The race for 4th..

staker

His name's Rodders Triggs:)

Bodie Doyle

After last nights great win V Blackburn and Citys draw, the race for 4th is back on. If we can beat Bolton at the weekend with all our injuries and suspensions it would leave us in a great position.

Our next few games are all very winnable

Feb 5 Bolton (h)
Feb 12 Sunderland (a) - difficult game, draw would do.
Feb 22 Blackpool (a)
Mar 6 Wolves (a)
Mar 19 West Ham (h)
Aprl 2 Wigan (a)
Aprl 9 Stoke (h)


In that time Chelsea, City, Man u all have to play each other.
I am not saying we will win the league but we have a great chance to get back into the top four.

COYS!!!!!

wellboys

Just saw an interesting piece over on Martin Tylers bit on the sky sports website.. If games finished the same as when the first goal was scored we'd be sitting pretty in 14th! The comeback kings!:pac:

Hatch99

We done our piece, draw tomorrow be best Id say...

2nd Row Donkey

They say a week is a long time in football - ain't that the truth!
Only 10 points off the top after United lost to wolves.

A draw or pool win tomorrow would complete a great week for us.

Arsenals result @ Newcastle today could be the start of a Arsenal slump *fingers crossed*


COYS

everdead.ie

Was listening to today fm and they were saying diaby grabbed Barton by the neck they are getting tonnes of reds this year.

Also walker scored again today hopefully he comes back even better to us.

everdead.ie

Walker made the England squad chuffed for the lad.

everdead.ie

Liverpools improvement under Dalglish worries me even if they don't get champions league football this year they look like they will be excellent next season disappointing I prefered when Hodgson was in charge

ziedth

Don't worry about Liverpool I think when it goes against them in the next 12 weeks they will fall apart like a house of cards.

It's nice to be back in the pack today. Big big next couple of weeks I feel.

everdead.ie

Ok so this is just a quick run down of the top 6 and a few bits and bobs thrown in so.
United
Points Per Game 2.16 estimated Points total 83 points.

Star man this term Luis Nani has been the star man popping up with important goals on a regular basis.

Yet to play Chelsea home and away, Arsenal away, City Home, Liverpool away.

Current form : won 4 Drawn 1 lost 1 : 13 points

Arsenal
PPG 2.0 estimated points total 76 points

Star Man Nasri has been head and shoulders above the rest this season although currently injured.

Yet to play us at the Lane United at Home and Liverpool at Home.

Current form : won 4 Drawn 2 lost 0 : 14 points

Man City
PPG 1.88 estimated points total 71 points

Star Man Tevez so huge has he been this season it has been claimed by the media they can't win without him.

Yet to play Us at Home United, Liverpool and chelsea away.

Current form : won 3 Drawn 2 lost 1 : 11 points

Chelsea
PPG 1.76 estimated points total 67 points.

Star Man Well Drogba,Terry and Lampard take your pick an aging squad but they still have it in them to beat any team on there day.

Still to play United twice,City and us at home.

Current form : won 3 Drawn 1 lost 2 : 10 points

Spurs
PPG 1.76 estimated points total 67 points.

Star Man Modric/Bale/VDV all very big players very hard topick one but I think in the league it has to be Modric he has really grown into the midfield role after Huddlestones injury woes.

Still to play Liverpool,Chelsea and City away from home and Arsenal at Home.

Current form : won 3 Drawn 2 lost 1 : 11 points

Liverpool
PPG 1.46 estimated points total 55 points

Star Man Raul Merreillis he has taken over the Liverpool midfield and has really hit form now scoring in 4 of his last 5 games.

Still to play us, City and United at Home and Arsenal away.

Current form : won 4 Drawn 1 lost 1 : 13 points

2nd Row Donkey

ziedth wrote: »

Don't worry about Liverpool I think when it goes against them in the next 12 weeks they will fall apart like a house of cards.

It's nice to be back in the pack today. Big big next couple of weeks I feel.

True - Liverppol where bound to improve (they couldn't get much worse)
They'll definetly have a say on where the title ends up - but they'll do well to finish 5th

2nd Row Donkey

Wow, there's some amount of games to be played out between the top 6 yet - gonna make for an exciting end of season.

We're down to the last dozen or so games and each of the top 6 still have to play at least 4 games each against their rivals - deadly!

Brian49

can anyone help me to try and get one match ticket for the upcoming spurs v west ham game on 19th march...i am desperate...HELP!

Ta
Brian49

Hatch99

Brian49 wrote: »

can anyone help me to try and get one match ticket for the upcoming spurs v west ham game on 19th march...i am desperate...HELP!

Ta
Brian49

Wrong thread mate, stick it in here !

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055337661&page=27

everdead.ie

If we had a better start we could of been in with a title shot surprise losses against the likes of west ham and Wigan are realistically why we aren't being touted as title challengers and I do wonder if we had Daws for those few months we probably could of picked up some extra points too!

galinka

In the race for 3rd now after today - City away looks huge again!

RichMc70

everdead.ie wrote: »

If we had a better start we could of been in with a title shot surprise losses against the likes of west ham and Wigan are realistically why we aren't being touted as title challengers and I do wonder if we had Daws for those few months we probably could of picked up some extra points too!

