Topic: Chasing the Title

[Fordy]

Pressure.

Think you might want to say away from the forum mate. It's like you're cracking under the pressure.

Enjoy it!

You do know we've players like Fab, Milner who have won titles plus convinced Hendo, Sturridge have learnt from our past title change. Then you have a natural leader in VVD.

Relax and enjoy it pal. What we don't need is fans piling the pressure on our lads. We need to believe and help them never give in like we did last week again Palace.

[J-Mc-]

Playing after them helps us in a way.

We should be aiming to win every game, but if they drop points before we play, we can go out safe in the knowledge that even if we do, we’re still ahead of them. There’s less pressure on us by playing 2nd IMO.

[Barneylfc∗]

Think you've got that a bit the wrong way around.  They'll have a game in hand.. which is Everton.

It'll likely be 2 games in hand by the middle of March as they're due to play United on 16th which is the 6th round of the FA Cup.

[Gutzon Borglum]

It'll likely be 2 games in hand by the middle of March as they're due to play United on 16th which is the 6th round of the FA Cup.

lets hope that ends up going to a replay, their schedule will be 2 matches a week as long as they stay in the CL.. I know they have a deep squad, but the players that aren't in their first XI aren't in it for a reason.

Meanwhile, with a little rotation in midfield to keep it fresh and subbing off our forwards early if we are in control, we should be able to play our strongest XI every match for the rest of the season.

[free_at_last]

Kind of strange. I think it takes some of the pressure off the Bayern tie. I personally love ole big ears and would probably be in a minority of preferring to win the CL over the premiership but if we do go out it would give us an advantage so we can’t lose.

[DangerScouse]

Kind of strange. I think it takes some of the pressure off the Bayern tie. I personally love ole big ears and would probably be in a minority of preferring to win the CL over the premiership but if we do go out it would give us an advantage so we can’t lose.

I'll never understand this. We haven't won the league since 1990.

[free_at_last]

I'll never understand this. We haven't won the league since 1990.
[/quote




I've seen us win the league piles of times I just think the status of the Champions League trumps all.  I got pissed off with the EPL and the corrupt F.A in the fergie era - the Suarez stitch up by Fergies mates .. the referees ensuring that fergie won his last title before retiring(Mark Halsey admitted that he used to text fergie). Now its dominated by a plastic financially doped team(with another, Chelsea in attendance).....anyway there'll be plenty of time to win the EPL if we don't win it this year...we are BACK and and I don't think we are going away unless Klopp suddenly retires.


Edit. Not sure what happened with the format.

[Crosby Nick]

I’m not usually one for negativity but I do think we’ll strugl to replicate this points total next season. Whether we win it or not I think it will take quite an emotional toll on us and I can see next season being a more ‘normL’ Season from is. Which is why I’m so desperate to win the League this year. Opportunities like this done come around easily in this era so we really need to grasp this while we have such a good chance.

No pressure.

[Raid]

The Champions League is the pinnacle, its what helped keep us mentioned amongst the elite during the barren times, the club was almost built on European tales. I would dearly love to add another to our haul and further cement our name amongst the very elite of the game.

I see no reason why we can't go deep in it and maintain our challenge for the league. It's 6 games at the most to get back to the Final, and no FA Cup so our Premier League fixtures are now set. It will have been 53 games in all competitions if we did manage another Final appearance, a squad such as ours should be able to handle that.

On the flip side, it's realistic that City could well end up in the 60s if they go all the way.

[spider-neil]

I’m not usually one for negativity but I do think we’ll strugl to replicate this points total next season. Whether we win it or not I think it will take quite an emotional toll on us and I can see next season being a more ‘normL’ Season from is. Which is why I’m so desperate to win the League this year. Opportunities like this done come around easily in this era so we really need to grasp this while we have such a good chance.

No pressure.

4 title challenges (not including this one) in 28 years. No, title challenges don't come around every year.

[Crosby Nick]

4 title challenges (not including this one) in 28 years. No, title challenges don't come around every year.

