The Race to the Title

[tooey]

Offered top four before the season I'd have bitten your hand off. Obviously expectations rise or fall as the season wears on but we shouldn't lose perspective, top 4 and the strides we've made in terms of playing style (especially defensively) is a fantastic season. That being said, I think it's too early to be calling the title done and dusted, let's just see where we are in a few games. If this season has proven anything it's that anything can happen in football.

 

[StartingPrice]

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

They DO NOT have the easiest run in by far - stop being so dramatic and hugely underestimating their run-in!

 

[daryl]

il be happy with 4th now, and the players will deserve a lot of credit if we do get top 4, we've got some really tough games coming up, and I can see Arsenal and city both going on a run, I'm devastated we didn't strengthen in January, were blunt up front, poor old Harry Kane looks tired and out of form, which is no surprise, the poor lads carried us on his own for nearly 2 years. We're the only team in europes top divisions with one striker, quite frankly, it's a fucking joke,

 

[glacierSpurs]

I hope Leicester also think they have the easiest run in.. Do us good.. And prick Vardy does look complacent I guess?

So come on 1, 2, 3, let's continue to say Leicester has the fucking easiest run in....

 

[west indie]

might of been answered, but they play Newcastle on the Monday night

Cheers lightly64

 

[StartingPrice]

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!

Who do you see as being the side to take advantage on current form?

ArseAnal? They away form has been less than impressive since the end of October, they have taken one point from their last two away games, and they have four very hard away games left. They have taken 1 point from their last nine, in fact! They are eight points behind and have to win three more games than Leicester over a nine game stretch.

Citeh? They stuffed an awful Villa yesterday, at home - before that they lost three straight games on the bounce. Even if they win their game in hand they will be seven points behind Leicester and so will have to at least win two and draw one (let's just say win three) more than Leicester in a nine game stretch,

And they have to play one another, so at least one of them will fail to record one of the required wins from that game.

We have taken more points in the last three games than either of them - so if you can't see us taking the mantle off them on current form, I really don't see that you could see anyone else, either.

 

[Lighty64]

They are also much poorer teams so evens itself out. Leicester are better than every single team they play until the end of the season

against WHU that are not going away, against a Man U team that others are expecting us to struggle against, and a Chelsea team that since Hiddink has taken over hasn't lost in the EPL, the last game he lost was against Spurs. hopefully PSG will knock them out next week then they might have something to play for on the last day

 

[millsey]

They DO NOT have the easiest run in by far - stop being so dramatic and hugely underestimating their run-in!

But they do. And they have no cup games. Can you imagine how cocky we would be with a 5 point lead, there games and no other cup games. Jeez it would be wrapped up

 

[Shadydan]

I guess what I am saying is if a team with their resources and personel can perform consistantly then we are capable of doing the same and overturning their lead.

Doesn't work like that though otherwise the two Manchester teams would be sitting on top of the league.

 

[Beni]

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!

Where you getting 4-5 games they have to lose? We are 5 points behind not 15! They only need to lose 1 and draw 1, for us to be level if we win say the next 2 games.

You get banging on about they have lost 3, does that mean that they cant lose, 1 or 2 more? You do know they've drawn a lot aswell, and that you drop points if you lose.

 

[millsey]

If they are capable of being a title winning side then so are we.

But things aren't even?!!

 

[millsey]

Where you getting 4-5 games they have to lose? We are 5 points behind not 15! They only need to lose 1 and draw 1, for us to be level if we win say the next 2 games.

You get banging on about they have lost 3, does that mean that they cant lose, 1 or 2 more? You do know they've drawn a lot aswell, and that you drop points if you lose.

Because out of the 9 left, I imagine we will lose at least 2. Chelsea away, Liverpool away. Stoke away el be tough. So Leicester not only have to lose the 2 to make up the difference now, but the probable points we will lose from now till the end of the season. Hence 4-5 games. Can't guess draws or defeats. Both bad. Of course if we win 9 out of 9 then we may be ok....

 

[Lighty64]

Had a similar conversation with mates yesterday. They weren't having it at all but it's not beyond the realms of possibility, going back all the way to last season where they were all but relegated and suddenly went on that long run. Anywhere vast amounts of money are involved, dodgy stuff is bound to happen. Look at the very top of football ffs, FIFA are rotten to the core.

I'm not saying its definitely happening at Leicester but the turnaround is unprecedented.

to be fair they have a more experienced and professional manager now, that has most probably changed their training and diets. plus they have had very little cup action. I know their team doesn't have the quality that Liverpool had the season, but with Mahrez, Kante, Drinkwater, Huth (been there and done it) and Vardy they have players that are playing out of their skins. even their keeper is the son of a very experienced keeper.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

I dont have a problem with this opinion except for how can Leicester be a title winning side and we not be? Thats something I cant come to terms with.

Because they're 5 points up on us & grinding out consistent wins where's we've hit a spot of bother

 

[Shea]

Because they're 5 points up on us & grinding out consistent wins where's we've hit a spot of bother

It wasn't so long ago Arsenal were 7 points up on us and being rather consistent while we were in a spot of bother

What's to stop us going on an extended run of wins (like the 6 we had prior to the West Ham game) and Leicester having their first spot of bother for the season? 5 points can be overturned in 2 games, it's hardly an insurmountable lead

 

[Mullers]

Doesn't work like that though otherwise the two Manchester teams would be sitting on top of the league.

But they are capable of performing consistantly as are we and thats all that I am arguing.

 

[Mullers]

But things aren't even?!!

They have a number of things working in their favor but we are a bigger club with better players.

 

[Mullers]

Because they're 5 points up on us & grinding out consistent wins where's we've hit a spot of bother

Really what Shea said. If they can grind out wins we are capable of doing the same. Being runners up to Leicester city gives me zero satisfaction.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

It wasn't so long ago Arsenal were 7 points up on us and being rather consistent while we were in a spot of bother

What's to stop us going on an extended run of wins (like the 6 we had prior to the West Ham game) and Leicester having their first spot of bother for the season? 5 points can be overturned in 2 games, it's hardly an insurmountable lead

Really what Shea said. If they can grind out wins we are capable of doing the same. Being runners up to Leicester city gives me zero satisfaction.

quite agree, but the reality is as it stands that they're in better form, are competing on fewer fronts & have a 5 point lead.

Yes, we could perhaps turn that around, sure, but right now they hold the advantage in every way

 

[Larryjanta]

Win our next two games and the table will feel very different.

Last week was always going to be tough. We've come out of it 3 points further off the top but not a huge amount of damage below us. Need to have a run now, winning the next two will keep the pressure on Leicester and probably push us ahead of some of the teams chasing us.

As it stands, looks like we'll need to pick up 2 or 3 wins from our four hardest games (United, Pool, Chelsea and Stoke).

It's going to be tough but we can still do it and top 3 still looks a very good shout.