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Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

walworthyid

David Ginola
Oct 25, 2004
7,059
10,242
Was looking at the form guide this season. Since game week 15 and we have been the 2nd best team in the league, since game week 18 we have been the best. We've taken 2 more points than the mighty, all conquering Liverpool from 1 less game and 4 more than city! We've got a better goal difference. We're also unbeaten in that time. If you take it back a further 76 games we are 2nd. That is amazing. We have beaten all comers in that time. We should fear nobody at all. Yet there is a lingering doubt that hangs over us as fans. A sense of inferiority. We need to let it go and believe. We are on the cusp of greatness. We need to stop thinking about the possibility of Chelsea making up 9 pts in 6 games and start thinking about the possibility of winning every game until the end of the season.

We are in a race for 2nd, let Chelsea worry about the race for 4th!
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
I didnt, Big difference is that the new managers are settling their teams, 3 (ish with Klopp) new managers last year and we were the more settled team. its showed in performances and where they are in the table currently. Next year will be tougher, be interesting to see what signings are made in the summer by the top 6.

This year was meant to be the toughest because of Wembley
 

Col_M

Pointing out the Obvious
Feb 28, 2012
22,639
45,683
I really don’t ‘get’ Sterling at all. Hugely overrated player IMHO. Regularly makes poor decisions, woeful finishing for a forward player.

I was like you last season. This season he has been incredible. So he’s had an off game, not like that’s ever happened to any of our players
 

jonnyrotten

SC Supporter
Aug 16, 2006
2,114
3,721
They are efficient.

Out of the top six sides Utd sit sixth for chances created. They also are sixth for expected goals if you believe in that metric.

In the long run I'd rather be a team who is wasteful but creates a lot because you can improve profligacy over time whereas you can't keep getting away with scoring your first shot on target or only having three shots on goal and scoring two. What has also helped Utd is De Gea. Only three other keepers have made more saves and they play for Swansea, Everton and Stoke. Hugo is 14th in the rankings and has made 39 fewer stops. De Gea pulls off the spectacular more than most and he makes less mistakes than Hugo who has conceded goals he should have stopped, but ultimately De Gea is required to do more. Having your keeper bail you out so often also is unsustainable because what if he leaves, gets injured or loses form?

Without De Gea United wouldnt be top 6.
 
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JW72

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
707
3,209
He's scored 20 goals this season

Indeed. Just in my own opinion he’s not nearly as good a player as that suggests.

He had that purple patch earlier in the season where everything he touched hit the back of the net, but at the moment his finishing is more like his pre-Pep self. He's a good player though.

This. He’s ‘just’ a good player. I wouldn’t swap him for any of ours.


Except maybe Sissoko ;)

I was like you last season. This season he has been incredible. So he’s had an off game, not like that’s ever happened to any of our players
Yes, though I think for example Dele had a few poor games earlier this season but is otherwise a class act. From what I’ve seen Sterling has often promised much but, apart from a purple patch earlier this season supported by the likes of Silva, de Bruyne, Sane etc has flattered to deceive.

I’d be the first to hold my hands up if he has repeatedly excellent seasons...
 

The Doc

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2012
881
2,456
This year was meant to be the toughest because of Wembley

don't forget all the money spent by other clubs and the import of some pre-season friendlies in the states. Pretty sure we were going to finish below Everton too according to some. Imagine more of the same will appear this Summer after club x's new signing scores a couple against outer Mongolia in the wc.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Next season Chelsea have to start again with a new manager and Arsenal will always be Arsenal with Wenger, even if they get a new manager in they have to reboot.

Us, Utd Pool and City will all have settled squads and the best players will most probably stay, I know there's question marks over Alderweireld but he's now an after thought and his departure won't weaken us.

We have the benefit of playing in our home ground, might take us a couple of months to get used to it like Wembley so I'm expecting an early season blip like this season but we should be good after that.

Also I don't think City will have it this easy, everyone will be gunning for them as they are the team to beat.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Next season Chelsea have to start again with a new manager and Arsenal will always be Arsenal with Wenger, even if they get a new manager in they have to reboot.

Us, Utd Pool and City will all have settled squads and the best players will most probably stay, I know there's question marks over Alderweireld but he's now an after thought and his departure won't weaken us.

We have the benefit of playing in our home ground, might take us a couple of months to get used to it like Wembley so I'm expecting an early season blip like this season but we should be good after that.

Also I don't think City will have it this easy, everyone will be gunning for them as they are the team to beat.
I'm hoping the adrenaline rush of the new stadium gives us an early season boost that sets us off fast.

Atletico took some time adjusting to their new stadium this season, but then they were moving directly from their fortress of the Calerdon, to a slightly more sanitized, sparkly venue. We've already had the adjustment of losing the familiar surrounds of WHL, and NWHL should give the players a more partisan atmosphere to use than Wembley. FIngers crossed...
 

St José Dominguez

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,592
11,648
Almost there now, even taking Wembley into consideration I fully expected us to get Top 4 this season. We are a superb team and if we get over the line getting CL 3rd season running whilst playing 38 away games is a fantastic achievement from Poch and the players.

Think 2nd is out of reach now but be nice to finish 3rd and above the best team ever in history of life.

Don't care who anyone else buys or how much they spend in summer I fully expect us to get top 4 next season too. Unless City have another freak season we should be aiming to be back in a title race, we're a great team with great players and a great manager. Can't wait for next season.
 

ljinko888

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2016
2,080
5,376
14 games unbeaten in the league. 36 points out of 40.

City went the first half of the season unbeaten with 53/57 points.

Five more wins takes us the entire second half of the season unbeaten and 51/57 points.
 

kmk

Well-Known Member
Oct 5, 2014
4,146
27,504
All things as is we should be top 4 poss 3. Next year will be probably the toughest top 4 to achieve for sometime imo. City are there and potentially add one or two, Utd and pool will strengthen again with pretty major names linked to each. Can we continue to punch above our weight when we cannot match wages?. Be an interesting season in 18/19.

I have been hearing this every season for the past 3 years and we have still continued to achieve top 4. Next season, playing at the new stadium will be an advantage for us.
 

greaves

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2006
6,120
8,948
I'm hoping the adrenaline rush of the new stadium gives us an early season boost that sets us off fast.

Atletico took some time adjusting to their new stadium this season, but then they were moving directly from their fortress of the Calerdon, to a slightly more sanitized, sparkly venue. We've already had the adjustment of losing the familiar surrounds of WHL, and NWHL should give the players a more partisan atmosphere to use than Wembley. FIngers crossed...

I think the single most important achievement for the team this season is that they know they can adapt. And that can have significant implications way beyond the actual place/ space they are playing in.
 

Westmorlandspur

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2013
2,685
4,500
We have definitely stepped up a level this season. We can take on any of top teams now, incl Europe. Doubt that city will dominate next season like they have this. Our signings in the summer are most important.
 
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