I hope so, but I worry we still have 1/2 season left. Liverpool are for sure not out of it.
Race for top 4 | Finito.
- Thread starter Andycoleno9
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I hope so, but I worry we still have 1/2 season left. Liverpool are for sure not out of it.
I don't know because still could see scousers getting it together when their forward line is fit again. Chelsea are a bit more of an unknown quantity with so many new signings
We are quite good as well right now, and it feels like a sustainable good, not just lucking out like we used to under Ole. I can't see us being that bad and them being that good to allow them to catch up with us.
In theory we could now "finish? the squad with 2 signings this summer:
Out: Maguire, McTominay
In: A star #9 and a right-footed guy who can play RCB and DM, but I can't think of too many guys who can play there. Edson Alvarez is left-footed and Timber is maybe too small (and hasn't played much DM) but he's probably still the likeliest name. Declan Rice actually fits perfectly, but he'd cost a lot and may not want to come here to be 3rd choice CB, 2nd choice DM and start as a #8 whenever Eriksen or Bruno are rested, even though that's a lot of games and I don't think would threaten his England place. Arsenal looks like a healthier spot for him, though he'd only be 27 when Casemiro is 33 and probably could be overtaken.
Out: Maguire, McTominay
In: A star #9 and a right-footed guy who can play RCB and DM, but I can't think of too many guys who can play there. Edson Alvarez is left-footed and Timber is maybe too small (and hasn't played much DM) but he's probably still the likeliest name. Declan Rice actually fits perfectly, but he'd cost a lot and may not want to come here to be 3rd choice CB, 2nd choice DM and start as a #8 whenever Eriksen or Bruno are rested, even though that's a lot of games and I don't think would threaten his England place. Arsenal looks like a healthier spot for him, though he'd only be 27 when Casemiro is 33 and probably could be overtaken.
If West Ham gets relegated maybe we can buy cheaper Rice.
While I agree that we feel like we are winning on merit rather than scraping by under ole, I do think that our lack of goals will catch up with us. Not saying we won't make top 4 but it's definitely a worry.
They got lucky with Mitrovic messing his penalty up. Their first 11 is decent but beyond that not enough to sustain the pressure IMO.
Consolidate top 4 is a must, and can only do that by winning games, draws are no good, scoring has been an issue, that's the only thing that is a problem. Only won by a single goal away from home. And to get top 4 away wins are needed. And there's some tricky away days to come.
Still think we should get it.
Still think we should get it.
Top 4 won't be an issue only if we're lucky with injuries. Squad depth isn't great.
I didn't realise quite how healthy our top 4 hopes look. 6 points clear and with a game in hand.
But yep, it's going to vanish quickly if we don't start scoring more goals. Rashford isn't going to keep scoring at the rate he has been lately. I'm encouraged by the latest training pictures of Sancho because he looks visibly leaner and fitter and scored a very good amount of goals pre-United. We've seen glimpses of his ability in front of goal here too. Could seriously be like a new signing.
Depth worries me. Particularly in midfield. Casemiro and Eriksen were born just over a week apart and are both in their 30's now. Both are playing every game, like Bruno Fernandes. Beyond that, Fred and McTominay aren't good enough to be regulars. And then you just have the youth like Mainoo.
We will get top 4 if Casemiro stays fit. When he is not on the pitch we seem so open and easy to get at. Not sure if it is because he is just that good or because Mcfred are that bad, probably bit of both.
After next weekend Arsenal or City will just be in 2 competitions.
United will probably get past Reading so they will still be juggling 4 competitions.
Which makes Top 4 the most realistic target for this season...with the squad depth I'd expect Arsenal/City to open up a bigger gap as the season progresses.
United will probably get past Reading so they will still be juggling 4 competitions.
Which makes Top 4 the most realistic target for this season...with the squad depth I'd expect Arsenal/City to open up a bigger gap as the season progresses.
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After this weekend, we'll have the following in terms of home/away:
Home - 10 games
Away, getting City and Arsenal out of the way is huge. We'll see how we do vs Arsenal but if we assume a loss (already beat them at home this season, seems unlikely that we'll dominate in every single big game), then I'd guess the other group of 5 tougher on paper away games in bold above, we could get 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses from (being pessimistic but possibly a bad run due to fixture congestion). The remaining 3 games should be wins. So that would be 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from the away group (14 points).
That puts us on 39 points from the 2nd half of the season, same as the first half, and on 78 points. To be honest that's pretty much what I expect us to do, and I really can't see us doing any worse than that given the fixtures. It's an extremely favourable home run, and we have 10 home games to go vs 8 away. We are massive favourites to get top 4 and really should be comfortable in that come the end of the season.
Home - 10 games
- Palace
- Leicester
- Brentford
- Southampton
- Everton
- Chelsea
- Villa
- Wolves
- Fulham
- Leeds (unscheduled so far)
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Brighton
- Newcastle
- Forest
- Spurs
- West Ham
- Bournemouth
Away, getting City and Arsenal out of the way is huge. We'll see how we do vs Arsenal but if we assume a loss (already beat them at home this season, seems unlikely that we'll dominate in every single big game), then I'd guess the other group of 5 tougher on paper away games in bold above, we could get 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses from (being pessimistic but possibly a bad run due to fixture congestion). The remaining 3 games should be wins. So that would be 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from the away group (14 points).
