I've already said it's a must win game for us Phil. We've got to beat them on Sunday if we're to end up ahead of them come May. But I don't agree that we'll have to win every game in order to achieve 4th, they won't take maximum points from their remaining fixtures imo.
Well we need to win and match the results they get. They have a easy run in and could win every game, so this is why I say we need to win every game.
Sunday is the key game though, win it and we go to Sunderland next week with the opportunity to go 2 points clear of them, as they don't play until the Tuesday (vs WHU) IF we managed to get our noses in front then the pressure on them would be massive and makes those supposedly 'easy' fixtures more daunting. But it all means nothing if we don't take 3 points on Sunday lunchtime.
City and united to come for us..... Could we lose these games? Could we afford to drop points at Sunderland or against Palace? Moyes will not want a tepid performance on his return to Goodison We need to win EVERY game
We don't Phil. As I said earlier that'd take us to 81 points and there's no way imo that 4th will require 81 points. The mean average over the last 10 seasons for 4th is just shy of 69 points, 81.9 is the average for 2nd over the last decade. So I'll have you any wager you like that 4th place won't require 81 points and therefore we won't have to win every game to secure it. Fancy it? As for the actual games, if we can't beat Palace at home then we don't deserve 4th, Sunderland away is also a game that we should be looking to win. As for United, not arsed what ginger bollocks wants or expects of his expensive flops, Goodison will be a bear pit that afternoon, and that's when it's at it's best, can't wait for that one. We've sold out for Sunday and United already btw, first time in a long while all the obstructed views have gone this early.
If you beat Arsenal, then the moment they drop points (all teams do, except Liverpool #nojinx) then 4th is probably yours
You still dont get it do you Tobe.... It matters not what the average points for 4th is as we cant say at this point what others will do. So if we win every game we get 4th. So what do you think ours and arsenals results will be on the run in? Making a bet on points, well tobe you are a silly Billy.
I get it perfectly thanks Phil, it would appear that you don't though.... Our run in is definitely harder on paper, hence the reason Sunday is a must win, however, my comments about the total points tally is based on probability, as those are the averages that have consistently been good enough for 2nd and 4th. Whilst it's obvious that this year it'll be higher than that, 4th won't require 81 and if you're so convinced take the wager offered fella....
Whats the wager then? That we wont get 4th if we get beaten or what....thats still unclear! As I have said on many ocassions; win em all, get 4th. We can settle up in the fan zone whatever the bet is first home game next season.
I thought that was obvious Phil - that 81 points won't be required to get 4th place in the league I'll buy you a pint in the Oak when you hand over my winnings
You'll beat Arsenal in my opinion, and hopefully snatch 4th. At this point I believe it's yours to lose.
Its not all about Arsenal bottling It though someone has to be there (go on a run) to take the position...
We never set it, but you'd said we'll need to win every game to get 4th - which now we don't I think the required target could be as low as 75
West Ham fan in peace. Hope Everton take 4th, you really deserve it and it will be a victory for football if Arsenal are denied 4th place by default as they usually get it.
Cheers fellla. We've still got it all to do, given our fixtures compared to Arsenal's, but our win yesterday has given us a chance and now we'll see how it pans out.
Need to make your mind up now tobes, the average was set by you at 'just shy of' 69 points. Martinez predicted 71 or was it 72 points would be the target to get 4th, now that would just require three wins. I doubt it will be so low. What is the record points for 4th spot since it gave a CL position?
That would only be one point lower than the record 76 set in 2008 by the RS.....and would mean that we could only lose 2 games/drop six points....!
