Matchday 25

[hawkman]

Well yeah, definitely agree with this. Definitely need belief back in the squad and some confidence.

But on this, people forget huge leads have been coughed up before. United did it in 97/98 when we didn't lose in the second half of the season IIRC.

We were 11 pts ahead in in 02/03 in Feb and we lost. Leciester are obviously in a great position, but nothing is guaranteed from here.

United were also 8 points up with 6 games left in 2011/12

 

[Cruyff14]

I don't think chasing down us would be the issue. Spurs would be the one. If they can get 3 against City and you don't pick up the points tonight/next week, they'll be difficult to chase down with the form they're in.

I think the other thing is that you'd be chasing a couple of clubs down, rather than just one.

But you're definitely right - our 5 point lead means very little right now.

Well yeah five points isn't much. It's less than two games when you break it down simply. We're getting key players back so if we get our arse into gear, you never know what will happen. Same with City if they realise you need to defend to win too.

If Spurs had the injuries we had for instance, they'd be a lot worse off. If they lose Kane, they have no back up, crucial they keep him fit. Obviously all hypotheticals, but had they received injuries to the extent some other clubs have, they wouldn't be where they are.

We lost Sanchez and Coquelin (Kos too for a period) - two of our most valuable players, and Cazorla who was in very good form prior to his injury. If Spurs lost say (in terms of importance), Kane, Lloris and perhaps Alderweireld or Alli, they would be worse off IMO.

However, injuries are part and parcel of the game, they have a fit squad and are playing very good football, and as you said, if things continue as they are, absolutely they can catch you.

United were also 8 points up with 6 games left in 2011/12

Yep, 5 points is nothing.

 

[SM]

Big game next week between City and Spurs though, with one of them obviously dropping points, so if Leicester can get something against Arsenal it makes things very interesting.

 

[WealstoneRaider]

Leicester should get it done from here. Wouldn't quite be a choke at this stage but you have to have them as favourites. If they keep playing the way they have I can't see many points being dropped from these:

Home

Norwich
West Brom
Newcastle
Southampton
West Ham
Swansea
Everton

Away

Arsenal
Watford
Crystal Palace
Sunderland
Man Utd
Chelsea


They have a tough final three games - Utd (a); Everton (h); Chelsea (a). But it could all be over by then!

 

[Forward Press]

They have a tough final three games - Utd (a); Everton (h); Chelsea (a). But it could all be over by then!

There's a good chance none of those sides have anything to play for at that stage. And judging from last night (and numerous other games this year), and the up and down nature of United and Chelsea, Leicester will back themselves.

 

[SM]

If anything it's going to be the easier fixtures that trip Leicester up, look at the only game in their last 6 that they didn't win.

 

[WealstoneRaider]

If anything it's going to be the easier fixtures that trip Leicester up, look at the only game in their last 6 that they didn't win.

They haven't dropped many points to the bottom half sides though?

Anyway, Villa are one of the form sides now!

 

[SM]

They haven't dropped many points to the bottom half sides though?

Anyway, Villa are one of the form sides now!

But those are the games they might take their eyes off slightly.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Falcao and Eto'o were our Mendes presents

I mean a real present.

 

[WealstoneRaider]

But those are the games they might take their eyes off slightly.

I can't see it. They just have a winning formula and they won't be taking their eyes off the ball at this stage.

This run they are on must be over 30 games now considering their end to last season. What is it 3 defeats in that time?

 

[chef]

I mean a real present.

Mendes's presents are more favours owed.

 

[Jatz]

Leicester should get it done from here. Wouldn't quite be a choke at this stage but you have to have them as favourites. If they keep playing the way they have I can't see many points being dropped from these:

Home

Norwich
West Brom
Newcastle
Southampton
West Ham
Swansea
Everton

Away

Arsenal
Watford
Crystal Palace
Sunderland
Man Utd
Chelsea


They have a tough final three games - Utd (a); Everton (h); Chelsea (a). But it could all be over by then!

Optimistically, I have 24 points from those games. Not sure if 77 will be enough to win it but it will likely be around the mark.

I don't have us favs though. The $6.50 I got on Spurs before this matchweek is looking pretty good to me.

 

[jod23]

Just because your competitors are doing it doesn't make it right.

13 other PL clubs want to freeze or cap ticket prices.

No it doesnt make it right but do the fans want us to compete with our rivals or just be another Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Bournemouth.

It's murky waters.

 

[Cruyff14]

If Liverpool were such a big club, they would not need to worry about being like those clubs.

 

[hawkman]

I can't see it. They just have a winning formula and they won't be taking their eyes off the ball at this stage.

This run they are on must be over 30 games now considering their end to last season. What is it 3 defeats in that time?

Will be interesting if some of these lower teams decide to sit back on them so it is harder to play on the break and see how they cope with that

 

[jod23]

If Liverpool were such a big club, they would not need to worry about being like those clubs.

Huh?

 

[go you pups]

Optimistically, I have 24 points from those games. Not sure if 77 will be enough to win it but it will likely be around the mark.

I don't have us favs though. The $6.50 I got on Spurs before this matchweek is looking pretty good to me.

We both don't lose many games, you lot have only lost twice while we've lost three times, however, we draw more than you guys and we've already dropped points to Arsenal, Liverpool, Utd and Chelsea and we have to play them still.

Say for etc we do the double on City but draw with the other four and win everything else we would only end up on 79 points.

That's pretty unrealistic imo as we will have a minimum of 3 more games than you guys to play (potentially 6 more FA Cup games and 9 more EL games).

It's gunna bank up, I think 70 points should be our target however at the moment. Arsenal will probably get spanked by Barcelona over two legs (and those CL legs are spread out over 2-3 weeks, not 1 week like in EL) so they should be fresher than us and City and historically they finish the season strong when injury prone types seem to get up in the last two months and other teams tire. I'd have Arsenal as 2nd favourites currently.

 

[CFC_JP]

Problem is you gave Mignolet another 5 years on his contract, and presumably his wages won't be that low.

Who would want him?

We would want him as a backup.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Optimistically, I have 24 points from those games. Not sure if 77 will be enough to win it but it will likely be around the mark.

I don't have us favs though. The $6.50 I got on Spurs before this matchweek is looking pretty good to me.

Don't start talking titles. I'm still petrified of missing the 4. Finishing below Snooze FC oh the ignominy of that possibility

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Mendes's presents are more favours owed.

The shoe is definitely on the other foot now.

 

[evolutionbaby]

I think it might go the other way. A wounded animal is dangerous.

Not when the hunters have half a dozen guns.

 

[SM]

No it doesnt make it right but do the fans want us to compete with our rivals or just be another Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Bournemouth.

It's murky waters.

How is it helping you compete?! The difference in money from those ticket prices is absolutely meaningless. 10 quid off a ticket makes a huge difference for a fan and is a drop in the ocean for a club of that size's management.

 

[evolutionbaby]

How is it helping you compete?! The difference in money from those ticket prices is absolutely meaningless. 10 quid off a ticket makes a huge difference for a fan and is a drop in the ocean for a club of that size's management.

Especially when you consider TV rights.

 

[Fryer Tuck]

No it doesnt make it right but do the fans want us to compete with our rivals or just be another Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Bournemouth.

It's murky waters.

I think I know at what you're trying to poke at, but I should note that if 14 out of 20 approve of the decision, than it is universally applied to all PL clubs.

With the money currently in the game, that's just a pittance for clubs, but huge for the fans.

 

[Latro]

Flamini ****ing started. ****ing joke. What is Wenger ****ing thinking.