Topic: The Top Six Mini-League Thread... Sponsored by TENA

[newterp]

City v Utd.   A draw keeps us in 3rd gives both the chance of overtaking us with their game in hand.  A City win puts them in poll position for third and leaves Utd needing to win their game in hand to draw level with us.    A United win puts them level on ponts with us with a game in hand.  What do we go for?  Putting my natural instincts aside in wanting Utd to lose every game they play and looking logically I will be hoping for a City win even if it reduces the likelihood of us finishing third.   Need Utd to still be 3 points behind us after tomorrows game.

Correct at this point we need Yernited to lose games.

[SerbianScouser]

City v Utd.   

I think it has a draw written all over it. Jose won't want to lose to Pep twice in the season and with the injuries he has I can see him doing exact same thing he did at Anfield - which is completely focusing on stopping the opposition and nothing else. Also Pep's record in big games this season is absolutely abysmal and I don't see it changing in this game.

[sminp]

Hoping City smash them to hammer home that "extra point" advantage of goal difference.

[Kennys from heaven]

After the weekend, the lesser of two evils is a City win.

Fucking hell I feel dirty saying that... but I would positively end it all if the other lot had to win to assist us ! 

[Bergersrightwingviews]

bloody Arsenal with a late winner against Leicester!

Perhaps it will ultimately be to our advantage as it may mean Arsenal go into the Man U game desperate for a win to pip them to top four? Flip side is now that if Man U do slip up we now have Arsenal to worry about as well.

[SerbianScouser]

Spurs will beat Arsenal at the weekend and that should be it for Arsenal in regards to Top 4.

[Garnier]

Spurs will beat Arsenal at the weekend and that should be it for Arsenal in regards to Top 4.

Good thing Spurs are winning atm, a loss/draw would destroy their momentum and drive

[didi shamone]

After the weekend, the lesser of two evils is a City win.

Fucking hell I feel dirty saying that... but I would positively end it all if the other lot had to win to assist us ! 

With Kompany back and Jesus returning I wouldn't be surprised to see city win all their fixtures.  Id definitely make them favourites for third even if they lose tomorrow.  Which is why I want them to win.  Because united definitely won't win every game. 

[Sausageberg]

With Kompany back and Jesus returning I wouldn't be surprised to see city win all their fixtures.  Id definitely make them favourites for third even if they lose tomorrow.  Which is why I want them to win.  Because united definitely won't win every game.

Easter Sunday was 10 days ago

In all seriousness, I could still see Leicester and Palace giving them a hard time at the Etihad. So if Man City loses tomorrow, I would not consider their place in the top 4 as a lock.

[Melbred]

The next two weeks pretty much will make or break our season.

Arsenal play Tottenham and United.

United play City and Arsenal.

Ideal results are obviously Tottenham to beat Arsenal, City to beat United and a draw in the Arsenal v United game.

We absolutely have to beat Watford and Southampton.

If we don't make top 4 from our position it would a capitulation of epic proportions.

[Garlicbread]

We never do it the easy way, so not over by a long shot either way.

[Chris~]

If we don't make top 4 from our position it would a capitulation of epic proportions.

Given we could win all our games, hit 78 points and still not make top 4 I'm not sure that's entirely true.

[andy07]

We managed to capitulate against Burnley, Bournemouth, Swansea, Hull, Leicester and Palace so take nothing for granted,

[Dodge City]

Can't . help . thinking . that . we've . blown . it.

Next few weeks will be very uncomfortable. Wanting Man U to win / City to win / Tottenham to win = Bleurrrgh!

[PeterTheRed ...]

The next two weeks pretty much will make or break our season.

Arsenal play Tottenham and United.

United play City and Arsenal.

Ideal results are obviously Tottenham to beat Arsenal, City to beat United and a draw in the Arsenal v United game.

We absolutely have to beat Watford and Southampton.

If we don't make top 4 from our position it would a capitulation of epic proportions.

Exactly. It is still very much in our own hands.

LFC (66)

01.05. Watford (away)
07.05. Southampton (home)
14.05. West Ham (away)
21.05. Middlesbrough (home)

Man City (64)

27.04. Man Utd (home)
30.04. Middlesbrough (away)
06.05. Crystal Palace (home)
13.05. Leicester (home)
16.05. WBA (home)
21.05. Watford (away)

Man Utd (63)

27.04. Man City (away)
30.04. Swansea (home)
04.05. Celta (away)
07.05. Arsenal (away)
11.05. Celta (home)
14.05. Tottenham (away)
17.05. Southampton (away)
21.05. Crystal Palace (home)

Arsenal (60)

30.04. Tottenham (away)
07.05. Man Utd (home)
10.05. Southampton (away)
13.05. Stoke (away)
16.05. Sunderland (home)
21.05. Everton (home)

[keano7]

Exactly. It is still very much in our own hands.

