Will we win the league this season? No

[supercity88]

Calm heads will get the job done. Arsenal still look like they're putting themselves under too much pressure. We had a distraction with the FA Cup, and even though we were behind it felt like a few changes would win us the game. Got it done in 90 minutes, gave key players a rest, others game time and now they've got a break to recharge before the final push.

I'm not sure Arsenal can cope with the physical and mental demand.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

A bit like the 115, we know what we want to happen, know what we think will happen but haven't the foggiest what will actually happen

 

[Victorinodennistua]

We won't know until the end, listening to the predictions are interesting nonetheless. Wouldn't mind a little GD insurance policy though, just in case.

We are missing too many chances this season despite having the majority of possession. Neither us or them are thumping teams like we used to, it’s just evenly poised. I hate Arsenal for giving us fresh hope. I know we are a different team with the knowledge to win games, but I have this feeling that it will be them to just nick it. I do say this every year mind.

 

[noseve]

Slightly off-piste, but 99.9% of the time I hate those annoying YouTube sidebar suggestions.

But every now and again... (if anybody wants to know why Sunderland have a warm place in the heart of many City fans, listen to this):

 

[Roachy]

I

We are missing too many chances this season despite having the majority of possession. Neither us or them are thumping teams like we used to, it’s just evenly poised. I hate Arsenal for giving us fresh hope. I know we are a different team with the knowledge to win games, but I have this feeling that it will be them to just nick it. I do say this every year mind.

I said a few weeks back that we are in the " one dropped bollock could be fatal" stage and nothing has changed. It's so evenly poised and one duff result could blow it for either team. I don't have the extreme confidence that some posters do that we'll get over the line, but fair do's to them for expressing it. Win our games and see where we end up, with a thumping win threw in for good measure along the way, lol.

 

[Coatigan]

Strange one regarding their game against West ham.
2 years ago when we were last in a title race with them, we had spurs fans wanting to lose against city to stop arsenal winning the league. This year they will be cheering arsenal on in a game at a similar time in the season

It's spurs fans, you never know with that lot.

 

[Berti No Show]

We had a clear and reasonable window to play Bournemouth this week, which would have allowed for a proper 5 day recovery period before facing Everton next Monday. Instead, we now find ourselves in a far more congested and disadvantageous position, having to fit an away trip to Bournemouth and a home fixture against Palace in between the FA Cup final and the final day of the season.

It's a scheduling outcome that's difficult to view as anything other than avoidable, and to some, it may even feel intentional. Cunts.

 

[supercity88]

We had a clear and reasonable window to play Bournemouth this week, which would have allowed for a proper 5 day recovery period before facing Everton next Monday. Instead, we now find ourselves in a far more congested and disadvantageous position, having to fit an away trip to Bournemouth and a home fixture against Palace in between the FA Cup final and the final day of the season.

It's a scheduling outcome that's difficult to view as anything other than avoidable, and to some, it may even feel intentional. Cunts.

I think we are better off having an extended break to then attack 6 games in 21 days.

We have had to give a lot mentally and physically to put ourselves in this position.

Now we can freshen up and have everyone fit and firing for the final push.

 

[Berti No Show]

I think we are better off having an extended break to then attack 6 games in 21 days.

We have had to give a lot mentally and physically to put ourselves in this position.

Now we can freshen up and have everyone fit and firing for the final push.

Possibly, but 3 days rest before the cup final does not seem ideal for us.

 

[supercity88]

Possibly, but 3 days rest before the cup final does not seem ideal for us.

It's not ideal, but it's often the case at the business end of the season. We might have had a CL semi final home and away over the next could of weeks as well so just got to take the positives.

I'm sure Pep would rather have the ability to have a rest and then a condensed period than a few extra days off before the cup final.

Not worth thinking too far ahead at the moment. Arsenal could blow up in the league which takes the pressure off that midweek game anyway. Or vice versa.

 

[LongsightM13]

If the tarquins are pinning their hopes on Brentford, Bournemouth and Everton then they should consider these teams have to come out and attack, which plays into our hands
If the odd lot can be 2-0 up against them then we will be

 

[domalino]

Calm heads will get the job done. Arsenal still look like they're putting themselves under too much pressure. We had a distraction with the FA Cup, and even though we were behind it felt like a few changes would win us the game. Got it done in 90 minutes, gave key players a rest, others game time and now they've got a break to recharge before the final push.

I'm not sure Arsenal can cope with the physical and mental demand.

