Now before I start, this thread is all hypothetical, and I'm not ruling out teams around us either. So for the first time in so long we've won 3 games back-to-back at a crucial time. If you look ahead in our next 5 games: Aston Villa (home) Fulham (home) Stoke (away) QPR (away) Sunderland (home) For the sake of it.. Arsenals next five games: Reading (away) Wigan (away) West Ham (home) Newcastle (away) Southampton (away) Tottenhams: Swansea (home) Stoke (home) Aston Villa (away) Sunderland (away) Reading (home) And finally Evertons: Stoke (away) West Ham (away) Wigan (home) Chelsea (home) Newcastle (away) We have arguably the easier run of fixtures, although both Spurs and Arsenal have very winnable games. As it stands, we are 4 points behind both Spurs and Everton and 2 points behind Arsenal. If we can stay within the same distance or gain a point or two it'll bode well going in to January, where we'll surely strengthen (I do realize teams around us can strengthen too). The negative is we play both United and Arsenal in January, although I think it's best to get these games out of the way sooner rather than later. Though we've only beaten one team in the top 10 so far this season (West Ham today) so we're going to have to improve in that regard. Now, considering we only have 1 fit senior striker on our books, Lucas has been out for most of the season, we've had EL games to play with a very thin squad, we're under a new manager with fresh visions, adapting a slight different style of play.. I think we're doing okay, we started off unconvincingly, but slowly but surely we're starting to find some consistency, we also topped a EL group while testing youth and fringe players. There's plenty of reason still to be optimistic, and although things aren't perfect I for one have seen enough to be encouraged that we can surprise a few a people. Onwards up and upwards.
If we can stay within touching distance come January i'l be delighted give our squad and general reliance on young/inexperienced youngsters. If we can back that up with genuine quality in January we can kick on. If not I can see us tailing off due to players being burnt out.
Thankfully games aren't won on paper. we will probably beat Stoke away and then lose to Wigan at home. I think ten points would put you in good stead though, if you add in January then you'll have to be considered a contender.
Ten points would be realistic from them fixtures, but as you say, games aren't won on paper.. I expect 15 points In all seriousness, given our start to the season I'm relieved to be even discussing contending for fourth spot, the key to succeeding in the league is momentum, and slowly but surely we're picking it up and I believe that this run of games has come at the perfect time, we just now need to deliver.
Those fixtures don't look all that different to me in terms of overall difficulty, so form will play a huge part in it. I do think that Suarez's enforced rest could be important for next week against Villa, and if he can get back on the horse there then I can see him going on another goalscoring run.
**** knows what I've said. Get in, thanks for taking points of our competitors for Europe! People need to not take banter so seriously.
yeah only ****e teams beat united in an attempt to get back on track Aston Villa (home) 3 points Fulham (home) 1 point Stoke (away) 0 points QPR (away) 3 points Sunderland (home) 3 points ten points.
Yeah seems correct to me Hope for more but given our form this year we're bound to drop a few. I think we may do Stoke but possibly get done by QPR.
Haven't lost at home in the league this season (Four wins & three draws) & have the best defensive record at home this season. Conceded two goals all season. Nearest clubs to that are Chelsea, Norwich & Liverpool grin with 7 goals conceded. I'd take a point at Stoke as would most sides to be honest. If you get a point at Stoke, that's a good point in my opinion.
Yeah they have a good record. We got a few scores to settle with that lot though. Pulis opening his big gob despite his players diving and kicking us and most teams off the pitch he had the nerve to point the finger at others clubs whilst claiming innocence. The sooner they fall off the better, although im not expecting it any time soon. I would expect you lot to get a point, maybe sneak a winner.
Not surprised about Stoke there Chris, think its only them who have a longer unbeaten streak at home than us. Everton and Stoke have drawn the most games (8) in the premier league so far, you can see a draw easily.
Those draws could cost you come the end of the season. Especially with how tight the battle for 4th is. Thats why Spurs & Arsenal have the edge over us at the moment IMO. They seem to have the ability to win games that we'd draw.
