world has caved-in following a bad result.(and I don't necessarily disagree) but in the next breath you're doing the exact same thing when a couple of results work in our favour

Arsenal lost at Villa (so did we) and drew at Stamford Bridge where we've still got to visit and Chelsea are the weirdest and most spectacularly inconsistent team in the PL so I take every opinion of their prospects with a pinch of salt.

Forget the "we always finish the season strongly" bollocks

Our best chance of winning the PL is by blowing everyone out of the water with a run of consecutive victories like we did in 17-18 and 20-21
In doing that we'll have beaten all our rivals en route
 
handsofstone said:
Still think no, were still a bit vulnerable

Not going to read too much into Arsenal dropping points away to Villa, Villa are arguably the form team in the league

Also you know Gabriel/saliba return will be huge for them

Its a funny ol season, a injury to Rice could really set them back...likewise and injury to haaland would do the same for us

We could, but I'll still make Arsenal favorites
Click to expand...
Arsenal have dropped points to Villa, Liverpool, 10 man Chelsea and ourselves and needed a 96th minute goal to beat Newcastle. Then most of their wins are by the odd goal, so I don't believe that they are the wonder team that many (especially on here) have built them up to be.

Meanwhile we consistently outscore teams and while it's true Haaland is the top scorer (as you would expect), we don't know how well Marmoush would do if he gets a run, especially with the likes of Foden and Cherki on fire. Villa are only 3 points behind them and their top scorers only have 4 goals each so I wouldn't read too much into that. Arsenal would be similarly vulnerable if they lost Havertz or Saka.

I think we're the better team even if we may let in a few more, but people only look at what might happen if we lost our player. The reality is they're starting to panic (just take a look at the fan videos on YouTube), while we're improving all the time. We have every chance and if I were neutral I know who my money would be on.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top