Race for 4th (or higher) 4.0

[Blackcanary]

Chelsea now play every 3-4 days until Stoke away as their next PL match. In fact they've been playing week to midweek without a week's rest since 25th Nov. The match three days before Stoke is the CC semi against Swansea, so they can't play a weak side and expect to win. And Benitez will be desperate for the CC silverware to look good. Even their FA Cup 3rd round on the 5th is away against Southhampton who are in form, and Benitez won't want to lose that one straight after this one.

Plus, the match against Stoke will be on the 12th Jan, which is quite feasibly the coldest day of the year on average or something. If ever there was a visit to the Brittania which Chelsea had an unusually good chance of messing up, this is it.

Just a note on the FA cup game - apparently Adkins has already said it will be pretty much a second-string Southampton side. Disappointing but understandable.

I will take back every awful thing I ever said about bloody Stoke if they can pull out a win against the blue scum. Quite fancy their chances, as this Chelsea team isn't exactly full of bruisers who'll be able to hold their own.

 

[camaj]

On a points ratio because I was bored, the table would end:

Man Utd - 94 points,
City - 81 points,
Chelsea - 72
Tottenham - 70 points
Everton - 65 points
Arsenal - 65 points (a few decimals below Everton)
West Brom - 60 Points

Which from 3rd to 6th is roughly the same points it took last year. We're 1 point better off. Anyway, thought that was decently interesting for whatever pointlessness it shows.

We're 3pts better off at least. All predictions like this show is how pessimistic (or optimistic) people are. It'd be easier just to say "I'm pessimistic". I'm fairly optimistic, I think we'll get more than 70pts. 76pts isn't out of the question. We got 33pts in the first half and I think we can do much better this half. 12 wins, 5 draws and two defeats? We've got two of those wins already.

 

[worcestersauce]

I spent all my optimism and hope last season so I'd be happy with sixth or seventh this year, anything more than that will be a bonus.
No way am I looking ahead sweating on possible results and point tallies but good luck to you all, hope you're not disappointed.

 

[faymantaray]

I spent all my optimism and hope last season so I'd be happy with sixth or seventh this year, anything more than that will be a bonus.
No way am I looking ahead sweating on possible results and point tallies but good luck to you all, hope you're not disappointed.

Deny it to yourself all you want mate, you'll be sweating with the rest of us come the run in!

 

[Dov67]

I was sure Newcastle would drop away last season but they were there right till the end. I wouldnt be at all surprised to see Everton stay the distance too.

looks like we are roughly where we were this time last year. BUT>>>>surely we aren't going to have a complete mental breakdown post February for the third season on the trot.

 

[knilly]

Everton keep picking up wins so they cannot be discounted.

Its very close this year, so much so im trying not to get my hopes up.

its not working though!

 

[faymantaray]

Sorry if it's already been discussed but does anyone know what's going on with Fellaini's ban?

 

[marvel]

Sorry if it's already been discussed but does anyone know what's going on with Fellaini's ban?

He missed 3 games prior to Newcastle game and that's it now

 

[JerryGarcia]

Anyone heard any Arsenal ITK? January signings could make a big difference to 4th/5th place, especially if we get an injury to a key player.

 

[Matt_Spurs]

I looked at the remaining big fixtures today. Everton still have to play away at Utd, Chel, Tot, Ars and Liv. They have the most away matches against the other 'top' teams than anyone else in the top 6. Very difficult. We have a similar number of home games to Arsenal against big teams.

Up to this point - we are +3 points up on last season in corresponding games. (If Reading, Southampton and West Ham are substituted for Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves respectively). Arsenal are -9.

This looks a big difference but it can easily be overturned. For example if Arsenal beat Wigan at home (a game they lost last season) then they will get back to -6. We need to do well in our next two games QPR (lost 1-0 last season) and Utd (lost 3-1) as they are two of the remaining games where we could make up some ground on last year. After these fixtures we have a run (Norwich, WBA, New) where we won all 3 last year. It's going to be very tight again. Still think Arsenal are our biggest rivals for Champions League - it's a huge game(when isn;t it?) coming up in March when we play them at home. I'm just really pleased that we are in a position talking about points needed for 4th and higher after our difficult start and losing Modric and VDV. COYS.

