Top 4 race 2016/17

You know Liverpool won't beat Burnley next week. So, so annoying to drop points against this average side. Oh, and Klopp is starting to get on my nerves for his stupid celebrations.
 
Could be a good weekend for us and Spurs. If we win tomorrow we'll be 5 points clear of 5th and 3 ahead of Liverpool with a game in had.

If Everton could stun Spurs they would be 5 points off Liverpool with the same number of games played. Could tomorrow push them into the top 4 race.

My dream results before next weekend:
Spurs 1-2 Everton, Sunderland 1-3 City, West Ham 1-1 Chelsea (in my dreams lol), City 2-0 Stoke.
  1. Chelsea--p27 pts64
  2. City------p27 pts 58
  3. Spurs----p27 pts 53
  4. Liverpool-p27 pts 52
  5. Arsenal---p26 pts 50
  6. Man Utd--p26 pts 49
  7. Everton---p27 pts 47
 
Awkwardly, Liverpool are our best allies this season, beating everyone challenging for the top four, dropping points against everyone else.

If we somehow make top four, it will all be thanks to their good work. We'd be completely out of the equation if they'd gone about their results the other way.
 
AXVnee7 said:
Struggle to see how we're going to get top 4 now. I really think we need to focus on Europa.

Liverpool and Arsenal (once out of CL) will have just the league to focus on. They both also have an easier run in than us.

People predicting us to finish top 4 are incredibly wise, or incredibly deluded!
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We don't have the quality in depth or the consistency to fight on 3 fronts. Should prioritise Europa Cup as the no 1 priority and rotate around that.
 
sammsky1 said:
We don't have the quality in depth or the consistency to fight on 3 fronts. Should prioritise Europa Cup as the no 1 priority and rotate around that.
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Yeah I strongly agree. I think we are a team that is primarily hard to beat, as evidenced by our unbeaten run, and that works in our favour more in Europe than the league. This is especially true over 2-legged fixtures. The teams are also easier in the Europa, whereas in the league we are still yet to play Chelsea and Everton, and Arsenal, Spurs and City all away. At best we'd be playing Roma in the Europa, and whilst they are no pushovers, I'd rather play them over 2 legs (and if we meet them in the final then that's a good occasion) than have that kind of run in for the league. We also get a major cup for Europa, and automatically qualify whereas top 4 doesn't offer either. We haven't won one before, and OT could do with a spark right now. European nights could bring that.

I don't want us to abandon the league per say, but definitely prioritise Europa now.
 
AXVnee7 said:
Yeah I strongly agree. I think we are a team that is primarily hard to beat, as evidenced by our unbeaten run, and that works in our favour more in Europe than the league. This is especially true over 2-legged fixtures. The teams are also easier in the Europa, whereas in the league we are still yet to play Chelsea and Everton, and Arsenal, Spurs and City all away. At best we'd be playing Roma in the Europa, and whilst they are no pushovers, I'd rather play them over 2 legs (and if we meet them in the final then that's a good occasion) than have that kind of run in for the league. We also get a cup for Europa, and automatically qualify whereas top 4 doesn't offer either.

I don't want us to abandon the league per say, but definitely prioritise Europa now.
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Precisely for this reason! I doubt any of the remaining teams can beat us over 2 legs, so long at Mourinho gets the tactics and team selections right.

He should rotate to allow him to do so.

We dont 'abandon' the league ans should try and win those games, albeit with slightly weakened teams he would have to field.
 
Utd fans are turning into LFC fans circa 2015/2016. Happy to give up in the league to finish 8th (could happen) and lose the Europa final. Cue LFC fans laughing at the new Utd manager's ineptitude in finishing 8th. History, repeat, etc.
 
Dumbstar said:
Utd fans are turning into LFC fans circa 2015/2016. Happy to give up in the league to finish 8th (could happen) and lose the Europa final. Cue LFC fans laughing at the new Utd manager's ineptitude in finishing 8th. History, repeat, etc.
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Doesn't matter if we finish 5th or 10th tbh.
 
Raoul said:
That's definitely the gloom and doom view. Alternatively, we haven't lost a game in ages which somewhat makes up for the draws. The worst thing we can do is dwell on this. WE need to get prepared for the next game and play better.
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No it doesn't. It points on the board that matters. Think I, Jose, the players and many fans are really taking comfort in being unbeaten? I would trade our unbeaten run for being in City's position as they can get 6 clear of us but occasionally will lose. We aiming for that Gold plated 6th placed trophy
 
More than doable still, but the fire in me is dying quickly as we just refuse to take our chances, going to throw my faith into our EL campaign for now, as personally I would take that passage into the CL over finishing 4th.
 
P-Nut0712 said:
So you think Liverpool beating a top 6 club (which they've done all season) settles them as definite top 4?
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No. I've predicted them finishing top 4 all season and their run in is the easiest of the top 6.
 
