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Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

Dov67

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2005
3,318
10,212
Liverpool much better this season, and regardless of the price, VVD will improve them further. Man U in the mix for top 4 too instead of focussing on the cups. City off the charts.....while we have to play 38 games away from home this season.

We're still in there but theres no margin for error. COYS!!
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
Our current points average sets us on course for 70 points. Two wins this week and we're on course for 74 points, which would probably be somewhat short of what's needed.

If we keep racking up wins and can get something out of the United-Liverpool-Arsenal row of games starting in the end of this month, then we could still do it.
Trouble is that Chelsea and United have been very good at picking up more points than their performances have suggested, and we have been picking up less. Will those two keep performing like they have been, or will they get better before their points earned start regressing to mean?
 

arunspurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
8,807
35,543
Our current points average sets us on course for 70 points. Two wins this week and we're on course for 74 points, which would probably be somewhat short of what's needed.

If we keep racking up wins and can get something out of the United-Liverpool-Arsenal row of games starting in the end of this month, then we could still do it.
Trouble is that Chelsea and United have been very good at picking up more points than their performances have suggested, and we have been picking up less. Will those two keep performing like they have been, or will they get better before their points earned start regressing to mean?

We have had more tough away games than most other rivals.

We only have Liverpool & Chelsea away to go. Other away games include Swansea, Saints,Bournemouth,Palace, Stoke, Brighton, WBA. Chelsea have to go to teams like Arsenal, United, City, Burnley...

We will pick up wins in most of these away games. I am certain our points per game will only improve here on in
 

Flashspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2012
6,882
9,068
Disappointing to fall back into the Europa places if it happens. Lets hope the lads continue to build up steam. This 38 away games malarkey is tougher then I expected.
 

arunspurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
8,807
35,543
Disappointing to fall back into the Europa places if it happens. Lets hope the lads continue to build up steam. This 38 away games malarkey is tougher then I expected.

IMO, Our problem has been mostly down to injuries than playing at Wembley. We have been conceding goals , a goal a game. Hopefully with Wanyama & Toby (Soon) on the way back this situation will only improve.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
We have had more tough away games than most other rivals.

We only have Liverpool & Chelsea away to go. Other away games include Swansea, Saints,Bournemouth,Palace, Stoke, Brighton, WBA. Chelsea have to go to teams like Arsenal, United, City, Burnley...

We will pick up wins in most of these away games. I am certain our points per game will only improve here on in

Same situation as last season pretty much, although at this stage last season we had to go to City and Liverpool, this season we've already played Utd, Arsenal, Everton, City, Watford, Burnley and Leicester away from home not to mention our tough London derby against West Ham. 2nd half of the season we have much more favourable fixtures.
 

piedpiper

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2008
3,758
6,763
IMO, Our problem has been mostly down to injuries than playing at Wembley. We have been conceding goals , a goal a game. Hopefully with Wanyama & Toby (Soon) on the way back this situation will only improve.

Squad depth if you ask me and our transfers ( Sanchez apart)in the previous window.
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
Liverpool much better this season, and regardless of the price, VVD will improve them further. Man U in the mix for top 4 too instead of focussing on the cups. City off the charts.....while we have to play 38 games away from home this season.

We're still in there but theres no margin for error. COYS!!
Bottom line is we have to see vast improvements against bigger teams. No more defeats home or away. We have to turn up and grind out some draws at least.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
Bottom line is we have to see vast improvements against bigger teams. No more defeats home or away. We have to turn up and grind out some draws at least.
With a fully fit side we should be capable of getting a point or even the odd win away to the big sides as you can't win them all, but we don't win any and that makes a slight difference with margins so slight and I still think watching them that the team doesn't believe enough.
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
10,925
16,007
Perhaps more pertinently though, they have only lost 2 games all season, less than everyone except City. Their defence isn't great, but their problem is an inability to keep clean sheets, leading to them needing to outscore opponents (which they keep demonstrating they're more than capable of) they're not conceding hatfuls of goals and losing games (apart from against us and the City drubbing, which everyone gets).

Lots of people underestimating Liverpool because their defence isn't great.

They've only lost twice so far

Liverpool have a steel to them this season, it appears that Klopp is getting his message across. Too many draws like us last season, but they're scoring bags of goals too. Their goalkeepers are shit, but Van Dijk should help keep things steadier. They should finish top 3 I reckon.

They've drawn 8 (dropping 16 points in the process)
They've only won one more game than us. VVD isn't their cure. Their tactics are dismal at the back and they'll continue to leak goals and drop points.
 

walworthyid

David Ginola
Oct 25, 2004
7,059
10,242
We can do it. We've had a tough first half of the season with injuries/cl/Wembley yet we are within 1 point of the top 4.

We haven't even hit top form yet and when we do we will pick up the points. We need to win the run of games coming up including the man Utd game.

I will be very surprised if don't make the top 4 this season.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
Think we’ve been very unlucky with fixture schedule. That run around the Madrid game was horrific. And we’ve got same again in February. It’s much easier to have these high pressure games spread out than in a block. It’s just mentally so draining to play 6 or 7 big games in a row.
 

slartibartfast

Grunge baby forever
Oct 21, 2012
18,320
33,955
Surprised the number of people worrying about Liverpool now they've brought a defender in but don't mention losing Coutinho.
Personally I think that will make a massive difference to them and not in a good way.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Surprised the number of people worrying about Liverpool now they've brought a defender in but don't mention losing Coutinho.
Personally I think that will make a massive difference to them and not in a good way.

Maybe because he hasn't gone yet, when it's official expect a lot more people to be relaxed.
 

arunspurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
8,807
35,543
Surprised the number of people worrying about Liverpool now they've brought a defender in but don't mention losing Coutinho.
Personally I think that will make a massive difference to them and not in a good way.

Agreed.Coutinho sale in Jan changes things for them. No more free kick goals or goal from CM. Having said that they may then go get Keita in Jan. Not sure if he will have same impact as Coutinho though.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Agreed.Coutinho sale in Jan changes things for them. No more free kick goals or goal from CM. Having said that they may then go get Keita in Jan. Not sure if he will have same impact as Coutinho though.

They can't get Keita in Jan, they've already agreed a contract for him to sign in the summer.
 
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