Topic: Chasing the Title

[Paullfc95]

What has to happen for this to transpire?

Is it connected to the Fa Cup?

Sorry but why could it possibly be moved? That would be great if so. Would definitely prefer a 12pm KO. Perhaps not great for the travelling fans but it will definitely take away some of their atmosphere.

Yeah if West Ham draw against Wimbledon in the cup.

Unlikely but still

[reddebs]

Fuck off Sky. 

No, City are not hunting us down, they're keeping pace with us.

Massive difference as you never mentioned us hunting them down when the roles were reversed.




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[grossagain]

I get your point as would have loved to put another nail in Citys season but its done now. Only two games after and we are 6 game points better off. Its all we can ask right now as any game after a loss is a huge game so to have two wins since shows the lads rhythm were not knocked off kilter. City lost one game and dropped quite a few points after. In that example alone we are showing that we are the better side right now, mentally and physically but I am not counting chickens yet

Oh absolutely; I'd have definitely taken this situation *after* the city loss, put it that way. Or at pretty much any other point in the season, which is the main thing.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

As an interesting point, let’s say we win against Leicester and finish January (at least) 4 points clear.

How many would have taken that on January 3rd before kick off?

Obviously a 4 point gap was the worst case scenario prior to that game, but then there’s 3 matches afterward, one of which is away, and no guarantee of winning any of them.

I suppose if we’d managed a draw against city then we’d have to go some to end up with less than a 4 point gap, but then a loss can sometimes spark a poor run of form, and given the narrowness of the last two matches, we could easily be behind them on goal difference. That is in no way a dig at the team at all, I think it’s testamount to them to have won those two games when City for example lost under very similar circumstances.

It’s just an interesting point when people say we didn’t take the chance to take a 10 point lead, or at least maintain a 7 point lead, that the subsequent matches are worth just as many points, and whilst they may be easier on paper, 3 matches are worth 9 points and The City game just 3.

Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and all that.

Not on Jan 3rd but would've snapped your hand off on Dec 1st.That being said the City loss didn't change my mood one bit because not in my wildest dreams did I expect us to be in that position on Dec 1st.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

The West Ham game is a concern. They have improved despite some inconsistency and a Monday Night game there will not be easy.

They just lost to Bournemouth.

Every game is difficult. But they're still inconsistent.

[dudleyred]

West Ham game could be moved to 12pm on the Sunday remember.

I think this could benefit us more. We’d play before city that day and the crowd will still be half asleep.

Compare that to under the lights and city being 1 point behind going into it.

Having said that, we tend not to be great at early ko’s.

Yes this would be better I think

Praying for a West Ham draw this weekend

[Crosby Nick]

Yes this would be better I think

Praying for a West Ham draw this weekend

Are they home or away?

[BobPaisley3]

Are they home or away?

It’s at Wimbledon.

[Fordy]

If they draw with Wimbledon on Saturday I think

West Ham will beat Wimbledon.

[Number 7]

Next 3 games are absolutely crucial if we drops points and they get 9 points from 3 games its curtains im afraid!!

Im hoping theyll draw against either Newcastle,arsenal, chelsea

I think we just think about the next game and that's it, instead of thinking about what happens 3 games ahead. The most important game right now is Leicester and nothing else.

[Mr_Shane]

I think we just think about the next game and that's it, instead of thinking about what happens 3 games ahead. The most important game right now is Leicester and nothing else.

Leicester on our minds for the next 10 day then 

[Machae]

Not overly worried about our remaining fixtures. Sure theres a couple of 'banana skins' in there but if we continue playing our natural game then I'm confident we will have too much for the opposition. Sure, its unlikely we will win all of our remaining fixtures, but the same is also true for Manchester City. The only game which I was nervous about and one which ultimately broke our unbeaten record, was Manchester City at the Etihad. A shame really as I feel, had Liverpool played their 'normal game', we could have at least got the draw and sitting 7 points clear. Nevertheless, to be 4 points clear, at this stage of the season is amazing and credit to all the staff and players.

[BigJimFinn]

Interesting. I find I didn't consider the possibility that it was more complex than looking at the max points Cardiff can take. Is it really tricky to add in all the possible points?

