It's not really worth any points even though it might be an advantage. Mancini has been in title battles before though, both as a manager and as a player.
The Manchester Title Race
- Thread starter charlenefan
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It's not really worth any points even though it might be an advantage. Mancini has been in title battles before though, both as a manager and as a player.
I don't recall any relegation candidates putting much of a fight at OT when we were in the title race though. When we were out of it there was some trouble like 1-1 against West Brom in 2005 or 2006. Away from home it'll be tougher - I think Wolves will be our most difficult fixture, not sure what to expect from Blackburn. They beat us at Old Trafford but it was a weird one.
Yeah, but you're forgetting that they are fighting for their lives because they're crap at football.
I prefer to be in our position. I think we'll win it now.
I don't get this "I'd rather be in our position than City's". At the end of it all, City is in a better position because they are on top and their fate is technically in their hands. If they win all their games or keep getting better results than us then they win the title. I'm in no way saying they will win it but surely theirs is the better position considering that we will have to drop less points than them and get a result at the Etihad where they've been immense.
I have to agree, can you imagine switching managers? It would have a huge effect on us, and them. SAF is worth more points than I care to guess.
Utd's fate is also in their own hands.
Agreed but let's say both teams have equal results until the derby, City will only need a draw. So considering both teams fate is in their own hands, the one being in front (even with only 2 points) remain favorites until such gap has been relinquished.
This would be true if we assume both teams had an equally tough set of fixtures. The fact they don't makes City's 2 point lead look a lot more slender than it is.
Agreed! If SAF is confident we should be too.
SAF: "We've got the experience. We won't get nervous, we're enjoying it"
At this stage, the only manager in the world who can handle the pressure is SAF. Look at him in pictures and on screen, he looks young and fresh and I truly believe he's not nervous because he's been there, done that and he's focusEd on trusting his players instead of wasting time on being nervous. It's useful as such attitude transfers directly onto his players.
Love him!
On the other hand, playing for a draw has a different mindset to the game, whereas playing to win must have given us an extra edge! NO?
I truly believe that if we win at derby, we will go on to win it, whereas if they do (god forbids), we are still in with a chance because of our Never Die attitude
No it doesn't. Sure, they have a more tough run in and I believe they will drop points. Make no mistake, I think we'll snatch it but not because of the fixture list City have. Rather, I think we'll snatch it because we know how to win titles and have done this plenty of times before. Let's put it this way, if the roles were reversed we'd be saying it's better to have the points in the bag but still have confidence we'd navigate the trick fixtures due to our title run in experience. So no, City are in a better position than us (currently) and theirs is the preferable position. I recall SAF saying a couple seasons ago that you'd rather want the points in the bag than not, regardless of fixtures or the opposition.
I didn't say City would play for a draw. I said they would only require a draw in such a scenario. You can bet your bottom dollar they'd be going out to win the game to put the title firmly in their grasp if the scenario I painted played out. So no, no extra edge as such in that regard.
We do however have an edge in title run in experience and we have SAF, which for me, will count for a lot in the run in.
EDIT: added in (currently) since that's they way it is right now, could change
It's a key game, not the key game.
Both teams will be dropping points along the way, people think both teams are going to be winning every game.
But they will play for a draw knowing a draw is the requirement, whereas our minimum requirement is a win, which gives our players the incentive and drive. Let's hope so.
Forgetting the small technicalities that Barca are not a Premier League team which scenario would you rather be in?
A. Playing Wolves at home on the last day, 2 points behind City who are playing Barcelona.
or
B. Playing Barcelona on the last day, 2 Points ahead of City who have Wolves at home.
Not really, considering their next game would be Newcastle away so a draw won't necessarily be enough. A draw would just be their insurance policy but I'd bet they would go for the win knowing if they do, then the titles is basically theirs and there is no better incentive than that. So both teams would be up for it. The difference for me will be our title winning and pressure situation experience. SAF even said, we're relaxed and relishing the challenge ahead. Remember my original point was saying that we can't say we would prefer our position in the table and based on upcoming fixtures, we're better off. That's not right. City are in a better position. They've 2 more points than us and a superior goal difference and one of the remaining fixtures happens to be vs us at their home. Trust me, they'll themselves just as much we do ourselves but I just feel we've got pedigree in this sort of thing. That will count for a lot.
