I wouldn't call us strong favourites. It really depends, we have a good defence...but scoring has been our downfall. If we win the CC and get some momentum going between now and the end of the season we can get top 4. But if we continue to keep ****ing up all the time then we will always be behind Arsenal and Chelsea. However, we are yet to play Arsenal and Chelsea at Anfield, beat both and we can close the gap to 1 point. They are yet to face yourselves, Utd or City whereas we don't. 4th will be determined on the results against the teams further down the table...which I don't hold much hope on judging by our season so far.
The problem with winning the CC is that, more often than not, the winners switch off for the remainder of the season. That was certainly the case when we won it in '99 and '08, as well as with Birmingham last season.
I guess it could go either way, didn't do Arsenal any favours losing it either. Be one competition out the way, we play Arsenal after you so hoping to see them pick up 0 points in their next 2 games. That would make us 1 point behind them with a game in hand.
Won't take top four for granted till it's mathematically certain. But it's certainly a lively race for fourth. The favorites, clearly, are Chelsea and Arsenal, probably in that order, based on their personnel. The only problem is, they're both in what could kindly be called disarray. I haven't liked Liverpool's team for a long time, but it's definitely picking up with Gerrard back plus Bellamy. They're also playing better, and winning a Cup could help morale significantly. Newcastle is the longshot, I think for the same reason Spurs are a longshot to win the league: not because the team isn't good enough, but because it's difficult to push desperately hard to go higher when you have every reason to be happy with where you are. Since both predictions have been for Chelsea, I'll guess Arsenal will take fourth, in the hopes it will bring them bad luck.
I think the morale at Liverpool will be a big factor, Chelsea and Arsenal's must be crushed and they're starting to lose the backing of fans at games too. Liverpool have no such problems and with an easier run in, I also think fatigue plays far less of a role in the end of your season than the other two.
There's just one certainty in the Premier League at the moment: Wigan won't finish higher than Man City (barring points deductions)
Liverpool might have more cup games left though, YV. Arsenal have one against Milan, then they should be out of everything, whereas Chelsea have two tough games to play, the home leg against Napoli and the replay against Birmingham.
I'd be surprised if getting knocked out by Birmingham had anything but a negative effect on Chelsea so I wouldn't worry about that and Arsenal have two very tough games coming up, lose both and they'll fall apart quicker than you can say "Wenger out"
I think Chelsea will take 4th this year and Arsenal will be 'relegated' also think this summer will see Arsenal finally spend some cash and buy the players they've needed since 2005 as Wenger will finally concede his buy young policy doesn't work. Liverpool won't trouble the top 4 anytime soon, top 6 at best with Queen Kenny and his outdated approach in charge. 1st - City 2nd - Utd 3rd - SPURS 4th - Chelsea 5th - Newcastle 6th - Liverpool 7th - Arsenal
The thing is, Wenger has basically conceded his youth policy doesn't work by splashing out on the likes of Rosicky, Arshavin, Mertesacker and Arteta, as well as borrowing Henry. Vermaelen, Koscielny and Sagna were hardly inexperienced youngsters when they signed up either.
I still can't believe we're in a mini league of 3, hanging on to coat-tails admittedly but hey! I knew it was coming at Chelsea and Arsenal, but not like this. AVB has lost his senior players, (I've said my bit about him on another thread) the damage is done. Even a new manager will still have old players that are **** this season (till they play us! ), and no JT for 2 months, for all his faults he drives the team on the pitch. RVP will get injured, this cannot continue, and as we know, they're nothing without him. If Toon can keep Tiote Cabaye and Ba fit, they'll pick up more points against the rest of the PL, so I'm leaning towards them atm.
Newcastle are riding on the crest of a wave and if they donât make top 4 they will still be happy to have over achieved. I canât see them going into a freefall. Liverpool wonât make the top 4, in fact I donât believe they will make top 6. They will feel that they have underachieved, however in reality they have done no more than prove the point that money doesnât guarantee success and actually overachieved. Arsenal will finish 5th or 6th and will spend a number of seasons battling for a 4th position but will struggle to make top 6. They believe themselves better than they actually are and are too reliant on a single player. Chelsea will probably finish 4th, itâs them or Newcastle. RA will throw money at the team in attempt to plug holes and replace dead wood. If they finish 4th then AVB will probably be given another half season to prove he has can turn things around however if Chelsea donât make top 4 heâll be gone and RA will just throw more money at the club.
Manchester City donât have the pedigree or experience to sustain a challenge, Manchester United have been there, got the tee shirt and wear it with pride. I would prefer for neither of them to be in the running for the title but of the two then United are the lesser of 2 evils, at least they have a pedigree as opposed to being the new (and unpopular) kids on the block. When Man City fail to win the league no doubt their owners will just throw more money at them, it might make them marginally more successful however it will do nothing for their popularity or credibility.
As I pointed out on another thread, Luke, If he loses the case Berezovsky has taken out against him, he may not be able to afford to bankroll them any more.
We shouldn't forget RA embarrassed himself over the Pitch Ownership, getting busted rigging votes...and still losing! ...I'd love to seem him drop it.
