The Race to the Title

[luptic]

not yet, if we draw against city, and stay undefeated until the Arsenal game, winning against Arsenal, we have a chance. I think you'll need 79 points this season, hoping that Leicester being to draw a heap of games.

 

[eViL]

Be interesting if teams start to park the bus against Leicester now.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

Be interesting if teams start to park the bus against Leicester now.

True, they beated man city and liverpool, but none of them parked the bus

 

[DanielCHillier]

Done a quick points prediction for each teams run in, I still think it's between Arsenal and City, to be decided at the Etihad in Gameweek 37. I also have us finishing on the same points as Leicester (probably above on GD).

 

[Mr Pink]

Best goal difference in the league - of course we've a genuine chance of doing it. If it hadn't been for a sluggish start, and of course the defeat to Leicester at WHL which we were very unfortunate to lose, we'd be sitting well clear at the top of the table.

But its the amount of games we've got to contend with, particularly in the Europa League and how that's managed but Poch is rotating more now so hopefully that won't have too much affect on our league form. In fact if we keep winning, and using the squad wisely, it could boost our chances.

Think those two back to back games against West Ham and Arsenal will have a massive say in just how far we can go. That's the tough period IMO. In April I think we'll do well against Liverpool. United and Chelsea.

 

[Riandor]

Nothing wrong with this thread.
We are in the hunt, but it's going to be tough and I'm holding off all predictions until after next weekend.

The top four playing each other is just so crucial... If we draw with City and Leicester win again!!? Well...

What I will say is, it's utterly amazing that we are finally able to start a thread like this here. Most might have thought maybe in a couple of seasons with some steady progress... But whether we ultimately fall short or not, we can at least enjoy the (stressful) ride!

COYS.

 

[Gassin's finest]

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS.

 

[Gbspurs]

I still think people are getting really carried away. The media might try and tell you that the title race starts in Feb but that's nonsense imo.

For what it's worth I'm still convinced Arsenal will win the league.

 

[dontcallme]

The PL has really dulled the senses. I remember one season Utd won the league with Villa and Norwich finishing in the places below them. It wasn't really a shock as the top spots weren't completely dominated by the same teams every year.

With the Prem money and CL being extended to the top four the top of the table has been dominated. It took City's money to break the top four.

On numerous occasions we've seen teams get off to a great start and people getting over excited about their prospects before they just fall away.

Southampton last year was a perfect example.

So with our sense dulled it has been easy to get into the mindset that we are in for a top four challenge and Leicester will simply fall away.

It hasn't happened and I am starting to believe this season could be different. Leicester grabbed a win against us but fully deserved to beat City. We have been very consistent and a couple of disappointing defeats aside we have been an excellent team.

Utd look uninspired and City have a weak defence and injury problems.

Right now I think we are in the title race. We'll know more once the El games start again.

 

[glospur]

How many times have we heard opposition managers, players or fans say that we're either the best team that has visited their place or the best team they've played this season. It's happened a lot. Whether we win the title or not remains to be seen, but I think you're being deliberately cynical if your say we aren't in the title race. That's undeniable.

 

[alex3]

I hope we play complete second team in the europa league focus just on the league because the team we have now and manager just focus on the league and i think winning the league is realistic if we don't and get top4 still would be great we would still be ahead of schedule with this young squad and will play Cl football at the the lane

 

[Shadydan]

I hope we play complete second team in the europa league focus just on the league because the team we have now and manager just focus on the league and i think winning the league is realistic if we don't and get top4 still would be great we would still be ahead of schedule with this young squad and will play Cl football at the the lane

So what happens if this time next season we are in the exact same position but instead in the CL latter stages?

Do we play a complete 2nd team and focus on the league then too?

 

[Gassin's finest]

We are only second on goal difference don't forget... and there's a third of a season to play yet. Wait until we're back to juggling Europa League and FA Cup, while Leicester carry on with one game a week.

