The Title Race - 2023/24

[Gone for a Burton]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0. We had a 5 point lead but finished 4th all be it 1 point behind champions Derby County. Sometimes one game can define a whole season, suspect yesterday at Anfield was one of them.

The best performance by a visiting goal keeper I've ever seen at Maine Road.

A wet,skiddy, muddy pitch and Banks saved everything.

Ironic and costly as City had tried to sign Banks from Leicester but delayed at the last minute as Joe tried to chip 5 grand off the fee.

Twixt Stoke found out out and nipped in to sign him.

Malcolm went mad with Joe and some believe it was the start of the breakdown in their relationship.

Banks could've been in goal for us that day and history would've been very different.

 

[Coatigan]

jeezo, still 6 games to go!

What makes this year different is, there are now two teams that can overtake us the next time we fail to win a game, rather than just one. Or even if one doesn't, the other could. The stakes are higher, a proper 3 way race. But hopefully so is the desire and the nerve.

People talk about the hunger to win now we are on top and have it in our hands. What seems forgotten is that we will know we are chasing a never been done before 4 in a row. We have seen how good we can be when chasing records in sight, firsts and never been dones.

I love it.

 

[Newman123]

Yeah because our lads don't put any effort in do they? Your post is a bit disrespectful to our players and Pep many of whom have overcome massive challenges to be successful - e.g. Kompany's battles against injury, David Silva playing whilst his son was fighting for his life and Bernado's struggles against Seasonal Affective Disorder ;)

It was the opposite of disrespectful. I am saying just how good City are in contrast to us and Liverpool that you guys make it look so easy and make it so hard to take the title from you. Im an Arsenal fan but am in complete awe of City tbh. Definitely best teams in the prem and best manager to ever be in the prem.

Atleast the Utd fans cant go on about their treble team or Ferguson anymore.

 

[Coatigan]

Yeah because our lads don't put any effort in do they? Your post is a bit disrespectful to our players and Pep many of whom have overcome massive challenges to be successful - e.g. Kompany's battles against injury, David Silva playing whilst his son was fighting for his life and Bernado's struggles against Seasonal Affective Disorder ;)

I didn't read it as disrespectful. Or bitter etc. The guy is disheartened, and he is not alone, I get it. And it isn't the first time he has noted an expectation of us ultimately winning it, even when we were behind. Such is the aura Pep has built around this team, he absolutely has a point with that. I have no issue with it.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

Arsenal and Liverpool fans throwing the towel in with 6 games to go.
We were 8 points behind at this stage in 2012.

For some reason we never really talk about how much that United team did bottle it in the very real sense of the word that year.

Losing a game against Villa isn't really bottling it. Losing to Wigan, being 4-2 up against Everton but drawing the game, and then going to a rival and not having a shot on target? One of the all time great bottle jobs. Us nearly fucking it on the last day and Aguero's heroics overshadows an absolutely embarrassing penultimate season from old bacon face.

 

[jamesha]

I didn't read it as disrespectful. Or bitter etc. The guy is disheartened, and he is not alone, I get it. And it isn't the first time he has noted an expectation of us ultimately winning it, even when we were behind. Such is the aura Pep has built around this team, he absolutely has a point with that. I have no issue with it.

Neither do I - just wanted to do the Bernado SAD gag!

 

[MadchesterCity]

I'd love the last game to be a dead rubber and a trophy presentation.

I booked a hotel in town for the night a few months ago as I did last year as driving home to the coast after winning the league isn't the way forward when there'slots of beer to drink.

It first hotel I book every season as only match TV can’t change

 

[alexmcity]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0.

Palace could have scored 3 goals at Anfield, though. Liverpool missed many chances in the 2nd half, bit Palace were the better team in the 1st half and had 1-2 great chances in the 2nd half too.

 

[Newman123]

I still cant get over utd fans claiming Fergie is still the best ever manager. Pep has basically turned the prem into a farmers league against better opposition. Fergie lost out to us, Liverpool and Chelsea many times.

Our current Arsenal team or the Liverpool team would be slapping his teams about.

 

[bluenova]

Having just watched Liverpool on MOTD 2, I thought how much it reminded me of our home game with Stoke in April 1972. We ripped Stoke up for arse paper but Gordon Banks had a worldy and Stoke put away their one chance, we lost 1 0. We had a 5 point lead but finished 4th all be it 1 point behind champions Derby County. Sometimes one game can define a whole season, suspect yesterday at Anfield was one of them.

It was a much more even game - but as Palace scored early, and Liverpool didn't click till late, it makes it look more like Palace were a little lucky.

There were 7 big chances in the game, and Palace had 3 of them. Liverpool missed a lot of chances, but then Crystal Palace should probably have scored at least one more, and were the much better team in the first half.