January's done, where will we finish?

If we'd won on Sunday, we would have been only 3 points behind City. Unlikely, but not impossible that we could have finished 2nd. No, I don't really think we would have done, but I am disappointed that my optimism nose-dived after 1 match. Win against QPR and I will be going for the title . Still hopeful of top 4, but 5-7 is more realistic.

 

Good to see that so far no one has put lower than 7th. Which means we would continue our record of improving our league position every year since takeover. That could be hard to carry on next year though..

 

Going on past years, we will need to win 10 out of the last 15 games to get a top 4 finish. 13 games if we take away Chelsea and City. Doable esp if we beat Spurs and Pool. Other teams are finding form but have play each other. If we can remember how to score goals again, 4th place is my bet

 

I said 6th, but top 4 is certainly doable.

 

Like most others, I really hope for 4th but reality says 6th.
The "Big Boys" all appear to be hitting real form but we have once again fallen foul of having such a small squad loosing twice in a week (one cup/one league)
I just don't see us being able to keep our best 11 on the field as we have only probably 14-15 front line players

 

We have played the last few games without Morgan, Victor, and Toby. They'll be back this week and we can get back to our winning ways. Of course I'm not saying we WILL finish in the top 2, just that we still can. What's the point in not believing that? I'm a football fan, my life isn't guided by logic and reason.

 

I think a lot comes down to each persons individual outlook aswell. I'm usually pretty negative so probably wouldn't start to believe we could finish top 4 until the last game of the season if we had a 3 point cushion and a +5 GD on the chasing pack. Call it a disappointment prevention tactic

 

I am a natural optimist until match day...then I become a wobbling jelly.

 

As Saintmagic below says, I suppose it depends on individuals outlook. I'm more of a realistic guy who errs on the side of caution, that way anything better is a bonus, whereas if I set my sights high and it doesn't materialise I'm left disappointed. Just my way.

As an example if we were to finish say 6th/7th, I'd probably be a lot happier than some people who 2 weeks ago we're convinced we would finish 3rd/4th. I mean, imagine the meltdown on here by some if we were to lose our next 2 games?

 

If people meltdown because we drop out of the European spots, they are ungrateful swine. We are having a great season and, if we fall away, we have still had another step in our progress.

 

Yes it will have been a great season, but long term progress isn't really a thing a football in the PL. I can't really see players being massively fussed if we finished 7th or 15th. The result is still the same, no European football and still staying the PL. If a club who is in European competition/can offer them more money comes in for them then most likely they will have their heads turned

 

Agree completely Fran, doesn't mean it won't happen though!

 

Top ... obviously

 

Chilco/TSS you're optimism makes me feel less like an unrealistic nutter. Morgan and Big Vic are back. Why can't we finish top 4?

 

Include Toby in that of course and a slightly more potent strike force we hope.

 

If 70 points is normally needed for CL then we need 8W and 4D. Considering our fixtures that does not seem impossible. Can't have to many like Sunday though.

 

I'd go as far as saying we can't afford ANY more like Sunday if we want to finish top 4.

 

We will finish in Manchester.. I'll get my coat

 

Extra competitions:
Utd: FA Cup replay
Arsenal: FA Cup/Champions League
Liverpool: FA Cup replay/Europan League
Spurs: Europa League
Saints: ...

 

6th...think we'll come above Liverpool. We'll get very close to top 4 but I can see Arsenal gettting away into 3rd and Spurs pipping us and United to 4th