So much for the power of prayer.

Mohamed Abd El Monssif zamalek (egypt) goalkeeper in following matches instead of Robbo

The problem with our poor away form is that it keeps putting us under tremendous pressure in the league. At least four or five times this season I've had the feeling that if we didn't win the next game or the next two games we would be left with a mountain to climb. So far we have luckily succeeded in winning the games in question, apart from the Fulham game. This morning I have the same feeling that if we fail to beat Villa, and preferrably Liverpool too, we will be very far from achieving the top six finish that must be secured to maintain any sort of progress.
So, once again we are faced with the prospect of having to win just to hang on to the rest of the best below the top. This season is really breathtaking stuff with the games coming thick and fast, but I remain a very worried man as every time we seem to be back on track we produce performances that leave us chasing the top six.

I feel the same way. With all the games we are having to play and the fact the team is being mixed and matched for various reasons each week, each game, from the start of the season, we can be quite pleased with how we are positioned in the cups and the league. I would personally be happy with 6th place in the league this year, which means we are in the UEFA cup again. If we don't make the UEFA cup then I will be very worried as to keep all of our top stars happy.

I agree with you with the exception of the 6th place position, we could make all the finals and lose and
therefore not a step forward would be dissapointing,
I say 4th place would be a great season,to break the
mould of the top four because out here where i'm at they
only know them which gets on my nerves and the rest of the Prem are there to be beat,that's why we couldn't get a stream for yesterdays match cos only the top four are
recognised, the rest of us fight for the scraps.
In my book our aim HAS to be the worlds stage and then
we can continue a legacy, COYS

We did only play 40 games last season, right? So finishing sixth with all the extra games wouldn't be too much of a setback in my opinion. On the other hand I don't want to say "oh well, things will get better next season" every year. I would be happy if we win the UEFA cup, even if we didn't get European footy next season, or "just" win the league cup because then you would be in Europe and that would take the pressure of the premiership, like giving time to King for having his operation, and trying to fit in some talented players from the academy perhaps. Winning some silverware would suit me fine.

Those that mention 6th place should consider this:-Chelsea,ManU.,Liverpool,Arsenal,Bolton,Portsmouth,Newcastle.
We`re gonna finish 8th
I`m hoping for a cup result.

Bilko mate, are you having a laugh? Newcastle? Are you a gooner in disguise? or just a good time supporter?

Portsmouth don't have the squad to finish top 6. I expect them to start falling down the table after Xmas. A couple of key injuries and they will really struggle.

The games on the 30th and 1st will be crucial. Liverpool, Bolton, Pompey and Spurs are all playing each other so if we can win both ours (Liverpool home, Pompey away) then we could quickly jump up the table.

Whats all this "Im happy with 6th place" talk??? Last season we should have got and deserved 4th place, this season with the inclusion of Berbatov,Chimbonda,Malbranque,Zokora and with World Cup experience for Lennon and the establishment of Huddlestone you would be happy to go DOWN a place??? Be optimistic and aim high, the team need to know we have high expectations as fans to push the team forward.

A nice thought in a perfect world. But we are currently struggling away from home, and you do NOT finish ahead of Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Ars*nal if you only win home games.

Happy lilywhite xmas all.

We as a club must always have high expectations,
our history tells us so and before last season in the prem we have underachieved big time. Our rivals seem to get one
too many over us for our liking ,wouldn't you say ?
Everton made 4th two seasons ago ,they didn't invest
in the right way with their new found fortune,like
they didn't realise what they were getting into. The goons
pipped us last year as we all know into 4th due to some
clumsy mistakes and germ warfare, and they made it
to the final,who do you think will be remembered last
year sevillia or the scum ? The scum will !! even though
the EUFA cup in itself is an achievment,it has been
severly watered down in favour of the Champions league.
I'm looking at this from a global point of view not just a British one. It seems to me that many spurs supporters
have an ingrained pessimistic attitude alligned with
a lets be too realistic one.

Blimey, I thought I was a pessimist. Next two home games are vital but if all goes well we will be well in the shake up for 4th, 5th, 6th. I think we can see now how the awful cup results last season helped our league form. Much tougher this time with 2 games every week and the strain is showing a bit I think. Really unlucky with injuries at the moment but a real own goal leaving us with no cover for Aaron Lennon. And are there ever going to be any youngsters in the team that we brought through ourselves?

I think Martin is responsible for loosing this match,why didnot he begin with best striker in league (MIDO)

What is it with everyone dissing Newcastle? I've been saying since last Summer that they were going to be a force, if only they could sort out their chaotic defence, and now they're putting together an impressive run, now that they have most of their important players back: particularly Dyer and Parker.

They have pace. Lots of it. It is extremely difficult to play against pace. They have a very good and deep midfield. They have a striker who is burning up the Premiership at present - and in his first season. They have a good goalkeeper. Their defence is inexperienced and makes a lot of errors, but it's improving and it certainly isn't as inept as the Boumsong/Bramble defence of the past two seasons.

I just can't see why everyone is so dismissive. Given, Parker, Dyer, Solano, Martins, Emre - these are good players. It remains to be seen if Owen will be any use when he comes back, but if he is, he'll arrive just as they're looking to make a run for a European place.

Actually, I can see perfectly well why some people are being so scornful. They're the same people who used to say "we should be able to beat teams like Bolton". The sort of people who judge a team on the reputation of their club and their history, instead of observing what's going on when they play football.