Topic: Winning Title #19*

[Andar]

Last season's thread was a great place for all of us go through the highs and lows of the title charge, and here we are again!

Set ourselves up perfectly with our fast start and City's wobble. 8 point lead with an home game against City in a month's time. The general opinion would be to be happy with this lead and look to maintain this gap as the season goes on, but the truth is we can really put our step on the gas over the next 2 to 3 months.

Last few weeks, i've been telling myself how if we went into the City game, 3 points ahead of them, i would take that. We had the harder set of fixtures and their set of fixtures before our meeting didn't look too daunting. They have gone and lost to Wolves and now i'm thinking a 6 point lead would do! But there is all the chance it can be an 8 point lead or larger before we meet. They have a tricky game against Palace coming up. The speed of Saha, Townsend and Ayew on the counter against that back-line of theirs could be a fun watch

We have a tough three fixtures coming up ourselves. We can talk about form and how bad Utd and Spurs are, but there is no denying that they will be tough fixtures. Then a trip to Villa which has the potential to be a banana skin with how hot the atmosphere might be. We tried to sign Barry once and it was a sideways move apparently, and their fans have built up some irrational hatred for us since.

Really do think the game against City is where we will put a massive marker down. Any gap larger than 6 before that game, and all the pressure will be on them for that game. Their back-line against our attack. Anfield under the lights. It's got the makings of a special night. Dream scenario would be to go in with an 8 point lead with a chance to make it 11.

December is also an interesting month. A lot being said about how the trip to Qatar will work against us, but it could be said that it works in our favor. In a space of 4 days, we would have had to face a tricky back to back against both Leicester and West Ham away from home. Instead the game against West Ham has been suspended and we can look to face that battle come February or March. Much more preferable and with that game put back, our schedule doesn't look too bad at all. Our December schedule looks like this: Brighton (H), Everton (H), Bournemouth (A), Watford (H), Leicester (A), Wolves (H), Sheff Utd (H). City's December: Newcastle (A), Burnley (A), Utd (H), Arsenal (A), Leicester (H), Wolves (A), Sheff Utd (H), Everton (H).

That looks like a serious slog for City.

If we were to hold a 7-11 point lead before the start of that fixture run, we have the chance of making it a seriously large gap.

I'm getting excited

[stockdam]

For me the two game’s against City are key.

Currently we are 8 points ahead but if we lose both games then we are effectively just 2 points ahead. However if we win both then that would put us 14 points clear and that’s a lot of points to claw back between now and the end of the season. Yes there’s a long way to go but we need to at least break even with City over the two games; any better and we’ll be well clear.

[phil236849]

Hope we win the next match! (and repeat x 30)

[nyrrard]

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Never liking these post, but I am still a believer. Hope the atmosphere at Anfield will step up a level or 4.
Seemed very quiet yesterday. Also the APLT is the greatest meter imo, and we´ve still got a long way to go.
All is well so far, but we still got the damn months of JAN/FEB left.

Loving how we grind out wins lately though, but we need to be more clinical.

[Mighty Zeus]

It's absolutely ridiculous to be excited in October. It's not even sensible to be excited at Christmas.

But here we are. Here we actually are.

Absolutely nothing makes sense. I have nothing to say other than come on Liverpool. This is going to be a ride.

EDT FOR CLARITY:

I am as excited as fuck. Apparently I did not make that sufficiently obvious, ha ha!

[redk84]

Always look to see where we are around March for the run in....

Way things are there's pressure from the off so will be in and out this thread all season i'd expect. (though it seems abit early for this!)

I think we stay in front all the way now.

But we'll see

[iamnant]

Let's just hope Guardiola plays that backline and midfield against us. Would be glorious to watch.

[stockdam]

There’s a long way to go and I really don’t want to start to get ahead of ourselves. City are capable of winning a dozen games in a row and we could hit poor form. Let’s just keep winning and let them trip up.

