Topic: Chasing the Title

[deano2727]

Not the wisest thing for Pep to say. They are already going to be out to prove a point. Last thing Guardiola should want is a high intensity, emotional game with a riled up United.

The stage is perfectly set for United to take something tomorrow. Sadly, their quality might sell them short, but I think they will give it a real go.

[Machae]

Absolute mental case. An arrogant one at that.

Well he is right though, he didn't say hes going to win, just that Old Trafford isn't the same as it once was. Either way, I hope that spurs on United to win now.

As much as I dislike City, Guardiola does have genuine respect for Liverpool

[Jm55]

Anyone stressing about this, I’d suggest giving today’s Talking Reds a listen...

https://youtu.be/hoahDv0KjiQ

[Yosser0_0]

Pep said that it was not scary anymore to play at Old Trafford but they had to play at their best.

It is for the United players!

[Mr_Shane]

As long as they give it a go, thats all that should be demanded of them. What happened to the Man Utd that beat PSG3-2 in Paris? IF that side turns up, Man City are going to have to earn the win.

[Anthony]

From this morning, I'm referring to Manchester United as 'we'.

I'm referring to them as 'wee' as they are piss poor at the moment...

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Anyone stressing about this, I’d suggest giving today’s Talking Reds a listen...

https://youtu.be/hoahDv0KjiQ

It's worked well for the 'City will definitely drop points at some stage' brigade thus far.

[KissThisGuy]

As long as they give it a go, thats all that should be demanded of them. What happened to the Man Utd that beat PSG3-2 in Paris? IF that side turns up, Man City are going to have to earn the win.

If that side turns up they're getting a pasting, I want the team that was unlucky away to Arsenal, or the team that held us to a draw (I know we weren't good but they tried their hearts out that day). I hope they keep the luck from Paris though.

[hesbighesred]

Maybe they will try to get that Ajax defender?

They may well, but they aren't replacing all of those players seamlessly in one summer. This season, we're the second best team in England, and we've managed to punch above our weight to have a real shot at the CL and the league title. Next season, I think we *will* be the best team in England, and very possibly in Europe.

[Jm55]

It's worked well for the 'City will definitely drop points at some stage' brigade thus far.

They have dropped points though, they’ve lost 4 games and drawn 2.

There’s no brigade mate. I just support the team and don’t think it’s a given that City win their next 4 matches in a row considering they looked less than impressive on Saturday. If they do, then fine. There’s a good chance that even if that happens, we’ll still have a Champions League Final to look forward to.

This is the first time in my life we’ve been in with a chance of the league and in the semi finals of the European Cup simultaneously. Every other time we’ve been anywhere near the league we’ve been knocked out in the quarters apart from 13/14 when we weren’t even in it. Now is not a time to be pissing and worrying about City, it’s about giving everything for us to get over the line and win the next 3 games and get to Madrid. Obviously City aren’t ‘definitely’ going to drop points, but my personal opinion is that they will and I’m actually relatively optimistic it will be tomorrow night.

I will admit to being negative after that draw against Everton, I honestly thought City would have won it by now, but this team has not given up, they’ve dug their fucking teeth in and stayed there every step of the way. All that we can do is the same.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

They have dropped points though, they’ve lost 4 games and drawn 2.

I'm talking about since the start of February when it's widely been taken as a given that they'd drop points at some stage, even though we've seen pretty much the same side go on an 18 match league winning run last season.

[Jm55]

I'm talking about since the start of February when it's widely been taken as a given that they'd drop points at some stage, even though we've seen pretty much the same side go on an 18 match league winning run last season.

I think most level headed people know that that isn’t a given. As you correctly point out, we’ve seen this. It’s team win countless matches on the spin before, but I also read on here it was a given that Newcastle would beat them.

The point is none of us fucking know what’s going to happen, but looking at their fixtures and looking at ours it’s reasonable to be optimistic that they might take less points than us. If they don’t then fine. But I’d rather think my way than worry everytime City win a game.

Just view it like this - if City lose at Old Trafford and draw at Burnley, and we beat Huddersfield and Newcastle we’ve won the fucking league. That is obviously not odds on to happen but it’s not stupidly unlikely either.

[Jookie]

It's worked well for the 'City will definitely drop points at some stage' brigade thus far.

I'm amazed that City haven't dropped points so far.

A month or 2 ago I though 93 points would be enough. There's a genuine possibility that 97 points might not be enough now.

If I had to guess though I don't think both teams end up winning all the remaining league games and give the 97 points versus 98 points scenario. I still wouldn't be surprised if both teams drop points between now and the end of the season.