Barcelona is now being compared to the likes of a falling apart Chelsea and an unpredictable Arsenal team? Really? Using Barcelona is a stupid example as they're by far superior to both us and City. Arsenal, Chelsea, Stoke et al aren't though when it comes to City. The gulf in class is not comparable but to answer you, B. I've got the points in the bag and anything can happen on the day. You might have a Wolves team needing the 3 points to secure survival. Stranger things have happened.Ok maybe saying Barca is by far superior is a slight overstatement but you get the just of my point. Anyhoo
Speak for yourself. Not me. If the roles were reversed, I'd genuinely be worried.
And fixtures do play a part. They have harder games than us, and yeah we lost to blackburn at home and all bla bla bla, truth is: you would expect United to have the experience and grit to navigate the tougher fixtures when the title race is in its latter stages. All the better that we are having a set of relatively 'easy' fixtures to deal with, but with that same experience to help us.
Sure, every game is going to be tricky right now: lucky for us then that our games compound teams with weaker players and that most are at home, whereas City's already difficult fixtures will only get... errr trickier if we apply the same theory?
No matter how you want to put it: we have an easier fixture list during squeeky bum time whilst only being two points behind. If this was poker I'd go all in.
Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: Football :: Alex Ferguson: We're the catch up Kings
SAF on having points in bag: “I prefer to be in the lead, but when you are at the top you know that you can make the mistake that can cost you."
BUT we have the pedigree in this and we have SAF most importantly. The fixture list will play some part but you can lose to anyone in the PL. Have a look at our recent run where most expected us to drop more points than we have. City could emulate that, and we can't rule that out. Points in bag always trumps potential points. Hence why, I'd rather be 2 points ahead and taking it game by game. Of course, all this could change this very weekend.
Anyhoo, I'm done. I know how I feel about our title chances.
SAF on having points in bag: “I prefer to be in the lead, but when you are at the top you know that you can make the mistake that can cost you."
BUT we have the pedigree in this and we have SAF most importantly. The fixture list will play some part but you can lose to anyone in the PL. Have a look at our recent run where most expected us to drop more points than we have. City could emulate that, and we can't rule that out. Points in bag always trumps potential points. Hence why, I'd rather be 2 points ahead and taking it game by game. Of course, all this could change this very weekend.
Anyhoo, I'm done. I know how I feel about our title chances.
Looking back to your posts, you feel that we'll edge it, as I do. Happy days.
Yup! All I was pointing is that I don't agree with saying we are in a better situation. Sure, we do have an 'easier' run in but nothing's to say City can't do what we just did in the past 7 games. Add to that dubious ref decisions and missing vital chances and we don't make up the points. Though, honestly speaking, I think we'll snatch it. SAF's already starting the mind games talking about us loving 'pressure' and that we won't fold. I believe because we are United and we thrive on these kind of league run in situations, regardless of opposition.
I can see both sides of the argument really. City are ahead and are at home for the derby game, but United have an easier set on fixtures on paper in the run-in, plus a manager and players with huge amounts of experience in title battles and the tense ends of seasons.
Also, remember United have done fantastically well to keep pace with City seeing as we've been absolutely decimated by injuries this season and City have barely lost any of their players for more than a few games. We also have players coming back from injury in the next few weeks, which is brilliant.
I think United have a brilliant chance and if they keep their focus and remain 2 points behind or less for the derby game will be favourites BUT I also think there is something about being top of the league that inspires confidence, rather than nervousness. City are indeed playing with confidence at the moment. I, personally, would rather be in their position as top of the league with a derby game at home to contend with.
I really do think that derby game is looking more and more like the decider, I know I'll be so nervous at the start of that one.
Also, remember United have done fantastically well to keep pace with City seeing as we've been absolutely decimated by injuries this season and City have barely lost any of their players for more than a few games. We also have players coming back from injury in the next few weeks, which is brilliant.
I think United have a brilliant chance and if they keep their focus and remain 2 points behind or less for the derby game will be favourites BUT I also think there is something about being top of the league that inspires confidence, rather than nervousness. City are indeed playing with confidence at the moment. I, personally, would rather be in their position as top of the league with a derby game at home to contend with.
I really do think that derby game is looking more and more like the decider, I know I'll be so nervous at the start of that one.
