The race for a Champions League place

[Everlasting Seconds]

Teehee.

Boobies.

Hmm... Must find my wife.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Don't think there's any point getting too deep into this and looking at what all the teams around us are doing, just need to focus on ourselves and make sure that we pick up as many points as possible and see where we end up. The run of fixtures coming up is fairly favorable with Man Utd in the middle of it, if we can go there and win and do the same vs Southampton then there's every chance that we'll be right in the hunt on the last day of the season.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Don't think there's any point getting too deep into this and looking at what all the teams around us are doing, just need to focus on ourselves and make sure that we pick up as many points as possible and see where we end up. The run of fixtures coming up is fairly favorable with Man Utd in the middle of it, if we can go there and win and do the same vs Southampton then there's every chance that we'll be right in the hunt on the last day of the season.

Exactly. If we don't win our games then other results mean sod all.

We haven't had a good run of results this season and that's what we need now.

I'm just not sure where that run is coming from.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I haven't been posting this season as I was spending far too much time on footy forums when should've been doing more productive stuff but have had to brake my ban to reply to some of the utter nonsense being written by a few posters in this thread through heavily Spurs-tinted spectacles.

Utd and Arsenal will take the two top 4 places remaining and anyone who thinks differently is completely deluded and needs to see a doctor.

The talking up of Spurs (and even Liverpool by some posters) in this thread is ridiculous. Spurs are nowhere near the team some here are making them out to be.

Neither of our clubs are close to Utd or Arsenals level when their 100% and with squad worth and wage spend the most accurate predictor of final league position it's going to take some huge change for Spurs or Liverpool to break into the top 4 again anytime soon after this season.

A par finish for us is 5th and for Spurs 6th based on the financial forecast so anything higher is an over-achievement. I expect the league will finish:

Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Utd
Liverpool
Spurs
Saints

Then a big pts gap to 8th place.

This season may be the best chance there will be (while Utd still in transition) for one of our clubs to get 4th but I can't see it.

Europa League etc doesn't come into it. It's a myth used by people to excuse poor performances. Weds-Sat in the CL is no different but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

Spurs just aren't good enough to finish 4th ATM that's just the truth of it imo. Neither are Saints or Liverpool (although TBF having Sturridge out most of the season and now Lucas and Gerrard hasn't helped).

It'll come down to cash like it always does.

Here's links to why I have formed these opinions:

http://tomkinstimes.com/2014/11/why-liverpool-never-win-the-league/

http://tomkinstimes.com/2015/01/in-defence-of-fsgs-transfer-policy/

(These are in relation to LFC but all the points made apply to Spurs too as our financial positions aren't game-changingly different so just substitute).

In terms of LFC they've done well, well BR has to turn the season around after the Utd defeat. We were so far off the top 6 (I think we were 7 or 8pts behind Spurs at one point?) at start of winter to be now 6th and above Spurs is great credit to him and the team.

HOWEVER, it's too little too late. The first half of the season was SOO bad that it left them way too much to make up (despite BR teams always improving and going on good runs post Xmas).

Still not convinced by BR and think he's lucked into some of the solutions he's found to change the teams fortunes due to injuries and random decisions based on hope rather than know how. Although tbf to him our record since that Utd game has been fantastic and right up there with the top 4 teams. Some of the football played too has been fantastic but I just think other Managers could produce the same with these players whilst being better in the transfer market and at organising a defence.

Anyway, rant over.

I hate to say I agree with you but I do.

So to cleanse myself I will also add this....

Kenny Dalglish is still a cock.

 

[Nine while nine]

I haven't been posting this season as ...

... Liverpool were doing badly, but now they're in a decent run of form, so I'm back.

FYP


Only kidding. Welcome back.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I haven't been posting this season as I was spending far too much time on footy forums when should've been doing more productive stuff but have had to brake my ban to reply to some of the utter nonsense being written by a few posters in this thread through heavily Spurs-tinted spectacles.

Utd and Arsenal will take the two top 4 places remaining and anyone who thinks differently is completely deluded and needs to see a doctor.

The talking up of Spurs (and even Liverpool by some posters) in this thread is ridiculous. Spurs are nowhere near the team some here are making them out to be.

Neither of our clubs are close to Utd or Arsenals level when their 100% and with squad worth and wage spend the most accurate predictor of final league position it's going to take some huge change for Spurs or Liverpool to break into the top 4 again anytime soon after this season.

A par finish for us is 5th and for Spurs 6th based on the financial forecast so anything higher is an over-achievement. I expect the league will finish:

Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Utd
Liverpool
Spurs
Saints

Then a big pts gap to 8th place.

This season may be the best chance there will be (while Utd still in transition) for one of our clubs to get 4th but I can't see it.

Europa League etc doesn't come into it. It's a myth used by people to excuse poor performances. Weds-Sat in the CL is no different but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

Spurs just aren't good enough to finish 4th ATM that's just the truth of it imo. Neither are Saints or Liverpool (although TBF having Sturridge out most of the season and now Lucas and Gerrard hasn't helped).

It'll come down to cash like it always does.

Here's links to why I have formed these opinions:

http://tomkinstimes.com/2014/11/why-liverpool-never-win-the-league/

http://tomkinstimes.com/2015/01/in-defence-of-fsgs-transfer-policy/

(These are in relation to LFC but all the points made apply to Spurs too as our financial positions aren't game-changingly different so just substitute).

