... personally I feel this is the most open Premiership for quite some time ... whilst it might still end with the 'usual suspects' (yes I'm including Chelski) occupying the top 4 positions, I think it will be full of twists and turns and clubs like West Ham, Spuds, Liverpool, Southampton, Swansea, Everton, Palace, Stoke and even our humble selves will have a major influence on the final finishing positions ... and if ever there was a possibility that one or even two of the established quartet misses out, this could well be the season ... won't be crying too many tears if that should indeed happen
HIAG says this so regularly on here. It's almost as if he is concerned about us and our rise up the table. Don't worry fella. You've probably got a good 2 or 3 seasons of being above us yet.
I genuinely don't think it will be us. A lot depends on how quickly Klopp can get the scousers going. Top 3 seems pretty obvious. After that could be 1 from a few and too early to say. Perhaps Spurs?
Top three looks pretty much nailed on, bar something extraordinary happening. Fourth? Who knows? It's very open as has been said. When you look at Chelsea's squad, the strength and depth of it, they have to be in with a shout still, if they can sort out their current internal conflict, with or without Maureen.
.... our purple patch still going well ... and Jamie Vardy gets another lucky tap-in ... bloody hell we're even being allowed to occupy a Champions League position temporarily.. our humble thanks
Right place, right time. That's what happens when you're on a hot streak, regardless of how decent, or not. you are. I do think you'll win our bet though, my horse is lame. Where do you think Leicester will finish? Given you've had such a change of opinion on Vardy since the start of the season (despite having always known he was top class, allegedly!) you're entitled to change any league finish prediction you made at the start of the season. You've got to fancy a top 8 finish now.
League is actually more difficult to predict than normal this year. A few teams over performing like West Ham, Watford and Leicester and some teams not performing to a level that they normally would. A load of teams who will be around the relegation zone too like Sunderland, Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle, Norwich, West Brom and Bouremouth. Any of those could go down. United a little inconsistent. Can Liverpool get in top 6 with the current injury problems. Where will Southampton, Spurs and Everton finish. It is difficult this year.
... can't remember which thread it was ... but the only prediction thread I commented on I put us (somewhat tongue in cheek admittedly) in the top 8 ... more realistically I made the point that I could not understand everyone writing us off rather than thinking we might push on and indeed stated that we might just be the surprise team this season - as you might expect I'm feeling pretty smug about that last bit right now) ... recall some bell-end posting that Ranieri was a nice guy but a crap manager and would get sacked ... can't recall who just now ... realistically I would like a top half finish and as long as we don't suffer too many injuries to key players that would seem possible ...
I don't mind admitting that I was wrong about Ranieri this season. He's underachieved at most clubs he's been at but is a nice guy. He's certainly over achieving now. No shame in admitting you were wrong. Certainly better than trying to rewrite history!
... as you say ... I was wrong in my thoughts on our likely most effective attacking line-up at the start of the season ... as I have admitted ... evidence, if any was needed, that managers generally know better than fans ... but I am always happy to have been proven wrong ... and to change my mind ... which Jamie Vardy has more than done this season ... I am now a huge fan having realised that this guy, once 'acclimatised' to his surroundings has not just ability but the self-belief and confidence to succeed at the 'next level' (just where that may take him, who knows) ... one thing for certain (watch his goal tonight) - there should now be no question on him deserving to start the next England game ahead of Kane and Rooney in the number 9 shirt ...
Chelsea have 11 points, 27 games remaining, possible 81 points left. To be champions, they would need to pick up 75 -78 points from a possible 81, so one of the safest bets this season Is City to be champions. To finish 4th, they would need at the minimum 59 points from a possible 81 and they are capable of winning 20 out of 27 games. No disagreement that Its looking more unlikely each weekend, and if they don't recover, then only ourselves and Liverpool can take advantage, with Liverpool's chances increasing if Sturridge returns from injury.
Another way to look at it is to ask, which is more likely - Chelsea to get 59 out of possible 81 or Liverpool to get 53 points out of a possible 81 which is equally unlikely. Toss a coin. Spurs will most likely win tomorrow so you're looking at 50 out of possible 81 which is do-able, but then again we're talking about Spurs.
We have the youngest squad in the Prem. Most of them home-grown. Where ever we finish this season, we are looking very strong, going into future seasons - plus, we have some very exciting youngsters yet to come through. Where are the youth for Arsenal, United, Chelsea, £ity, or any of the other clubs?