Yep, it's looking likely it could be the decider indeed. And it's on a bloody Monday night too
I'll be going into work on Tuesday either dying or crying!
Yep, it's looking likely it could be the decider indeed. And it's on a bloody Monday night too
I'll be going into work on Tuesday either dying or crying!
Ah, no, really?
I hate Monday night games, they're so stupid. Since when should football matches be played on a work night? Pathetic Sky TV messing up the game as usual.
I reckon they'll be a lot of sickies pulled that Tuesday regardless of the result!
We all know we loyal fans are extremely biased. It's like your child is always the brightest and smartest... Theres nothing wrong with that at all because this is exactly the sort of attitude we need to let us have faith and confidence in our team and manager. Not blind faith at all... We have been in these situation before and we proved doubters wrong more often than not.
We must all agree that SAF is successful for very good reasons. When the going gets tough the tough gets going, and his winning mentality is the core of all successes. It transfers to his players, and hopefully can transfer to his supporters
MG - football matches have been played on work nights for as long as I can remember (we play european football every season on week nights!) so I'm not sure what your beef is here?
cITY away on a Monday night is absolutely perfect
cITY away on a Monday night is absolutely perfect
As TV said above football has been on work nights since forever. Not just Euro games but all Cup replays and even the FA Cup final replay in 1990 was midweek
I think the big showdown between Arse and Liverpool was midweek too in the early 90's. Before SKY had their mits on football
SKY have had Monday night football since 1992. What age were you then?
I'd rather play on a week night than 12:45 on a Sat/Sun
that is assuming we win all our remaining matches including beating city away... highly unlikely IMO.
I reckon we'll just about edge it, good a good feeling. Will be just about though!
.... and you seemed to have missed mine.
It was simply a metaphor, I wasn't really comparing anyone to Barcelona, just the scenario of being a couple of points behind with an easy game or a couple of points behind with a much easier game.
The point you missed was that some people find it more favourable to have a run in of 11 matches where you feel you are odds on favourites to win 10 of them while being 2 points behind and the highest positioned team you have yet to play is Fulham at home who are 8th, than it is to be 2 points ahead with 4 or the top 6 yet to play.
People say points in hand are worth more than games in hand but I'm not so sure.
The fact is we have played 9 of our 10 games against the top 6 and picked up 17 out of a possible 27 points. That's points in hand for us.
City still have 4 of those 10 games yet to play, thats nearly half of the seasons toughest games yet to come. Do you expect them to get 12 our of 12 points in those games? How about Stoke Away? West Brom have the 3rd best Away record in the League and they have still yet to play them at home....
We may be two points behind but I'd rather be in this position than in theirs.
It is always easier to chase than to maintain the lead. City are new in this position, they are bound to drop a bollock somewhere.
As TV said above football has been on work nights since forever. Not just Euro games but all Cup replays and even the FA Cup final replay in 1990 was midweek
I think the big showdown between Arse and Liverpool was midweek too in the early 90's. Before SKY had their mits on football
SKY have had Monday night football since 1992. What age were you then?
I do happen to know there are midweek games - I've watched a fair few of them actually - but I just think having league games on a Monday night is unusual.I feel most of them should happen at the weekend, and if there are midweek games they should be cup competitions (this isn't always the case though admittedly).
And I know Sky have had the influence over Monday night football since 1992 - that's why I made the complaint about Sky.
I would have been 2 in August 1992, but I don't see what that's got to do with anything. I do know football was around before then.
Im really , really starting to get a great feeling about this run-in! We are gonna take this down!
If you could take a draw now at Wastelands, would you take it?
For me, the answer to this question is yes and that's what the league comes down to. I am confident of overcoming a 2 point defeat in the remaining games excluding the derby and if we can come out of it with a draw we are in with a very big shout for the title.
For me, the answer to this question is yes and that's what the league comes down to. I am confident of overcoming a 2 point defeat in the remaining games excluding the derby and if we can come out of it with a draw we are in with a very big shout for the title.
That's not what we were talking about. Whether they're top or not while the gap remains less then 3 points up to the derby both will be in control of their own destiny. Of course if they are still top come April 30th they'll be favourites. Who's been stupid enough to say different?
Quite confident we'll take it now.