Sandikan said:
A one off could be ok.

It's the basket of home game draws v Burnley, Stoke, West Ham, Hull and now Bournemouth.
Adding in the Liverpool and Arsenal home draws.
And City home defeat.

Wow, that's 8 home dropped points, and I don't even know if I've missed any!
With 5 homes left, it means even if I haven't, we've won 6 at home, by March!!
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Thats awful. Top sides should be winning a solid percentage of their home games.
 
Stacks said:
No it doesn't. It points on the board that matters. Think I, Jose, the players and many fans are really taking comfort in being unbeaten? I would trade our unbeaten run for being in City's position as they can get 6 clear of us but occasionally will lose. We aiming for that Gold plated 6th placed trophy
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I just wrote in another thread, this is the worst ever 17 match unbeaten run we've ever had. Way too many draws as dropped points takes out a lot of momentum.
 
Raoul said:
I don't think its a fair shout at all. We have been playing very well since December and haven't lost a game in ages. The other teams above us have managed to scrape by and remain above us, but that won't last much longer.
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why not? it has been a recurring theme of the season that given an opportunity to overtake, we squander it. Also we don't win enough home games.
 
We missed our chance today. I think now it will be very very difficult for us to get in top 4. Yes points wise we are not that far off but we should have won today and put arsenal behind us. I dont think we make it from here. I just hope we just cruise in the league now and turn all our attention to Europa league. That becomes our number one priority as that is only way we get in Champions league.
I hope City and Tottenham drop points tomorrow and monday, but i dont see it happening. We are three behind Pool with a game in hand against arsenal. If and only if tottenham and city drop points do we get back in the race.
 
Stacks said:
why not? it has been a recurring theme of the season that given an opportunity to overtake, we squander it. Also we don't win enough home games.
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We don't score enough goals. That is the fundemental problem, which obviously has nothing to do with Zlatan and everything to do with those around him. Moreover, its also a matter of coaching. Mourinho is struggling to galvanize our sense of team solidarity to where everything functions in a way where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
 
Stacks said:
No it doesn't. It points on the board that matters. Think I, Jose, the players and many fans are really taking comfort in being unbeaten? I would trade our unbeaten run for being in City's position as they can get 6 clear of us but occasionally will lose. We aiming for that Gold plated 6th placed trophy
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Nonsense. We are in a very competitive position to finish top 4, especially as we have a game in hand.
 
Raoul said:
Nonsense. We are in a very competitive position to finish top 4, especially as we have a game in hand.
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tbh mate, we shouldn't be looking at a City away match (our game in hand) as a positive in the top 4 race.
 
Dumbstar said:
Utd fans are turning into LFC fans circa 2015/2016. Happy to give up in the league to finish 8th (could happen) and lose the Europa final. Cue LFC fans laughing at the new Utd manager's ineptitude in finishing 8th. History, repeat, etc.
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Klopp and Mourinho's records in finals is quite different though. You also had to face Europa masters Sevilla
 
We almost threw every chance to make the top 4 possible which means it won't happen, we are not good enough. Better focus on E.L now although it's not easy to win it with all the distractions we have.
 
Could Spurs finally finish above Arsenal? Wengers position would become untenable surely?
 
I honestly couldnt give a flying monkies about top 4. Not having champions league football will not put players off from joining us. It is a sorry state of affairs when we are scrambling for 4th place anyhow. Priority has to be the Premier League next season, which means this summer transfer window is crucial
 
Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87 said:
Who gives a feck. They can even finish 20 points ahead of us. I am more concerned about us.
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I remember the first time City finished above Utd and it's annoying to hear your rival fans piping up. Think this has to be the end for Wenger, you might not even get top 4 at this rate.
 
Raoul said:
We don't score enough goals. That is the fundemental problem, which obviously has nothing to do with Zlatan and everything to do with those around him. Moreover, its also a matter of coaching. Mourinho is struggling to galvanize our sense of team solidarity to where everything functions in a way where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
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basically. There isn't a so called 'system' that we can fall back on for results, if certain individuals are not firing. But then we know Jose doesn't have a particular system or fixed way of playing, thus the top players in each position are expected to deliver week in week out.
 
AXVnee7 said:
I remember the first time City finished above Utd and it's annoying to hear your rival fans piping up. Think this has to be the end for Wenger, you might not even get top 4 at this rate.
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It has to happen sooner or later. It's just a little consolation for Spurs and a shit thing for me. I only care about winning trophies and being competitive again.
 
AXVnee7 said:
Could Spurs finally finish above Arsenal? Wengers position would become untenable surely?
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One season out of 20 odd doesn't really matter that much.

It's more worrying that Arsenal are constantly hanging around a step down from the top table.
 