[slaphead]

The way we have started reminds me of Chelsea when Maureen was first there. They came shooting out of the blocks playing some great stuff, built up a lead then became attritional as the season went on and maintained a lead. I think that what we have to do at some stage. We'll have a bad patch, a bit of bad luck maybe, but we have be an absolute bastard to play against when that happens. Few years we were seen as a soft touch, now, every one of them lads will stand up for themselves, and more importantly each other,  if someone wants to make it physical. I don't care what anyone says. You absolutely need that.
There's no doubt we have the full mix. We have incredible players, we have technical and physical attributes to match anyone and we have the best manager on the planet.

[Barneylfc∗]

I doubt I'm on my own in thinking it's way too early for this.

Great position we find ourselves in though. I can't see us walking away with it, it's not what we do.

[Andar]

It's absolutely ridiculous to be excited in October. It's not even sensible to be excited at Christmas.

But here we are. Here we actually are.

Absolutely nothing makes sense. I have nothing to say other than come on Liverpool. This is going to be a ride.

Bloody hell. Excited in the sense of the ride ahead and the position we're in.

If you can't get a bit jolly as a fan in a moment like this, when can you?

[Crosby Nick]

There’s a long way to go and I really don’t want to start to get ahead of ourselves. City are capable of winning a dozen games in a row and we could hit poor form. Let’s just keep winning and let them trip up.

Yep. While we have the momentum and form we need to keep going and see where it gets us. Keep the mentality that we have to win every game.

Clearly at some point we won’t and we’ll have a wobble of sorts, let’s just see how many ahead we are by then. Hard to look beyond the first City game. If they win that then the gap is nothing really, especially with us still having to go there. Will still give us a slight advantage but nothing major.

If we win then the hype and expectation will really crank up a level or two which brings its own challenges but I’m more than happy to deal that if it happens!

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Same as last year, win the next game and can't look further past that. We got a poor record at Old Trafford, and while the Mancs are poor as ever, they're decent defensively. Can't afford to put in a no show performance ala last year.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Slightly interesting stats, albeit probably pointless only 8 games into the season as the table hasn't properly settled down yet.. but:

Accumulative position of Liverpool's opponents in the current table = 84, average 10.5

Accumulative position of Man City's opponents in the current table = 109, average 13.6

Suggests we've had the harder fixtures, or at least the hardest going off form alone. Especially when considering Man City have helped their opponents get higher in the table by giving them eight points, whilst we've obviously given nothing. Our opponents currently have 85 points; theirs have 69.

[CraigDS]

I doubt I'm on my own in thinking it's way too early for this.

Great position we find ourselves in though. I can't see us walking away with it, it's not what we do.

City, despite some recent results, are wayyy too good for us to just run away with it too. There will be some ups and downs yet.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Because of their defensive struggles with injuries, there will be more opportunities for them to drop points than they did last year. This is a major difference for them. They have looked vulnerable in most of their matches, even against Everton they got away with it as the bitters were incapable of taking their chances.

So we need to keep up the pressure, as much as possible.

[Fairytale of 2005]

There’s a long way to go and I really don’t want to start to get ahead of ourselves. City are capable of winning a dozen games in a row and we could hit poor form. Let’s just keep winning and let them trip up.

Agreed. We have had a great start, but it's still far too early for title talk. Just keep winning.

Ps. Some of you would do well to remember that the first ten games don't count.   

[Walshy nMe®]

Slightly interesting stats, albeit probably pointless only 8 games into the season as the table hasn't properly settled down yet.. but:

Accumulative position of Liverpool's opponents in the current table = 84, average 10.5

Accumulative position of Man City's opponents in the current table = 109, average 13.6

Suggests we've had the harder fixtures, or at least the hardest going off form alone. Especially when considering Man City have helped their opponents get higher in the table by giving them eight points, whilst we've obviously given nothing. Our opponents currently have 85 points; theirs have 69.

Does that include the 8 points they've taken off City?  Or is that based on all of their games not including against us or them?

[Andar]

I doubt I'm on my own in thinking it's way too early for this.

Great position we find ourselves in though. I can't see us walking away with it, it's not what we do.

