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Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

ComfortablyNumb

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2011
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I think the real problem for the big spenders is that there are too many of them. They can't all win everything. If you can pay double the wages anyone else pays, it makes a huge difference. If you can pay 50% more, it'll turn some heads. But when there are 5 or 6 teams who can pay within a 30% or 40% band, that's not decisive.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
In the past I think Abramovich has 'lent' Chelsea £500M, which funded a very successful decade (when £100k per week was top drawer and top players cost £30-40M). I imagine it is a lot harder for Abramovich to move personal funds around in the current era, and that the amounts would need to be much larger (a purchase like Neymar would cost that much - £500M - in trasnfer fee, agents fees, and salary for 4 years). As such I think Chelsea need ot be increasingly self sufficient, and that without CL football, and with a smaller stadium, they will struggle.
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
I think the real problem for the big spenders is that there are too many of them. They can't all win everything. If you can pay double the wages anyone else pays, it makes a huge difference. If you can pay 50% more, it'll turn some heads. But when there are 5 or 6 teams who can pay within a 30% or 40% band, that's not decisive.
Completely agree with your post, and the bolded part is exactly why I think the "Spurs must win a trophy" narrative is utter bollocks.
 

kmk

Well-Known Member
Oct 5, 2014
4,146
27,500
Beat City next week and we should just rest players for the cup game(s)

We should certainly rotate the squad but not rest the first XI every league game. Otherwise our players will go off the boil.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,041
Beat City next week and we should just rest players for the cup game(s)
Does it really matter if we beat City? To be honest I think I have reached the point where I now know we have made top four and I've realised whether we finish above United and Liverpool or not has lost its importance, I'd like to beat City next week but if playing the kids will help us win the cup then I'd be all for it.
We've won the race for the top four now it's shit or bust for the cup.
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
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.


Hope it doesn't take us about 2 months to acclimatise.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
Good point. But think it's just 5th and 6th and not 7th.
Its actually just 5th - unless the League Cup winner is in top-5, in which case it goes to 6th, unless the FA Cup winner is in the top-6, in which case it goes to 7th.

So, unless Southampton win the FA Cup against all odds, 7th place team this year will get Europa. Can't see Chelsea getting below 7th, but you never know...
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
Does it really matter if we beat City? To be honest I think I have reached the point where I now know we have made top four and I've realised whether we finish above United and Liverpool or not has lost its importance, I'd like to beat City next week but if playing the kids will help us win the cup then I'd be all for it.
We've won the race for the top four now it's shit or bust for the cup.
For me - its instilling a winning mentality. For Poch, I am sure its avoiding a match like the Newcastle match a couple of years ago.

Play to win every match we are in.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,773
99,336
Does it really matter if we beat City? To be honest I think I have reached the point where I now know we have made top four and I've realised whether we finish above United and Liverpool or not has lost its importance, I'd like to beat City next week but if playing the kids will help us win the cup then I'd be all for it.
We've won the race for the top four now it's shit or bust for the cup.

I really don't think you can cultivate a winning mentality and then just start trying to turn it on and off like that.

Ok we could make a few changes etc but we should be fully motivated to win everyone of our last league games.

I would hope to see a good bit more of Lucas, for example, but making sweeping changes and bringing in a raft of lesniak's I certainly don't expect to see from Pochettino.

Anyway winning breeds more winning.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,041
For me - its instilling a winning mentality. For Poch, I am sure its avoiding a match like the Newcastle match a couple of years ago.

Play to win every match we are in.
I really don't think you can cultivate a winning mentality and then just start trying to turn it on and off like that.

Ok we could make a few changes etc but we should be fully motivated to win everyone of our last league games.

I would hope to see a good bit more of Lucas, for example, but making sweeping changes and bringing in a raft of lesniak's I certainly don't expect to see from Pochettino.

Anyway winning breeds more winning.

I'm pretty sure we've installed a winning mentality already though.
It's not the attitude it's the personel, the players we put out should play to win of course they should, but should we prioritise 2nd, 3rd or 4th over winning the FA Cup, I don't think so and if we think resting players over the next two games would help win the FA Cup at the expense of 2nd or 3rd then that's my preference.
I think the narrative has changed after last week's win and Chelsea's draw today, where it was about making top four and the FA Cup it is now just about the cup.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
I'm pretty sure we've installed a winning mentality already though.
It's not the attitude it's the personel, the players we put out should play to win of course they should, but should we prioritise 2nd, 3rd or 4th over winning the FA Cup, I don't think so and if we think resting players over the next two games would help win the FA Cup at the expense of 2nd or 3rd then that's my preference.
I think the narrative has changed after last week's win and Chelsea's draw today, where it was about making top four and the FA Cup it is now just about the cup.
Disagree. We still need 3 wins (9 points) to clinch CL. Until that happens - take no chances - play to win each match. The financial incentive to the club and players is enormous to make CL.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
And, realistically - we are talking about 1 match - Brighton - that would have an effect on winning the FA Cup. And, even Brighton is on Tuesday, which means players will be plenty rested for Saturday against United.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,773
99,336
I'm pretty sure we've installed a winning mentality already though.
It's not the attitude it's the personel, the players we put out should play to win of course they should, but should we prioritise 2nd, 3rd or 4th over winning the FA Cup, I don't think so and if we think resting players over the next two games would help win the FA Cup at the expense of 2nd or 3rd then that's my preference.
I think the narrative has changed after last week's win and Chelsea's draw today, where it was about making top four and the FA Cup it is now just about the cup.

Don't agree. We're in a very strong position but it hasn't been sealed yet, we need 3 wins and until it's achieved both objectives are as important as the other.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,041
Disagree. We still need 3 wins (9 points) to clinch CL. Until that happens - take no chances - play to win each match. The financial incentive to the club and players is enormous to make CL.
Worst case scenario, Chelsea win every game by a big score we need 9 points if they just win every game we need eight points in reality we will only need max two wins and we have the games to do it. I guess we could play our strongest side against City but if we rest a few against Brighton I'll be ok with that, I want the team training all week for the semi final.
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
1 point for top 6.
6 points for top 5 (and the North London Cup*).
9 points for top 4 (and the Whole of London Cup*).

*I'm not inventing trophies like some sad Scouser/Gooner - just wanted a way to denote the point at which we are guaranteed to finish above Arsenal and all other London teams.
 
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