Not really. If Cardiff and all teams above them were to finish with exactly 60 points, they would need a total of 459 points more. There is a total of 444 points available to them (15 weeks x 10 games x 3 points = 450, minus two games involving Liverpool and the two bottom teams). It would be tricky to do this considering actual schedules, in fact we were probably safe two games ago, but now it is absolutely clear.

[Peabee]

Interesting. I find I didn't consider the possibility that it was more complex than looking at the max points Cardiff can take. Is it really tricky to add in all the possible points?

If each team has 15 games left, then there are 150 games to go. The max points total from those 150 games occurs if there are no draws, which gives 450 points. The 17 teams directly below us have 561 points between them, which is the max of any 17 we could pick to finish above us, so say they all gain 450 points, that would give them 1011 points between them. For 17 teams to have at least 61 points, they would need 1037 points between them, which we’ve shown isn’t possible. QED.

[Anthony]

Just for the record, I don't think any team is going to be relegated with 60 points (although we can but hope with miracle worker Ole) but it's fun to point out when we do pass the point of no return (which we would do if we beat Leicester and Cardiff fail to beat Arsenal)

[Peabee]

Just for the record, I don't think any team is going to be relegated with 60 points (although we can but hope with miracle worker Ole) but it's fun to point out when we do pass the point of no return (which we would do if we beat Leicester and Cardiff fail to beat Arsenal)

We’ve already passed it - see above 

[Miltonred]

Not sure if this has been pointed out already.
I saw a graphic showing the games through February for us and City - including all competitions
                         Lfc              Mcfc
games                 6                 8
Comps                 2                 4
Ave days betw.
Games               4.9               3.4
Dist trav.           415m          1201m

Even if they use their full squad to cover all those matches and one of them is an away leg in the EL where they are 9-0 up, that's still a lot of games to focus on for their caching staff, a lot more traveling and distraction for the players and staff.

Looking at that I can see the benefit of no longer being in the two domestic cups.

[Fiasco]

I think we just think about the next game and that's it, instead of thinking about what happens 3 games ahead. The most important game right now is Leicester and nothing else.

That is it. It is very simple but it is very important. Jurgen wont have the players thinking about any game but the Leicester game. And then the next one after that and so on. You can't look ahead for one second because that is how you slip up. A bit like a boxer looking past his upcoming opponent because he's thinking about his next fight which is bigger. You can't do that.


The liklihood is that we wont win every game from now until May. The liklihood is that City wont, either. I personally think 13 wins, a draw and a loss will do it. Or 12 wins and 3 draws perhaps.

[Wabaloolah]

What a difference a month makes. We had the opportunity to increase the lead at the top to 10 points but now the gap at the top may be 1 point the next time we play as City play the next league game before we do.

or we could be 3 points ahead with a game in hand or even 4 points ahead with a game in hand. At the end of the day it doesn't matter providing we best Leicester.

I doubt the team will be bothered either way and City do have two games to play before that whilst we have our feet up in Dubai recuperating.

Even if City don't play their full 11s, which obviously they won't particularly Burton, Pep will still need to focus on those two games and prepare for them first prior to preparing for the Newcastle game

[slaphead]

You have to salute Klopp and the boys for what they are doing don't you. When you consider that only a couple of months ago every public voice in the media were falling over themselves to tell us that City are the best team in Premier League history. They were steam rolling everyone and there was this opinion that they were streets ahead of the rest..............yet they are the ones chasing us. It's brilliant it really is.
Obviously theres lots of games left and all sorts of stuff can happen, but hats off, the performances, consistency, and maybe more importantly belief the lads have is refreshing. Love it

[Longwood NY]

You have to salute Klopp and the boys for what they are doing don't you. When you consider that only a couple of months ago every public voice in the media were falling over themselves to tell us that City are the best team in Premier League history. They were steam rolling everyone and there was this opinion that they were streets ahead of the rest..............yet they are the ones chasing us. It's brilliant it really is.
Obviously theres lots of games left and all sorts of stuff can happen, but hats off, the performances, consistency, and maybe more importantly belief the lads have is refreshing. Love it

absolutely mate i feel the same, really proud of the lads. i genuinely can't think of a manager in world football i'd have over klopp, the football is wonderful and damn effective, he understands the city, owners are supportive, now just wrap it up with a bow and deliver it on my doorstep May 12th cheerio

[spider-neil]

It's a bit early to bring this up but do you think we'll get the bus welcome for every home game as we did for 13/14?