This forum is far too serious at times. There is only so much you can discuss in individual player threads and match threads.

We're in unique times. The level both ourselves and City are at, means the title race is at full pelt from the off. You can already sense that from how on edge both set of fanbases are for every game week. Never seen anything like this. Not even the vintage United - Arsenal battles had this sense of importance this early in the season.

[Jookie]

Same as last year, win the next game and can't look further past that. We got a poor record at Old Trafford, and while the Mancs are poor as ever, they're decent defensively. Can't afford to put in a no show performance ala last year.

Can't argue with any of this.

90 points still to play for and City have the potential to go on long winning runs.

We'll inevitably drop points during the season. In games we don't expect to as well. I think the key is how we react to that as firstly on the pitch but secondly off the pitch. We've see the effect the crowd can have on these players. That works both ways. Most important fans, as always, is those in the ground who can directly influence things. Anyone else still has a voice. Don't go over the top if we draw a game. Don;t go over the top if your least favourite player in the squad gets picked. Keep a calm head whether we win, lose or draw.

Also, my expectation is that the United game will be extremely tough. Defensively they are quite good. No-one is battering them. Far from it. I've also seen us go to Old Trafford and put in a lot more abject performances than good ones (since 2010 I think we have won 1 drawn 3 and lost 9 fixtures at Old Trafford). It'll be a tough game for us to win. Not the procession that some think it'll be.

[Barneylfc∗]

Assuming 95 points will win the title, City need to go on a run from now of 2.63 points per game. 79 points meaning they can only drop another 11 points the rest of the season.
We need 2.36 per game or 71 points so we can drop 19 in the next 30 games.

[jillcwhomever]

We need to see what happens in the next two games, against United and Spurs. If we could win both those than the game against City is one they will dare not lose regardless.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Does that include the 8 points they've taken off City?  Or is that based on all of their games not including against us or them?

It would be 61 without the City points.

[Perham]

Last season's thread was a great place for all of us to go through the highs and lows of the title charge talk utter shite, and here we are again!

FYP

[SerbianScouser]

If we were 8 pts behind doubt I'd be even thinking about title.

Our world-class players are too good not to be PL champions soon.

[Mighty Zeus]

Bloody hell. Excited in the sense of the ride ahead and the position we're in.

If you can't get a bit jolly as a fan in a moment like this, when can you?

I'm as excited as fuck! That's what I'm saying! Ha ha!

[emitime]

Our opponents currently have 85 points; theirs have 69.

That bit is really quite fascinating really. Had City made the perfect start and we were 8 points behind, that might have been 92 points vs 62, and you could realistically say we've had a very tough start and the gap is not as bad as it necessarily looks.

You can't really say that for City though, they genuinely seem to be struggling (as much as you can struggle in second place).

I can't say I was particularly excited about Wolves winning yesterday though, far too much of the season to go. 15 points clear at Christmas (with the game in hand) and I'll think about it.

[CraigDS]

Assuming 95 points will win the title, City need to go on a run from now of 2.63 points per game. 79 points meaning they can only drop another 11 points the rest of the season.
We need 2.36 per game or 71 points so we can drop 19 in the next 30 games.

I make it City need 3.26666 per game for the rest of the season to finish above us 

[Crosby Nick]

Assuming 95 points will win the title, City need to go on a run from now of 2.63 points per game. 79 points meaning they can only drop another 11 points the rest of the season.
We need 2.36 per game or 71 points so we can drop 19 in the next 30 games.

We quite reasonably did similar forecasts last year and they won every game from mid January. As of now they can still get 106 points. Them dropping another 11 ‘just’ to get to 95 still seems a lot for them to drop unless we can get 4+ against them.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

We quite reasonably did similar forecasts last year and they won every game from mid January. As of now they can still get 106 points. Them dropping another 11 ‘just’ to get to 95 still seems a lot for them to drop unless we can get 4+ against them.

It's not a lot when you consider who they're playing in their back four and the issues they have defensively. I think they will drop more points by the time January comes, where they will either sign new players or get Laporte back, but until then, there will be sides exploiting them and causing them problems defensively.

