The Race For 4th

[StartingPrice]

Would of preferred the draw but you cant have it every way :grin:

Seriously though, they'll beat Wigan next week and if we lose at Sunderland suddenly it doesn't look so comfortable. Our game in hand is away

What if they don't?
How many people had yesterday down as a aniled-on victory for United:shrug: (Apart from me, I had it down as a Wolves win...yeah, 3 bluddy 1 at the bookies:evil:).

And what if we actually do win at Sunderland (minus Darren Bent)...and I actually think we will get a result against them.

Really, Pinky, I like you, but you are just doing the same thing as the pessimists of the site: "What if it goes bad with us and good with our rivals?" Well, boo-FCUKing-Hoo - we'll just have to pull ourselves together and put things right in the next game, and hope they will slip up.

Sorry, but these posts are almost word-for-word the sameas the ones we were getting at the same time last season saying we couldn't finish 4th, and going through each game saying "what if they win and we don't".

 

[Shepspurs]

I watched the Chelsea-Liverpool game on Sky and, as usual, got irritated by the commentators.

All they kept on about was that it was Chelsea's opportunity to put pressure on Man Utd. Not once did they mention that perhaps they should be looking over their shoulder in order to hang on to 4th place. In fact, the way they played I am left wondering if Torres could be their "Asprilla" signing.

Regarding 4th place, looking at both teams fixtures, Chelsea have an extra home game. Their difficult games will be Man Utd., Man City and (hopefully) ourselves. I think that West Ham are too bad to include that as a difficult London Derby. Our hard home game is the Gooners.

Away from home we have 3 hard games to finish, Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea have 2 hard games at the end of the season, Man Utd. and Everton.

In summing up, there's not a lot of difference in the fixtures. We just need to win our easier games and then raise our game for the others, as we did last year. Hopefully, Chelsea will keep playing the way they did today.

 

[Mr Pink]

What if they don't?
How many people had yesterday down as a aniled-on victory for United:shrug: (Apart from me, I had it down as a Wolves win...yeah, 3 bluddy 1 at the bookies:evil:).

And what if we actually do win at Sunderland (minus Darren Bent)...and I actually think we will get a result against them.

Really, Pinky, I like you, but you are just doing the same thing as the pessimists of the site: "What if it goes bad with us and good with our rivals?" Well, boo-FCUKing-Hoo - we'll just have to pull ourselves together and put things right in the next game, and hope they will slip up.

Sorry, but these posts are almost word-for-word the sameas the ones we were getting at the same time last season saying we couldn't finish 4th, and going through each game saying "what if they win and we don't".

I dont think they will finish above us providing we dont falter badly, just dont want other teams involved. Its difficult enough as it is. They have just won four on the spin without conceding a goal. I wouldn't completely write them off as they're capable of going on a run.

i am not being negative in the slightest, just making an observation that they could come into the reckoning if they continue to improve.

 

[Caco]

In fact, the way the played I am left wondering if Torres could be their "Asprilla" signing.

Have to say I agreed with this 100%. They have gone out and spent £50m on this marquee signing that they didn't need. They now have to find a place for him in the team, which is bound to upset what is a team which is close knit and have been together for a long time. They will struggle to make this work short term, the simple option is to leave him on the bench and make him an impact player for the good of the team, but when you spend that much money the owner is not going to accept that.

Same will happen in scouseville when the £35m bargin is fit. They will need to accomodate both him and Suarez in a team that is starting to find a bit of farmilliarity with itself.

They will both go through tough spells and will drop points along the way.

From our point of view, we only have current players to come back over the next 2-6 weeks which will only keep the current first team on their toes. Expect Niko, Jenas and Bassong to really push themselves to keep the place they've gained at others missfortune.

But above all, remain positive FFS!

 

[danielneeds]

I really hope Chelsea play Torres, Drogba and Anellka together for the rest of the season. Looked like too many cooks spoiling the broth.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

I really hope Chelsea play Torres, Drogba and Anellka together for the rest of the season. Looked like too many cooks spoiling the broth.

Couldn't agree more. A bizarre decision to shoehorn them into the same side today.

 

[Leigh]

Have to say I agreed with this 100%. They have gone out and spent £50m on this marquee signing that they didn't need. They now have to find a place for him in the team, which is bound to upset what is a team which is close knit and have been together for a long time. They will struggle to make this work short term, the simple option is to leave him on the bench and make him an impact player for the good of the team, but when you spend that much money the owner is not going to accept that.

Same will happen in scouseville when the £35m bargin is fit. They will need to accomodate both him and Suarez in a team that is starting to find a bit of farmilliarity with itself.

They will both go through tough spells and will drop points along the way.

From our point of view, we only have current players to come back over the next 2-6 weeks which will only keep the current first team on their toes. Expect Niko, Jenas and Bassong to really push themselves to keep the place they've gained at others missfortune.

But above all, remain positive FFS!