[redk84]

15 games left...
hearing a lot of comments from City players. I am sure it is being prompted by journalists etc but it is interesting to hear the sort of messages they are putting out recently.

The recent one De Bruyne was saying :

Then you would just have to take it as it is and say, ‘We had a good season, but someone was better’ and congratulate them,” he said. “We try to do the best as possible, but in the end if Liverpool get more points it is because they deserve it.

“Obviously you always want to win it, but if you get a season where you’re runners-up with 90 points, there’s not a lot you can say afterwards.

“There’s always luck involved. If you want to win something, you need luck, you need good form, everybody needs to be on it. It’s a consequence of everything.

[him_15]

City has some tricky upcoming matches, might be a good chance to open up the gap, as long as we do our job.

[Qston]

Just for the record, I don't think any team is going to be relegated with 60 points (although we can but hope with miracle worker Ole) but it's fun to point out when we do pass the point of no return (which we would do if we beat Leicester and Cardiff fail to beat Arsenal)

We are clearly going to qualify for the european cup with a top 4 place but it will be nice to seal it in record time all the same. In recent years it has gone down to the wire. This year it could be sewn up with many games to spare. Klopp has consistently said it was the target at the beginning of the season. Our targets have shifted somewhat though.

4 points clear at the top with 15 games to go up against a team that just got 100+ points in the PL and has spent the GDP of a small country to get there. Remarkable.

[Petadroli]

ManCity have the chance to put some pressure on with their early match. Closing the gap to one point would certainly be good for them. But I think they will struggle to achieve that. St. James' Park is a tough ground to go to and win, especially with 50'000 Geordies making noise on a Saturday late kick-off. The last two times Guardiola went there, he got a 1-1 draw and the season before a 1-0 win. ManCity also had to battle to a 2-1 win in September this season at home. Newcastle is playing with some confidence in their ability at the moment, I think with Rafa organizing them, they might well be a stumbling block for them... and for us too in May!

[KOTP]

Next 3 games are absolutely crucial if we drops points and they get 9 points from 3 games its curtains im afraid!!

Im hoping theyll draw against either Newcastle,arsenal, chelsea

so if they win and get 9pts and we win 2 and draw one we would still be 2pts clear but we all might as well give up hand city the trophy and stop playing?

[zip]

ManCity have the chance to put some pressure on with their early match. Closing the gap to one point would certainly be good for them. But I think they will struggle to achieve that. St. James' Park is a tough ground to go to and win, especially with 50'000 Geordies making noise on a Saturday late kick-off. The last two times Guardiola went there, he got a 1-1 draw and the season before a 1-0 win. ManCity also had to battle to a 2-1 win in September this season at home. Newcastle is playing with some confidence in their ability at the moment, I think with Rafa organizing them, they might well be a stumbling block for them... and for us too in May!

I doubt it will be anything but an easy win for City there. If United beat them 2:0 there, I can't see why City won't do the same.

[him_15]

I doubt it will be anything but an easy win for City there. If United beat them 2:0 there, I can't see why City won't do the same.

I believe in Rafa!

[MerseysideBrum]

I doubt it will be anything but an easy win for City there. If United beat them 2:0 there, I can't see why City won't do the same.

Cause football works like that. Going through past results I could make arguments for anyone beating anyone.

[Fordy]

I doubt it will be anything but an easy win for City there. If United beat them 2:0 there, I can't see why City won't do the same.

If only football was so simple as that. We would all be rich as and bookies wouldn't be around.

[hesbighesred]

The problem for Newcastle is they don't have the tools to exploit City's weaknesses. Press em', press 'em high, play with aggression and speed on the break...

...is something that Rafa wishes he could do with his team.

He'll give 'em a game, though. Always does.

[zip]

Cause football works like that. Going through past results I could make arguments for anyone beating anyone.

I'd love to be proved wrong but I just feel some here have a false sense of hope just because it's Rafa managing them. It's still a 17th placed team lingering above the relegation zone.

[MerseysideBrum]

I'd love to be proved wrong but I just feel some here have a false sense of hope just because it's Rafa managing them. It's still a 17th placed team lingering above the relegation zone.

