Our next six: @Manchester City Wigan @Liverpool Newcastle @Arsenal Manchester United Far more daunting than the previous fourteen. I say we beat Wigan, Liverpool (barely), Newcastle, and Manchester United (yes!), draw Manchester City, and lose to Arsenal (ugh). Of course we would do very well to 13 points from those six...
18 points. Easy. 1-2 over City 9-1 over Wigan 0-2 over Liverpool 2-0 over Newcastle 2-3 over Arsenal 2-1 over United
Not pessimistic, I just enjoy it much more when they (Arsenal) snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
What is undeniable is that for the first time in recent memory Spurs did exactly what they needed to do through that 14 game stretch, they took points from the bottom and middle of the table like a champion. 30 points out of 14 games is excellent by any measure. For the coming stretch expectations should be lowered. We need only to make sure we don't lose contact with the teams we are in the running with. I think if we take 10 points from the coming 6 games then we will have assured our top 4 finish and still be within touch of a top of the table finish. Beat the teams we are supposed to beat, get our draws against our peers, maybe snatch a win from one of them and we will be on track.
Considering our good position relative to them, drawing at Arsenal and Liverpool would be just fine: preventing them from gaining ground on us.
Very Good point here. I completely agree, because 'Arry hasn't rested ( Chopped and Changed ) like the other squads have which might or might not hurt the team down the stretch. I happy with the postion in the table.. I just want Champion's league soccer.
10 points from this run would be very good. 12 would be superb. Anything more than that, and I officially believe our chances of winning the league.
For an alternate view of our next run of games: @Manchester City- D - 2-2 Wigan- W- 4-0! @Liverpool W- 1-0 Newcastle- W- 3-1 @Arsenal W 2-1 Manchester United W 5-4
So we won't be called offsides twelve times, and will finish our chances? Oh, the honeymoon is over...
Are you inferring we cant score 2 goals without Ade? I don't think that's fair to the rest of the team at all.
One could argue that our chances are better, even though Defoe has been historically crap against top competition away from the Lane.
Yeah, I'm planning on Rafa being substituted around the 65' when we're up 8-0. If he played all 90, I'd say 12-1.
Halfway done... @Manchester City - 0 points Wigan - 3 points @Liverpool - 1 point Newcastle @Arsenal Manchester United Total: 4 points, +1 Goal Differential We'll need to hustle to get to 10, let alone 13.
I'd settle for 11, or even just 9. Our final two months of the season are very soft compared to everyone else.
yup, draws against this bunch are not bad. 4 or 5 pts from the next 3 matches is quite acceptable. 6 pts from the next 3 matches just about guarantees a top 4 spot barring a complete meltdown in the last month
We're pretty much already a lock for top four, barring a meltdown or a spate of injuries. The highest point total for 5th place in the last ten years is 67 points (Man City, 09/10). We get to 67, we have fourth place locked up. The highest total for 4th place in the last ten years is 76 points (The Racists, 07/08). We get to 76, we have third place locked up. EDIT: We're on pace right now for 80 points....!
My favorite site for judging such things is this one: http://www.sportsclubstats.com/England/PremierLeague.html It says that Spurs are a 95% chance of a top 4 finish. Only a 2% chance of winning the league. Those both feel about right.
Another happy update... @Manchester City - 0 points Wigan - 3 points @Liverpool - 1 point Newcastle - 3 points @Arsenal Manchester United Total: 7 points, +6 Goal Differential There's only one explanation for our form this season. Mayan apocalypse.
Just saw that Henry may extend loan... of course to play against Spurs. How nice it would be to stuff him once and for all.
And... a not so happy update. @Manchester City - 0 points Wigan - 3 points @Liverpool - 1 point Newcastle - 3 points @Arsenal - 0 points Manchester United - 0 points Total: 7 points, +1 Goal Differential Well... that sucked. But the worst is behind us... right? Win the FA Cup, get third, and all is forgiven.