We’re more united and better run now tha at any previous point in that time. So we shouldn’t fall away in the same way. Just think it’ll be hard to sustain this level of excellence for two full seasons.

[free_at_last]

4 title challenges (not including this one) in 28 years. No, title challenges don't come around every year.

  As I said though, we are BACK. I think we are in better shape than for decades, on and off the pitch. I think those title challenges will become more frequent now

[TomDcs]

We’re more united and better run now tha at any previous point in that time. So we shouldn’t fall away in the same way. Just think it’ll be hard to sustain this level of excellence for two full seasons.

Agreed. Oh and the Spurs trophy for cumulative points over two seasons means shit. Let’s just carry on being the best team this season and win the league!

[Jm55]

We’re more united and better run now tha at any previous point in that time. So we shouldn’t fall away in the same way. Just think it’ll be hard to sustain this level of excellence for two full seasons.

It’s also worth pointing out that it wouldn’t be beyond the realms for Guardiola to fuck off next season either.

[Crosby Nick]

It’s also worth pointing out that it wouldn’t be beyond the realms for Guardiola to fuck off next season either.

True. Would you take them winning the Champions League if it meant he left?

[-Willo-]

If theres any away games against the dross that City can drop points in, its Newcastle.

They struggled at home against them if I remember correctly, took a longshot punt from Walker to win it.

[fowlermagic]

Playing after them helps us in a way.

We should be aiming to win every game, but if they drop points before we play, we can go out safe in the knowledge that even if we do, we’re still ahead of them. There’s less pressure on us by playing 2nd IMO.

Not that I care what City does but I disagree as its always nice to be focused on your own game, shot etc and the best pros out there want to get their noses ahead and stay there. Watch Tiger when he leads the pack as he usually just did his thing. He always wanted to put the ball close and pile the pressure on, why would you want it any other way. Likewise when the best were chasing as they would pile it on and if you are not use to the pressure (as of now we are not) then some crumble. I dont want to think about that so lets not give them a chance to eek any closer. Once we get a chance to increase that gap go out with even more focus not less.

[Jm55]

True. Would you take them winning the Champions League if it meant he left?

Weirdly I was wondering the same thing myself and the answer is probably yes. Them winning the CL, although annoying, would be much the same as them winning the league and not really mean that much. Everyone was always dead against Chelsea winning it for similar reasons then nobody was bothered that much when they eventually did (apart from Chelsea, and probably Spurs fans.) pus if they are to win it, then the same season we win the title would be nice as id be drunk for at least a fortnight after our final game of the season and wouldn’t care.

[PaulF]

I get the criticism of the financial doping in the pl , but the big recent winners of the cl seem to have unofficial state sponsorship.

It does feel like this is the best shot we've had in ages. I don't think we will accumulate as many points at this stage next season, but then I don't expect city too either.  Or it could be that we are entering an era where is and city slug it out for a few seasons and dropping five points costs the title!

[Jm55]

I get the criticism of the financial doping in the pl , but the big recent winners of the cl seem to have unofficial state sponsorship.

This is likely to be an unpopular opinion on here, but I think the ‘financial doping’ side of things is massively overstated. Obviously it makes you competitive, but City had won 2 league titles before Guardiola showed up, its the manager whose turned them into this juggernqugjt more than it is the money, arguably their best players were either already there when Guardiola was appointed, or weren’t signed for ridiculous sums either.

As much as City are dislikable for where their money comes from, which is a different subject entirely, I find it hard to get too up in arms about the money they spend when the game as a whole has reached such ludicrous levels.

This season you’re seeing two amazing footballing sides fighting out the most competitive title race in years, arguably ever. That should be the focus, rather than point scoring with each other over who has the moral high ground on it.

[killer-heels]

4 title challenges (not including this one) in 28 years. No, title challenges don't come around every year.

None of those sides are as good as this one and our club was not in the strong position it is now. 08/09 and 13/14 were amazing sides but lets be honest, none of those sides is as good as this one.

