The Race to the Title

[cliff jones]

I see the all about goal difference today brigade are out in force. Villa have players who could well turn up and play out of their skins. It's far from a foregone conclusion, especially given our form and confidence will have dipped after the palace, West Ham and Dortmund defeats, in which we failed to score a single goal. If Kane don't somebody else needs to step up.

I would take the luckiest one nil win today and be well grateful for it.

 

[cliff jones]

Because the only thing that really counts is winning the league. It's not so long ago Wigan won the fa cup, what did that mean? It meant nothing, therefore meaningless. You get five minutes of glory and not a lot else.

Take Chelsea and Liverpool winning the CL, did anyone consider they were the best team in Europe? All they did was somehow manage to find a way to win and get the name on the trophy, they weren't even the best team in their respective cities!

Five minutes of glory for their supporters and for the rest of us dismissing it as luck.

I have always regarded cup competitions in this manner because the best team in the competition rarely win.

You're on a wind up mate. Hod is indeed God. 81, 82 etc.. Has given me memories that I will take the the grave. 5 mins?

What do you feel when you stare at Spurs honours board? Trophy cabinet? Yeah, we wish for more leagues, and you never know they might just make it this year, but the league whilst the pinnacle is not everything.

 

[jimmy-jojo]

What lives are they fighting for? Maybe to impress their manager for when they go down next season, or perhaps to get a move to a Prem club in the summer, but otherwise there's nothing worth fighting for. They're finished.

Obviously we can't overlook any team, but to suggest Villa will be "fighting for their lives" is a bit of an overstatement.

That's exactly the kind of complacency I'm talking about...

 

[nedley]

Tomorrow is huge.

Really hope we go out and make a real statement of intent. Heap pressure on Leicester's game on Monday night, and pull away from City who dropped points, and Arsenal who don't play in the league this weekend.

Would see us 6 and 7 points clear of them with the games next weekend looking pretty favourable too...

Everton v Arsenal
Palace v Leicester
Man City v Man Utd
Spurs v Bournemouth

I believe we can win this league.

Get back on track at Villa and we could certainly see the momentum swing in our favour again.

We were always going to have a blip and I really hope we've just had it.

 

[archiewasking]

That's exactly the kind of complacency I'm talking about...

Right with you. Take the opposition for granted and by the time you wake up, there's no way back. Obviously it's a lower level, but a fortnight ago, my son's U18 team went away to a team which hadn't won for over a year. Guess what? By the time they started playing, they'd let in 3, and finished by losing 3-2. The other lot celebrated as though they'd won the league. And Villa can do the same to us if we let them play, nick a goal and get a surge in confidence.

 

[sim0n]

3 points won today keeps Spurs on the right path to win the league - put up or shut up

COYS!!!!

 

[Shadydan]

That's exactly the kind of complacency I'm talking about...

Good thing the fans aren't playing in this match then, we'd probably lose it.

 

[Dennism]

Must not underestimate Villa. Bournemouth will not be easy. However, if we win these we should go to Liverpool feeling confident. They are not world beaters despite what Sky tell us.

 

[Marty]

Must not underestimate Villa. Bournemouth will not be easy. However, if we win these we should go to Liverpool feeling confident. They are not world beaters despite what Sky tell us.

I have much greater faith in us beating Bournemouth after the run they've had recently because they're now on 38 points and pretty much safe from relegation. No need to fight for their lives against the top sides any more, they can focus on getting over the line in their fixtures against the rest of the bottom half. Which they should manage easily, they've been great to watch this year.

But six points from these two fixtures, no matter how they come about, is vital. Two 1-0s will do fine and bigger wins are bonus.

 

[shoggy33]

After city's result yesterday I will take any kind of win. Personally I can't see us winning the league any more, but if we win the next 2 I think we're fairly locked in for the top 4 given what's going on at City, arsenal and United. Could conceivably end up with liecester, spurs and West Ham in the top 4 at this rate!

 

[Jody]

Just seen that we are top of the league in results since boxing day.

 

[Marty]

Just seen that we are top of the league in results since boxing day.

Top of the league since Mourinho was sacked. 29 points from 13 games since then with WHAM, Chelsea and Leicester in second, all on 25. Arsenal with 19 and City with 18 before Saturday's fixtures.

EDIT: With evidence. Used this table in our Premier League shows here in Norway yesterday.

 

[Blake Griffin]

we're top over the last 25 games too. just that slow start costing us.

 

[oskathegobshite]

I can see Leicester dropping points tomorrow. Don't know why just a feeling - same feeling that told me we would get beat at West Ham that I tried to ignore. If we hold our nerve and win the next two I think we are right in it and pretty much guaranteed top four - that should be incentive enough. Anything but a win today we can't win the title for me and even if we win the next four I feel we will get beaten at Stamford Bridge so we still need Leicester to fuck it up.

Fingers crossed.

 

[RichieS]

I have much greater faith in us beating Bournemouth after the run they've had recently because they're now on 38 points and pretty much safe from relegation. No need to fight for their lives against the top sides any more, they can focus on getting over the line in their fixtures against the rest of the bottom half. Which they should manage easily, they've been great to watch this year.

But six points from these two fixtures, no matter how they come about, is vital. Two 1-0s will do fine and bigger wins are bonus.

My main concern with Bournemouth is their Spurs youth products turning in world class performances against us...

 

[spursram]

According to the Sunday Times, Ferguson believes Leicester will have the title won with ease with 3 games still left to play. He also believes top 4 will include Spurs, Arsenal and WHam. Comments made at some posh lunch at the Cheltenham Festival.

 

[Qualsonic]

I just wish leicester would hit a bad patch and open that door again....i think second time round we would storm through it

Question is will we get another sniff? I can only see it if the get a couple of injuries to key players.

We've had our chances...

 

[thebenjamin]

After city's result yesterday I will take any kind of win. Personally I can't see us winning the league any more, but if we win the next 2 I think we're fairly locked in for the top 4 given what's going on at City, arsenal and United. Could conceivably end up with liecester, spurs and West Ham in the top 4 at this rate!

Surely you'd take any kind of win from every game?

 

[rossdapep]

Top of the league since Mourinho was sacked. 29 points from 13 games since then with WHAM, Chelsea and Leicester in second, all on 25. Arsenal with 19 and City with 18 before Saturday's fixtures.

EDIT: With evidence. Used this table in our Premier League shows here in Norway yesterday.

At one point arsenal were 7 ahead of us right? There's a well coined phrase that I'm desperate to use.....but I'll wait until May for the chance.

 

[rossdapep]

Top of the league since Mourinho was sacked. 29 points from 13 games since then with WHAM, Chelsea and Leicester in second, all on 25. Arsenal with 19 and City with 18 before Saturday's fixtures.

EDIT: With evidence. Used this table in our Premier League shows here in Norway yesterday.

If both us and Leicester maintain that form over the next 9 games then that'll still make Leicester champions;

Leicesters average: 20 points
Spurs' average: 22 points

Or something like that.

Further highlights the need for a blip from their form.