Top four finish?

[Sandros Shiny Head]

If City beat Leicester, and both us and Arsenal take care of business, the valentines games are going to be a massive free for all that could leave the top four in pretty much any order

 

[Shea]

Leicester's next two fixtures are very tough - i'd be surprised if they got more than a point from the two

Then they're going to play weaker teams looking to grind out points to stay clear of relegation. These teams will present then with different problems to solve

Leicester are very used to exploiting the space left by an attacking team on the counter

Let's see how well they can consistently break down teams who see a point against them as a good result and look to deny them space, sit back, force them to be the aggressor and hit them on the break instead

They already failed to beat bottom placed villa. I could see them dropping points against teams like WBA and Norwich even

 

[Bulletspur]

@Shea This is much like most pundits too.

They all say Leicester could win it, then mention how they don't think Spurs are strong enough. In my opinion we have a better squad and should be classed as having just as much chance as Leicester.

They have Mahrez and Vardy..... what makes them better than Alli & Kane?

I get Spurs fans having the "Spurs will find a way to fuck it up mentality" it's ingrained with years of experience for us all.

I don't even really think we can win it this year

I find it mad how we don't really seem to be considered title contenders at this stage though, even by our own fans. Leicester seem to very much be considered in the mix yet had we beat them at the Lane we'd be a point clear, Arsenal are even considered strong contenders by all yet they're level with us and behind on goal difference

I'm surprised we're not being taken more seriously at this stage

Why does it matter if others including the media don't rate or consider us as title contenders? Its like others getting annoyed when Lawro predicts against us, pointless! They cannot affect results. I personally would like to keep it that way. Less pressure and if we should win the title, the victory would be even sweeter.

 

[Mullers]

If we win the league on goal difference, I will question everything I thought I knew about life.

I think I would die of a heart attack in the lead up to that.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

I'm still going to stick to my original believe we wont make top 4, mainly due to our incredibly difficult April fixtures compared to our rivals'.

I agree!! All our games have been piss easy so far, and only April holds any level of difficulty!

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

I think Liverpool is done. But Manure is still a big threat. It's hard to figure them out. They got so much talent but as unit, play like they have no clue. Except that, tonight they looked better than they have in a long time. If they get their shit together, they could go on a good run.

The flip side, though, is that Stoke were absolutely bloody terrible. As soon as a team puts any pressure on United, they seem to buckle instantly. There's a reason that was the first time have scored in the first half since September, they simply aren't that good.

Don't worry about them, they're behind us. We should only be looking up now, in my opinion, of course COYS

 

[Mullers]

Leicester's next two fixtures are very tough - i'd be surprised if they got more than a point from the two

Then they're going to play weaker teams looking to grind out points to stay clear of relegation. These teams will present then with different problems to solve

Leicester are very used to exploiting the space left by an attacking team on the counter

Let's see how well they can consistently break down teams who see a point against them as a good result and look to deny them space, sit back, force them to be the aggressor and hit them on the break instead

They already failed to beat bottom placed villa. I could see them dropping points against teams like WBA and Norwich even

I'd be surprised too but then they've surprised me all season. The advantage they have over us is I think teams are underestimating them, with us they raise their game. They also don't have a lot of derbies to play like we do. I fully admit I am worried about them even though there is a considerable amount of time left.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Have you got any itk about us winning the league?

JJ doesn't do Q & A

 

[Donki]

The flip side, though, us that Stoke were absolutely bloody terrible. As soon as a team puts any pressure on United, they seem to buckle instantly. There's a reason that was the first time have scored in the first half since September, they simply aren't that good.

Don't worry about them, they're behind us. We should only be looking up now, in my opinion, of course COYS

Agreed Stoke's defending was some of the worst I have seen this season, nobody marking anyone and total confusion. United have good individuals but in terms of a balanced first team and and defence they are an utter mess. Without De Gea they would be down another 6 points id say, not saying a team shouldnt rely on their keeper but it does paper over the cracks of how shit their play has been.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

I was very surprised when so many "pundits" predicted Leicester as relegation candidates before the season started. I watched them play numerous times last season and, even when they were losing weekly, they were playing effective counter-attacking football. They were losing because of a mixture of uncoordinated defending and hard-luck stories - they lost a number of games when they had clearly outplayed their opponents, some because of dubious refereeing decisions, some because they hadn't developed the ability to soak up pressure that you need if you're going to play a counter-attacking game, some just because weird shit went wrong.

Then they finally sorted out the defensive issues and went on a tear, winning 7 of their last 9 matches to stay up with ease. There was nothing desperate or fluky about that run, they were beating teams by outplaying them as well as outfighting them. Then they just picked up this season where they left off last spring, playing in the same style and getting the same results. I never imagined they'd be winning the league, but I never thought they'd have to worry about relegation. They just needed to learn to defend better and not to go kamikaze when they had a lead.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

My uncle and cousins send me a 'Happy St. Totteringham's Day' email each year

Due to the fact that that this year we genuinely have a chance of finishing above them, what would be the alternative 'Day' if this were to happen? St. Arses Day maybe?

How about, stick that in your fucking pipe & smoke it, you North London invading, Woolwich Wanderer ****s, day!! ?

