Decent point I thought. Anyone who thought Newcastle would be a pushover at this stage in the season does not have a clue.
We need to beat Stoke. After they got humiliated last night by Spurs, and with the Real Madrid game looming, we have to dig 3 points out of that game
I agree we played poorly. But no worse than how we have played for most of the season. Entirely predictable and I am therefore happy enough with the point. Means we have to beat StokeNo-one though i would be easy
However that does not excuse the performance at all -it isn't a decent point its two points dropped in a huge race for 4th spot......newcastle were there for the taking and we were absolutely woeful
If we were capable of beating Chelsea 3-0 away and beating a team desperate to avoid relegation we'd be Title contenders.The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.
Yes....but those world class players have either been injured, playing with an injury, or just coming back from an injury for a large part of the season. Plus one or two of our better players have clearly lost a yard or two of pace. This has left us relying on squad players to fill a big void and leaving us with with a squad that really is no better than spurs or arsneal. Take the best 5 or 6 best players out of any team (lets say Barca or Madrid) and they will struggle and not perform to their usual high standards. This doesnt excuse some of our performances but at the same time its no surprise we have struggled. In fact its quite an achievement to win a cup and make the sf of cl whilst working with an injury ravaged squad..... Not to be sniffed at really.The teams ability should be greater than the sum of its parts really. We have a couple of world class players which is more than most in the league and enough capable players who have been on and done it on the biggest of stages. But they look like a bunch of strangers, even in half our wins.
What the fuck do they do all week in training? Apart from gob off to the media about how the next match will be different.
The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.
Couldn't agree more. As you say though, I have a horrible feeling we'll rest vital players in league matches and risk missing out on everything. Right now, Pellegrini's objectives probably don't line up with what's best for the club. He won't be here next season and is bound to be prioritising the champions league.
The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.
They also have Bournemouth at home which they should win, if we get at least 7 points from the last 4 we should take 4th in my opinion.Chill we'll be fine. Never expected 3 points against Chelsea so 4 from those 2 is ok. Expect United to beat Palace but you never know, then they have Leicester who are in a title race and Norwich away who are fighting to stay up, add West Ham away as there last game at Upton Park...I see all those games being difficult and United are not that good.
Us yes we will need to pull out a result but really all the games are winnable, Arsenal at home probably the toughest.
Have faith blues!!
Nahhhh, as with any club with ambition we want to win the Champions leave and we now have a reasonable chance. Would be cowardly not to go for it. Its got nothing to do with pellers not giving a damn about the league, the team that went out tonight were easily good enough to win but the players played poorly and misplaced simple passes and we passed up a couple of great opportunities to score.
we beat PSG, and Wigan beat City at Wembley and Wolfsburg came close v Real MadridI agree we should still go for both, I'm just saying I really hope we don't put our outside chance at winning the champions league ahead of our domestic games and rest players. Perhaps in other circumstances id be all for prioritising the cup, but given we have a new manager coming in this summer with quite an extensive rebuilding job ahead of him, it would be a bigger disaster to finish outside of the top four than it would to not win the champions league.
Terrible performance tonight.
Pissed away a great chance to all but seal it.
I think we've fucked it up there. Can't see us not getting pipped now, with United's piss easy run in.
I know your dramatic at the best of times but how can we go from all but sealing it to out of it?
It's still in our hands and their piss easy run in sees them play Leicester (probably vardyless) and West Ham.
We missed a great chance don't get me wrong but 4 points out of them 2 away games isn't a disaster.
They played West Ham off the park in their 'last ever FA Cup match at Upton Park' last week. I can't see them struggling much in that one.
I think Leicester are getting pretty nervous now and I fancy Spurs for the title. Leicester are looking shakier and shakier. I can't see them getting anything from United either I'm afraid.
This complacency is infectious. Think the players and manager have it.2 wins and 2 draws will do it, no way rags are winning all theirs. If we beat Stoke we should be OK, draw against arse and Southampton win on last day again swansea
It matters a lot.3rd or 4th...not like it matters.