The Race to the Title

[The Long Suffering One]

Honestly, the West Ham defeat was much easier to take than yesterday's draw. 24 hours on and it still feels like we lost yesterday. Distraught.

 

[spurs-r-us]

I don't deny Leicester may lose a game or two, but we need to win every single game. With 9 games left, does anyone see them losing the 4-5 they will probably need to lose for us to win it. They've lose 3 in 29!

We've lost 4 in 29 though, but hardly look infallible. I don't see them dropping too many, but I think a lot of people (not just Spurs or Leicester fans, or the media) have gotten ahead of themselves this season. Nine games is a lot to play. Leicester still see themselves as underdogs, but once we get into the 30s the pressure will be ramped up big time. A shock loss could see them pick up a few more bad ones, and all of a sudden they're the bottling title contenders. Sadly, I don't see us as the side in our current form to take the mantle if it does happen, so I'd rather it didn't.

Fun fact, we had 53 points after 30 games last season and sat 7th. This season, we have 55 after 29 and sit 2nd. There's nothing orthodox about 2015/16!

 

[doom]

I don't deny Leicester may lose a game or two, but we need to win every single game. With 9 games left, does anyone see them losing the 4-5 they will probably need to lose for us to win it. They've lose 3 in 29!

it's a funny old game.

 

[doom]

Fun fact, we had 53 points after 30 games last season and sat 7th. This season, we have 55 after 29 and sit 2nd. There's nothing orthodox about 2015/16!

a hell of a lot more goals though this season

 

[L-man]

Leicester have only played 34 games all season and will play 43 max.

Compare that to:
Tottenham - 42 with Dortmund coming up playing a max of 58 combined with European travel. If we go out to Dortmund we will play a total of 53.

Arsenal - 41 with Barcelona coming up, to play a max of 60 games this year combined with European travel. Likely to go out to Barca but if they reach the FA Cup final they will play 54-55 games.

City - 44 currently as well as European travel and likely to be in the CL quarter final. They will play a max 58 games, 55 if they go out in the CL quarter finals.

It's no surprise Leicester are looking much fitter and not getting the niggly injuries other teams are having. Looking fitter because they'll play 10 games less than everyone in the title race isn't a huge conspiracy theory

 

[Shadydan]

To be fair though everyone knows we have a world class training facility and a manager that does double sessions who's main emphasis is on fitness, we also have the youngest side in the league.

You look at Leicester, these are players that are older (Average age of 28.1) who I can't imagine have a very tough fitness regime, especially one that would allow them to be as consistently fit as they have been throughout the entire season and then also you have to look at the players, these are players that before this season who you wouldn't even look twice at, now all of a sudden they are the best in the league at what they do?

I know it does seem far fetched and is likely not the case but I can't help but get that feeling something isn't right.

To be honest you're massively speculating.

You're not looking at this objectively Leicester haven't had to contend with any European football this season and they were knocked out the CL Cup Inn the 4th round and the FA Cup in the 3rd so they've had ample time to rest players therefore naturally their recovery rates are much quicker.

 

[haydsmith]

This is so annoying. You genuinely don't think there that good?? They have lost 3 games this year. The least in the league. They have a 5 point lead. They have the easiest run in by far. They have no European or cup games. There players are rested and fresh. They have no big club pressure on them. They are Just enjoying it. They are incredibly hard to beat. Defensively brilliant and counter attack you with pace. Have the two best players in the Prem this season. But you don't think there that good

I said I don't think they're that good that they're certain to win any game. Not that they're not good. I don't think we or anyone else is that good either. My point is I think they'll drop points, and we need to still believe we can win it. Otherwise I fear we could get dragged into a dogfight for champs league.

 

[doom]

It's no surprise Leicester are looking much fitter and not getting the niggly injuries other teams are having. Looking fitter because they'll play 10 games less than everyone in the title race isn't a huge conspiracy theory

Yes but how many other clubs play less games and are still shit.

 

[shelfboy68]

I don't deny Leicester may lose a game or two, but we need to win every single game. With 9 games left, does anyone see them losing the 4-5 they will probably need to lose for us to win it. They've lose 3 in 29!