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Agreed Stoke's defending was some of the worst I have seen this season, nobody marking anyone and total confusion. United have good individuals but in terms of a balanced first team and and defence they are an utter mess. Without De Gea they would be down another 6 points id say, not saying a team shouldnt rely on their keeper but it does paper over the cracks of how shit their play has been.

Agree with every word of that, almost!! Only the De Gea bit is disagreeable for me. I'd say you've been far too kind to United, and he's saved them significantly more than 6 points. Some weeks it's been as though he's the only United player on the park.

Can't believe I'm going to tempt fate like this, but they don't scare me one bit!!

That said, having Carrick back is going to make a substantial difference to them. As Paul Schools said, Carrick is like a Rolls Royce! However, he's just 1 man, 1 player. Their troubles go much deeper than just his absence.

I laughed as I watched & listened to the Match Of The Day team on Tuesday night. Wanking themselves black & blue over Martial, after he had a half decent game. The guy cost £36mil FFS, which could rise to as much as £57mil , and he's got half a dozen goals in 19 games. He really hasn't done anything of any significance, yet he's spoken of as if he's the second coming of that Jesus fella.

Was it Redknapp junior who said Martial was the best 19 year old in the world? Or something like that? I just don't see it, especially as our own 19 year old is outperforming him, despite playing a significantly deeper role.

Sorry I've gone off on one. Too many years of Man Utd love-ins , and little to no appreciation for our own club has left me with a deep lying hatred for that club & it's glory hunting 'supporters'..

 

[dirtyh]

How about, stick that in your fucking pipe & smoke it, you North London invading, Woolwich Wanderer ****s, day!! ?

catchy.

 

[worcestersauce]

I was very surprised when so many "pundits" predicted Leicester as relegation candidates before the season started. I watched them play numerous times last season and, even when they were losing weekly, they were playing effective counter-attacking football. They were losing because of a mixture of uncoordinated defending and hard-luck stories - they lost a number of games when they had clearly outplayed their opponents, some because of dubious refereeing decisions, some because they hadn't developed the ability to soak up pressure that you need if you're going to play a counter-attacking game, some just because weird shit went wrong.

Then they finally sorted out the defensive issues and went on a tear, winning 7 of their last 9 matches to stay up with ease. There was nothing desperate or fluky about that run, they were beating teams by outplaying them as well as outfighting them. Then they just picked up this season where they left off last spring, playing in the same style and getting the same results. I never imagined they'd be winning the league, but I never thought they'd have to worry about relegation. They just needed to learn to defend better and not to go kamikaze when they had a lead.

Agree with this, after we beat them at home last season walking home all I could say was how is that team bottom of the league?

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

Realistically the only team able to catch the top four now is United, and history suggests we would be the ones most likely to fall out.

If we can drag Leicester back into the scrap and overtake them, I really don't see who else in addition to United, will threaten another CL place.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Kompany back training for City, really hope he doesn't play against us.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

1) We should change the thread title to "top 3".
2) I don't understand why so many people have as a default that "If Leicester do this and Leicester do that". Leicester will be in the top 4 come the end of the season. It's happening. We won't get an easier ride from them starting to fail, because it won't happen.

 

[glacierSpurs]

while Leicester may face some tough games, it is really their remaining fixtures that could help them to the title.. left 14 games for their season, you gotta be kidding me.. City, gooners and us still have European affairs and domestic cup games, good grief.. it is their fitness that allows them to play those intensifying games, chasing every long balls pumped forward, and looks like they would not get any fatigue with these 14 matches left..

 

[slartibartfast]

Titles is in the bag.
2016 has a 1 in it. Proof its ours
Relax and enjoy it.
Squad is too good for us to fk it up. Not this time mfs.
4th would be a disappointment.


Fyi, Im trying to convince myself

 

[Lighty64]

Leicester's next two fixtures are very tough - i'd be surprised if they got more than a point from the two

Then they're going to play weaker teams looking to grind out points to stay clear of relegation. These teams will present then with different problems to solve

Leicester are very used to exploiting the space left by an attacking team on the counter

Let's see how well they can consistently break down teams who see a point against them as a good result and look to deny them space, sit back, force them to be the aggressor and hit them on the break instead

They already failed to beat bottom placed villa. I could see them dropping points against teams like WBA and Norwich even

that's if they sit back, I posted this before Tuesday as 6 of there next 9 are at home, so kind of hope they do lose both

I put the Villa game down as being a Local Derby match, and with Villa fighting for their lives

Norwich (h) - Norwich might sit back, but from seeing a few games on Sky this season, not seen them do so yet
West Brom (h) - Local Derby, and Pulis so possibly will sit back
Watford(a) - Watford won't sit back at home, but not easy
Newcastle (h) - bit like Norwich
Crystal Palace (a) - Palace won't don't sit back at home, though not an easy 1 like Watford
Southampton (h) - they won't sit back
Sunderland (a) - if Sunderland were away prehaps
West Ham (h) - WHU they won't sit back, not an easy game, but might be too open for likes of Vardy and Mahrez
Swansea (h) - Swans might do

they have 6 of those 9 at home and could see them winning all 6 of them. we might need an injury or 2 to Vardy, Drinkwater, or Mahrez, beause I wouldn't want us to be 3 or more points behind them at the end of April, even with their 3 toughish games