To put this another way, even if the next two game weeks go perfect for us - we beat Leicester and Bmouth, and Swansea lose to City and Chelsea - we'll only be one point ahead of Swansea (with us having a GD advantage, but possibly only a very minor one). So if we were then to only draw Swansea, that gap doesn't change. So it would be a case of us having away to Everton, home to City and a one point advantage, versus them having Bmouth away and Stoke at home. Despite us having that extra point on the board, I think I would just about rather be in Swansea's position. And I'm saying that on the basis that these two game weeks go perfectly for us. Which clearly might not happen. Hence why I'm saying we simply have no choice but to beat Swansea, if we are to finish above them. It's not just one of five remaining games that we could get a win from; it's a game that is essential that we win, even before getting into how many points we collect from the other four. If we don't beat them, then we're down to needing Brighton or Huddersfield to have finished collecting any more points. And we'd still need to be winning those next two games.
We need one of West Ham/Swansea/Palace/maybe Huddersfield to lose all of their remaining matches, and then we need to find six or seven points in our stretch run. It's possible, but only just.
Even though they've not got the nicest of run-ins, I can't see West Ham losing all six (or one draw and five defeats). And in any event, we might need them to get something against Stoke on Monday night. Equally, it's well documented how nice a run-in Palace have. Throw in the fact that they're the ones on a bit a form, and they too I can't see going on such a losing run. So we're down to Swansea (and Brighton, as I say above) as the possible alternative to Huddersfield. Saints may yet surprise me, but for me 36 points is now the safety line. It would need a small miracle for us or Stoke to get to that. And alas, all those six sides above us are more result away from hitting 36.
Yeah, we're in "need a miracle" territory, and I don't think one is forthcoming. Oh well, the just desserts for a level of mismanagement that still defies logic. Now we just have to hope that Gao has some money squirreled away outside China, or this won't be the last of our problems.
Well some lass called Mary is having a nativity on the other thread and she has Virgin on the front of her shirt.
Wasn't on last night during the Man City game, but how good is Moussa Dembele? Absolutely class, no idea why he is at Spurs, should be at one of the elite teams.
Utterly brilliant record and as fresh today as it was all those years ago. You are a "soul" boy at heart.
OK so he won't go there then. I think he would be brilliant in Real's team ahead of Casemeiro who isn't good enough for that level.
Normal service resumed last night at Wembley, I see. Manchester City must have had an attack of stage fright against Liverpool and Manchester United in their previous round of matches. We have seen it happen to PSG as well. It takes time and experience to become the ultimate winners. They will get there!
Of course Burnley and Dyche are having a great season, but I just can't look beyond Rafa for manager of the season. A squad that, on paper, should be fighting to avoid 20th in my view, could yet finish 8th.
Newcastle now on 39 points after winning 4 games in a row. Arsenal haven’t got a single away point in 2018, a worse away record than us!
And so to next season! There is no such thing as a mid-table PL team. There is the top 6, then Everton. The rest are all relegation candidates as proved by the fall of established "mid-table" sides Southampton, WBA and Stoke.
Possibility that that leaves us as the only side in the PL not to beat a member of the big six. (Stoke, Brighton, Newcastle, Swansea, Bmouth, Watford have beaten Arsenal. Burnley, Palace, Watford, West Ham have beaten Chelsea. Newcastle, WBA, Huddersfield have beaten Utd....)