This. :clap:

 

[MilkyBarYid]

I really hope Chelsea play Torres, Drogba and Anellka together for the rest of the season. Looked like too many cooks spoiling the broth.

Strange but I think Anchelotti had read Venables column in the Sun yesterday where he set out the exact same formation with Anelka, Drogba and Torres up top. It looks scary but didn't work today.:razz:

 

[StartingPrice]

I dont think they will finish above us providing we dont falter badly, just dont want other teams involved. Its difficult enough as it is. They have just won four on the spin without conceding a goal. I wouldn't completely write them off as they're capable of going on a run.

i am not being negative in the slightest, just making an observation that they could come into the reckoning if they continue to improve.

Okay, Pinky, you are baffling me a bit now. I think you need to check which post you are responding to.

Originally, my the post you quoted was one of mine responding to a comment about Sunderland. You then seeme to be talking about Chelsea. And this one above seems to be about Liverpool (or am I wrong:shrug.

Anyway, even if it is Liverpool, I have already clarified tht we are in a race for the title (theoretically), but at the same time one with Liverpool for 5th (or even 4th) place.

Lay of of them thar funny ciggies, Brudda:wink:

 

[Zimmy]

Strange but I think Anchelotti had read Venables column in the Sun yesterday where he set out the exact same formation with Anelka, Drogba and Torres up top. It looks scary but didn't work today.:razz:

They played the exact same formation at Sunderland on Wesdnesday and won 4-2.

 

[the watson]

It's possible. We've ground out some tricky wins and seem to have luck on our side. I think Arsenal will have their usual drop in form soon, and I don't think City's 1 man army will continue to keep up their form either. Chelsea is hard to judge because we've only really seen what they are now capable of today, but I'm not convinced that they're settled.

Our situation these past couple of weeks has actually been pretty bad - Hudd, Bale, Centre backs all injured and quite an unsettling window for the club: players being allowed out without finding a move and some signs of friction between DL and HR. Even with all this going on we're riding our storm and I think the return of the Hudd will be the start of us getting out of it.

I think it's important that we remain underdogs so we can focus game by game. Hell even let Liverpool continue their good form and handle the glare of the media spotlight, we'll still be in the mix. We're well overdue a nice 3-0/4-1 type win at the lane, and odds are that will turn up soon - give us some wind in the sails and some confidence in front of goal. We can do this, I think its up to HR to work his magic on and off the pitch, playing down our chances, getting the players buzzing and getting his subs spot on when things aren't working.

COYS

 

[MilkyBarYid]

They played the exact same formation at Sunderland on Wesdnesday and won 4-2.

Yeah but different personnel, I actually think Torres upset things today for Chelsea and there was no cohesion between the front 3.

 

[walworthyid]

We have been unbelievably consistent for a very long time now and I expect us to continue in that way. We will get roughly 70 pts this season and we need to hope that it is enough.

I don't expect Liverpool to catch us simply because it will require them to win virtually every game for the rest of the season and for us to have the sort of form we just don't have any more.

Chelski are just not that good. I've watched them on numerous occasions this season and what they lack fundamentally is pace and creativity in the middle. They have no wingers, they generally play 3 plodders in the middle and they rely on being machine like and controlling games and hope that their strikers will score a goal. They have lost 7 games this season and have been in poor form for a good couple of months, they simply will not suddenly go on a run and win even 10 of their remaining games. They are very much within our reach.

City are also just not that good. Yes they can beat the crappy teams at home but what happens when Tevez doesn't score or they have to come from behind? We are as good as them, we have proven it for over a year now and we have had horrendous injuries during that time. Take Silva, Kompany, Johnson, Toure and Barry out of that team and I bet they wouldn't be third now. That is what we have had to deal with.

I reckon that we have as good a chance as anybody and we have yet to hit any form. It will go down to the wire but I believe that we can and will do it.

 

[Mr Pink]

Okay, Pinky, you are baffling me a bit now. I think you need to check which post you are responding to.

Originally, my the post you quoted was one of mine responding to a comment about Sunderland. You then seeme to be talking about Chelsea. And this one above seems to be about Liverpool (or am I wrong:shrug.

Anyway, even if it is Liverpool, I have already clarified tht we are in a race for the title (theoretically), but at the same time one with Liverpool for 5th (or even 4th) place.

Lay of of them thar funny ciggies, Brudda:wink:

I was going to ask you for one :grin:

Just a case of wires crossed....

I'll be over the moon if we get top 4 again....sneaking in for the title would just be unbelievable but I am not thinking about that as such. Top 4 is all I am thinking about at the moment.

The next 3 League games are away and they could have a huge bearing on how we do. We could end up with a point or two or we could do very well and get 7-9 points.
Thats a big difference in terms of momentum at this stage of the season. There are no easy games in this League anymore and we have start treating everyone like a Cup Final.

 

[Mr Pink]

We have been unbelievably consistent for a very long time now and I expect us to continue in that way. We will get roughly 70 pts this season and we need to hope that it is enough.

