The race for a Champions League place

It's understandable as to why, but we're also harder on Spurs than we are on the other teams. Liverpool are in great form, but if you had watched many of their games it's not the whole story. Southampton were by far the better team yesterday, the game against us could have gone either way, massively lucky against Leicester, etc. Every team has this, but whereas we see this luck or whatever for Liverpool as a positive thing for them that will continue, we would look at similar things, like us scoring late goals and coming from behind as a negative thing for us.

nicdic said:

It's understandable as to why, but we're also harder on Spurs than we are on the other teams. Liverpool are in great form, but if you had watched many of their games it's not the whole story. Southampton were by far the better team yesterday, the game against us could have gone either way, massively lucky against Leicester, etc. Every team has this, but whereas we see this luck or whatever for Liverpool as a positive thing for them that will continue, we would look at similar things, like us scoring late goals and coming from behind as a negative thing for us.

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Exactly. Someone said Liverpool were ruthless yesterday, but the same people were branding us shit and lucky against Swansea, Villa, Hull etc...

If we go out of the Europa on Thursday, and in consideration of our remaining fixtures, I would expect us to secure 4th place.

However, the above is what should happen. As we all know it is highly likely that we go out of Europe on Thursday and the Gods of football still find a way to shaft us on the last day of the season.

nicdic said:

It's understandable as to why, but we're also harder on Spurs than we are on the other teams. Liverpool are in great form, but if you had watched many of their games it's not the whole story. Southampton were by far the better team yesterday, the game against us could have gone either way, massively lucky against Leicester, etc. Every team has this, but whereas we see this luck or whatever for Liverpool as a positive thing for them that will continue, we would look at similar things, like us scoring late goals and coming from behind as a negative thing for us.

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Exactly, and at this stage under the new regime we shouldn't be expecting too much. We've progressed better than what I had imagined and coming back in games shows a really strong spirit and belief. Ask any United fan and their biggest trait during fergies tenure was never giving in, always believing that they would and could win, if poch is instilling this spirit now then imagine how we will look once he has the personnel he needs throughout the squad. We've all complained over the years about how weak we have been. I'm starting to see players give everything even if we've been poor in games, that will stand us in good stead much beyond this season, so we can expect more top four battles.

GMI said:

If we go out of the Europa on Thursday, and in consideration of our remaining fixtures, I would expect us to secure 4th place.

However, the above is what should happen. As we all know it is highly likely that we go out of Europe on Thursday and the Gods of football still find a way to shaft us on the last day of the season.

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Absolute horror case scenario would be to go out on Thursday, lose the cup final and then drop points at home to Swansea in the League three days later.

That would literally be season over within a week, more or less lol.

Mr Pink said:

Absolute horror case scenario would be to go out on Thursday, lose the cup final and then drop points at home to Swansea in the League three days later.

That would literally be season over within a week, more or less lol.

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Thats the kind of week Arsenal usually have around this time of year.

Mr Pink said:

Absolute horror case scenario would be to go out on Thursday, lose the cup final and then drop points at home to Swansea in the League three days later.

That would literally be season over within a week, more or less lol.

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Problem is I can really see that happening.

I suspect Poch is going to play his 'best team' in both the Fiorentina and Chelsea games which could be a disaster, and then leave us very light in the Swansea game.

I actually expect the Swansea game to be a bit of a disaster whatever happens as we'll really struggle to keep focus on that.

Still...this is where Poch has to earn his crust I suppose.

I believe we have a squad that will allow us to finish the season strong if we go out of the Europa on Thursday, no matter what the result on Sunday.

talkshowhost86 said:

Problem is I can really see that happening.

I suspect Poch is going to play his 'best team' in both the Fiorentina and Chelsea games which could be a disaster, and then leave us very light in the Swansea game.

I actually expect the Swansea game to be a bit of a disaster whatever happens as we'll really struggle to keep focus on that.

Still...this is where Poch has to earn his crust I suppose.

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There's certainly a chance of it happening. When you think about it..away in Italy, emotionally draining Cup final on the Sunday on a big pitch...and then Swansea who'll have less games and more time to recover two days later after that.

Very unfair that we're away in Europe three days before a final, and to add insult to injury - followed by mid week League games that are crucial for us. Wouldn't matter if we were in Everton's position with nothing to play for in the League.

Ironically Everton's objectives are all in one basket now, and when you don't have the depth of a City or Chelsea, maybe that's better.

Just a cruel schedule that will probably see us stumble right across the board.

In reality I was going to say that we are out of CL qualification after the draw yesterday, but I must correct my self.
Several really decisive matches are coming up, and Spurs must learn how to deal with those decisive key matches. So often we throw away a result when it really, really matters. If we can change that, and win on a day which can rule over the outcome of the season, we might still stand a chance. Here are some of the "league finals" coming up:
Liverpool-City
Arsenal-West Ham
Chelsea-Southampton
United-Tottenham
Liverpool-United
Arsenal-Liverpool
United-City
Chelsea-United
Southampton-Tottenham
Arsenal-Chelsea
Tottenham-City
Chelsea-Liverpool
United-Arsenal
City-Southampton

I can't as I write this remember exactly last time so many big key matches were dotted amongst the last 12 rounds.
Arsenal will face West Ham, Liverpool, Chelsea & United
Liverpool will face City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea
United will face Spurs, Liverpool, City, Arsenal,
Southampton will face Chelsea, Spurs & city
We will face United, Southampton & City too.
Those are the key battles, and with proper focus over the last 12 matches we might, for once, benefit from our closest opponents messing up.

