A bit strange, but we have the exact same number of wins, draws and losses, AND the same goal difference as we had at this stage last season: Premier League Season Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Points 2017-2018 25 6 6 13 23 35 -12 24 2018-2019 25 6 6 13 21 33 -12 24
What did we do from here last season? I'm hoping for an improvement now most of the big teams are out the way.
Thus justifying MA's approach Bit disappointing though considering we signed a player smashing our record transfer fee!
Exactly, We have only Liverpool and Arsenal left to play from 'the big six' there should be at least 16 points in the remaining games to see us safe imo.
I had us on 37-38 when i worked out what points I think we'll pick up from here. With Cardiff winning yesterday it's really tight, you'd imagine 33-34 is the minimum needed and it could be a bit higher. I think we'll survive but it's looking like a rocky road... Where I think we're lucky is that in April we play Southampton at home and then 3 probably "mid-table" sides (Brighton, Leicester, Crystal Palace) and it's a good time of the season to play teams like that. If Our survival comes down to May we're stuffed (Liverpool H, Fulham A)
So despite signing a £20M player and improving the squad and with an up and coming start youngster we have not improved at all?
We would have been relegated last year with the injuries to midfield we've had this year. Squad is a touch better. Also, we were heavily reliant on 2 loanees for our improvement last year. One we signed, the other has been very poor this year. Only Rondon who we need and don't own, it's more "our team" this time. Give me the same next year again but with a striker we own and another young player coming through and I'd say we're progressing nicely.
Why the pessimism? We're on fire atm, I'll eat my hat if we don't survive! Since the re-org in Jan and since the 1-2 Chelsea loss, of the 9 games we've won 5, drawn 2 and lost 2, and that really should have been won 6 and drawn 1, given the Wolves injury time equaliser was a complete foul. I'd say without being arrogant we can expect the following results: Arsenal (a) - lose Palace (h) - win Leicester (a) - lose Southampton (h) - win Brighton (a) - draw Liverpool (h) - lose Fulham (a)- win i.e. a comfortable total of 45 points. Why the "rocky road"?
And sorry lol, thought that was a recent post and only just realised it was from Feb 3rd, so I was wondering why the feck you thought we'd only get 37-38 points!!! At this point that would be massively pessimistic, even for a closet Mackem like yerself
If we are going off "what should have been's" I'm sure Everton fans may have something to say about our winning goal last week - yes their keeper should have been sent off but that was actually a blessing in disguise for us. Big fan of the theory it all works itself out over the course of a season and that the table never lies - you are where you should be. We will stay up comfortably and I have a feeling we are more looking at "moving on up" towards 10th at the end of the year instead of selling our best players and relegation. Just can't see the lads or Rafa switching off no one would allow that in our squad from what I can see so think we will pick up more points than others who already feel "safe" or their job is done for the year and they can't push for more.
Thanks for noticing the date Was going to point it out. I'd have to say over 40 points now ofc, with 3 winnable games at least it should be mid-40's now but I'd settle for 40 and staying up.
Think it is essential that we finish on a positive note if we want Rafa to stay. Am not in the “we could do better” camp as Ashley is more of the “ we could get cheaper” breed.
You have to wonder, with safety almost assured, how there aren't fresh takeover rumours, particularly as it was "so close" last time....