Race for the Top 4 - 2018/19

[easley91]

The thing about city is if they were just going for PL I don’t think they’d feel any pressure. But if the quad really starts to look like a possibility the pressure on them will become immense. I’d still maintain in 11 games anything can happen.

One down, not much competition in the FA Cup really either, only United on paper, though I fancy Wolves as dark horses. Liverpool are beginning to feel the heat in the Prem. I wouldn't be too shocked to see them pull it off if they get decent draws in CL.

 

[easley91]

It can, but you can't lose to the likes of Burnley if you want to be in the mix.

City lost to Palace and Leicester back to back. Anyone can beat anyone or get points on any given day in this league. It's unlikely, but while still mathematically possible, you just never know.

 

[BigVic]

If we beat Chelsea and Arsenal everyone will be talking us up again, we will then proceed to lose to Southampton.

 

[Deggsy56]

If we beat Chelsea and Arsenal everyone will be talking us up again, we will then proceed to lose to Southampton.

Chelsea maybe a win - but Arsenal we always seem to go Spursy. Weren't we winning last time and then got beat??

 

[cozzo]

Games between the top six are always close and can go anyway. We could lose the next two as much as we could win them.

 

[Shadydan]

Chelsea maybe a win - but Arsenal we always seem to go Spursy. Weren't we winning last time and then got beat??

We beat them at home the last 2 seasons.

 

[easley91]

Chelsea maybe a win - but Arsenal we always seem to go Spursy. Weren't we winning last time and then got beat??

We've had a good run vs them at home, even Wembley last season. They were only up for it at Emirates, because it was a home NLD and they were unbeaten in 22 matches. They're not exactly hitting those strides lately.

For the first time in years I would expect 6 out of 6 this week, even at Stamford Bridge.

 

[daryl hannah]

Chelsea maybe a win - but Arsenal we always seem to go Spursy. Weren't we winning last time and then got beat??

We played very badly at the emirates...

 

[Colonel Dax]

Good time to play Chelsea. They're knackered, demoralised, the goalkeeper openly disrespected the manager, squad morale is low, Sarri on borrowed time....

Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1 ?

 

[Hakkz]

Good time to play Chelsea. They're knackered, demoralised, the goalkeeper openly disrespected the manager, squad morale is low, Sarri on borrowed time....

Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1 ?

Kepa to score the winner.

 

[shelfboy68]

We played very badly at the emirates...

From memory we didn't play at all at the Emirates

 

[coys200]

We played very badly at the emirates...

Of our 7 losses that was the only one you couldn’t really argue with. Watford Burnley Wolves Liverpool United City could all easily been draws or even wins.

 

[JCRD]

Of our 7 losses that was the only one you couldn’t really argue with. Watford Burnley Wolves Liverpool United City could all easily been draws or even wins.

We were woeful against Liverpool, yeah we could have had a penalty at the end but we were absolutely shocking. I think that along with Arsenal were the worst performances of the season. Against Man Shitty we certainly deserved a draw and perhaps but clutching at straws - against Burnley. Wolves I didnt watch and Watford was shocking second half.

The thing is - we can also argue it the other way, so many games we have got lucky or not deserved the points etc.

Season of fine margins this

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Because we've seen this all before.

When we're written off we tend to go on a run flying under the radar which reaches a point where people suddenly look at the table and see Tottenham Hotspur have out of nowhere got within a few points of the leaders. Then we're all of a sudden declared to be back in the title race and immediately we fuck up at the first hurdle.

Where's the 'I want to disagree with this post but also want to rate it winner whilst sitting in a corner crying because deep down you know it's true but don't want to admit it' smiley

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

City lost to Palace and Leicester back to back. Anyone can beat anyone or get points on any given day in this league. It's unlikely, but while still mathematically possible, you just never know.

I have a feeling, if memory serves me correctly (but let's face it I'm usually fucking wrong) , those results happened to coincide with Fernandinho being injured? If I'm right, they looked lost without him.

Could be ideal timing if he's injured again now.

 

[ljinko888]

Of our 7 losses that was the only one you couldn’t really argue with. Watford Burnley Wolves Liverpool United City could all easily been draws or even wins.

And some of our wins could have gone the other way. Wolves, Leicester, Palace, Fulham, Newcastle on the opening day. All these teams probably kicked themselves that they didn't get anything from the games.

This season our performance level has dropped a lot. In the past our peak performance levels were arguably the best in the league and our average level was still very good - we won a lot of our games comfortably.

This season there is hardly much of gap between our average level and our bottom level. The Burnley loss actually was pretty similar to the Fulham and Newcastle wins where we struggled to create chances but snuck it at the end. Only this time it was the opposition who scored late on. Even the 3-1 win vs Southampton we were outplayed.

Apart from Chelsea and a short run in December we have been quite poor to watch. Not creating much but clinical with what we do.

 

[Flashspur]

I think we’re done for the PL personally. Having said that, to be where we are is amazing considering the obstacles we’ve faced this season.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

I think we’re done for the PL personally. Having said that, to be where we are is amazing considering the obstacles we’ve faced this season.

Come on man. It's really not at all long ago that we were 9 points adrift.

Even if you can't personally see it happening, don't give up believing it can happen until it's absolutely certain that it can't.

You're too good a supporter for that.

 

[easley91]

I have a feeling, if memory serves me correctly (but let's face it I'm usually fucking wrong) , those results happened to coincide with Fernandinho being injured? If I'm right, they looked lost without him.

Could be ideal timing if he's injured again now.

I believe you're right. Was over the festive period, wasn't it?

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

I believe you're right. Was over the festive period, wasn't it?

Just looked. December 15th - 28th.

And today, Pep has said - "Fernandinho and Laporte will be some weeks out."

And, on top of that....

Centre-back John Stones and left-back Benjamin Mendy are still out, leaving City short of defensive cover. Fernandinho played at centre-back against Schalke midweek, while Laporte has also covered at left-back recently.

City play West Ham on Wednesday.

As good as their squad is, they could very easily miss those players.

Add the Firminho injury at the Scousers and there's some pretty important players missing from those teams nearest to us. Just as we're getting ours back. I refuse to stop believing.