The Race For 4th

[spurslenny]

Now that we've played Villa twice, it would be a really good time for Villa to find a bit of form, starting tomorrow.

 

[minimike]

If we are going to be realistic title contenders Harry needs to learn how to rotate the squad. Our best players like Bale and Modric who play every single game NEED to be rested. With Champions League fixtures, FA cup as well coming up our players will be tired. Its time to trust players like Kranjcar and Jenas more often. Beckham will be a good back up to Lennon. COYS

 

[pops23]

I do beliveve that we have a chance (an outside chance) but a chance never ther less.

When was the last time we went in to a new year and actually had a valide reason for saying we're in the race?

I'd like to see how any other of the top 5 could cope with the spine of there team ripped ffrom them, like we have had (king, daws, hudd and defoe) all at once, top there champions league group, come back against 1 of there rivals after being 2-0 down at half time, win 2 games in a row being down to 10 men, putting together an 11 game (and counting) unbeaten run. We ARE in the race, and imo we WILL finish in the top 4 minium and be league champions in the next 3 years.........But i might be a little drunk lol.

Today for me proved we are in the race. To play below par and still come away with 3 points was something we used to lack, but with this squad getting fitter after injuries, and hopefully a new signing or 2 in Jan will make us a REAL force.


COYS

 

[walworthyid]

I think to have a realistic chance we will need to beat Everton away and Man U at home. Those 2 results would not only further develop the belief in the squad and fans but also reduce the deficit with Man u and make up some ground on Man City/Arsenal because they play each other next week.

If we were to lose to Man U the gap between us could be 8 or more points and they would have a game in hand as well.

This is the thing with actually being in the title race, you cannot afford to drop points generally but especially in the games against your rivals.

I just hope that if we do fall out of the actual race for the title that we don't also give up on 4th.

 

[cwy21]

If you just keep beating teams not named Manchester ____, Arsenal, and Chelsea you give yourself a chance. Especially in a season where the "big teams" aren't just running the little teams over every week.

 

[StartingPrice]

If we are going to be realistic title contenders Harry needs to learn how to rotate the squad. Our best players like Bale and Modric who play every single game NEED to be rested. With Champions League fixtures, FA cup as well coming up our players will be tired. Its time to trust players like Kranjcar and Jenas more often. Beckham will be a good back up to Lennon. COYS

Kinda agree with this...but at the same time, if he rests key players and we get beat and lose momentum he'll get it in the neck for 'rotating':-|

 

[spurslenny]

:dance::dance::dance::dance:Chelsea recover from 2-1 down to gain what looks like a handy 3 points, only to throw it away in the last minute!
Just goes to show just how totally impossible it is to predict what will happen in any given Prem fixture, let alone the entire season.

Oh, and it also means that we stay in the top 4 for another few days at least!

 

[ryantegan]

:dance::dance::dance::dance:Chelsea recover from 2-1 down to gain what looks like a handy 3 points, only to throw it away in the last minute!
Just goes to show just how totally impossible it is to predict what will happen in any given Prem fixture, let alone the entire season.

Oh, and it also means that we stay in the top 4 for another few days at least!

at home against arguerably the most out of form team in the country. Villa have been shocking for weeks.

I think Chelsea Have to invest, even if it was to freshen things up.

Do you think Ancelotti might have a go for Becks as well?

 

[Mr-T]

at home against arguerably the most out of form team in the country. Villa have been shocking for weeks.

I think Chelsea Have to invest, even if it was to freshen things up.

Do you think Ancelotti might have a go for Becks as well?

I'm wondering if just maybe Ancelotti is about to get sacked soon.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Nice to see Chelsea have returned to their traditional role of tin pot small club in their more illustrious rivals shadow... for a while at least.

It's just great to be sat here in January and still worrying about how Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal are getting on.

 

[ryantegan]

Nice to see Chelsea have returned to their traditional role of tin pot small club in their more illustrious rivals shadow... for a while at least.

It's just great to be sat here in January and still worrying about how Man Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal are getting on.

Its great to see that they are worrying about Spurs.

Were 16\1 for the title. I want us in single figures by Febuary

 

[mabolsa_ritchey]

To be talking about winning the title, and not joking about it, is awesome. I firmly believe we can do it. This isn't the Spurs I grew up with, going into games thinking "I'd take a point from this". These days I'm disappointed if we don't win.
By far the finest team I've had the pleasure of watching at the Lane, and there is no reason whatsoever why we cannot win the league.
YID ARMY!

 

[spurslenny]

Next up for the title chasers are.....

Tuesday

Man utd v Stoke


Wednesday

Arsenal v man city
Wolverhampton v Chelsea
Everton v spurs

Tough to call the arsenal/city game, but will be a win/win for the others.
You'd have to fancy Utd and Chelsea, but then again who knows?
And our game will be tough. We could be the biggest losers in this round of games unfortunately.