To be honest this is what i have been trying to say its in their hands now after our last two results it will be harder not impossible but harder.
Yesterday was dissapointing after getting in front with Hugo not dealing with their second should have done a lot better really.
Whatever happens it has been a great season and We should make top four which was the clubs aim, title was a bonus imo so nothing really lost.
What the club will learn is that one or two areas need additions to avoid fatigue and loss of form, hopefully quality ones not just youngsters with potentially champions league football to participate in.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I don't agree with the argument that this is the only chance we will ever get to win the league - that it's 'now or never'. We currently have the youngest team/squad in the league- in a few years time, they will all be even better and we could have several world-class players in our team.

In the immediate future it's unlikely that we will get another chance like this, but a few seasons down the line, there's no reason we won't be able to challenge again.

 

[L-man]

I don't agree with the argument that this is the only chance we will ever get to win the league - that it's 'now or never'. We currently have the youngest team/squad in the league- in a few years time, they will all be even better and we could have several world-class players in our team.

In the immediate future it's unlikely that we will get another chance like this, but a few seasons down the line, there's no reason we won't be able to challenge again.

People have been saying every year since 2010 that it "will be our best chance to secure top four." Six years later we're in a title race and have challenged for top four in most of the other seasons, finishing fourth once. People give other teams credit for their ability to improve but no consideration for us getting stronger and our young players developing.

This year we had no chance of top four and would have to settle for 5th/6th at absolute best until the new stadium was built. Chelsea were champions, United had spent £200m on class players so would challenge, Man City have a great squad and always challenge, we never finish above Arsenal and would Liverpool be better with all of their money spent. 9 games to go it's 1. Leicester and 2. Tottenham.
Can't believe people are just writing off our ability next season already, especially with the season we're experiencing now. Absolutely anything can happen in the PL

 

[Dov67]

this season has been nuts, and there's approx 25% still to go.

I believe Leicester can and will drop 5 points and I believe we can capitalise. I hope our players have more balls than some of our fans.

 

[haydsmith]

People have been saying every year since 2010 that it "will be our best chance to secure top four." Six years later we're in a title race and have challenged for top four in most of the other seasons, finishing fourth once. People give other teams credit for their ability to improve but no consideration for us getting stronger and our young players developing.

This year we had no chance of top four and would have to settle for 5th/6th at absolute best until the new stadium was built. Chelsea were champions, United had spent £200m on class players so would challenge, Man City have a great squad and always challenge, we never finish above Arsenal and would Liverpool be better with all of their money spent. 9 games to go it's 1. Leicester and 2. Tottenham.
Can't believe people are just writing off our ability next season already, especially with the season we're experiencing now. Absolutely anything can happen in the PL

Agree. Yes other teams will strengthen but so will we. Are the other teams going to find a better centre half partnership than Alder/Vert? Or midfield better than Dembele/Dier/Alli? Or centre forward better than Kane? To me we need to add a bit more quality in the attacking players around Kane and Alli and we'll still challenge.

 

[shelfboy68]

I don't agree with the argument that this is the only chance we will ever get to win the league - that it's 'now or never'. We currently have the youngest team/squad in the league- in a few years time, they will all be even better and we could have several world-class players in our team.

In the immediate future it's unlikely that we will get another chance like this, but a few seasons down the line, there's no reason we won't be able to challenge again.

Dont think anyone is saying its gone and we will never get a chance again because i believe we will and said as much last night.
The league is changing from more money pouring in like never before and so average teams are getting better quality players and are threating the top 4/5 see west ham and stoke for evidence of this.
The title for us this year is gone imo because i dont think leicester will drop enough for us to catch up and we still have a difficult run in, this week was a bit of crunch week with the midweek games and unfortunately would could not seize it.
Still its a young squad that is moving in the right direction so onwards and upwards.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

This is so annoying. You genuinely don't think there that good?? They have lost 3 games this year. The least in the league. They have a 5 point lead. They have the easiest run in by far. They have no European or cup games. There players are rested and fresh. They have no big club pressure on them. They are Just enjoying it. They are incredibly hard to beat. Defensively brilliant and counter attack you with pace. Have the two best players in the Prem this season. But you don't think there that good

Yeah but apart from all that they're pretty shit. And that bloody fox horn thing they run out to.....

