Race for the Top 4 - 2018/19

[coys200]

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.

I think people massively underestimate the Wembley effect. Was watching Chelsea yesterday thinking I wonder where they’d be if they had to play there every week. And I bet they’d be getting smaller crowds than us. I mean ridiculous thing up till Saturday we had the best away record in Europe top 5 leagues that’s actually bonkers. Luck wise I think we are about on par now. City and Liverpool we could easily have drawn, United we should have won, Watford and wolves we were 1-0 up in both at 60-70 mins and contrived to lose. I think we deserved a draw on Saturday. But yeah we’ve certainly scraped a few wins as well.

 

[coys200]

One other thing after Wednesday the home/away ratio will be:

Spurs 6/4
Liverpool 5/5
City 4/6

Beat Chelsea and I’d say we are still alive.

 

[swarvsta]

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

Oh fucking hell, wake up. City have lost to Palace and Newcastle in recent weeks. It’s not easy to just roll every team over, every week.

Get a grip on reality, FFS. Most games are tough to win in the PL.

Sorry (but not sorry) for my tone but I’m sick of reading such bullshit.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Were Chelsea playing anyone else I would predict a loss in their next game, I have a feeling the players are going to be complete dickheads towards sarri.

It will be a test of wills their hatred against us or wanting sarri out.

If sarri loses at home to spurs he will be sacked.

As for the title, I still think it's city's. Liverpool will implode. We will fall short but may finish second.

 

[punkisback]

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.

We lack width in our formation. This season has seen the change to the diamond instead of 4231. It makes us absolutely predictable position wise.

 

[philip]

One other thing after Wednesday the home/away ratio will be:

Spurs 6/4
Liverpool 5/5
City 4/6

Beat Chelsea and I’d say we are still alive.

Except that our away form is better than our home form!

 

[easley91]

We lack width in our formation. This season has seen the change to the diamond instead of 4231. It makes us absolutely predictable position wise.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the width is supposed to come from the fullbacks.

 

[JimmyG2]

Interesting.
Will Arrizabalaga be charged?
The misunderstand between him and Sarri
was that the manager
was fooled by his play-acting
over the cramp
designed to give his team
a breathing space
Has Kepa committed an offence?

 

[ajspurs]

I think people massively underestimate the Wembley effect. Was watching Chelsea yesterday thinking I wonder where they’d be if they had to play there every week. And I bet they’d be getting smaller crowds than us. I mean ridiculous thing up till Saturday we had the best away record in Europe top 5 leagues that’s actually bonkers. Luck wise I think we are about on par now. City and Liverpool we could easily have drawn, United we should have won, Watford and wolves we were 1-0 up in both at 60-70 mins and contrived to lose. I think we deserved a draw on Saturday. But yeah we’ve certainly scraped a few wins as well.

Absolutely. Even Kompany in the post match interview said something about it being difficult with the pitch being so big so it's definitely something the players feel. I'ma actually surprised we've dealt with it as well as we have.

 

[Roynie]

Interesting.
Will Arrizabalaga be charged?
The misunderstand between him and Sarri
was that the manager
was fooled by his play-acting
over the cramp
designed to give his team
a breathing space
Has Kepa committed an offence?

He's been fined a weeks wages by Chelsea. I don't know what the FA could charge him with.

 

[Marty]

I've been thinking back to the run-in in 2010 after the loss at the weekend. We lost to Sunderland in the league and Pompey in the FA Cup semi and knew we had to beat at least three of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man. United and Man. City in the six game run-in to make top four.

And we did just that, only dropping points at Old Trafford, despite being underdogs in every single one of those games (possibly with the exception of City) with a squad that was significantly weaker than what we have today.

Now I will concede that three wins from four against Chelsea, Arse, Pool and City might not be enough to see us win the league. But it'll make it an amazing season for us.

 

[JimmyG2]

He's been fined a weeks wages by Chelsea. I don't know what the FA could charge him with.

False witness.
Obtaining goods by deception.
Fraud
sharp practice,
cheating,
swindling,
trickery,
artifice,
deceit,
deception,
double-dealing,
duplicity,
treachery,
chicanery,
skulduggery,
imposture,
bringing the game into disrepute
undermining his manager's authority.
There must be something they can get him on.

 

[punkisback]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the width is supposed to come from the fullbacks.

Yes, but that makes us predictable. Having players on the wing in attack gives them two men to track and the opportunity to play better balls in. It's easier to double up on the wingback than a FB with a winger or even an AM in support. Stop the wingbacks and it stops us. However if we had Moura and Son wide, we are open to more options in pass selection down the flankls

 

[Lighty64]

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.

Klopp reckons Firmino might still play v Watford, but should be back for their visit to Everton on Sunday


on our position of actually winning the PL, I won't give up until it is mathematically impossible to win it.

 

[Dillspur]

Absolutely. Even Kompany in the post match interview said something about it being difficult with the pitch being so big so it's definitely something the players feel. I'ma actually surprised we've dealt with it as well as we have.

I'm pretty sure the Wembley pitch is the PL standard and our new pitch will be the same size

 

[coys200]

Wembley is 1m wider.

 

[JimmyG2]

Wembley is 1m wider.

Yeah but all the way along.
And poor old Kompany
is not the fittest.
Doesn't explain them 'bottling'
the penalty shoot out
though does it?

 

[worcestersauce]

Why is it that when we discuss the games we've lost and even the ones we've won for the most part no one, even on here, takes into account the devastating level of injuries we have suffered this season? I am desperate to get Dele back just so we can pick our best team for the first time this season. If we actually have an injury free run in we will finally be at an advantage.

 

[easley91]

Why is it that when we discuss the games we've lost and even the ones we've won for the most part no one, even on here, takes into account the devastating level of injuries we have suffered this season? I am desperate to get Dele back just so we can pick our best team for the first time this season. If we actually have an injury free run in we will finally be at an advantage.

I think I have mentioned every off pitch circumstance throughout the season many times. It's a testament to Poch and the players to be where we are in the league, and also have a 3-0 lead in the Champions League.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Wembley is 1m wider.

105 x 68m the standard premier league size. One or two are smaller ie Liverpool and Everton , slightly short. I have to laugh when some of these pundits rabbit on about big pitches. Apparently West Ham is a big pitch....not really it’s just the surrounds are so wide . 25m dugout to touch line.