Don't think anyone will get too close to City this season. But we should just focus on ourselves and have goals for ourselves with position/points/goals/goals conceded by the end of the season and then compare it to that. Doesn't have to be a title win to be a successful season.
The Title Race 2017/18 | Done and dusted.
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I think finishing 2nd/3rd is a good PL season performance all things considered. Certainly pre season I thought we should be challenging for the title but I had my doubts we would reach higher than 3rd/4th and possibly might not (if things went pear shaped) have enough to break into the top four at all.
We don't have anything to do except winning till we face them, then see what we'll do against them.
Terrible week for Spurs though, they're closer to the 7th position than to the 2nd but it'll be ignored anyway.
Terrible week for Spurs though, they're closer to the 7th position than to the 2nd but it'll be ignored anyway.
Meh to the title I just want us to get back to playing like we did at the start of the season which after today the signs are there (and then let's see where that takes us)
We have ourselves to blame for the 8 point gap. The draw against Stoke and the defeat at Huddersfield are why we find ourselves behind City by this margin. Especially losing to Huddersfield. That cannot happen again. If we'd won there we would be 5 points behind City and then a win in the derby would put us just 2 behind. We just have to keep winning games and hope they falter at some point.
Chelsea barely wobbled last season after their 13 wins in a row. Huddersfield, Southampton (home) and West Ham next three for City. That should mean the 8 point lead is intact when we go to face you guys at OT. Even losing there wouldn't be too bad as long as we beat Spurs the following week.
There is a long way to go but atm I think United and Chelsea are the only sides left in the title race and if our lead ever reaches double figures I think we will cruise.
Its huge for United they don't let City get that gap. In reality, United have to better City by 3 wins, Chelsea 3 wins and a draw to pass them this season and atm it looks like that means they'll have to be almost perfect till the end of the season. I genuinely believe you guys can afford maybe 1 more loss and thats it.
I think atm we at City are looking like finishing around 90 points (if we keep this momentum up it will be much more.)
54 points from 26 games will put City on 90. Its not impossible we won't but
I think 18 wins will put us on 90 points. While that is hugely unlikely a record of 16 wins, 8 draws and 2 losses or 17w, 5d, 4l for the remainder of the season is quite probable. I'd be surprised is we finish below 90 points now to be honest.
I think to win the title United will need to pick up 64 points or so from the next 26 games. That is 20 wins 4 draws 2 losses, 21 wins 1 draw 4 losses (hugely unlikely).
Anything less than 20 wins and you can't do it. For example going unbeaten with 19 wins and 7 draws would see you finish on bang on 90 points but I think City will have a far superior goal difference.
Chelsea have to win 21 of their 26 games I feel as 20 wins would mean they can only afford 1 more defeat.
Basically to get to 90 points.
City - 17 wins, 5d, 4l = 56 points to 90 - 2.15 pts per game
United - 20wins, 4d, 2l = 64 points to 90 - 2.45pts per game
Chelsea - 21 wins, 2d, 3l = 65 points to 90 - 2.5pts per game
This was sadly a huge win for City. They get 3 easy wins now before we play them. Hopefully they feck up, but I struggle to see it.
Must win derby for us. If they beat us in the derby then it will be almost impossible. You could always hope for a collapse and everything is possible in football, but when you start to think 1.1-1.2 times the money are decent odds for City then they pretty much have the title in the bag.
Must win derby for us. If they beat us in the derby then it will be almost impossible. You could always hope for a collapse and everything is possible in football, but when you start to think 1.1-1.2 times the money are decent odds for City then they pretty much have the title in the bag.
1 game a week/lack of champions league accumulation really helped them last year.
Whichever team that wants to finish ahead of City will need a pretty flawless next 7 months. I would even go so far as to say all the teams chasing City can afford 1 loss max from here on. And we all need to beat or not lose to City at home at the very least.
The loss to Huddersfield and draw at Stoke are things that basically cant happen again for us to be honest. Huddersfield was an awful, awful game.
That was a big win for us tonight, and keeps us in with a chance.
Still, it's crunch time coming up these next few weeks. We probably need to win four matches on the trot now to stay in the title race. It's going to be hard, but I really don't think we should underestimate the effect of Pogba and Zlatan coming back into the fold, coupled with tonight's win. I can definitely see us winning the next two plus the game against Arsenal, and then anything can happen when square up against City.
Exciting times!
Still, it's crunch time coming up these next few weeks. We probably need to win four matches on the trot now to stay in the title race. It's going to be hard, but I really don't think we should underestimate the effect of Pogba and Zlatan coming back into the fold, coupled with tonight's win. I can definitely see us winning the next two plus the game against Arsenal, and then anything can happen when square up against City.
Exciting times!
Honestly the title is yours.
People talk about Jose's brilliant 2nd season but Pep has won the title in his second season everytime too. In fact he has failed to win the league in just 2 seasons in his career.
I am just glad that we are finally showing signs of improvement after 4 years of pain.
Hopefully we just focus on just winning our games . That's all we can do really.
Second would be a great achievement.
As long as we are within 6-7 points of City in the new year we have a chance. They won’t carry on this relentlessly and we will be very strong when everyone is fit next year. We probably need to buy an attacker too.
But their lead is a problem. It’s early days but if the gap starts getting into double figures we’d need to be nothing short of relentless ourselves to stop them. We could probably do with beating them in a few weeks if we are serious about the title.
But their lead is a problem. It’s early days but if the gap starts getting into double figures we’d need to be nothing short of relentless ourselves to stop them. We could probably do with beating them in a few weeks if we are serious about the title.
