The race for a Champions League place

[Bobbins]

I would be scarily happy to not qualify for the Europa this season. If Poch is going to get time, including next season, he may as well get the maximum amount of time on the training field with 'his' players...

Interesting season in general though, will be fun to see where the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Southampton and Swansea end up come the end of the season. I think we'll see a traditional top 4 this year eventually (Chelsea, City, United, Arsenal, in that order), but 5th-8th is up for grabs for anyone. I'm thinking Liverpool, Everton and one of the four named above to round it out (both the scouse teams will be stronger later in the season after they've been knocked out of the cups).

 

[worcestersauce]

I have to say that the way the team playe dagainst Palace was completely different to how they played against West Brom and Stoke, we may not be happy at the outcome but it was much more dynamic.
Personally I don't think we are in the race for 4th this season and I don't particularly care about it, let's try to win something this year

 

[tototoner]

Race still on

 

[Shea]

If Southampton hadn't got that late late winner we'd have made gains on City, Arsenal, them, MAn U, Liverpool and West Ham this weekend

The Mane goal was the only real blip

If we pull off a win from a tough fixture at Anfield midweek it will really be game on

 

[talkshowhost86]

It's on!

It's on like Donkey Kong!

See...I did tell you all.

 

[Mr Pink]

A point at Anfield would be a very good result after winning the NLD and it would keep Liverpool nicely at bay.

United looked so poor today. I don't know what LVG is doing but how you can make a side that contains - falcao, RVP, Rooney and Di Maria - look so average is staggering. They didn't deserve the point they got but it was the performance I found, again, so poor.

Not complaining though, because they're not going to be riding off into the sunset anytime soon playing like that, and its been going on for sometime.

They have so many world class stars, one of them normally pops up to save their collective bacon most weeks, and that's why they'll still be favourites in this race but they're definitely there for the taking in many respects to.

 

[not_tenth-again]

Still a long way to go, everyone was predicting Chelsea would walk the league but they have dropped 5 points in the last week.

I personally still think we have more chance of finishing in the top 4 than winning the Europa League and the bookies agree

8/1 to finish in the top 4
12/1 to win the Europa League

What a difference 2 months make, couldn't be arsed to check the odds but I bet it's plenty shorter for the top 4.

 

[tototoner]

Odds to make top 4 this season as of today

Arsenal 2/5
Man Utd 2/5
Southampton 2/1
Tottenham 7/2
Liverpool 11/2

So still no one really taking us that seriously

 

[Donki]

I really hope our goal difference isn't a deciding factor in getting a CL spot, were over 10 goals worse off than our rivals. That's actually a massive difference with only just over half the season gone. Need more goals.

 

[MetalFace D]

I really hope our goal difference isn't a deciding factor in getting a CL spot, were over 10 goals worse off than our rivals. That's actually a massive difference with only just over half the season gone. Need more goals.

Dw, we'll bang 4 in against Liverpool

 

[dagraham]

Odds to make top 4 this season as of today

Arsenal 2/5
Man Utd 2/5
Southampton 2/1
Tottenham 7/2
Liverpool 11/2

So still no one really taking us that seriously

I think those odds are fair. Arsenal have been on good form up until Saturday and always finish the season strongly. Utd have far greater strength in depth attack wise and Southampton have been consistently better than us over the course of the season.

I think our chances of top four are slim based on the fact that we have a very tough month ahead, with a cup final and Europa to worry about. Plus an injury to either Kane or Eriksen (or god forbid both ) will leave us no chance at all.

Personally, I was quite enjoying not worrying about fourth place for once. Now I've been dragged back in and the dreaded hope is rearing it's head. Damn you Spurs

 

[dovahkiin]

just thought id throw this in here, since the kane mutiny (see RO update 9 and 10 and possibly more - in short the ditching of ade, kab etc and kane starting regularly) all teams have played 13 games, this is the table

Tottenham - 29
City - 28
ManU- 28
Chelsea - 27
Arse - 25
Pool - 25
Southampton - 20
WH - 19
Stoke - 18
CP - 17
Swansea - 16
Newc - 15
Burnley - 14
Everton - 13
Sund - 12
Villa - 11
QPR - 11
West Brom - 10
Hull - 9
Leicester - 8

stolen from coys

 

[chinaman]

We're just 2 points off 3rd place. Joking aside, I'm really happy to keep improving under Poch even if we don't make top 4 and have no silverware at the end of the season. Any such honour would be the icing on the cake.

 

[nicdic]

just thought id throw this in here, since the kane mutiny (see RO update 9 and 10 and possibly more - in short the ditching of ade, kab etc and kane starting regularly) all teams have played 13 games, this is the table

Tottenham - 29
City - 28
ManU- 28
Chelsea - 27
Arse - 25
Pool - 25
Southampton - 20
WH - 19
Stoke - 18
CP - 17
Swansea - 16
Newc - 15
Burnley - 14
Everton - 13
Sund - 12
Villa - 11
QPR - 11
West Brom - 10
Hull - 9
Leicester - 8

stolen from coys

Is that legit?

From what date?

 

[Blackcanary]

We're just 2 points off 3rd place. Joking aside, I'm really happy to keep improving under Poch even if we don't make top 4 and have no silverware at the end of the season. Any such honour would be the icing on the cake.

We're also only 6 points off second and a very flaky Man City side!

It's absolutely lovely to be improving as we enter the business end of the season, rather than collapsing in spectacular style. Kudos to Poch and the team.

 

[The Scarecrow]

We're also only 6 points off second and a very flaky Man City side!

It's absolutely lovely to be improving as we enter the business end of the season, rather than collapsing in spectacular style. Kudos to Poch and the team.

A very flaky Man City side we're yet to play at home. I can't help to be quite optimistic at the moment, and hopefully I'm still so come 10 pm tomorrow.

 

[Makkaveli101]

A very flaky Man City side we're yet to play at home. I can't help to be quite optimistic at the moment, and hopefully I'm still so come 10 pm tomorrow.

I would fancy us to beat them at home. They're woefully inconsistent and don't look hungry this year. Our heart, will, and passion should give us the edge.

 

[Blackcanary]

A very flaky Man City side we're yet to play at home. I can't help to be quite optimistic at the moment, and hopefully I'm still so come 10 pm tomorrow.

I had a dream last night that we beat Liverpool 4-1. It was glorious. My subconscious is not normally this upbeat!

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Liverpool 11/2 to finish in the top 4 now that they have Sturridge back? Seems a massive price...

 

[nicdic]

I would fancy us to beat them at home. They're woefully inconsistent and don't look hungry this year. Our heart, will, and passion should give us the edge.

They are a different team with Yaya Toure in the equation though. If we'd have played them over January I'd have fancied our chances more.