The gap and the benefit of a perfect start

[ono]

The reason 11 isn't too big is because it's so early. If we can maintain it for 2 months, simply matching Chelsea's results, then it'd start to get into the kind of territory where you say it's beyond them.

Maybe, but i'd have given up the ghost if we were 11 behind them and playing as badly as they are.

 

[Wilf Wild 1937]

Interesting to look back at 2011-12. We were 5 points ahead of the scum which became 8 points behind and then level (but only on points!). There was a 13 point swing at one point in their favour. It's difficult to say how big a lead is "enough". What I think you can say is that the title will be won by getting 85-90 points. If we assume the higher figure then you can only drop 24 points all season. If Chelsea were to lose to Arsenal that leaves them with only 10-15 points more that they could drop during the rest of the season if they are to retain the title. An Arsenal win coupled with a City win realistically would eliminate Chelsea unless they did a miraculous turnaround mid season which is unlikely.

 

[urmston]

United won their first ten games in 85/86 and finished fourth.

Anything can still happen this season.

 

[Marvin]

Still more to come from City

We have De Bruyne yet to make a start. Aguero is not up and running properly and I think Roberts and Kelechi are going could give us an extra bonus. Zabaleta, providing he has not had any complications will be back soon and add to us going forward.

 

[mac]

United won their first ten games in 85/86 and finished fourth.

Anything can still happen this season.

To true, 3 points a game can quickly eat away ay any lead.
If we can keep up with 2.3 approx per game we won't be far off.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

United won their first ten games in 85/86 and finished fourth.

Anything can still happen this season.

He's fat he's round he bounces off the ground Atkinson, Atkinson.....

 

[CelesteItis]

Stoke v Leicester, 0-1
Saints v Scum, 11-0
Chavs v Arses, 2-1
City v West Ham, 3-0
Spuds v FOC thugs 0-1

Foxes will still be 4 points behind, but the rest...

 

[vmsuhail]

The biggest advantage of a gap is that it does not allow Chelsea to park the bus in the big games. At the same time, it allows us to play for a point at tough away grounds without losing much ground against the rivals. Chelsea defended their way to the title despite having a very tough run-in. Now they have to come out and win against the likes of Arsenal and Everton, sacrificing their bus.

 

[Man city fan 72]

Okay, I know I'm getting waaay ahead of myself, but have a look at the upcoming fixtures for us and our competition.

Assume we can beat West Ham & Spurs next week, followed by Newcastle at home the following week.

A Chelsea win this week paired with a win for us versus West Ham would see us 8 points ahead of Arsenal and 11 ahead of Chelsea. An Arsenal win would see us 5 ahead of them, and 14 ahead of Chelsea, effectively killing Chelsea's hopes of retaining their title.

The following week we start the weekends games with the early game against Spurs. We've had great success in the recent past over them at White Hart Lane but I think even moreso this time we are a perfect mismatch for where they are at. So lets say we beat Spurs that week. Arsenal have an extremely tricky visit to Leicester and Chelsea are away to Newcastle in the late kickoff. Anything can happen this weekend, but it would be no surprise to see someone drop at least two points. As long as it isn't us, we could see ourselves with our lead increasing on one if not both teams.

Which brings us to the week of October 4th. We've a 3pm kickoff against Newcastle at home. That should be a winnable game at home if we perform to our levels.Chelsea have a late kickoff vs Southampton, and Arsenal play the rags. So Arsenal have another tricky tie.

So looking forward at those batch of fixtures and if we can win through it's very feasible to see us pull way ahead of Chelsea, possibly 10-12 points ahead of Arsenal or even have an 8 point lead over Arsenal & United.

The next 3 fixtures for us could be season defining with this in mind. I could possibly see us coming out of them with just the rags within 5 points of us, or possibly worse.

So blues, what do you think? How do we come out of it come October 5th?

You should know that we will drop points in one or two of those matches mate. On paper, yes they all look winnable but unfortunately it never works out that way. If you're right though, we could be in an excellent position come the end of October.

 

[Man city fan 72]

Bang on!

A huge weekend for City.

Fixtures, elsewhere, CAN have a huge impact on performance levels.

Just as Chelsea losing at Everton must have done, we have a perfect storm of fixtures on the horizon.

Take every opportunity we can.

Our game at the weekend has me as nervous as a Cup Final, simply because West Ham do pose a threat, our Champions League exertions and what the table could look like by 6pm on Sunday.

Let's not forget that West Ham only played a night before us as well, although our exertions make our players a lot more tired. If we score first we should go on to win, if they do then It's trouble.