City should win but it's one of their tougher games with it being midweek and away. Even if Newcastle aren't what they used to be.

[Fordy]

I'd love to be proved wrong but I just feel some here have a false sense of hope just because it's Rafa managing them. It's still a 17th placed team lingering above the relegation zone.

That are in a relegation battle and need every point.

Look, on paper City win but football isn't played on paper and Newcastle know that Arsenal play Cardiff (Arsenal win on paper) so if Newcastle can pick up 3 points or a point it will help them massively in the fight to stay up.

This won't be easy for City but City should win.

[Crosby Nick]

I'd love to be proved wrong but I just feel some here have a false sense of hope just because it's Rafa managing them. It's still a 17th placed team lingering above the relegation zone.

In all these kind of games you have some hope for as long as it’s 0-0, even a faint glimmer at 0-1 until the killer second goes in. A City win is likely but not an absolute banker.

[Tiz Lad]

ManCity have the chance to put some pressure on with their early match. Closing the gap to one point would certainly be good for them. But I think they will struggle to achieve that. St. James' Park is a tough ground to go to and win, especially with 50'000 Geordies making noise on a Saturday late kick-off. The last two times Guardiola went there, he got a 1-1 draw and the season before a 1-0 win. ManCity also had to battle to a 2-1 win in September this season at home. Newcastle is playing with some confidence in their ability at the moment, I think with Rafa organizing them, they might well be a stumbling block for them... and for us too in May!

City play Newcastle next Tuesday, and we play Wednesday not this weekend - City play Burnley in the cup this week

[Achilles Heel]

ManCity have the chance to put some pressure on with their early match. Closing the gap to one point would certainly be good for them. But I think they will struggle to achieve that. St. James' Park is a tough ground to go to and win, especially with 50'000 Geordies making noise on a Saturday late kick-off. The last two times Guardiola went there, he got a 1-1 draw and the season before a 1-0 win. ManCity also had to battle to a 2-1 win in September this season at home. Newcastle is playing with some confidence in their ability at the moment, I think with Rafa organizing them, they might well be a stumbling block for them... and for us too in May!

The 1-1 draw was pre-Guardiola. Newcastle were in the Championship in 16/17 and the 1-0 was last season.

City are Newcastle's bogey team. We've won our last 10 home PL games against them and won 8 drawn 2 of our last 10 league games at St James Park

But past performance is no guide to the present etc etc and what might happen next week.

[wige]

I doubt there'll be many, if any, points dropped against the bottom 10 teams by either of us from now in. Think the starting elevens and squads just have too much quality and approaches to breaking teams down.

I think the "slips" will come in the games you'd expect them to, versus the rest of the top 6 and possibly away to those in 7-10 - I think even those are doubtful.

This break, and relaxed fixture list, has come at the perfect time for us:

- Bit of sun
- Intense but controlled training sessions
- Time to get players fit
- Time to give the right rest to the right players
- A chance to get away from everything here
- Team bonding ahead of the run-in to the season.

Also Klopp will have the opportunity to meet collectively and plant any motivational or stress relieving seeds he may feel are needed - focussing minds for the challenges ahead and reinforcing the one game at a time mantra.

I've pretty much fully embraced this myself. Don't *really* care about City's results, don't *really* care about who we play next, don't *really* care about when, if, where, how, who points are dropped. All that will take care, and happen when it happens, or doesn't. I just wanna watch this team play football. Can't wait for Leicester. I don't really wanna think past that right now.

[Red_Irishman]

ManCity have the chance to put some pressure on with their early match. Closing the gap to one point would certainly be good for them. But I think they will struggle to achieve that. St. James' Park is a tough ground to go to and win, especially with 50'000 Geordies making noise on a Saturday late kick-off. The last two times Guardiola went there, he got a 1-1 draw and the season before a 1-0 win. ManCity also had to battle to a 2-1 win in September this season at home. Newcastle is playing with some confidence in their ability at the moment, I think with Rafa organizing them, they might well be a stumbling block for them... and for us too in May!

They'll be hammered mate. Sorry, but I expect it will take a more difficult fixture for them to drop points. Admire you're optimism but for me the next fixture where the have a chance at dropping points is against Arsenal at home. And I think they may win that one relatively easily depending on which Arsenal turns up. Hoping for a draw.