[The Test]

I personally think we’ll only get stronger from here. Think the defence will maintain their excellence, maybe even tighten up slightly. And there are definitely areas for improvement in the midfield. Getting in some top quality cover in attack will mean the front three won’t need to conserve energy and can just play to their maximum.

Definitely think we have more room for improvement than city which is frightening in itself. Another good round of transfers in the summer and I can definitely see us winning it next year regardless of what happens this season.

[killer-heels]

I personally think we’ll only get stronger from here. Think the defence will maintain their excellence, maybe even tighten up slightly. And there are definitely areas for improvement in the midfield. Getting in some top quality cover in attack will mean the front three won’t need to conserve energy and can just play to their maximum.

Definitely think we have more room for improvement than city which is frightening in itself. Another good round of transfers in the summer and I can definitely see us winning it next year regardless of what happens this season.

Kompany, Silva, Fernandinho and Aguero have a huge influence even now and they are much older. They have amazing younger players and looks like they replaced Kompany well, but he still has influence there.

After that, the rest of the league are years away from amassing the quality us and City have. Arsenal and Spurs wont, Chelsea have a battle keeping their best players. Its only Utd who have the resources to bridge that gap the quickest.

[-Willo-]

I personally think we’ll only get stronger from here. Think the defence will maintain their excellence, maybe even tighten up slightly. And there are definitely areas for improvement in the midfield. Getting in some top quality cover in attack will mean the front three won’t need to conserve energy and can just play to their maximum.

Definitely think we have more room for improvement than city which is frightening in itself. Another good round of transfers in the summer and I can definitely see us winning it next year regardless of what happens this season.

Depends if we win it this year, next year may be a hangover season if we accumulate 90+ points and still dont win a major trophy, that'd take its toll mentality in my opinion, hopefully wrong though.

09/10 and 14/15 still haunt me.

[killer-heels]

Depends if we win it this year, next year may be a hangover season if we accumulate 90+ points and still dont win a major trophy, that'd take its toll mentality in my opinion, hopefully wrong though.

09/10 and 14/15 still haunt me.

Again, those sides are not as good as this one and the club and its structure is much better now.

[Barneylfc∗]

This is likely to be an unpopular opinion on here, but I think the ‘financial doping’ side of things is massively overstated. Obviously it makes you competitive, but City had won 2 league titles before Guardiola showed up, its the manager whose turned them into this juggernqugjt more than it is the money, arguably their best players were either already there when Guardiola was appointed, or weren’t signed for ridiculous sums either.

Sorry mate, but that is nonsense. Without the financial doping, Guardiola wouldn't be there in the first place.

They had only won 2 titles prior to that because they had to spend a billion to get from where they were in 2008 to compete with Abramovic money and United.

In terms of his signings, from the 1st July 2016 until the start of this season, so just over 2 years, he has signed players for a total of €564.1m (figures from Transfermarkt. Only including players at €15m or more). That's on 13 players, so an average of €43.39m per player. 7 of those players at €50m or more. Only 2 of those were after PSG sent the transfer market absolutely crazy with the €200m signing of Neymar.

[El Lobo]

True. Would you take them winning the Champions League if it meant he left?

As long as we win the league, I couldn’t give a fuck if they win everything else

[newterp]

We’re more united and better run now tha at any previous point in that time. So we shouldn’t fall away in the same way. Just think it’ll be hard to sustain this level of excellence for two full seasons.

Booooooooooo! I say "booooooooo".

[Jm55]

Sorry mate, but that is nonsense. Without the financial doping, Guardiola wouldn't be there in the first place.

They had only won 2 titles prior to that because they had to spend a billion to get from where they were in 2008 to compete with Abramovic money and United.

In terms of his signings, from the 1st July 2016 until the start of this season, so just over 2 years, he has signed players for a total of €564.1m (figures from Transfermarkt. Only including players at €15m or more). That's on 13 players, so an average of €43.39m per player. 7 of those players at €50m or more. Only 2 of those were after PSG sent the transfer market absolutely crazy with the €200m signing of Neymar.