Everlasting Seconds said:

In reality I was going to say that we are out of CL qualification after the draw yesterday, but I must correct my self.
Several really decisive matches are coming up, and Spurs must learn how to deal with those decisive key matches. So often we throw away a result when it really, really matters. If we can change that, and win on a day which can rule over the outcome of the season, we might still stand a chance. Here are some of the "league finals" coming up:
Liverpool-City
Arsenal-West Ham
Chelsea-Southampton
United-Tottenham
Liverpool-United
Arsenal-Liverpool
United-City
Chelsea-United
Southampton-Tottenham
Arsenal-Chelsea
Tottenham-City
Chelsea-Liverpool
United-Arsenal
City-Southampton

I can't as I write this remember exactly last time so many big key matches were dotted amongst the last 12 rounds.
Arsenal will face West Ham, Liverpool, Chelsea & United
Liverpool will face City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea
United will face Spurs, Liverpool, City, Arsenal,
Southampton will face Chelsea, Spurs & city
We will face United, Southampton & City too.
Those are the key battles, and with proper focus over the last 12 matches we might, for once, benefit from our closest opponents messing up.

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I agree that we must be much better with our performances in matches that we aren't actually in.

For example I thought we were very poor in the Southampton v Liverpool game yesterday, and the less said about our performance in Palace v Arsenal the better.

Liverpool v United looks like a big one. Let's hope that Kane is fit and Lamela finally starts firing.

talkshowhost86 said:

I agree that we must be much better with our performances in matches that we aren't actually in.

For example I thought we were very poor in the Southampton v Liverpool game yesterday, and the less said about our performance in Palace v Arsenal the better.

Liverpool v United looks like a big one. Let's hope that Kane is fit and Lamela finally starts firing.

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Way to really seek to misunderstand, you must be a lovely person to have around for tea.

Everlasting Seconds said:

Way to really seek to misunderstand, you must be a lovely person to have around for tea.

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Blimey.

Where's the 'get a life it's a joke' rating when you need it?

talkshowhost86 said:

Problem is I can really see that happening.

I suspect Poch is going to play his 'best team' in both the Fiorentina and Chelsea games which could be a disaster, and then leave us very light in the Swansea game.

I actually expect the Swansea game to be a bit of a disaster whatever happens as we'll really struggle to keep focus on that.

Still...this is where Poch has to earn his crust I suppose.

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Agree, can't see it any other way!

After all, that's about as 'Spursy' as you can get

talkshowhost86 said:

Blimey.

Where's the 'get a life it's a joke' rating when you need it?

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I'm trying to get a valid point across, and actually a really vital one. Evidently, the 4 teams we are fighting the fiercest with are going to mess up on several occasions still. If we can learn how to go that extra mile on those match days when we also can benefit from Arsenal/Liverpool/United/Southampton messing up, we can still tip the entire season in our favour. To often, we fail to produce a result on a day when it could be incredibly vital, we seem to have a habit of falling a bit short when we ought to put in the performance of the season. Several occasions will present them selves still in which that ability will determine this entire season.
But hey, please focus on silly jokes.

Everlasting Seconds said:

I'm trying to get a valid point across, and actually a really vital one. Evidently, the 4 teams we are fighting the fiercest with are going to mess up on several occasions still. If we can learn how to go that extra mile on those match days when we also can benefit from Arsenal/Liverpool/United/Southampton messing up, we can still tip the entire season in our favour. To often, we fail to produce a result on a day when it could be incredibly vital, we seem to have a habit of falling a bit short when we ought to put in the performance of the season. Several occasions will present them selves still in which that ability will determine this entire season.
But hey, please focus on silly jokes.

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Teehee.

Boobies.

talkshowhost86 said:

Problem is I can really see that happening.

I suspect Poch is going to play his 'best team' in both the Fiorentina and Chelsea games which could be a disaster, and then leave us very light in the Swansea game.

I actually expect the Swansea game to be a bit of a disaster whatever happens as we'll really struggle to keep focus on that.

Still...this is where Poch has to earn his crust I suppose.

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A lot of us can see what you have said happening this week its so spurs like, promise much but deliver nothing.

top 4 was a big ask after the liverpool defeat.
I think top 5 has gone now despite the point salvaged against wham.

Mr Pink said:

I don't think Liverpool are better than us, we're pretty close IMO - like the league table suggests. And I expect us to be above them and Southampton soon enough. Liverpool have a very difficult run in, and with Europa League and FA Cup to navigate, fixture congestion will start to bite them as it has us.