I’m a little worried we’ve had 2 poor/average games in a row, but on the other hand, we know this side is likely to drop a poor performance every month or so and we got through two of them with 2 wins.

Not worried about goal difference too much because I don’t see Arsenal winning all 5 but I think we’re more likely to score extra goals against sides like Brentford and Villa.

 

[jrb]

Cue an Arsenal meltdown if this is allowed by the PL.

The scenario of potentially facing Bournemouth on 12 May and Palace on 19 May is understood to be among the other options suggested, a scenario that would allow City an extra day to recover for the Wembley showpiece.

It also means they could play their final two league games of the season at home.

Manchester City discuss end-of-season fixture scheduling with Premier League

Manchester City are in discussions with the Premier League over the scheduling of two fixtures that could prove crucial in the title race.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[ysmsa]

What’s this 3 league games in 6 days i’m hearing about

They aren’t proposing 3 games AFTER the FA Cup final?

Bullshit mate, that's what it is.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I
I said a few weeks back that we are in the " one dropped bollock could be fatal" stage and nothing has changed. It's so evenly poised and one duff result could blow it for either team. I don't have the extreme confidence that some posters do that we'll get over the line, but fair do's to them for expressing it. Win our games and see where we end up, with a thumping win threw in for good measure along the way, lol.

Yes, I’ve been reminded this last couple of weeks of the gut wrenching tension that accompanies these run ins. One red card, goalkeeping error, or slip and you can lose the league, or cup. Some of these moments have worked in our favour over the years: Gerrard, Iheanacho, lukaku, Son, to name but three, and I’m filled with fear that it’s going to kill us this year.

I actually thought the Arsenal equaliser last week might have been that moment but it wasn’t. I’ve just got a sense that something awful is going to happen.

 

[Berti No Show]

What’s this 3 league games in 6 days i’m hearing about

They aren’t proposing 3 games AFTER the FA Cup final?

Again, this goes back to the same point I made earlier. The FA had room to be far more flexible with this. They could easily have moved the Everton game to the Saturday as there wouldn't have been a policing issue on Merseyside, especially with Liverpool already scheduled to play United at Old Trafford on the Sunday.

From there, it would have been straightforward to slot the Bournemouth fixture into either this week or next week and avoid the congestion altogether. As it stands, it just feels like a situation that could have been managed much better with a bit of foresight.

 

[ysmsa]

Cue an Arsenal meltdown if this is allowed by the PL.

The scenario of potentially facing Bournemouth on 12 May and Palace on 19 May is understood to be among the other options suggested, a scenario that would allow City an extra day to recover for the Wembley showpiece.

It also means they could play their final two league games of the season at home.

Manchester City discuss end-of-season fixture scheduling with Premier League

Manchester City are in discussions with the Premier League over the scheduling of two fixtures that could prove crucial in the title race.

www.bbc.co.uk

UEFA and the PL can fuck off.

They are the reason teams are in this position with games to fit in this late in the season.

Don't forget, Palace were allowed to cheat to win the cup and qualify for Europe. But then were demoted to a piss easy competition on a technicality.
Would they have got to Europa semi, maybe but it would have been harder.

 

[ysmsa]

Again, this goes back to the same point I made earlier. The FA had room to be far more flexible with this. They could easily have moved the Everton game to the Saturday as there wouldn't have been a policing issue on Merseyside, especially with Liverpool already scheduled to play United at Old Trafford on the Sunday.

From there, it would have been straightforward to slot the Bournemouth fixture into either this week or next week and avoid the congestion altogether. As it stands, it just feels like a situation that could have been managed much better with a bit of foresight.

You are right, but if we lost to Soton it wouldn't have been an issue.

 

[Berti No Show]

At this stage, there's no room for relying on anything else, we simply have to approach every game with the mindset of winning it. There's a lot of talk about Arsenal potentially slipping up, but the reality is they're more than capable of winning all 4 of their remaining fixtures.

Even against Newcastle, when they looked a bit nervy, they still found a way to defend their lead and come away with all 3 points - and that's what top sides do at this stage of the season and it's all that matters. The pressure is then put back onto us to win our games. Winning breeds confidence, no matter how you win these games. This is why I stand by the fact that winning at Burnley was huge - especially coming 3 days after the gruelling match against Arsenal.

That's exactly why we can’t afford to take any chances or look elsewhere for favours. The only thing in our control is our own results, and that has to be the focus - go out, be clinical and try to win every single game left. Forget about Arsenal.

 

[Berti No Show]

You are right, but if we lost to Soton it wouldn't have been an issue.

But surely the FA should have planned for this?