No I know, I’m not saying it’s irrelevant.

Money gets you competitive, top management gets you to their level.

In terms of what we’re up against this season, if you asked me to name their key players I’m not sure how many of them he’s signed, and of the ones he has, for anything especially out of the ordinary in terms of transfer fees? You’re still looking at the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne, Kompany, Fernandinho, Silva as their really top performers.

I’m not saying it’s irrelevant, and in the greater picture it is certainly a big issue. I just think in the context of this season and the fight for the title it’s not as bigger issue as it’s made out to be.

[Bobinhood]

every time they win 8-0 and we grind out a routine 1-0 they are going to die just a little inside. At some point they are going to lose 3 out of 4 again. These guys are Trust Fund babys they cant survive in the wild.

[spider-neil]

One of the main reasons I was relieved we beat Napoli was getting kicked down to Uefa and Thursday night football meaning we play league football after City. And it looks like that is going to happen anyway.

[PaulF]

No I know, I’m not saying it’s irrelevant.

Money gets you competitive, top management gets you to their level.

In terms of what we’re up against this season, if you asked me to name their key players I’m not sure how many of them he’s signed, and of the ones he has, for anything especially out of the ordinary in terms of transfer fees? You’re still looking at the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne, Kompany, Fernandinho, Silva as their really top performers.

I’m not saying it’s irrelevant, and in the greater picture it is certainly a big issue. I just think in the context of this season and the fight for the title it’s not as bigger issue as it’s made out to be.

I'm not sure what we are meaning by 'doping', but City clearly have had a massive injection of cash that isn't as a result of match day fees and sponsorship appropriate to how they were performing. See also Chelsea and I believe PSG.   We can look at United and see they are leaking cash out to the Glaziers.  I don't know if FSG have 'pumped' money into our club.

[Brian Blessed]

I have to say I think it’s an absolute myth that we will be more motivated if they play first and drop points.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

I have to say I think it’s an absolute myth that we will be more motivated if they play first and drop points.

So do I,they know what they have to do & that is match the twats,they will play every game to win.

[Number 7]

If theres any away games against the dross that City can drop points in, its Newcastle.

They struggled at home against them if I remember correctly, took a longshot punt from Walker to win it.

I am hoping that the performance Newcastle put on today means they will not put in the same performance on Tuesday.

[hesbighesred]

Definitely think we have more room for improvement than city which is frightening in itself. Another good round of transfers in the summer and I can definitely see us winning it next year regardless of what happens this season.

I totally agree with this which, to be honest, is completely crazy. We have a lot more room to strengthen the squad than City do, and I honestly think our first 11 is better, man to man. It was incredible the level they had to reach just to rather fortunately beat us by one goal at their place. It's a magical time to be a red, it really is.

[hesbighesred]

Again, those sides are not as good as this one and the club and its structure is much better now.

Exactly. A near miss will make us hungrier, and more determined knowing exactly what we have to do to win, and with the experience of having got so close. And where do City go from here? It'll take an absolutely miraculous summer for them to improve on where they're already at, which players like Silva and Fernandinho and Aguero being a) unlikely to keep hitting these heights over a whole season and b) being extremely hard to replace. I mean they will, in time, too much money not to...but in one season? Unlikely.

[Paullfc95]

Another game behind city then next Monday with Wimbledon winning there

[Peabee]

Depends if we win it this year, next year may be a hangover season if we accumulate 90+ points and still dont win a major trophy, that'd take its toll mentality in my opinion, hopefully wrong though.

09/10 and 14/15 still haunt me.

I saw people predicting we’d have a hangover from the CL final loss to Real Madrid. But this squad seem to have a strong mentality now. 

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I saw people predicting we’d have a hangover from the CL final loss to Real Madrid. But this squad seem to have a strong mentality now.

Yeah can't keep bringing up past sides when they have nothing to do with this current one. We've gone from strength to strength under Klopp.