Very good point you make. Even if we had drawn those games we'd be sitting level with City on points but with a game in hand.

everdead.ie

We'll probably need 24 points from the remaining 36 to get a top four placed this year
Games against Blackpool Home and away west brom west ham Birmingham Arsenal stoke should all be viewed as must wins.

Hatch99

Back in the mix now. 9 from 9 without playing well is a great return.

philon

Hatch99 wrote: »

Back in the mix now. 9 from 9 without playing well is a great return.

Hate to say it but "Man Utd'esq"....not paly well but still come out with the 3pts !!!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Fcukin hell lads, we're 2 pts behind City with a game in hand!:eek: Where have I been?? Thought they were like 5/6/7 points ahead of us..! Very achievable again!

everdead.ie

THFC wrote: »

Fcukin hell lads, we're 2 pts behind City with a game in hand!:eek: Where have I been?? Thought they were like 5/6/7 points ahead of us..! Very achievable again!

We managed to get 9 points from three very very tricky games and if we can continue this form we are in with a great chance of getting 3rd or fourth this year which would be huge! Also did anyone notice we have like the second best away form in the league it's the draws at home that are killing us!

ziedth

THFC wrote: »

Fcukin hell lads, we're 2 pts behind City with a game in hand!:eek: Where have I been?? Thought they were like 5/6/7 points ahead of us..! Very achievable again!

More to the point there are only 12 games left, if we could only keep this up for the next three games and hopefully grab at the very least 7 points.

SuprSi

Penalty to Fulham to win the game and give Chelsea no points!!! Please Danny Murphy, do us a favour!!

SuprSi

Dempsey took it. Don't know why it wasn't Murphy, but it was saved.

BERBA

SuprSi wrote: »

Dempsey took it. Don't know why it wasn't Murphy, but it was saved.

Murphy was taken off thats why dempsey took it

we play blackpool tomorrow week before chelsea play utd the following tuesday

lets go 5 points clear of em next week COYS

Leinstersqspur

BERBA wrote: »

Murphy was taken off thats why dempsey took it

we play blackpool tomorrow week before chelsea play utd the following tuesday

lets go 5 points clear of em next week COYS

And 3rd place ahead of Citeh!
COYS

RichMc70

The 0-0 tonight between Fulham and Chelsea was a good result for us. Obviously, could have been better if Dempsey had scored the peno but I only got to see the 2nd half and from what I saw it was all Chelsea one way traffic.

We're now in a position after this weekend results that we could actually be challenging for 3rd place, what with our game in hand on City.

Starting to wonder if the Torres signing for Chelsea has unsettled their established front men. In his first two games Torres has looked a shadow of himself but Anelka, Drogba and Malouda have suddenly seem to have gone missing in the same two games. If it has got under their skin then it's all good from our perspective.

Their next 3 Pl games are Man U, Blackpool and City and I can't see them getting 9 out of 9 points, whereas our next 3 are Blackpool, Wolves and West Ham. If we don't fcuk up then we could have a buffer of maybe 5 points or more come April. Perfect scenario would be Man U and Blackpool to beat Chelsea and City to draw with them. Can't see that happening though, so we have to make sure we get max points from our next three League games.

ziedth

Say we get a modest 7 or ambitious 9 from our next three games and Chelsea get 2/3/4 which I can easily see happen (Utd will kill them and I can def see City taking points) that is not bad 5/6 point gap to have on them coming into April.

I don't think I can remember a bigger three league games for us in a row.

everdead.ie

We still have a tough run of games with city arsenal Liverpool and Chelsea still to play so we need maximum points wherever we can get them.
Fortunaetly they all have to play each other and United as well I wonder could this season see the lowest points total in a long time for the title?

Hatch99

One game at a time lads. The PL is so unpredictable, anything can happen...

everdead.ie

Did a post in the soccer forum and just checked the stats about Chelsea since Ray Wilkins left and we are actually second in the table 14 games since he left two points less than United and one goal extra conceded. Very impressive pity we didn't start the season like that! Still a long way to go.

2nd Row Donkey

Those next 3 games are looking even more crucial now. I'll be kicking myself if we drop anymore then 2 points from a possible 9.

I can just see myself staring at the table in a months time saying 'if only, if only, if only we had beat *insert blackpool/Wolves/Spammers here* we'd be in 3rd/4th place now instead of 5th etc etc.

Hopefully I'm wrong. We need our squad players to come good for us now but with the amount of injuries we have at the moment we'll be pushed to our limits.

2nd Row Donkey

Is too soon to start worrying about what happens if we finish 4th and Chelski finish 5th but go on to win the CL final?

Chelski will get into the CL next season to defend theie CL title?

everdead.ie

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Is too soon to start worrying about what happens if we finish 4th and Chelski finish 5th but go on to win the CL final?

Chelksi will get into the CL next season to defend theie CL title?

Can't see Chelsea winning it at all myself they've been terrible lately I'm hoping they don't turn a corner before we play them next.

2nd Row Donkey

Hopefully, the last time we played them they were in the middle of a short-lived mini-revivial (having beaten someone else 6-0 in the cup the weekend before i think).