 

[Shanks]

True, they beated man city and liverpool, but none of them parked the bus

Yip, essentially Leicester hold on very tight, bodies behind the ball, then go long.

They do it with such effect and efficiency it's frightening, as typically long ball teams are easy to defend again, Leicester not so much.

To be honest, I feel it's why we didn't fair too badly against them - first game we were 2 up, should have won, then drew and lost with a set piece and then beat them - all horses for courses, but you can't go gung ho off the bat at them, you need to be patient and work hard whilst not leaving yourself vulnerable at the back.

I do feel that Leicester have had an awful lot of luck this year - not so much luck in the sense of decisions, but rather than lucky play, they've been battered, not conceded and gone on to hit a lucky goal out of nothing - that kind of make your own luck.

Not going to lie, it's been great to see such an under dog do this well, and I wish them all the best, but I'm hoping we can pip them!

|As for the title race, we are in there, we have a decent chance providing we take it - I'm past analysing it, as the scenario's are hurting my head, so now I've just opted for the cheering like fuck part and hoping even more - I actually believe we could as well.

And, then I've mostly got in my head, if we lose a game, remain calm, deal with the shit banter and carry on supporting.

 

[dudu]

Best goal difference in the league - of course we've a genuine chance of doing it. If it hadn't been for a sluggish start, and of course the defeat to Leicester at WHL which we were very unfortunate to lose, we'd be sitting well clear at the top of the table.

But its the amount of games we've got to contend with, particularly in the Europa League and how that's managed but Poch is rotating more now so hopefully that won't have too much affect on our league form. In fact if we keep winning, and using the squad wisely, it could boost our chances.

Think those two back to back games against West Ham and Arsenal will have a massive say in just how far we can go. That's the tough period IMO. In April I think we'll do well against Liverpool. United and Chelsea.

Re the rotation..... It's different this year.... It's not just, 'shit, we have to rotate and give some second stringers a chance' we actually have a squad, bar our CF, where we can put out numerous players and not feel like we are ever selling ourselves short really.

All the games we have will almost certainly give us the ability to give everyone game time and further this squad mentality where there is no set in stone first 11....everyone is wholeheartedly contributing to our season.

 

[dagraham]

If we beat City and Leicester drop some points against the gooners I will begin to believe. If we lose and Leicester win I don't think we can catch them. Massive weekend coming up.

One other thing is I believe we will have to prioritise the league in order to win it. Doesn't mean we have to send out all the reserves in the cups, but players like Kane, Dier, Alli and Toby will need to stay fresh for the run in, otherwise forget about it.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Still such a long way to go. Anything can happen in 13 games, and we've seen how fragile even a 7 point gap can be (we've eroded that gap from Arsenal in 3 games).

I think Leicester will drop points eventually, and we just need to be there and there abouts when they do.

We'll drop points ourselves, and I worry about our record against the 'bigger' teams so far this season, but how we react to any defeats will be important. We've done brilliantly since the Leicester game, so when we have a bad result I hope we can react in the same way.

Obviously a massive set of games this weekend, but even if we lose we're not out of the title race, as there would still be 36 points to play for after that.

My feeling is that ultimately the quality of Arsenal and City will tell, but having said that City looked awful against Leicester and Arsenal have been poor recently.

So basically let's see where we are after 30 games. At that point we're in to the run in properly and we'll see where we are.

COYS!

 

[edgey]

not yet, if we draw against city, and stay undefeated until the Arsenal game, winning against Arsenal, we have a chance. I think you'll need 79 points this season, hoping that Leicester being to draw a heap of games.

City are very beatable at the moment. Sunderland rattled them and they ground out a 1 nil, Leicester stuffed them 3-1. Think we can do them. Then Swansea at home followed by Spammers away. Could be 52-54 pts before that game... Long way to go of course and still plenty of tough games

 

[HotspurFC1950]

We can enjoy it on May the 15th. Our club has slipped at the last hurdle to many times.

Too scared Riggi.