I don't expect Liverpool to catch us simply because it will require them to win virtually every game for the rest of the season and for us to have the sort of form we just don't have any more.

Chelski are just not that good. I've watched them on numerous occasions this season and what they lack fundamentally is pace and creativity in the middle. They have no wingers, they generally play 3 plodders in the middle and they rely on being machine like and controlling games and hope that their strikers will score a goal. They have lost 7 games this season and have been in poor form for a good couple of months, they simply will not suddenly go on a run and win even 10 of their remaining games. They are very much within our reach.

City are also just not that good. Yes they can beat the crappy teams at home but what happens when Tevez doesn't score or they have to come from behind? We are as good as them, we have proven it for over a year now and we have had horrendous injuries during that time. Take Silva, Kompany, Johnson, Toure and Barry out of that team and I bet they wouldn't be third now. That is what we have had to deal with.

I reckon that we have as good a chance as anybody and we have yet to hit any form. It will go down to the wire but I believe that we can and will do it.

I know! In the League we havn't been as good as we can be amazingly enough...YET. When the strikers start finding the net we are going to hand out a few spankings.

 

[C0YS]

We have been unbelievably consistent for a very long time now and I expect us to continue in that way. We will get roughly 70 pts this season and we need to hope that it is enough.

I don't expect Liverpool to catch us simply because it will require them to win virtually every game for the rest of the season and for us to have the sort of form we just don't have any more.

Chelski are just not that good. I've watched them on numerous occasions this season and what they lack fundamentally is pace and creativity in the middle. They have no wingers, they generally play 3 plodders in the middle and they rely on being machine like and controlling games and hope that their strikers will score a goal. They have lost 7 games this season and have been in poor form for a good couple of months, they simply will not suddenly go on a run and win even 10 of their remaining games. They are very much within our reach.

City are also just not that good. Yes they can beat the crappy teams at home but what happens when Tevez doesn't score or they have to come from behind? We are as good as them, we have proven it for over a year now and we have had horrendous injuries during that time. Take Silva, Kompany, Johnson, Toure and Barry out of that team and I bet they wouldn't be third now. That is what we have had to deal with.

I reckon that we have as good a chance as anybody and we have yet to hit any form. It will go down to the wire but I believe that we can and will do it.

Never has someone failed to make the top 4 with 70 points. This season I suspect it would be lower, such is the unpredictability of the league. I think 64 points will get us 4th.

 

[walworthyid]

Never has someone failed to make the top 4 with 70 points. This season I suspect it would be lower, such is the unpredictability of the league. I think 64 points will get us 4th.

Its unpredictable but only really for the top 3, us and city are pretty much exactly where we were last season. 4th spot will be about the same 67-70 pts as it was last season but I think the title will be won by around 80-84 pts, maybe even less. Man U and the scum would have to produce the kind of form they have simply not even approached this season to make it any higher. Will man u win 10 of their last 13 games? I don't think so and neither will arsenal.

We are actually in great form results wise in the sense that we have lost just 2 of the last 18 with just 1 in the league and yet you realistically I think there is a lot more to come from us. Horrendous injuries, strikers not scoring and the cl to deal with, its actually amazing that we are where we are.

 

[dontcallme]

The Liverpool result really helped us today. Liverpool may see an improvement but I really can't see it being enough to challenge us, I didn't think they played particularly well today and they won't transform overnight.

We are in competition with Man City and Chelsea for 3rd and 4th place and possibly Arsenal, if we beat them at the Lane.

I can't see us catching 10 points on Utd in 13 games though.

 

[tony_parkes]

Been talking to my 2 brother in laws today, both Liverpool fans. Spoke to the first one before the Chelsea game and I asked if he thought they could catch us, he thinks they have a chance and that was before they beat Chelsea.

The other one phoned after the win and a few beers and he was all giddy, unsurprisingly he also felt that confidence was growing and they had a chance of catching us.

I pointed out that we are consistent now and are on course for roughly 70 points again. I think that whilst it isn't impossible they are unlikely to finish above us.

He didn't like it when I said that we would have to perform below our usual standard regularly between now and the end of the season and they would have to perform well above what has become their par performance of the last nearly 2 years.

They have United in a couple of weeks, hopefully that will bring them down a peg or two.

 

[spurslenny]

SL -I was repsonding to a post where you said the game with Sunerland was crucial...so why the FCUK are you blethering on about United and Chelsea:shrug::grin:

Besides, it is just a general point that holds good, and will always hold good. If we finish 1 point above whoever finishes 5th it really won't matter in 1, 2 or 20 years that we lost to Sunderland and so dropped 3 points in that game (or any other).

I shouldf also point out, in all fairness, that as much as I insist we are in the title race, we are also in a race with Liverpool for 5th or even 4th.

1. I was going to post a funny, sharp witted response, but I couldn't be bothered.
2. actually, I was 'blathering' and not 'blethering'
and 3. it's my thread, so I'll post what I want :razz:


:grin: