We're 6th, on level points with Chelsea, 2 points off the critical 4th spot, currently occupied by Arsenal. This despite a new team, still gelling, the worst of luck and some pretty poor finishing culminating in a paltry return from our home games. Throw the Saurez distraction into the mix plus the absence of one of the best midfielders in the world and it doesn't seem to bad....to me anyway. We are currently on a run rate to achieve 68 points, a fourth spot qualifying figure last year. I see no reason why we cannot improve on this given the way we have played to date and with the return of Stevie G. No reason at all. So we have a more than credible chance of achieving 4th spot; our two main rivals will have to play CL (I really hope they progress!!), not to mention the loss of key players to the ANC. While I don't see Spurs maintaining their stomping form for the second half of the season, I think that they will still maintain a level of form that will see them qualify, that said if they lose a couple of key players to injury, then they could drop more points and open up another CL spot; I'd much rather 4 teams battle for 2 spots than 3 teams for one! I'm sure there will be a few twists and turns to come still but remain confident about our ability to claim back a coveted CL place and make this a very happy 2012. YNWA
Beating Man City and then Newcastle beating Man Utd would put us 7 points off top and change that report quite dramatically. I can dream.
Nicely written. We are not that far off really, but one loss or a few draws put us back quite a bit. We simply cannot afford any more draws.
Yeah, think the glass is about half way at the moment and it genuinely can go either way very rapidly, it just depends on what sort of person you are as to it being half empty or full.
In terms of results, I'd agree; it's half full.....in terms of progress and the football that we're playing it's a little more than half full.
Here's to Ba ripping De Gea a new one IF he plays probably wont though De Gea's new training regime please log in to view this image
I think performances have been much better than results have shown. I can honestly only think of 1 game where we deserved to lose and that was against Spurs. The other defeats we were quite unlucky (Stoke deserved a win, Fulham should have draw at least) and a few of the draws we deserved wins (Sunderland, Swansea & Blackburn for sure). You'd think going into the second half that we'll turn a few of those draws into wins. I think Chelsea are probably favourites for 4th if they spend money on Jan, but us & Arsenal are in better form.
True. Chelsea are so shakey atm it is unreal. Terry is getting on and Ruiz just cannot defend. We must make the most of them dropping points. Arsenal will be tough to overtake, but we'll see.