2nd Row Donkey

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Those next 3 games are looking even more crucial now.I'll be kicking myself if we drop anymore then 2 points from a possible 9.

I can just see myself staring at the table in a months time saying 'if only, if only, if only we had beat *insert blackpool/Wolves/Spammers here* we'd be in 3rd/4th place now instead of 5th etc etc.

Hopefully I'm wrong. We need our squad players to come good for us now but with the amount of injuries we have at the moment we'll be pushed to our limits.

Well that didn't take long!


*kicks self*

Hatch99

The 3 points thrown away last night could prove vital come May...time will tell I suppose, but to look back and say that Blackpool were the cause of us not getting 4th would be sickening.

kakee

but to look back and say that Blackpool were the cause of us not getting 4th would be sickening.

To be fair if we don't finish 4th it will because of Spurs and not anyone else.

golfball37

We're still better off than we were at this point last season and we have an easier run in than last season too.

Glass is half full imo, not half empty. We have to beat Wolves on March 6th now to make up for last night.

Hatch99

kakee wrote: »

To be fair if we don't finish 4th it will because of Spurs and not anyone else.

I meant the Blackpool result..

yosemite_sam

Shambles last night, getting rid of reserve team football looks like a decission of an idiot by the day

SuprSi

One thing I will say - we had 4 away games over the last few weeks, one CL and 3 league. We have taken a combined total of 9 from 12 possible points (if points were awarded for the CL) so taking last nights crap result and striking performance (again) into consideratioin we haven't done too badly.

It still hurts that we could've put distance between us and Chelsea because you'd have to reckon on Chelsea winning their game in hand and us going into 5th. There's still a long way to go but last night was a big setback.

Bodie Doyle

SuprSi wrote: »

One thing I will say - we had 4 away games over the last few weeks, one CL and 3 league. We have taken a combined total of 9 from 12 possible points (if points were awarded for the CL) so taking last nights crap result and striking performance (again) into consideratioin we haven't done too badly.

It still hurts that we could've put distance between us and Chelsea because you'd have to reckon on Chelsea winning their game in hand and us going into 5th. There's still a long way to go but last night was a big setback.

Yep people seem to forget that we have just won 4 games on the trot and 3 of the 4 were away. We had 9000 shots last night and their keeper had the game of his life. A couple of refereeing decisions did not go our way also. Write it off as one of those nights and move on.


Chelsea's game in hand is against Man Utd next Tuesday. I cannot see them winning that on current form.

At the moment we are in 4th spot 2 points behind City having played the same amount of games. Even if Chelsea win their game in hand we will only be 1 point behind them with 11 games to play.

Yes we had a great opportunity to cement our place in the top 4 and it may come back to haunt us at the end of the season but we still have an excellent chance for a CL place. With Bale, VDV, Hudd and maybe Ledley all to return we will ber right up there until the finish.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

I've been hearing that if Chelsea win the CL (realistic enough considering there Euro form), we finish 4th and they finsh 5th (again, realistic enough considering the form), then they would get the 4th CL spot ahead of us!? That's madness!

SuprSi

Yeah there was a precedence when Liverpool won it but finished outside the top 4, thanks to Everton. All 5 teams had to go through, but from now on the 4th placed team is displaced in favour of the winner of the CL if the winner didn't finish in the top 4. Let's hope it doesn't come to that!

tomo75

THFC wrote: »

I've been hearing that if Chelsea win the CL (realistic enough considering there Euro form), we finish 4th and they finsh 5th (again, realistic enough considering the form), then they would get the 4th CL spot ahead of us!? That's madness!

Can't see Chelsea winning the CL. They will get beaten in much tighter games than last Tuesday night.

As for the CL spot for us - 3rd is still on. As shown in another thread, we have City, Arse and Chelsea in the space of 13 days. That will determine who finishes where.

SuprSi

Yeah those 3 games will have a huge impact on what happens. If we could beat Arsenal and get a draw out of one of the others I'd be happy enough.

The next 4 games are interesting though, with City having the easiest run. The are at home to Fulmah, Wigan, and Sunderland at home with Chelsea away, so you'd have to think they'll get at least 9 points from that. Chelsea are at home to Utd and City and away to Stoke and Blackpool. No idea what sort of return they'll get but you'd be thinking 6 points at least anyway. Finally we're away to Wolves and Wigan, and at home to Stoke and West Ham, and we should absolutely have a minimum of 6 points from that, though if we can beat either Wolves or Wigan away we'll obviously add to that.

Big few weeks coming up because we really need to get as many points as possible before the Arsenal/City/Chelsea games.

ruiseal

SuprSi wrote: »

Yeah there was a precedence when Liverpool won it but finished outside the top 4, thanks to Everton. All 5 teams had to go through, but from now on the 4th placed team is displaced in favour of the winner of the CL if the winner didn't finish in the top 4. Let's hope it doesn't come to that![/QUOTE]

Spurs to finish 5th and win the CL?;)

tomo75

Good result today with City and Fulham. The race is still on for 4th. UTD to beat the Russians on Tuesday and it game!!:D