A bad game in the league doesn't eliminate us from anything - a bad result in the EL confines us to dust in that comp.
Still worried about those Thursday to Sunday turn arounds particularly if you are on the road in the EL. There is evidence that it does hurt you. Now I agree that we should have a squad that can compete on both but even with a deep squad there are going to be either/or decisions for your top guys.
There is no doubt that it makes it more difficult. Southampton is already planning for the match against Liverpool and our players won't even think about them until Friday.
Southampton planning for the match:- Notes: Stop Coutinho, any which way you can. Kick the crap out of Sterling. It's legal. Kick or pull Mario down never mind where the ball is. Make him retaliate. Etc. etc.etc......
Next Four Games and my thoughts. 12 games and a lot of footie to play. 48 - Arse, 3rd, Everton, @QPR, WHam, @newcastle 47 - Man Utd, 4th, Sunderland, @newcastle, Spurs, @liverpool 46 - Southampton, 5th, @WBA, CPalace, @chelsea, Burnley 45 - Liverpool, 6th, ManC, Burnley, @Swansea, ManU 44 - Spurs, 7th, Swansea, @QPR, @manu, Leicester Even more compact now. Wowsers. Great for the neutral, Hell for us. 4 points separating 3rd to 7th. 26 from 30 points in our last ten games. 2 points out of Fourth. Arsenal - The other form team that keeps winning with little fuss. Definitely look one of the favorites for fourth. Schedule is winnable and prob will not drop many points. Hell the trophy is named after them and Wenger has been in this position a million times. They are also healthy which has been their curse. ManU - Finally dropped some points. Swansea is a tough road match and Utd actually played better but didn't pull out the win like when playing decisively worse. Their stretch of easier opponents has now turned into a tough four game stretch. Just like WHam and now Soton it will show whether they will be in the thick of things come end of March. Looks like more points will be dropped. Southampton - Also had a stretch of easier opponents and a bunch of home games. Things have gone a little wonky with only 4 points taken from 12 and 1 from 9 at home. Confidence is down, however minus Chelsea, there are winnable games. Only have the league to play. Again like I stated before, may actually hurt them not playing more games regularly. Liverpool - Up to 6th. 26 out of 30 points. UCL looks doable now. Three home games with a tricky away date to the Swans. Should be confident even with City coming in. Although City have their backs against a wall and can ill afford to drop points. Should be in the thick of things even after this stretch. Need those Anfield wins. Really handling playing every three days very well. Lots of players that can step up when called. Spurs - The curse of the Europa hitting Spurs again. If I was Levy I would just throw that competition. Has really cost Spurs for years. Again more dropped points and at home after a heartbreaker versus the Reds. Schedule is tricky and a lot of games to play. Europa and League Final. Cannot afford any key injuries. These four games may see them fall back. Hope they do beat the Flagwaivers though. Here was my prediction with 12 left. 52 Soton -6 49 Arse +1 47 ManU +0 44 Liverpool +1 44 Spurs +0 Pretty close minus Soton. Go Reds. Next Besiktas and then bring on City!! Walk on...
Dunno if this the right thread or not but Joe Allen has quietly gone about his business very well the last couple of games: guy has put in a shift.
Had some time on my hands so did some math about the fixture list. Looks like United has by far the toughest run in. They have 5 matches against other teams in the top 7, and only 3 against lower table opposition. Arsenal on paper has the easiest run in. 6 home games, only 3 matches total against top of the table opposition, and 6 against lower table sides. Us, Spurs, and Soton have similar run ins, should be be interesting. The way we are playing I'd back us.
It's worth noting that playing relegation fodder toward the end of the season is not always favorable; those teams are scrapping for their top-flight lives and every point for them could be the difference between another year in the Prem or taking a 70% pay cut and playing in the Championship next season.
We are only 7 points behind Citeh - why not aim for 2nd? It is certainly achievable.... And as much as I hate athe scum and want to see them miss the CL two years running, I think mos Citeh players would throw in the towel and jump ship if they were to finish 5th - would be fun to see the demise of a petro-club.
Citeh is a team that needs to make a lot of changes. Getting old and slow in many spots, and all mercenary. If they win ******** all I expect Pelligrini to be fired and a fire sale to be conducted
And there's even part of me that wants to see Arsenal finish 5th, because that would probably finally send most of their fans over the edge and the "Wenger out" parade will reach an all-time high in support and the board still probably wouldn't fire him...leaving Arsenal as the most tense club in England. There's a good reason to want to see any of the 3 of them miss out on the top 4
I really think the FA should fail to recognize Arsenal for any CL or Europa spot. Even if the end up at the top. With their awful record in Europe of never ever winning a trophy, it's just so embarrassing. That would clear the way for ones who know the way or, newcomers with the balls to at least try.
dcc - I'd be plenty happy with your "form" outcome - except that I rreeaallllyy don't want Chel$ki to win the league...ever...again...
honestly wouldn't be that surprised if this isn't pretty close to the table come June. Don't think City will fall that far down but I could see them dragged into the fight. Don't expect us to keep up this 2.6 per match point total but not going to fall off the cliff either. And Manure is well what manure is, a talented group of individuals who aren't really sure what the F*** is going on.
Who cares so long as they are not in the top 4... I'd love to hear the justifications coming from their fans why no CL is acceptable under LvG but not the Moyesiah... That being said, to hear the cries of despair from fans of citeh/arse/scum if any of them miss out on top 4 would make one great summer.
When it comes down to it, it's really Chel$ki and ManU that I hope fall from the top four...the rest I am ok with...
1. chelsea 2. city 3. liverpool 4. arsenal 5. united 6. spurs 7. southampton I think barring injuries we murder United at Anfield.