Topic: Predictions: Top 4

[Gerard00]

We havent been good enough to be a top 4 team most of the season so i don't expect us to finish there now. If we do it'll probably have as much to do with other teams capitulation than anything we do. I think the current top 4 (Arsenal, City, Utd, Spurs) will be how it finishes. 

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

You're nearly there. We don't have any standout leader, because the majority of them are leaders. If one leader is having an off day then someone else steps up. That's how you win league titles and reach 3 European Cup finals in 5 years. Not to mention winning every other competition as well.

Do you think this Arsenal team is a team of leaders?

[FlashGordon]

Do you think this Arsenal team is a team of leaders?

If they win the league and then the European Cup and the League Cup and FA Cup in a span of a couple of years then yes they will have a team full of leaders.

You've posted your mast to a 'leader' who has led his team to nothing.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

If they win the league and then the European Cup and the League Cup and FA Cup in a span of a couple of years then yes they will have a team full of leaders.

You've posted your mast to a 'leader' who has led his team to nothing.

I don't think trophies are a criteria. For example The Invincibles never won the Champion League, but they were a team full of leaders. Gerrard never won the league, but Leicester on the other hand they have. Does that mean Leicester had someone who was a bigger leader than Gerrard?

Kane is a leader, we can't deny that. He couldn't lead them to trophies, but he lead them to top4 season after season.

[FlashGordon]

I don't think trophies are a criteria. For example The Invincibles never won the Champion League, but they were a team full of leaders. Gerrard never won the league, but Leicester on the other hand they have. Does that mean Leicester had someone who was a bigger leader than Gerrard?

Kane is a leader, we can't deny that. He couldn't lead them to trophies, but he lead them to top4 season after season.

Leicester were a flash in the pan, the others you mention had sustained success.

Kane has none. To say he's more of a leader than Henderson or Virgil or Mo or Sadio or Bobby etc. is fucking laughable.

[The North Bank]

Leicester were a flash in the pan, the others you mention had sustained success.

Kane has none. To say he's more of a leader than Henderson or Virgil or Mo or Sadio or Bobby etc. is fucking laughable.

Kane has a lot of qualities, a brilliant penalty box finisher etc, but leadership isnt one. I remember that amazon documentary when he was doing a team talk in the dressing room. Very very flat..... Arteta's light bulb moment it was not!!

[amir87]

Kane winning them games at times isn't because he's a leader, it's because he's quite clearly the best player in an average team. He's also a prolific goal scorer so naturally will win them games on occasions when it's tight and there's not much in it.

We've got a team with several leaders. No one could argue against the leadership credentials of Henderson, Milner, VVD, Robertson. Just because they're not in a position to score match winning goals doesn't diminish their capabilities.

You don't win what we've won without a strong group of leaders.

[tubby]

I've banged this drum in the main forum but I think the whole leadership thing is way overstated, and it's the quality of the players that counts for the most.  Our much vaunted leaders haven't done anything to right the ship this season, where were they all on the weekend?

Kane is an excellent player, that's why Spurs are in the position they are.  We won loads over the past few seasons because we had a team full of excellent players and a top quality manager.

[El Lobo]

Having good leaders doesn't mean you dont ever lose games, or have bad runs, or even bad seasons.

[GreatEx]

And just like that, we're back to a distant sixth.

[decosabute]

And just like that, we're back to a distant sixth.

We've played worse, but that Bournemouth defeat is probably the most bewildering and damaging defeat of the whole season. Destroyed the momentum, took away the crumbs of optimism that had come back, sapped our confidence and gave hope to the teams we're competing with, all of whom have made us pay for it since.

It's hard to take, because the standard for top 4 is basically garbage, but we're still finding ways to limbo under the low bar.

[S]

And just like that, we're back to a distant sixth.

Fine by me, I really don’t want Europa.

[killer-heels]

Fine by me, I really don’t want Europa.

6th is Europa isn’t it?

[Crosby Nick]

6th is Europa isn’t it?

Will be if United get in the top 5 as that’ll mean the League Cup winners slot moves to league position.

[killer-heels]

Will be if United get in the top 5 as that’ll mean the League Cup winners slot moves to league position.

Which means to avoid all European football we need to finish 8th.

[RedBec1993]

I wouldn’t mind a shot at the europa league, only trophy Klopp hasn’t won. Definitely wouldn’t want that daft conference league.

[Crosby Nick]

I wouldn’t mind a shot at the europa league, only trophy Klopp hasn’t won. Definitely wouldn’t want that daft conference league.

He hasn’t won that either to be fair.

Thursday night football either way.

[deano2727]

The top 4 will stay as it is. Man City might pip Arsenal to the title, tough to call right now. We will know more in 2-3 weeks.

I reckon we finish around 6th.

