Will we win the league this season? No

I’m not one to stick my neck out, and after all my years supporting city, I tend to be both resigned in accepting when it’s not our season (or what you might call “typical city”), but grateful for everything this club has brought us. Whatever happens these days, I’m pretty calm. We’ve got a great squad of likeable players, who have kicked on towards the end of this season, the best academy probably in the world, the best manager of all time (and one day, hopefully not too soon, he’ll leave one of the greatest legacies in English football), and some of the best unique moments that fans of any clubs in any sports have ever witnessed. We’ve won a cup. We might win another.

And guess what. We’ll be back next year, the year after, and the year after that. I don’t think you would confidently say the same about Arsenal - that’s why this season seems to be all or nothing for them (no wonder, you might say, they’ve been getting a bit of help). I also think it’s a nice “win” to be recognised, albeit through temporary and tribal eyes, by fans of 18 other Premier League clubs and probably a few others around the world, as the saviours of footballing style. I’m not saying we’re liked or that I’d give one hoot if we weren’t. But it’s nice in any circumstances to be seen for the positive open-play football that we do our best to embody.

All of that said, here’s the punchline. I can’t shake it off, but I have this nagging feeling unlike any I can remember having before, that we are about to witness the biggest bottle job of all time. I don’t think I’m deluding myself because I’m actually very calm - I’ve seen us win the thing enough times, and whilst I’d always want to win it again, it wouldn’t ruin my summer if we didn’t get over the line. As I say, we’ll do it next year without any refereeing support (and without an arguable asterisk). But I do think they’ll bottle it. And I think that might be in their last game of the season against Palace. And though they’ll do nothing (nor can do anything) to impact that, I think that might even be palatable to the Premier League as a marketable, hilarious story and a bit of last day drama.

Who’s with me?
 
Keepingthefaithsince1976 said:
City scored against Burnley after 7 minutes & struggled to score again...Burnley have scored a few recently...I'd never bet against City.
Click to expand...
Oh, i'm not betting against City; i've seen the fight in Pep and the players over the past eight weeks, and i'd consider a League Cup and FA Cup Double to be a fantastic season for the Blues, and i'd have nothing but admiration for them for keeping this one-sided, manufactured and scripted 'title race' alive despite all the odds.

No, MY grievance is with PiGMOL. They will do what is necessary to clinch Arse the title, as we saw against West Ham. Arse struggling? Ooh what's this, a penalty in the 103rd minute for....oh I dunno, let's say 'aggressive walking'. Boom, Arse 1-0.

Do that twice and Arse win it, regardless of City's 'fight'. That's why i'm not getting giddy; if this WERE a fair, even fight, the title is City's, no question in my mind. But it's not, so it won't be. All I can do is praise them for what they've achieved this season, which is beyond my expectations for them.
 
Be interesting to see how Arsenal go out against Burnley now. Could play to our advantage as they won’t want to go in to the last day knowing that we are beating them on goal difference and that only a win will do. That means they have to beat Burnley by at at least 4 goals so won’t be able to score one and shut up shop defensively. If they don’t beat them by at least 4 goals, they know that if we win both our games and they draw, the title is ours.
 
Very unlikely but the fact we were a dodgy var decision way from being top of the league shows how shite they have been. Hopefully burnley shithouse a draw, palace will roll over they were dogshit tonight and will be even worse last game of the season
 
There is a Light said:
After seeing Palace up close, do we think they can they give Arsenal a game? They were poor IMO, hopefully this will be Wharton’s rest however and he’ll be back for their final match of the season.
Click to expand...
No chance, all them palace players are thinking about is that final. They were poor tonight and I can't see them causing Arsenal any problems.
 
Arsenal will feel fairly comfortable at the moment, but if City beat Bournemouth, then they will start to panic. We're still in the realms of IF at the moment but the possibility is there that we go into the final day 2 points behind on the final day at home at the Etihad, whilst Arsenal are at Palace. Imagine the scenes at Palace if we score first, it will be bedlam. To make this possible, we are going to have to beat Bournemouth away just after the Cup Final and that will be awkward.

Most of you don't believe but get past Brentford and many will start to believe that we can do this (not will for the awkward squad).
 
Not a single Palace player, perhaps outside of their 'keeper, will play their last match.

Burnley are shit.

C'est la vie.

I'll not turn my nose up at a Cup double
 
Blue tiger said:
No chance, all them palace players are thinking about is that final. They were poor tonight and I can't see them causing Arsenal any problems.
Click to expand...
Imagine 30 minutes have gone and word comes through at Selhurst Park that City have scored, it will go mental. The demons come out to play on the final day. This requires City to beat Bournemouth first and that will be challenging. Its doing to be difficult to take it the final day, but if we do get there, I think there's a very good chance that City can make life very uncomfortable for Arsenal.
 
pudge said:
Not a single Palace player, perhaps outside of their 'keeper, will play their last match.

Burnley are shit.

C'est la vie.

I'll not turn my nose up at a Cup double
Click to expand...
You can write off Burnley but Palace could be a different proposition if City go ahead. Have a look at Palace's fixture list. They'd be fools to rest their players on the final day, otherwise they would go 10 days without a game.
 
Picture the scene Sunday 24 May 5pm.

City 2-0 Villa HT
Palace 0-0 Arsenal HT

Sky's infamous "As it stands" on screen table at half time:

Manchester City 83pts GD +47
Arsenal 83pts GD +46

Dreary Declan staring blankly at the TV in the dressing room, mumbling "it's not done". Legohead shaking like a shitting dog. AFTV in meltdown. Strains of 2nd Again rolling down from the Palace MIB's. 45 mins from the greatest bottle job known to man.

In walks Howard..."I got this boys".
 
Nothing ever changes in the last game unless the protagonists play each other.

Burnley or bust. 1/11 to beat Burnley but only 1/5 to win the league overestimates Palace, who were almost hibernating tonight.

I have never seen a team throw it away on the last day if they aren't playing a direct rival.

The last games are like the last stage of the French bike race, whatever happens, the leader wins.
 
Dodge said:
Picture the scene Sunday 24 May 5pm.

City 2-0 Villa HT
Palace 0-0 Arsenal HT

Sky's infamous "As it stands" on screen table at half time:

Manchester City 83pts GD +47
Arsenal 83pts GD +46

Dreary Declan staring blankly at the TV in the dressing room, mumbling "it's not done". Legohead shaking like a shitting dog. AFTV in meltdown. Strains of 2nd Again rolling down from the Palace MIB's. 45 mins from the greatest bottle job known to man.

In walks Howard..."I got this boys".
Click to expand...
Dont forget the extra 6000 blues in the north stand extension sending positive City vibes over the air waves. It does make a difference but so many dont believe.
 
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