In terms of LFC they've done well, well BR has to turn the season around after the Utd defeat. We were so far off the top 6 (I think we were 7 or 8pts behind Spurs at one point?) at start of winter to be now 6th and above Spurs is great credit to him and the team.

HOWEVER, it's too little too late. The first half of the season was SOO bad that it left them way too much to make up (despite BR teams always improving and going on good runs post Xmas).

Still not convinced by BR and think he's lucked into some of the solutions he's found to change the teams fortunes due to injuries and random decisions based on hope rather than know how. Although tbf to him our record since that Utd game has been fantastic and right up there with the top 4 teams. Some of the football played too has been fantastic but I just think other Managers could produce the same with these players whilst being better in the transfer market and at organising a defence.

Anyway, rant over.

Interesting theory.

 

[Mr Pink]

Toela - we'll still finish above you.

Is Brendan Rodgers 5ft3 by the way? Is that true?

 

[archiewasking]

I have a feeling we'll lose to Fiorentina. Then if we win the League Cup, I would expect everyone to relax, having guaranteed European football, go on a good run with some of the pressure off. Then, who knows? Not impressed by United, Soton I think are going to fade, Liverpool are the biggest threat imo. Just praying Harry doesn't get crocked by Engerland.

 

[whitesocks]

top 4 was a big ask after the liverpool defeat.
I think top 5 has gone now despite the point salvaged against wham.

Sorry nicdic - to clarify, I don't think Liverpool will make top 4 either.
That 4th spot is between southampton and manu, imo.

Either way, sadly, it is a missed opportunity, as neither will be getting a high points total.

 

[maltahotspur]

If we get eliminated from Europa League (as much as I want us to stay in it) and with the Capital One Cup final behind us, we will push for a top four finish, I have no doubt about that. Not saying we will achieve it but we will be up for it, of that I'm positivly sure. Have faith fellow Spurs ! COYS

 

[JollyHappy]

It looks like it's going to be a 67-69 points total for 4th place (and unusually quite possibly 3rd place as well).

So if we have 44 points now and only have 5 home games left (one being Man City) we now need to win those 4 games assuming nothing from the City game plus we need to win at least 4 of our 7 away games (or 3 wins and 4 draws). It's not impossible but now looking unlikely.

The next games home to Swansea, away to QPR are must wins.

I reckon we will end up on about 62/65 points and in 5th/ 6th place.

 

[npearl4spurs]

It looks like it's going to be a 67-69 points total for 4th place (and unusually quite possibly 3rd place as well).

So if we have 44 points now and only have 5 home games left (one being Man City) we now need to win those 4 games assuming nothing from the City game plus we need to win at least 4 of our 7 away games (or 3 wins and 4 draws). It's not impossible but now looking unlikely.

The next games home to Swansea, away to QPR are must wins.

I reckon we will end up on about 62/65 points and in 5th/ 6th place.

why do you have to be so sensible?

But I would be content with 6th. I'm just enjoying watching the team play well and knowing we are young and always getting better.

 

[fortworthspur]

we shouldnt even bother to finish out the prem, apparently.

 

[gibbospurs]

No hope of 4th place, gonna get knocked out of Europe on Thursday and get beat quite easily on Sunday !! COYS.

 

[tototoner]

So the league now the only avenue left, not having to play on a Thursday evening will benefit us though, but it will benefit Liverpool also.

At least Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd still have the distraction of the FA Cup

 

[tttcowan]

So the league now the only avenue left, not having to play on a Thursday evening will benefit us though, but it will benefit Liverpool also.

At least Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd still have the distraction of the FA Cup

We'd be sitting pretty in 3rd if we'd not had the sodding EL getting in the way.

 

[Sloop]

Apparently, as we're a point outside the top six (though 5 points clear of 8th), we're not in the 'race for Europe'.... oh well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31580629

 

[TH1239]

With how much money United, Liverpool and Arsenal are likely to spend this summer after the guaranteed television rights haul of 2016-2017, it's going to be very difficult for us to have an opportunity like this for the foreseeable future. I think we can all assume Chelsea and City are uncatchable and United will likely spend 150+ million pounds and buy either Bale or Pogba, on top of Hummels/Strootman/Alves/Depay, or the like, which if we're being realistic, will make them far better than us. Arsenal and Liverpool, I fear will sign two players each that will be major additions. I fear Schneiderlin/Cavani to Arsenal, with Liverpool grabbing Pjanic/Lacazette to round out their first XI's.

Perhaps if we can somehow find great form, we can finish 4th and improve ourselves this summer. I think it's going to be tough sledding for Poch if we finish outside the top 7 and with significantly fewer points than last season (unless we win Sunday), but I think he has the ability to rally the squad and give a great push.

 

[tototoner]

Apparently, as we're a point outside the top six (though 5 points clear of 8th), we're not in the 'race for Europe'.... oh well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31580629

We are 8th in the Lawro league table on 34 points, 18 behind Liverpool

 

[Romspur 1962]

Think the last 2 spots are between Ars****, Man U and Liverpool. We'll finish 6th and southampton 7th. Love to be wrong but think we're a striker short and Harry cant play every game