The battle for 3rd place

Shame that we didn't win yesterday but as the title was out of the picture anyway, no points gained by Liverpool on us is a good thing. We really should (comfortably!) finish above them, United and Arsenal as I feel our level of performances is way higher. And Spurs only have a 2 point advantage, too. Next two away games are crucial, mostly the one against Arsenal is a game we really have to win.
 
Europa League would not be so bad, as witnessed by the Scums progress to date, it is far easier to win this than the Chumps and it gets you automatic entry to the later.

Liverpool and the Scum have easier (on paper) fixtures to come whilst Arsenal seem to be in self destruct mode.

Looks like the table may well finish Chelsea, Spurs, Pool, Scum, MCFC.

If this happens we will have to hope that our nearest and dearest win the Europa.
 
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Our record against the current other top 4 sides is awful. Played 5, won 0, drawn 2 and lost 3.
2 points from 15. This has to change next season to mount a title challenge
 
It's not really a 'race', is it? I don't know many races where all participants finish at the same time.....
 
bellsouth said:
Our record against the current other top 4 sides is awful. Played 5, won 0, drawn 2 and lost 3.
2 points from 15. This has to change next season to mount a title challenge
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In mitigation, we've played pretty well in the home games against them, but been on the receiving end of some bad refereeing decisions each time. Our away performances at White Hart Lane and Anfield were dire though.
 
Arsenal will get 4th because they will improve. They are playing way below what they are capable of.

City will make it now. Jesus will be back soon, and we'll recover after the European adventure is over. Getting a point yesterday was massive. If we had lost that, pressure would have piled on.

Our record against top 4 sides is poor because against quality teams you usually get less chances and they have the pace up front that kills our defence.

I don't think City are far away now though from having a really strong side. I can see it happening. The motivation has improved, the chance creation has improved. We need Jesus is the team, and we need a central defender to partner Stones (who also has improved)
 
Gray said:
Europa League would not be so bad, as witnessed by the Scums progress to date, it is far easier to win this than the Chumps and it gets you automatic entry to the later.

Liverpool and the Scum have easier (on paper) fixtures to come whilst Arsenal seem to be in self destruct mode.

Looks like the table may well finish Chelsea, Spurs, Pool, Scum, MCFC.

If this happens we will have to hope that our nearest and dearest win the Europa.
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The rags still have to come to us and spurs and arsenal as well as Chelsea at home all late on around Europa lge games so not easier than ours!
 
my Top 4

Chelsea - as nailed on as can be

Spurs - They are a machine at home and have a pretty solid defense, no Europe to distract them either.

City - The next two games are tough but after that we have a fairly friendly set of fixtures. If we can win one of the next two, preferably the Arsenal game we are almost there. We have the extra insurance of a night game against the rags which I would fancy us to win if needed.

Liverpool - They have played all their hardest fixtures now, they just need to sort out putting away the dross, which I think they will do

United - They struggle to score goals which is why they draw so many games. They never look convincing , especially against the better teams, unfortunately for them they make up the majority of their remaining fixtures. If they continue to progress in Europe they are also facing a fixture pile up. I see their league form falling off a cliff by the end of April. Laughable that they there is still talk of them being on the March, the media are desperate for them to be back - we cant let this happen

Arsenal - An absolute mess, we can put the final nail in their coffin if we beat them next up. It could get very ugly regarding Wengers new contract. I would imagine thet are going to announce this prior to our game to spin a bit of positivity, this could go the other way though...
 
We'll finish second and get to the FA cup final. Wouldn't be the worse first season under Pep.
 
Chelsea- 1st- self explanatory

Manchester City- Seems Jesus will be back soon. Probably comes on the bench against Arsenal in the FA cup or against the rags. We also play the last 4 games all at home while Spurs play last 3 away. Think we'll beat Arsenal next game and draw with Chelsea. Win the FA cup and finish 2nd/3rd and we can call it a good season especially with the massive defensive overhaul that's required.

Spurs- Have 6 away games out of the remaining 10. Kane out of a while. Could very well finish 2nd but I think our remaining fixtures is the difference.

Liverpool- If they don't make top 4, it will be a major failure for Klopp. They also have the easiest run in compared to all others and have no FA Cup or European football to worry about. If they can't make top 4 with such favorable circumstances, they'll never make it.

Arsenal- After we beat them next game their form will improve, also wouldn't be too surprised to see them continue to tumble and finish 7th especially with all the internal issues they have right now.

Rags- Still have to play us, Spurs, Arsenal away and Chelsea at home. They'll probably get passed Anderlecht and draw Genk/Celta Vigo in the Semis, at least they'll get a nice fixture pile up. Hoping Lyon who have looked strong lately especially at home (Scored 24 goals in last 5 home games) stop them from winning the Europa.
 
Ric said:
It's probably telling that the last two league winners (assuming Chelsea do it this season) have not had Champions League distractions. It raises a pertinent question: would you sacrifice top four this season if it meant we won the league next year?
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The last 2 title winners didn't have ANY European football. That's the real point to be made, nothing specifically to do with the CL. So your question should be whether we choose to plummet below Europa League qualification.
 
If we can get 4 points or more from arse,Chelsea,saints away will will comfortably be in top3 we will win at boro and watford and at be undefeated at home winning at least 4!
 
Easy said:
Chelsea- 1st- self explanatory

Manchester City- Seems Jesus will be back soon. Probably comes on the bench against Arsenal in the FA cup or against the rags. We also play the last 4 games all at home while Spurs play last 3 away. Think we'll beat Arsenal next game and draw with Chelsea. Win the FA cup and finish 2nd/3rd and we can call it a good season especially with the massive defensive overhaul that's required.

Spurs- Have 6 away games out of the remaining 10. Kane out of a while. Could very well finish 2nd but I think our remaining fixtures is the difference.

Liverpool- If they don't make top 4, it will be a major failure for Klopp. They also have the easiest run in compared to all others and have no FA Cup or European football to worry about. If they can't make top 4 with such favorable circumstances, they'll never make it.

Arsenal- After we beat them next game their form will improve, also wouldn't be too surprised to see them continue to tumble and finish 7th especially with all the internal issues they have right now.

Rags- Still have to play us, Spurs, Arsenal away and Chelsea at home. They'll probably get passed Anderlecht and draw Genk/Celta Vigo in the Semis, at least they'll get a nice fixture pile up. Hoping Lyon who have looked strong lately especially at home (Scored 24 goals in last 5 home games) stop them from winning the Europa.
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Utd could win the Europa League but they have very little chance in the Premier League because they are not good enough
 
I expect Arsenal to bottle it if we put pressure on them at the Emirates. Chelsea will be tough but we could nick it. It gets much easier from then on. I expect we'll end up comfortably in the top four.
 
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