Arsenal will finish top four, so its United who will have to miss out if we're to make it. The game at OT looks a monster one now.

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I haven't been posting this season as I was spending far too much time on footy forums when should've been doing more productive stuff but have had to brake my ban to reply to some of the utter nonsense being written by a few posters in this thread through heavily Spurs-tinted spectacles.

Utd and Arsenal will take the two top 4 places remaining and anyone who thinks differently is completely deluded and needs to see a doctor.

The talking up of Spurs (and even Liverpool by some posters) in this thread is ridiculous. Spurs are nowhere near the team some here are making them out to be.

Neither of our clubs are close to Utd or Arsenals level when their 100% and with squad worth and wage spend the most accurate predictor of final league position it's going to take some huge change for Spurs or Liverpool to break into the top 4 again anytime soon after this season.

A par finish for us is 5th and for Spurs 6th based on the financial forecast so anything higher is an over-achievement. I expect the league will finish:

Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Utd
Liverpool
Spurs
Saints

Then a big pts gap to 8th place.

This season may be the best chance there will be (while Utd still in transition) for one of our clubs to get 4th but I can't see it.

Europa League etc doesn't come into it. It's a myth used by people to excuse poor performances. Weds-Sat in the CL is no different but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

Spurs just aren't good enough to finish 4th ATM that's just the truth of it imo. Neither are Saints or Liverpool (although TBF having Sturridge out most of the season and now Lucas and Gerrard hasn't helped).

It'll come down to cash like it always does.

Here's links to why I have formed these opinions:

http://tomkinstimes.com/2014/11/why-liverpool-never-win-the-league/

http://tomkinstimes.com/2015/01/in-defence-of-fsgs-transfer-policy/

(These are in relation to LFC but all the points made apply to Spurs too as our financial positions aren't game-changingly different so just substitute).

In terms of LFC they've done well, well BR has to turn the season around after the Utd defeat. We were so far off the top 6 (I think we were 7 or 8pts behind Spurs at one point?) at start of winter to be now 6th and above Spurs is great credit to him and the team.

HOWEVER, it's too little too late. The first half of the season was SOO bad that it left them way too much to make up (despite BR teams always improving and going on good runs post Xmas).

Still not convinced by BR and think he's lucked into some of the solutions he's found to change the teams fortunes due to injuries and random decisions based on hope rather than know how. Although tbf to him our record since that Utd game has been fantastic and right up there with the top 4 teams. Some of the football played too has been fantastic but I just think other Managers could produce the same with these players whilst being better in the transfer market and at organising a defence.

Anyway, rant over.

Toela65 said:

I haven't been posting this season as I was spending far too much time on footy forums when should've been doing more productive stuff but have had to brake my ban to reply to some of the utter nonsense being written by a few posters in this thread through heavily Spurs-tinted spectacles.

Utd and Arsenal will take the two top 4 places remaining and anyone who thinks differently is completely deluded and needs to see a doctor.

The talking up of Spurs (and even Liverpool by some posters) in this thread is ridiculous. Spurs are nowhere near the team some here are making them out to be.

Neither of our clubs are close to Utd or Arsenals level when their 100% and with squad worth and wage spend the most accurate predictor of final league position it's going to take some huge change for Spurs or Liverpool to break into the top 4 again anytime soon after this season.

A par finish for us is 5th and for Spurs 6th based on the financial forecast so anything higher is an over-achievement. I expect the league will finish:

Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Utd
Liverpool
Spurs
Saints

Then a big pts gap to 8th place.

This season may be the best chance there will be (while Utd still in transition) for one of our clubs to get 4th but I can't see it.

Europa League etc doesn't come into it. It's a myth used by people to excuse poor performances. Weds-Sat in the CL is no different but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

Spurs just aren't good enough to finish 4th ATM that's just the truth of it imo. Neither are Saints or Liverpool (although TBF having Sturridge out most of the season and now Lucas and Gerrard hasn't helped).

It'll come down to cash like it always does.

Here's links to why I have formed these opinions:

http://tomkinstimes.com/2014/11/why-liverpool-never-win-the-league/

http://tomkinstimes.com/2015/01/in-defence-of-fsgs-transfer-policy/

(These are in relation to LFC but all the points made apply to Spurs too as our financial positions aren't game-changingly different so just substitute).

In terms of LFC they've done well, well BR has to turn the season around after the Utd defeat. We were so far off the top 6 (I think we were 7 or 8pts behind Spurs at one point?) at start of winter to be now 6th and above Spurs is great credit to him and the team.

HOWEVER, it's too little too late. The first half of the season was SOO bad that it left them way too much to make up (despite BR teams always improving and going on good runs post Xmas).

Still not convinced by BR and think he's lucked into some of the solutions he's found to change the teams fortunes due to injuries and random decisions based on hope rather than know how. Although tbf to him our record since that Utd game has been fantastic and right up there with the top 4 teams. Some of the football played too has been fantastic but I just think other Managers could produce the same with these players whilst being better in the transfer market and at organising a defence.

Anyway, rant over.

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Wow, thanks.