That puts us on 39 points from the 2nd half of the season, same as the first half, and on 78 points. To be honest that's pretty much what I expect us to do, and I really can't see us doing any worse than that given the fixtures. It's an extremely favourable home run, and we have 10 home games to go vs 8 away. We are massive favourites to get top 4 and really should be comfortable in that come the end of the season.
Completely agree.
Chelsea have got no idea of their best system and starting eleven and keep picking up lots of injuries in key areas.
Liverpool look physically and mentally drained and devoid of ideas. They are also picking up lots of injuries too.
Spurs look like the wheels have come off completely. Can't defend, the future of Conte and Kane up in the air, Son's form has gone off a cliff.
The current top four are all much harder to beat. Arsenal and Newcastle have only lost one game each. City have only lost three. We've lost four, although only two since the two defeat's at the start of the season.
People keep expecting Newcastle to drop off but they are so good defensively. Only eleven goals conceded at the halfway stage is so impressive!
It's going to need title winning form from one of the teams outside the current top four to break in to it now.
The current top four will almost certainly be the top four IMO, it's just a question of order. Spurs' malaise has identifiable causes and they aren't changing in the short term.
We have a huge problem with lack of goals particularly away from home. Still got to visit Arsenal, scousers, Forest, Spurs, Brighton, Newcastle too. I think we can get past the others but Leeds will be very hostile.
Yeah last away win by more than a goal was Leeds last February which is shocking
I agree, we are much better. I'd be surprised if we do not get top 4 (but I am still terrified we won't) , but I also think Liverpool will make a run.
That's why a striker is paramount In summer, can't see anymore coming this window.
Are you in the Osimhen/Kane camp or maybe got someone else in mind. I worry how we improve things until end of the season with current squad
I'd plump for Kane at the right price. But Osimhen is younger and if he wants to come then I probably think a ETH may go for him. If club is sold can see new owners wanting a big profile signing as well.
sounds like Bruno G is already back for Newcastle, he’s in the squad for the Palace game tomorrow.
Will take at least £120m to get Napoli to the table whereas Kane could probably be got for around £80m
Neither of these sides are going on massive winning runs for fourth.
Great result for us, especially because I think Chelsea can start doing better sooner but probably not soon enough for top 4
Agree, if they can some of the injured players back and the new signings bedding in. Liverpool cannot see how it can get better.
Great result, keeps both 10 points behind, with Chelsea even having played a game more.
Don't rule either out though, we need to keep doing what we're doing.
Get past this weekend and we've a decent run in the league.
Don't rule either out though, we need to keep doing what we're doing.
Get past this weekend and we've a decent run in the league.
Agree. Conceding late at Palace is even more frustrating with all these results, we'd have 8 points more than Spurs and 12 more than Liverpool and Chelsea.
It's funny that Spurs, as shit as they've been this season, are above both Liverpool and Chelsea. Guess those few comebacks they made (vs Bournemouth and Leeds) make the difference.
It's easy to forget how many points you can throw away when going for top 4.
If we can get something from tomorrow, who knows how high up we can finish.
But either way, things are developing nicely.
Yeah, beat Palace and we’re in the title race, there’s an in between of title race and being comfortably ahead of what we just saw today and what Spurs are showing is
Hopefully United dont get comfortable and complacent . Mentally we should be fighting for the top.
Correct me but Pool and Chelsea still needs to play each other one more time? Their last game was postponed, right?
Alvarez is right footed I think
Newcastle will gradually build themselves up to be the leagues top shithouses, if they aren't already.
Everyone, big or small, will hate playing against those feckers.
Everyone, big or small, will hate playing against those feckers.
The top four is done, the way it is now isn't changing
Just depends what order it's in. Newcastle getting Champions League football in their first full season under new ownership just tells you how shit the rest are behind. They haven't even went out and bought proper players yet to blend into their system
Just depends what order it's in. Newcastle getting Champions League football in their first full season under new ownership just tells you how shit the rest are behind. They haven't even went out and bought proper players yet to blend into their system
Cole and Gerrard on Chelsea and Liverpool: If you offered them Top 4 right now, they'd take it. 
What sort of a statement is that? It's something you'd say about the likes of United and Newcastle (who have outside chancesof the title) not of teams who started the day in 9th and 10th!
What sort of a statement is that? It's something you'd say about the likes of United and Newcastle (who have outside chancesof the title) not of teams who started the day in 9th and 10th!Yep, you're right.
They'll find Brighton away tough in the cup next week, then hopefully Madrid can knock them out nice and early there as well.
Cole and Gerrard on Chelsea and Liverpool: If you offered them Top 4 right now, they'd take it.
They're both miles off top 4. Of course they'd take it
Exactly!They're both miles off top 4. Of course they'd take it
We could lose to Arsenal tomorrow and still be in a great position.
But I hope we smash the twats, of course.
But I hope we smash the twats, of course.