 

[Hazardousman]

To be honest you're massively speculating.

You're not looking at this objectively Leicester haven't had to contend with any European football this season and they were knocked out the CL Cup Inn the 4th round and the FA Cup in the 3rd so they've had ample time to rest players therefore naturally their recovery rates are much quicker.

This is true I suppose, still I think that those players in that squad are massively over performing, you look at Drinkwater, Albrighton, these are players that in any other season look average at best, this season however they are looking like they could get into any top four side in this league.

It is a massive turn around in form and ability for the players they have or maybe they are just underestimated? They won the championship so they have the pressure of knowing what it is like to be in a title race of sorts, they were hitting form at the end of last season and managed to stay up with a number of wins that must have given them huge confidence.

I still think even with all those circumstances it is quite amazing they are where they are, I suppose that's why you look for the improbable and illogical in these circumstances because it just seems so unlikely for them to be where they are.

If they do win it and there is no dodgy circumstances behind it (which seems very unlikely that there is but I never discount anything completely, especially with big money involved) then it has to be the greatest sporting story in the PL era.

I think (looking at it realistically) it is because teams didn't take Leicester serious early doors and then once they kept winning the confidence just grew and grew when you factor in also that the top teams haven't been performing and this is one of the closest leagues in years and Leicesters lack of European commitments and lack of cup games it has probably all come together perfectly for them.

I personally still think they will slip up, 9 games is a lot of games and at this end of the season with teams scrapping for their lives at the bottom and other teams in direct competition for CL spots I can see them dropping a fair few points, I think they will lose 2 and draw 1 on the run in.

We just have to make sure we can take advantage, I am not entirely confident we will but I am also not discarding the possibility that we can.

 

[Hazardousman]

I don't agree with the argument that this is the only chance we will ever get to win the league - that it's 'now or never'. We currently have the youngest team/squad in the league- in a few years time, they will all be even better and we could have several world-class players in our team.

In the immediate future it's unlikely that we will get another chance like this, but a few seasons down the line, there's no reason we won't be able to challenge again.

I actually think we will get better next year, I can't see us dropping out of the top four anytime soon but that does rely on us keeping the same players together along with the manager, we can't afford to let any go, we have to build upon what we have, not dismantle it.

 

[Lighty64]

Having not watched it, I'm surprised and a little angry to hear you say that Watford didn't sit back. Leicester are top because they're lethal on the counter and a hard working team that defend well. The way to combat that is to sit back and deny them space like Norwich did. Watford are not a team with enough quality to try and attack them.

It's little wonder they're top when teams still go at them expecting to match them and just play to Leicester's strengths. That's another reason they're top. At first they were an unknown quantity, and even now, teams are only just establishing a game plan to stop them, whilst we've been playing against parked buses all season.

the reason Watford never sat back is they are not in trouble, Newcastle, Palace, and Sunderland will make it as difficult as possible, cause they need points

 

[Mr Pink]

Was so gutted yesterday, have been flat ever since.

In terms of the title race, anything less than 6 points from the next two will most definitely end any slender hopes we have left.

I'm just thinking top four now and will be delighted if we can secure that top four finish, preferably third/higher. What a season its been and we have to be excited with our long term prospects, I genuinely believe we'll compete in and around the top for years to come now.

We need to remember Poch is rebuilding the Club with his style/identity and the fact that its clearly started transforming is a huge deal IMO.

Disappointing week all in all but we have to look at the wider picture. Win the next two and I think we're in a fantastic position to finish the season strongly.

The only worry I have now is fatigue, just hope we can manage the schedule.

 

[spursgirls]

I just hope Leicester don't do as well against the nine teams they have left to play as they did first half of the season as they got 23 points out of the 27.