LFC (66)

01.05. Watford (away)
07.05. Southampton (home)
14.05. West Ham (away)
21.05. Middlesbrough (home)

Man City (64)

27.04. Man Utd (home)
30.04. Middlesbrough (away)
06.05. Crystal Palace (home)
13.05. Leicester (home)
16.05. WBA (home)
21.05. Watford (away)

Man Utd (63)

27.04. Man City (away)
30.04. Swansea (home)
04.05. Celta (away)
07.05. Arsenal (away)
11.05. Celta (home)
14.05. Tottenham (away)
17.05. Southampton (away)
21.05. Crystal Palace (home)

Arsenal (60)

30.04. Tottenham (away)
07.05. Man Utd (home)
10.05. Southampton (away)
13.05. Stoke (away)
16.05. Sunderland (home)
21.05. Everton (home)

City couldn't have asked for better fixtures post Utd. Beat Watford and we're in touching distance if Utd lose tomorrow and Arsenal lose at WHL.

[PeterTheRed ...]

City couldn't have asked for better fixtures post Utd. Beat Watford and we're in touching distance if Utd lose tomorrow and Arsenal lose at WHL.

After our loss on Sunday, it is very likely that Man City will finish above us, but as long as they beat Man Utd tomorrow, that is not a big problem for us.

[Garlicbread]

After our loss on Sunday, it is very likely that Man City will finish above us, but as long as they beat Man Utd tomorrow, that is not a big problem for us.

Right now I would take any sort of CL spot. Even if that mean qualifers.

[Gerry83]

Praying for a City win tomorrow night as i fancy Spurs to beat Arsenal and Utd to at least draw against them.

Its a bit pathetic that we have let it get to this after being 10 clear of the Mancs around Christmas and ahead of all the other three. Can always count on us to let you down fs.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Praying for a City win tomorrow night as i fancy Spurs to beat Arsenal and Utd to at least draw against them.

Its a bit pathetic that we have let it get to this after being 10 clear of the Mancs around Christmas and ahead of all the other three. Can always count on us to let you down fs.

To be honest, we've had terrible luck with injuries. Even at the moment, we are missing 3 regular starters who were performing at a top level before their injuries.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Right now I would take any sort of CL spot. Even if that mean qualifers.

Well, finishing 4th would be a huge improvement over the 8th place finish last season.

[Garlicbread]

Well, finishing 4th would be a huge improvement over the 8th place finish last season.

For sure, but I was hoping we could be without nailbiting games in August!

[Gerry83]

To be honest, we've had terrible luck with injuries. Even at the moment, we are missing 3 regular starters who were performing at a top level before their injuries.

Agreed, but look at the players who are coming in for those injured starters... simply no where near the quality required.

[PeterTheRed ...]

For sure, but I was hoping we could be without nailbiting games in August!

I understand what you are saying, but as long as we are improving as a team, I can leave with that.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Agreed, but look at the players who are coming in for those injured starters... simply no where near the quality required.

We also suffered some injuries to our bench players. Both Sturridge and Ings being injured certainly hasn't helped us.

[Garlicbread]

I understand what you are saying, but as long as we are improving as a team, I can leave with that.

Hopefully the team will look better before those potential qualifiers.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Hopefully the team will look better before those potential qualifiers.

Well, a top 4 finish and the prospect of Champions League football would certainly help us in securing our primary targets in the summer.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

To be honest, we've had terrible luck with injuries. Even at the moment, we are missing 3 regular starters who were performing at a top level before their injuries.

Three injuries isn't terrible luck. Its par for the course.

[gamble]

Praying for a City win tomorrow night as i fancy Spurs to beat Arsenal and Utd to at least draw against them.

Its a bit pathetic that we have let it get to this after being 10 clear of the Mancs around Christmas and ahead of all the other three. Can always count on us to let you down fs.

Glad someone else sees it the way I do. Utterly shameful feeling as a Liverpool supporter having to hope city beat Utd so we can somehow cling to a top four place after doing so well up to halfway point in the league.

Spin it any way you want but hoping other results go your way isn't management.