[Alisson Wonderland]

Thing with Burnley is they are virtually safe now and could be mathematically safe by the time Cardiff have finished their game with Fulham on Saturday. I'm saying that cause I would love to see a repeat of their desire and commitment they showed yesterday as it is only then they are as dangerous as they could be. When they have to something to play for.

Burnley are the type of team that will always be up for playing the big boys at home no matter what the situation.  They are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against the Champions.

I've got it in my head that we win the league by City dropping points to Leciester on the Monday before the last game.

[Felch Aid]

Our games against Newcastle and Wolves are not certain. Wolves perhaps have lost momentum from the semi final defeat and Newcastle are now safe but both can frustrate us. Don't see Rafa making it easy or Connor Coady scoring an own goal.

[Felch Aid]

Burnley are the type of team that will always be up for playing the big boys at home no matter what the situation.  They are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against the Champions.

I've got it in my head that we win the league by City dropping points to Leciester on the Monday before the last game.

Burnley will offer jack shit now they are safe. That will be a typical City performance and scoring after 10 minutes before smothering the game.

[redk84]

what i dont get is, who gives a shit if people think they will drop points or not?

makes no difference

but they WILL and you SHALL agree with me! 

[LallanaInPyjamas]

I still wouldn't be surprised if both teams drop points between now and the end of the season.

I'd be very surprised if we do, and I'd be surprised if they do. For a long time I'd pinned both my head and my heart on tomorrow night as being the game they would drop points but now, logically, it's difficult to see it. United just aren't playing very well at all at the moment and have lost every big home European game to nil this season. I can't see tomorrow night being any different but hopefully I'm wrong.

[Felch Aid]

United aren't even getting shots on target.

Can't see a 0 - 0 with Jones and Smalling can you?

[kennedy81]

United aren't even getting shots on target.

Can't see a 0 - 0 with Jones and Smalling can you?

they did it against us.

[Sharado]

  They are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against the Champions.

They've actually won the last 5 years against the season before's champions. Not convinced they do anything but I do believe dyche will give them a game. He's in that mould of 'but we are not going to be clowns' that we need every team against city to have. I think Rodgers will certainly have that too for obvious reasons.

[Lotus Eater]

It's been a boss season though annit?

[vagabond]

It's been a boss season though annit?

Anybody that says they wouldn't have taken 88 points after 35 games and a CL semi before the season started is lying.

[Redondos Barber]

Am I right in thinking United haven't lost a league game at Old Trafford since Spurs in August? That's a run that deserves to be elongated.

[gamble]

It's been a boss season though annit?

It's been relentless, and still nowhere near the end. We have done so well whatever happens now. Any other era and would have been over by now.

I will watch tomorrow, turned off after 30 mins of the city-spurs game, but tomorrow should be entertaining watching one half of manchester collapse. The absolute worst result would be a narrow 1-0 win for city tomorrow. If they are going to win I want it to be a humiliation.

Any slip up by city tomorrow and Anfield will be rocking on friday. What a week in store for us.

[Mighty Zeus]

It's been a boss season though annit?

It's been fantastic.

Hilariously weird situation: on course for nearly a hundred points but cheering on Manchester United with a Champions League title still in our own hands and Barcelona to beat to make the final.

However it turns out, brilliant season.

[deano2727]

It's been a boss season though annit?

It has indeed. But we still need something to show for it. Thats not to say if we don't win something the players wont have given their all and done exceptionally well, but when all is said and done, how many will actually look back on this season with fond memories in 10 years if we end up empty handed after how good we have been and how hard the lads and Klopp have worked.

At the end of the day, we are a top 5 in the world team now. Trophies are what we should be judged on. Lets hope we get at least one and maybe 2.

Funny how one trophy this year (one in particular, but either would work) could make this the best season I've had supporting Liverpool (Im almost 26) and if we don't it would be the most disappointing. By far. We have been too good to be empty handed at the end. I'd be proud of their efforts, but it would be mostly disappointment for me.

I think we will take home big ears this year. Lets see how City get on this week.

[Felch Aid]

It's been a boss season though annit?

its been magnificent despite my concerns over what appeared to be laboured early season performances.

[JackWard33]

Burnley will offer jack shit now they are safe. That will be a typical City performance and scoring after 10 minutes before smothering the game.

This is not how that game will play out imo.
Burnley have been basically safe for 3 weeks and zero drop off
They’re playing extremely well at the moment, its a local rival in a huge game and there’s no way City won’t be tired
Write it off if you want but it’ll be tough for them.

[ConqueredAllOfEurope]

I'm a big believer of form going out the window in derby games. I'm hoping this is the case tomorrow. I want either of these two things to happen:

1. Utd manage to hold City to a draw or even better, beat them

2. Utd get battered 6 or 7-0

Obviously, I'd rather the first situation happen. But if it doesn't, I want Utd to get absolutely battered.