[Dench57]

Didn't one of City's players last year say they'd all but given up the title after they lost to Newcastle, and then when we drew against Leicester it picked them up? I do think if they drop points before us again their heads will go. We've been possessed by demons on this winning run and I'm not convinced they want it as much as us.

[tubby]

Looking at the table, what bodes well for us is the 3 teams below City (so the other form teams in the league) have all played against us and come away with nothing.  Even better is that Norwich are looking terrible at the moment and they managed to beat City.

[HumanRed]

Good thread and post but I think we must remember City have one big advantage which is the fact they've overhauled a lead against us last season and gone on and won it, they also did it in the Suarez season.

We just need to keep plodding on, the bigger lead we can amass before they get their defenders back and before the Winter Transfer Window (can imagine they will panic buy if we have a bigger lead than 10 points)

Alternativel it could work out in our favour, if they see us too far ahead they may down tools and "concentrate on the CL"

Either way, it's going to be an intense season. Bring it on!!!

EDIT: Oh and breaking their winning run record in the PL will be a psychological blow against them and boost for us.

[ABJ]

Its hard not to get excited after what we've seen already, absolutely loving it so far 

8 down, 30 to go...

[Crosby Nick]

We don’t want to give City a sniff. Keep our foot down and I think we’ll learn from last year not to ‘accept’ a point  after an hour if we’re not playing well. We have City away late on. If they get on a roll thinking they could win it they will be hard to stop again. We have a chance to keep building the lead and hope they focus on Europe.

Secondly, just the usual gripe about what unusual times were in. 24 points already. In some years gone by we could go at 2ppg from here and be Champions. If only it were that simple these days.

[keyop]

Because of their defensive struggles with injuries, there will be more opportunities for them to drop points than they did last year. This is a major difference for them. They have looked vulnerable in most of their matches, even against Everton they got away with it as the bitters were incapable of taking their chances.

So we need to keep up the pressure, as much as possible.

This is a key point. Yes, we shouldn't get too carried away yet, but there's no doubt City are a different team at the moment. Despite beating Watford 8 0, West Ham 5-0 and Brighton 4-0, their defence is massively weakened without Laporte, and their midfield is weakened by Fernandinho dropping back to cover. Yesterday Fernandinho looked very leggy against pacy strikers, and he wasn't in his usual position to break up play when Wolves scored their two goals on the counter from a City attack. With De Bruyne out, Guardiola strangely left Bernardo Silva on the bench for an hour, giving Wolves an incentive to play through the midfield. Something isn't quite right in their camp, and if we can capitalise on it before Laporte, De Bruyne (and the January transfer window) makes them stronger, we could widen the gap even further.

Its early days but make no mistake - we're in their heads, and Guardiola doesn't have any experience of chasing this type of lead this early, and with key players injured.

[meady1981]

So will they folllow the same parade route as the Champions league?

[Byrneand]

Lets chat on New Years Day

[Alan B'Stard]

Mentality Monsters!!!!

[Lynndenberries]

It's not a lot when you consider who they're playing in their back four and the issues they have defensively. I think they will drop more points by the time January comes, where they will either sign new players or get Laporte back, but until then, there will be sides exploiting them and causing them problems defensively.

Completely agree. Assuming Laporte is back the first of the new year, they have 12 games until then where they need to cope without him.

Round   Venue   Opponent
Matchweek 9   Away   Crystal Palace
Matchweek 10   Home   Aston Villa
Matchweek 11   Home   Southampton
Matchweek 12   Away   Liverpool
Matchweek 13   Home   Chelsea
Matchweek 14   Away   Newcastle Utd
Matchweek 15   Away   Burnley
Matchweek 16   Home   Manchester Utd
Matchweek 17   Away   Arsenal
Matchweek 18   Home   Leicester City
Matchweek 19   Away   Wolves
Matchweek 20   Home   Sheffield Utd

They have four matches against the "Big Six," one of which is us. Palace (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), and Wolves (A) shouldn't be easy wins for them either.