[jckliew]

Our defensive frailties have put us in such a conundrum. We should have been miles ahead of our top 6 contenders by now if not for that. 

[newterp]

Our defensive frailties have put us in such a conundrum. We should have been miles ahead of our top 6 contenders by now if not for that. 

Defensive frailties, paper thin squad, and just weak mentality

[jckliew]

Defensive frailties, paper thin squad, and just weak mentality

Sounds like weak management

[newterp]

Sounds like weak management

About the last thing I'd ever associate Klopp with is a weak mentality. Sometimes players just can't be reached - we need to find players that are willing to fight.

[Melbred]

Still baffles me that we knew we had a thin squad in some key positions and did absolutely nothing in January. What makes it worse is that we were well within in the hunt for the title. Sure players brought in may not have worked out but we have to at least try to mitigate the risk somehow.

Now we have to rely on other teams dropping points for top 4. We just love shooting ourself in the foot.

[Trendisnotdestiny]

After the weekend, the lesser of two evils is a City win.

Fucking hell I feel dirty saying that... but I would positively end it all if the other lot had to win to assist us ! 

I am rooting for pain....  I am hoping for desperation tackles; poor decision making, cards all over the place and yes injuries (not the type of injuries that ruin careers or anything, but the kind of injuries like Forest Gump get shot in the buttocks type stuff).

I am rooting for Gunner pain, Manc pain, Blue Moon pain, even Spur pain.

I am rooting that Spurs will get a call like we got with Danny Rose offsides at our WHL game this season that prevents them winning
I am rooting that Man City defend like warriors and piss all over their attacking sides, only to fail scoring in six scoreless draws
I am rooting for every single Manc bastard to get so close to the opportunity for UCL (either Europa and league) -- only to capitulate
I am rooting for Arsenal to win, win, win..... keep Wenger another year and claim victory in FA CUP until the last game of season and lose

I am rooting for Swansea City to kick the shit out of Valencia
I am rooting for Middlesboro to score a goal (not at Anfield mind you)
I am rooting for David Moyes to get sued and win out

An awful lot to cheer for boys!!!!

Now, none of this for the reds, though.  I am rooting for 4 boring 2-nil games where the reds score in first 10 min of each half and keep the goddamn ball until the other team says fuck it.

This is how I envision the season ending.

[jckliew]

Still baffles me that we knew we had a thin squad in some key positions and did absolutely nothing in January. What makes it worse is that we were well within in the hunt for the title. Sure players brought in may not have worked out but we have to at least try to mitigate the risk somehow.

Now we have to rely on other teams dropping points for top 4. We just love shooting ourself in the foot.

Yeah. That was rather baffling. It was as if we did not think we would be able to challenge. Now the bigger worry is whether we will qualify for the CL! That will be a big blow if we don't.

[KopThat]

Glad someone else sees it the way I do. Utterly shameful feeling as a Liverpool supporter having to hope city beat Utd so we can somehow cling to a top four place after doing so well up to halfway point in the league.

Spin it any way you want but hoping other results go your way isn't management.

It's the reality of the current squad depth, with a handful of injuries we had our youngest bench against Palace

[Trendisnotdestiny]

It's the reality of the current squad depth, with a handful of injuries we had our youngest bench against Palace

Its how JK sees coaching.  70% team concept (small, together, group building and learning)
                                          30% tactics and fitness

This is an interesting idea using the four components of football
   --- psychology
   --- technical training
   --- tactical learning
   --- fitness; physical aspects (recovery, measurement, max performance)

The (Buvoc) brain and the (Krawiec)eyes help him in each respect

This is why I think we had such a small squad.... the loss of Coutinho, Mane, Lallana and Henderson in the same few months with poor form of Can, a tiring Milner, and poor options with Origi/Sturridge meant Firmino and Gini had to step up.  Many games they have.  And our CB's need some work.  Not mention our god awful approach to defending set plays.

[jillcwhomever]

I understand what you are saying, but as long as we are improving as a team, I can leave with that.

I'm with you, sadly some people want everything and straight away as well. This will go down as a learning year for the manager, one where he will understand about where he needs to adapt his approach, in future seasons. Providing he learns the lessons, this season could well end being the most crucial one, and one which allows us to build from.

[Anfield Kopite]

It's the reality of the current squad depth, with a handful of injuries we had our youngest bench against Palace

Which i was pointng out in the summer would be the case after selling a lot of fringe players without replacing them. Aplarently saying our negative nett spend in the summer may cost us made me a bedwetter though.