[koptommy93]

It's mad how badly this season has gone. Thought we'd win it at the start and now we're staring down the barrel of sixth.

[GreatEx]

I remember scoffing at BBC boffins who predicted us coming 3rd, it seemed unimaginable that the top two would ever be dethroned.

Anyway, glass half full... Thursday footy means fewer 12.30 Saturday fuck offs, I mean kick offs. We average something like 0.4ppg in those bastards.

Edit: i checked, it's 0.6ppg, 0.4 is our goals per game (2 against Fulham, four 0's).

[farawayred]

6th is Europa isn’t it?

United's territory, you mean? 

[killer-heels]

My belief in us getting top four has yo-yo’ed up and down like our form. At the moment I dont think we will make it and that Bournemouth game will be the one where all belief was lost.

Our next three games are vital because as much as we can say we can go on a run after it, are we really capable of that this season? Our only hope is that week either we have an amazing week of results (2 wins or more) or both Newcastle or Spurs dont take advantage.

Klopp has called it our decisive week and I think thats exactly what it will be. If we leave it with a similar and not worse points gap than at the moment then I think we can do it. I feel we may be well behind at that point.

[Nick110581]

My belief in us getting top four has yo-yo’ed up and down like our form. At the moment I dont think we will make it and that Bournemouth game will be the one where all belief was lost.

Our next three games are vital because as much as we can say we can go on a run after it, are we really capable of that this season? Our only hope is that week either we have an amazing week of results (2 wins or more) or both Newcastle or Spurs dont take advantage.

Klopp has called it our decisive week and I think thats exactly what it will be. If we leave it with a similar and not worse points gap than at the moment then I think we can do it. I feel we may be well behind at that point.

We are too far behind given our fixtures.

The Bournemouth result killed it and the lack of urgency was really odd.

[Clint Eastwood]

It’s pretty annoying how the teams above us just keep getting results. Even Newcastle. Late winners and everything.

[liverbloke]

It's mad how badly this season has gone. Thought we'd win it at the start and now we're staring down the barrel of sixth.

as long as we stave off relegation

[nayia2002]

Yep forget about 4th that's between Newcastle and spurs now.

[TheShanklyGates]

As ever, it's whoever can be the least shit that will get it. Top 4 races are always a shitshow.

[koptommy93]

It'll be newcastle. They aren't great but everybody else is worse.

[didi shamone]

We were 11 points behind Saudi Arabia with one game in hand after match week 22. Its now 5 points with both of us having 12 games left. Let's see where we are after we come out of the next three nasty fixtures.  Everyone else is shite too, including ManU, who despite being lauded from all quarters are three points above the Saudis.

[farawayred]

It’s pretty annoying how the teams above us just keep getting results. Even Newcastle. Late winners and everything.

Well, tell that to Spurs now...

It is annoying, but we seem to be playing better against better teams. We'll see after the crucial week. I haven't given up yet.

[didi shamone]

The Saudis also have a tricky fixture list. At home to the Mancs then three aways to west ham, Brentford and Villa. Next up home to Spurs. They're going to drop plenty points there.

[McSquared]

The Saudis also have a tricky fixture list. At home to the Mancs then three aways to west ham, Brentford and Villa. Next up home to Spurs. They're going to drop plenty points there.

Next few games will make or break us

[Fromola]

Next few games will make or break us

Just need to stay in the mix after that run. That was why Bournemouth was so annoying as it would have give us more margin for error in such a tough few games.

Conte throwing players under the bus again, Liverpool a mess, Chelsea a mess. Its  giving an average Newcastle an opening.

[killer-heels]

That Spurs result was an absolute god send for us.

[deano2727]

That Spurs result was an absolute god send for us.

Just need to go to the Etihad now and get a result against a rampant City and we're back on track. 

[leinad]

Wish we had a leader like Harry Kane in our team...

[didi shamone]

Just need to go to the Etihad now and get a result against a rampant City and we're back on track. 

That one is a free hit but it's not impossible we get something.  Arsenal have to come to Anfield where I'd make us mild favourites.  Chelsea have shown today they're still pretty shite. Obviously so is our away form but it's not an Impossible task.
I'm not shitting the bed just yet.

[didi shamone]

Wish we had a leader like Harry Kane in our team...

 

[deano2727]

That one is a free hit but it's not impossible we get something.  Arsenal have to come to Anfield where I'd make us mild favourites.  Chelsea have shown today they're still pretty shite. Obviously so is our away form but it's not an Impossible task.
I'm not shitting the bed just yet.

I'd be surprised if we made top 4. We lack the quality. Thankfully the teams above us aren't world beaters, so if we can get 5 points or more from the next 9, we've got an outside shot.

[RedSamba]

That Spurs result was an absolute god send for us.

remind me of the last time we actually capitalized on someone else fuck up