 

[spurslenny]

Its great to see that they are worrying about Spurs.

Were 16\1 for the title. I want us in single figures by Febuary

I quite like the fact that we're sort of 'flying under the radar' as it were. Just cruising along in the slipstream of the big boys, in contention, but only as an afterthought in the eyes of many 'pundits'

The Utd game on the 16th is our defining game. If we win, we'll have made ground on Utd and increased the levels of confidence in the squad another notch. But a loss will put us out of the title challenge (IMO) but at least we'll still be in great shape to try for the top 4 again.

 

[ryantegan]

Next up for the title chasers are.....

Tuesday

Man utd v Stoke


Wednesday

Arsenal v man city
Wolverhampton v Chelsea
Everton v spurs

Tough to call the arsenal/city game, but will be a win/win for the others.
You'd have to fancy Utd and Chelsea, but then again who knows?
And our game will be tough. We could be the biggest losers in this round of games unfortunately.

I genuinely beleive that if United dont get an unfair amount of decisions go there way (stoke are physical) then this could be a draw. Rooney I doubt will play after that injury and I can imagine Kenwyne and co bullying the ever weakening Rio and Vidic.

Citeh and Scum is a no lose game at this stage.

Wolves will be a test for Chelsea for sure. They actually play a lot better then thier position suggests.

We do however have a very tough game ourselves. No Cahil or Anichebe and big big doubts over Jagielka and Heitenga

 

[AngerManagement]

Next up for the title chasers are.....

Tuesday

Man utd v Stoke


Wednesday

Arsenal v man city
Wolverhampton v Chelsea
Everton v spurs

Tough to call the arsenal/city game, but will be a win/win for the others.
You'd have to fancy Utd and Chelsea, but then again who knows?
And our game will be tough. We could be the biggest losers in this round of games unfortunately.

You would expect Man U and Chelsea to breeze through their respective fixtures here, but Chelsea's current form means it is not a given.

A draw would be perfect in the other match

We have a tough tough game, the type of game that is a true test of any potential title credentials we might have.

Everton are not in good form but are more than a useful outfit and a match for anyone on their day, we as a team looked somewhat jaded against Fulham like we were feeling the effects of a run of tough games in a short period of time.

Time to step up (again) it's a game we can win. a tough game but with united up next a game we must win if we want to make top four again this season let alone push for the title.

 

[ryantegan]

You would expect Man U and Chelsea to breeze through their respective fixtures here, but Chelsea's current form means it is not a given.

A draw would be perfect in the other match

We have a tough tough game, the type of game that is a true test of any potential title credentials we might have.

Everton are not in good form but are more than a useful outfit and a match for anyone on their day, we as a team looked somewhat jaded against Fulham like we were feeling the effects of a run of tough games in a short period of time.

Time to step up (again) it's a game we can win. a tough game but with united up next a game we must win if we want to make top four again this season let alone push for the title.

I agree.

I think we can give it a real hard push up at goodison. mix it up a bit. Maybe Crouch and Charlie in. We can then have a 10 day break with Charlton game a gimme. I'd expect us to rest players like Modric Van der Vaart Bale, and bring in some fringe players, like Kranjcar Sandro and BECKHAM :grin:

 

[Mr Pink]

If we beat United at home I seriously think winning the League would be possible. Not only would it be a 6 pointer in the bag against a tital rival but it would be the icing on the cake in terms of capping off our great belief and team spirit.

Everton first though and this will be a tough game. When sides in this League are up against it they tend to put in a real performance. Look at the Pikey's over the festive period, Wolves against Pool and Villa today at Chelsea.

Everton are a bit of wounded animal at the moment so we will need to be up for the fight and if we are we should win it given our quality and some of their key men missing.

In short if we battle well we should win, if we dont we'll probably not get away with it.

 

[Mr Pink]

Next up for the title chasers are.....

Tuesday

Man utd v Stoke


Wednesday

Arsenal v man city
Wolverhampton v Chelsea
Everton v spurs

Tough to call the arsenal/city game, but will be a win/win for the others.
You'd have to fancy Utd and Chelsea, but then again who knows?
And our game will be tough. We could be the biggest losers in this round of games unfortunately.

Fully expect United to win. Could be tricky for Chelsea though, a draw wouldn't surprise me actually.

I think the Scum will beat City though, of course I am hoping for the draw.

 

[spurslenny]

Re the goons/citeh game, what result would you all prefer?

Arsenal win - chance to finish above citeh, ergo, CL again.

Man City - chance to finish higher that the goons for the first time since 1996 (I think)

Or a draw - keeps the title dream bubbling along for a few more weeks