 

[Blackcanary]

I looked at the remaining big fixtures today. Everton still have to play away at Utd, Chel, Tot, Ars and Liv. They have the most away matches against the other 'top' teams than anyone else in the top 6. Very difficult. We have a similar number of home games to Arsenal against big teams.

Up to this point - we are +3 points up on last season in corresponding games. (If Reading, Southampton and West Ham are substituted for Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves respectively). Arsenal are -9.

This looks a big difference but it can easily be overturned. For example if Arsenal beat Wigan at home (a game they lost last season) then they will get back to -6. We need to do well in our next two games QPR (lost 1-0 last season) and Utd (lost 3-1) as they are two of the remaining games where we could make up some ground on last year. After these fixtures we have a run (Norwich, WBA, New) where we won all 3 last year. It's going to be very tight again. Still think Arsenal are our biggest rivals for Champions League - it's a huge game(when isn;t it?) coming up in March when we play them at home. I'm just really pleased that we are in a position talking about points needed for 4th and higher after our difficult start and losing Modric and VDV. COYS.

Yep, I noticed this too. And that Chelsea still have to go to both Old Trafford and the Etihad.

 

[thinktank]

Anyone heard any Arsenal ITK? January signings could make a big difference to 4th/5th place, especially if we get an injury to a key player.

I doubt if they'll spend much at all.

 

[Blackcanary]

The scum's next set of fixtures. 7 games in 21 days:
Sunday 13th January
Arsenal v Manchester City 16:00

Wednesday 16th January
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay

Sunday 20th January
Chelsea v Arsenal 13:30

Wednesday 23rd January
Arsenal v West Ham United 19:45

Saturday 26th January
FA Cup 4th Round???

Wednesday 30th January
Arsenal v Liverpool 19:45

Saturday 02nd February
Arsenal v Stoke City

Postponing that boxing day game isn't looking so bright now, is it?

 

[Adam456]

The scum's next set of fixtures. 7 games in 21 days:
Sunday 13th January
Arsenal v Manchester City 16:00

Wednesday 16th January
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay

Sunday 20th January
Chelsea v Arsenal 13:30

Wednesday 23rd January
Arsenal v West Ham United 19:45

Saturday 26th January
FA Cup 4th Round???

Wednesday 30th January
Arsenal v Liverpool 19:45

Saturday 02nd February
Arsenal v Stoke City

Postponing that boxing day game isn't looking so bright now, is it?

Indeed.

 

[Blake Griffin]

man city are without yaya, nasri and aguero though. arsenal will at least get a draw i think.

 

[Reado]

It's good having our QPR clash brought forward. If we can get a win and go an extra clear of the teams behind us then that'll be massive psychologically. I know they have games in hand, but I know for sure I would've hated the Monday night game knowing that everyone else had won their games. Would really put the pressure on the others. Thanks Kieron Dyer.

 

[dirtyh]

next round....

qpr v spurs
stoke v chelsea
utd v dippers
arse v citeh
everton v swansea
reading v west brom

can see at least 3 favourable results for us hence a win would be mahoosive

 

[ravo]

Anyone heard any Arsenal ITK? January signings could make a big difference to 4th/5th place, especially if we get an injury to a key player.

Only heard the David Villa loan stuff.

 

[JerryGarcia]

Only heard the David Villa loan stuff.

I'd be gutted if they got him but what would Villa achieve by going to Arsenal on loan? He'd win nothing and be playing for a worse team for a few months. Doesn't seem worth it to me when he could still win the Champs League at Barca.

 

[ravo]

I'd be gutted if they got him but what would Villa achieve by going to Arsenal on loan? He'd win nothing and be playing for a worse team for a few months. Doesn't seem worth it to me when he could still win the Champs League at Barca.

Agreed.