AXVnee7 said:
I remember the first time City finished above Utd and it's annoying to hear your rival fans piping up. Think this has to be the end for Wenger, you might not even get top 4 at this rate.
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Honestly as a Spurs fan I don't give a crap about finishing above Arsenal. The prize for 2nd is the same as for 3rd, if you offered me 3rd now behind Arsenal I would bite your hand off.

This is all about trying to get in the CL again for us and starting to create some consistency.

Unfortunately even if we do qualify again we've got to play all next season at that lifeless, soulless khazi which means we are going to have a seriously hard season next year.
 
Phil Jones 79 said:
I honestly couldnt give a flying monkies about top 4. Not having champions league football will not put players off from joining us. It is a sorry state of affairs when we are scrambling for 4th place anyhow. Priority has to be the Premier League next season, which means this summer transfer window is crucial
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This. Feck top 4.

I want to win the league. Couldn't give a flying about being the group stages only to crash out early.

Top 4 top 4 top 4...

It's all you hear and read here, at RAWK, at Arsenal Mania etc.

Qualifying for the CL groups doesn't effect who the huge clubs sign.
 
Dumbstar said:
Utd fans are turning into LFC fans circa 2015/2016. Happy to give up in the league to finish 8th (could happen) and lose the Europa final. Cue LFC fans laughing at the new Utd manager's ineptitude in finishing 8th. History, repeat, etc.
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We might not finish top 4 but no fecking way are we finishing 8th.
 
Raoul said:
We don't score enough goals. That is the fundemental problem, which obviously has nothing to do with Zlatan and everything to do with those around him. Moreover, its also a matter of coaching. Mourinho is struggling to galvanize our sense of team solidarity to where everything functions in a way where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
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This is the exact problem from my outsider perspective and the Utd board needs sorting this out behind closed doors with the manager (and his demons: personal issues, professional scars, mid-life grumpiness, whatever).
 
Peanut Butter said:
This. Feck top 4.

I want to win the league. Couldn't give a flying about being the group stages only to crash out early.

Top 4 top 4 top 4...

It's all you hear and read here, at RAWK, at Arsenal Mania etc.

Qualifying for the CL groups doesn't effect who the huge clubs sign.
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It should be especially important for you guys to finish top 4 so you can avoid another season with Europa League distraction. José will probably hate having another season traveling to Russia and the like whilst having important PL fixtures moved to inconvenient dates.
 
Orc said:
It should be especially important for you guys to finish top 4 so you can avoid another season with Europa League distraction. José will probably hate having another season traveling to Russia and the like whilst having important PL fixtures moved to inconvenient dates.
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I can't see Jose playing strong sides next season in the EL. He will have a chat with Ed this summer and they will both agree its best we focus on the league.

That's what I predict anyway.
 
SirHenryPercy said:
Honestly as a Spurs fan I don't give a crap about finishing above Arsenal. The prize for 2nd is the same as for 3rd, if you offered me 3rd now behind Arsenal I would bite your hand off.

This is all about trying to get in the CL again for us and starting to create some consistency.
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This. 2nd, 3rd or 4th are all the same. I'd much rather finish 4th behind Arsenal and win the FA Cup, for example. Winning a trophy with this young group and consistently making the Champions League is far more important than league position relative to Arsenal. If Spurs are consistently winning, that kind of stuff will sort itself out naturally anyways.
 
Liverpool loses a lot of points against lesser teams
United wasted a lot of their chances and got a lot of draw results
Arsenal is just crap but they will be out from CL soon means they can focus on the league now
Spurs is inconsistent sometimes

I think predicting who's going to be in top 4 is tough at the moment.

I think city will be in top 4 for sure as long they don't play Bravo and Caballero does his job.
Chelsea is pretty comfortable in first place.
 
Peanut Butter said:
I can't see Jose playing strong sides next season in the EL. He will have a chat with Ed this summer and they will both agree its best we focus on the league.

That's what I predict anyway.
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The problem is thing is not always go as plan. What if we only focus for the league & crash out of all competitions, but still not being able to win the league? No I am not talking about L'pool esque situation this season, but situation where at the end of the season we had no silverware to show. Winning title is not given right. We have fight for it as well as having a back up plan in case we don't win. The perspective would be very different in case at the end of second season (supposed to be annual Mourinho's best season), we can't win anything adding the fact that Mourinho has been backed with few transfer windows & big signings.

The fanbase would start to feel restless. See how people retconned LVG' failed stint using only second season showing & transfers as reason for Moyes to be afforded a second season, who was clueless & dead certain disaster from the get go, while ignore the fact that LVG earned himself second season by getting top 4 in his first season.
 
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I think the top 3 will be Chelsea, City and Spurs. The last spot will be a dog race between us, Arsenal and Liverpool with each doing their best to not get into top 4. In the end, whoever fecks up the least will get in. Somewhat like what happened between us and City last season.
 
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