The Title Race - 2024/25

[alexmcity]

Mate, I read you and I can only see the incessant stream of excuses.

You can't see it's normal to have problems after historic achievements over many years? Good for you.

 

[manimanc]

We can't be 8 points behind Liverpool when we rock up there soon, we simply have to beat Spurs which will be easier said than done

We've been in that position before and clawed it back but this season seems different for so many reasons.
I'm chill that I'm at ease with the fact we ain't getting five in a row. Would love to be proven wrong but I feel there are too many things going against us this year with poor form and injuries that it'll be a hurdle too far.
However negative i seem I'm still not throwing the towel in completely just yet as this team always surprises me but it's going to be a stressful one where we'll hit more bumps in the road.

 

[K-Bo]

Our team isn’t as good as it was then we we bridged all those gaps in past races. Can’t drop any further behind imo and we can’t lose at anfield or we’re finished for this year.

 

[St.Pauli support]

I do think since weeks dippers would be pisspoor if they can't win it this season. We have too many old legs and an injury crisis on top.
Rodri doesn't matter?? Oh, I thought me lost EVERY single match without Rodri in past seasons...

So do me all a favour and stop that nonsense that every team has injuries. Name me 1 team without ANY fit CB. One.
Thanks.

Dippers win because they have a defence these days. We don't have one. We would never have thought to see last night's back 4, never.

Actually it's incredible we sit 5 pts back in #2 and are NOT out of sight.
Look at dippers' fixture list in December. I wait to see how they manage that and will have a look at the table at year end. CTID.

 

[North_Bank_Gooner]

Chelsea beats us today and they could be in contention for the race for 3rd place. 1/2 is between liverpool and city.

Arsenal are in a top 4 race, top gooners will never admit that.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Long way to go. The dippers might not be without their own injury crisis at some point, or just a shite spell, if can happen.

We need to get some momentum back ASAP.


The dippers have bought well though. I think we've bought some very good individuals but I don't think we've identified parts the squad that need strengthening or replacing and doing so. I think Liverpool have done that.

Then again, they still didn't come close to lifting the title last season.

They look strong but it's early November. A lot can and will happen.

 

[sh249]

Feels like it is all going to hinge on whether Pep can come up with a tweak (and quickly).
Injuries aside, the current set-up just isn‘t working. Weak pressing, no cohesion, gaps all over the place.
Find a more compact way of playing and we‘re still in with a shot - despite the obvious (relative) weaknesses in the squad.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

I do understand the whole "it feels different this year", but I'm not sure it does. I've actually found our slumps before Christmas to be more worrying in previous years. We are playing well for chunks of a game and then through sloppiness and concentration letting teams back into it. If we can get even one or two players back from injury and just get Foden and Gundo to a bit of consistency and goal threat I think we'll be ok for a title push. Just need to not let Liverpool run away with it, which means going there and not getting beat and getting a bit of our mojo back at home.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I’m reminded how of the Hemingway quote about going broke gradually then suddenly. Seems like it’s apt for our current predicament, we had injuries (Rodri especially) and we underperformed but managed to grind out results. Now we’ve run out of legs and we look a pale shadow of our former selves. We look like a side that’s reached the end.

However if we can somehow keep a reasonable gap with Liverpool until January, easy said, Spurs, Liverpool, United and Villa look very challenging fixtures in our current form, if we can add a little to our midfield then we should at least finish the season strongly. It appears we aim to reach peak fitness after Christmas so the fact that injuries are biting while we’re not at peak fitness exacerbates our woes.

The fact that we’re having poor second halves suggests to me, not that teams are overawed by us first half as ESPN suggest, but that we aren’t fit enough, yet, to maintain a proper intensity for 90 minutes.

 

[SamBlue]

You can't see it's normal to have problems after historic achievements over many years? Good for you.

No, I cannot see it. I have no interest in historical achievements of many years ago (i would probably be a dipper or a rag) , apart from having nice memories and to have been a witness to some of them. They have no bearing to me on how we play here and now.
Winning the treble or the CL means nothing to me when I see in two consecutive games relinquishing a lead in a period of 5 minutes top, not asking yourself why your LB ends twice defending the ball where your CB should be, or why your RB ends up playing the whole second half leaving 50x30yards area completely uncovered. I could go on forever, but I am gonna give football a rest until Spud's game, enough time to decide whether to go by train or car.