[Mr_Shane]

Look at it this way, the last few seasons we were battling to get into the CL, we were bricking it at every point dropped and every win our rivals got and we were ecstatic when we did get 4th.

Now similar situation. We are already in the CL, but we are still bricking it at every win our rival gets, we are not dropping many points,and neither are City. The stakes are much higher and we can really be proud of our efforts. We have already surpassed our past few seasons, and as can be seen, we are prepared for a title challenge now.

[gamble]

I’m pretty sure 13/2 is the biggest home league odds man u have ever had. 2/1 draw/man u double chance aswell.

4/9? Playing away? Against Manchester United?

We're either heading to the biggest betting sting in the history of football or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer really is the Manager of Manchester United...

Just placed my jinx bet on city to win, but looking at the odds the bookies really doubt utd are going to get anything tomorrow 

[Jookie]

I'd be very surprised if we do, and I'd be surprised if they do. For a long time I'd pinned both my head and my heart on tomorrow night as being the game they would drop points but now, logically, it's difficult to see it. United just aren't playing very well at all at the moment and have lost every big home European game to nil this season. I can't see tomorrow night being any different but hopefully I'm wrong.

If we win our 3 games I still think we win the league.  I think that might be harder than some people think.

Logically there's no reason for City to drop points but the pressure will really start racking up on both teams. Seen it before. On paper City should win every remaining game. But things happen at the end of the season. We've seen it countless times before. The Ev getting beat by Oxford (who finished 1 point above relegation) in 1985-86. United losing to Wigan and drawing with Everton in 2011/12. Even us at Palace in 2013/14.

Some mad results can happen at the ned of the season when the pressure tells and the legs start to tire. I wouldn't rule anything out yet

[Red_Irishman]

Anyone any suggestions on how I get through these 90 minutes tomorrow night? Not sure I can watch it, it will be pure torture. I don't think I can just check the score afterwards either. At least if you know the score throughout there's a gradual disappointment when City win.

Jesus I'd love a fucking 0-0 draw. A filthy one.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Anyone any suggestions on how I get through these 90 minutes tomorrow night? Not sure I can watch it, it will be pure torture. I don't think I can just check the score afterwards either. At least if you know the score throughout there's a gradual disappointment when City win.

Jesus I'd love a fucking 0-0 draw. A filthy one.

Get some strong cold medicine to knock you out for a couple of hours 

[Tobelius]

It's been a wild ride and can't believe the season is about to end,the summer is going to feel weird again without all this excitement.

Hoping United can muster some pride from somewhere and put up a fight in the derby,i know their form has fallen off a cliff but still it is at Old Trafford and their home record is good,other than that maybe Burnley can upset City's rhytm if they play with their best trademark shithouse tactics,can't see Leicester getting anything but a brave defeat.

I'm pretty sure we will not let up ourselves and win our remaining games.

[Felch Aid]

Still an eerie feeling of 2008/9. Bloody manc club in the league and in the semi finals of the champions league. That bloody 4 -4 with Arsenal. Lets hope Utd can do that.

[Jm55]

Still an eerie feeling of 2008/9. Bloody manc club in the league and in the semi finals of the champions league. That bloody 4 -4 with Arsenal. Lets hope Utd can do that.

We got knocked out in the quarters that season. We would have played Bacrca if we’d got through in the semis though.

[vagabond]

Anyone any suggestions on how I get through these 90 minutes tomorrow night? Not sure I can watch it, it will be pure torture. I don't think I can just check the score afterwards either. At least if you know the score throughout there's a gradual disappointment when City win.

Jesus I'd love a fucking 0-0 draw. A filthy one.

Go watch a movie and leave your phone at home.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

If we win our 3 games I still think we win the league.  I think that might be harder than some people think.

Logically there's no reason for City to drop points but the pressure will really start racking up on both teams. Seen it before. On paper City should win every remaining game. But things happen at the end of the season. We've seen it countless times before. The Ev getting beat by Oxford (who finished 1 point above relegation) in 1985-86. United losing to Wigan and drawing with Everton in 2011/12. Even us at Palace in 2013/14.

Some mad results can happen at the ned of the season when the pressure tells and the legs start to tire. I wouldn't rule anything out yet

Perhaps what contributes to my pessimism is that the three title races I've seen us involved in have seen:

-Arsenal win 15 of their final 16 games
-United win 8 of their final 9 games
-City win their final 5 games

I also think the scenarios you mention - particularly that United collapse in 2011/12 - are rarer than the side in control closing it out. But ultimately this is all irrelevant history and it's mostly the present which forms my opinion: City are very good and the rest of the league are cowards.