I won't be surprised if next season is Jose's true second season. Pogba's loss was huge. I don't think we would have lost with pogba against Huddersfield. That loss was the worst and it killed everything. Had we got a routine win we would have been 5 points. 5 points is not at all bad. All we need to do now is keep on winning and let us not fall further. Although it will be intetesting to see how city react after losing or drawing. It only takes 2 bad games for you to start doubting yourself.
True.
I think we are gradually showing signs of improving with a few hobbles along the way. That's why I'm firmly in the Jose needs more time brigade. This group of players haven't even been in a title race in 4 years. Just being one would be great, especially for the younger players.
The title isn't won in November you melon heads
It is this season
Very true.......but the foundations are laid
still a 3 horse race for me. Long way to go. Let City get arrogant and cocky... it'll bite them in the ass.
Honestly barring an injury apocalypse or one of the chasing pack stringing together an improbable, juventus-esque run in the next 26 games, the title race is over
Fully expect city to break the points record if they stay fit. I think United will finish at 90 points or close and still never come close to truly challenging city. Kinda like spurs with chelsea last season, only worse
Fully expect city to break the points record if they stay fit. I think United will finish at 90 points or close and still never come close to truly challenging city. Kinda like spurs with chelsea last season, only worse
We are a couple of months into the season, there is no pressure on any team yet and the league is a marathon not a sprint,there is a full six months to go,anything at all can happen in that time,yes at the moment City look incredible but its way too early to be saying its in the bag,utd can only get stronger,can City? that remains to be seen,anything is possible in football and knowing utds history for drama you cannot rule anything out whatsoever,there will be twists and turns along the way,if utd win the derby next month then its game on for the title!!!
Keep in minds, if we beat Arsenal and keep winning easy games until 2018 after Spurs and us must win a game against City that will push us to be closer to them by 2 points. The City will be forced to play 3 away games against top sides next year while we play 2 away against top sides which of them is Spurs which will be advantages to us. Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are easily team we could beat at OT. I fancy Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal beating City at their home, Chelsea may play for a draw, Utd could do the same thing knowing Jose have a poor record away games against top sides.
We have Pogba, Rojo and Zlatan back, we cannot lose more games again, ever. A draw is okay but not too many.
We have Pogba, Rojo and Zlatan back, we cannot lose more games again, ever. A draw is okay but not too many.
Or even with Liverpool and Chelsea games, we could win there if Pogba played for us. he is much better this season than he was last season.
City simply the best team. People saying title isn't decided in November but I can't see a set of circumstances causing them to lose it.
As it is, I would take an 8-point gap going into Christmas. We're having issues with our away form, and other teams haven't been able to come up with decent tactics against City. Our season overall has been very good, but City have raised the bar. Very frustrating.
Realistically there is no title race. Man city would have to implode and even then it would probably be Chelsea's title. Man for man our squad is the 4th best in the league so a top-four finish would be a realistic result. We will have to fix the holes in the squad to challenge next season. If we were serious about a title run this year we would have got some specialist fullbacks and wingers instead of relying on aging failed wingers as fullbacks and midfielders as wingers.
Its started. They've lost Stones, Kompany should have walked and lowly Leicester caused them real problems. Kompany won't last and that defence can be got at.
De Bruyne will have to be rested or they risk an injury for him. He is the game changer, take him away, and they won't be winning as easily.
Their forward 3, often make poor decisions and points will be dropped.
We will crank up the pressure running up to the derby, and I expect some classic Jose mind games, in the week before the game.
By the end of the Christmas period, we will be very close and then it will be game on until the end. Keep the faith, Jose has this under control
De Bruyne will have to be rested or they risk an injury for him. He is the game changer, take him away, and they won't be winning as easily.
Their forward 3, often make poor decisions and points will be dropped.
We will crank up the pressure running up to the derby, and I expect some classic Jose mind games, in the week before the game.
By the end of the Christmas period, we will be very close and then it will be game on until the end. Keep the faith, Jose has this under control
What's started?
It was 0-0 when Stones went off.....we won 2-0
Leicester hit the post, other than that what "real problems" did they cause?
De Bruyne will have to be rested no more than any other City player.
Our forward 3 are making "poor decisions"?..... +33 GD says they are doing just fine!
About time someone changed this thread title to "Top Four Race'.
Nobody is going to be close. It's not just that they are playing better than anyone else it's that they have more strength in depth. We've seen strong teams of 12, 13, 14 players before in the PL but falter then injury/too many games hit them, but City squad have taken it to a whole new level. Even their second XI could make the Top 6.
Calm down.
I actually think it would. I had United down as 3rd or 4th pre-season and haven't seen anything to change that opinion. Chelsea and Liverpool (naturally enough for me to feel that way but we are improving and bar the Spurs game haven't had a really poor game all season) could push you for it. Pre-season I had Spurs (horrendous record vs. top 6 teams) and Arsenal (inconsistent and lack of depth) out of the Top 4 and I still feel that way.
Seriously. Go look at their squad. It's obscene and second XI is comfortably better than any other non-Top 6 side.
Chelsea United and Tottenham all have the ability to beat city.
It's not. Their second choice keeper is Bravo and if De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Sane/sterling, Jesus, Aguero starts like they did at the start of the season, who will be starting in the second 11?
IIRC their first choice CB pairing is Stones and Otamendia, that means back up is Kompany and Mangala, player they were so desperate to sell and another one who can't play 2 games together. They don't Danilo as back up for both positions and Delph has just started playing as LB.
Their second choice defensive mid is Yaya toure who is on pension plan from last 2 seasons.
No they are not. De brune's Goals and assits have a huge impact in their crucial games only.
They have to play us twice.
You're exaggerating a bit. Especially with their second XI part.
You are very generous with that statement.
Yeah. All better than Burnley and the rest of the PL below them.
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