Top 4 race 2016/17

[AXVnee7]

With regards to ourselves, I've always maintained that we need to attempt to do our best in both the EL and League. I did at one point consider that the EL was going to be our best way in to the CL, but it seems we are now firmly back in the race. I still do think we need to focus on the EL as well as a potential 'second wind' so to speak. However what I like is that we can now focus purely on the league till the KO stages next year.

Don't worry about the league standings! It's not worth obsessing over on a game by game basis at this stage. Let the team focus on winning each week and getting a consistent run! The table will re-arrange accordingly. Spurs are very good but will slip up especially against the bigger sides. Arsenal and Man City are both looking pretty shaky at the moment.

 

[BaguetteBoy]

We will have a clearer picture after the new year. No point looking at the table now and try to predict anything.

 

[Kaos]

I'm a little more optimistic now.

We've seem to hit form at the right time, whereas Arsenal have defaulted to their usual December/January bottling job and City are looking a little wayward under Pep. Spurs are Spurs. Assuming we've not hit our 9000th false dawn, I think we pull through.

 

[rotherham_red]

The EL should definitely be taken seriously, no matter how well we do in the league. 4th is nice and all, but EL guarantees entry without a qualifier, and we'd likely get a better seeding based off winning it than we would as a 4th placed qualifier. Plus, it's a fecking trophy!

Knowing how Jose is with the small time cups like the EFL, I've got no worries that he'll be on the same lines of thinking.

Our form should now see a big upturn with the return of Smalling, Bailly, and Mkhitaryan to the squad, along with a fresh Martial who has been rested for the last two games. I've honestly got little to no worries about us in the league, as long as we keep up our cup form and our squad continues to gel as they have been, we could see the Mickey Mouse treble as well as a top 4 finish. It's not the league title many of us were hoping for, but as a consolation prize, I'm more than happy with it.

 

[Jippy]

It's forum people. You get a large cross section. Views will peak and trough like you wouldn't believe.

2 weeks ago, top 4 was "Impossible" to some. Now it's suddenly "a given" for others.

Some of us who are a leetle less knee jerk, realise we need to overtake 2 of 5 strong teams above us.
Because Arsenal have lost 2 in a row, they're suddenly the ones we're "definitely" going to overtake, despite them never failing to make the top 4 under Wenger, despite the fact that their defeats were 2 tough aways, and despite the fact they've been in really good form generally.

Really don't know how it'll go. One thing's for certain, we need to get 6 points and re-assert that we can win back to back home league games first! Are Sunderland and Boro any worse collectively than Burnley and Stoke (at the time we played them)? Probably not, so it's not a given.

This, plus it looks like we are going be saddled with an effective one point handicap for the rest of the season because of our crap goal difference.

 

[charlenefan]

This seems a bit odd as this thread seems to be full of Utd fans getting very excited about having a chance of making the top 4, a race we are also in.

Weird that many of you are getting so excited at the prospect of failing by making the top 4.

It's not that hard to understand is it?

Finishing 4th by no means reflects a good season for a club who's so used to challenging for 1st

Finishing 4th though obviously offers more of a reward than 5th or 6th and given it's an attainable reward people are going to see it as a focus

 

[GlastonSpur]

No but the two games at Old Trafford have shown we were far ahead of both of you

Football doesn't work like that, just as your 3 - 0 thrashing at WHL didn't prove anything much. It's the league table in May that showed (and will show) the better team.

 

[Sandikan]

This, plus it looks like we are going be saddled with an effective one point handicap for the rest of the season because of our crap goal difference.

Unless we can start putting away a much higher percentage of chances.
For now, we'll just have to be pleased we're managing to actually push through wins. For a while I thought we were on for a record year for draws!

 

[GlastonSpur]

Yeah there's only the runaway league leaders in that.
Wow, shows what 2 wins in a row can do for you eh

We got 5 points from those 3 fixtures last season (when we finished 3rd) - I expect us to get at least 6 this time around.

 

[Ban]

Table looks so much better now and given we're gonna fight Arsenal and Spurs for 4th I feel even better.
If only Liverpool falls into that battle soon. Everton should do their part tomorrow, thing is, unfortunately, they always play crap vs their arch rivals.

 

[BlueCelery]

A draw will be an acceptable result for Chelsea at shite hart lane.

I doubt anyone reasonably expects Chelsea to hammer spurs these days.

Wouldn't be surprised if we beat them. They'll be forced to attack at home.

 

[AshfordLad]

Wouldn't be surprised if we beat them. They'll be forced to attack at home.

If we do it would likely be a narrow win. No way we hammer them at home while we seem to be running out of steam the last few weeks.

 

[ti vu]

If we do it would likely be a narrow win. No way we hammer them at home while we seem to be running out of steam the last few weeks.

Or more likely BlueCelery said, the last few weeks the other teams didn't want to go all out to attack Chelsea and let Chelsea does what they do best: counter attacking.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

If you guys started scoring more goals i think you would be favourites to finish second.

 

[BringNaniBack]

Of course the league table always lies ... as it did last season I suppose.

Nope it doesn't lie, it shows we had a poor start to the season. It doesn't show we are getting better every week and that Arsenal and Spurs are stuttering and will continue to do so for the rest of the season while we overtake them.

 

[Kentonio]

If we do it would likely be a narrow win. No way we hammer them at home while we seem to be running out of steam the last few weeks.

I'm not sure when winning by 1 goal instead of 4 or 5 counted as 'running out of steam'. Is it really realistic to expect us to be going goal crazy every week? I'd be more worried by that to be honest, as it'd probably leave us fecked for the second half of the season.

 

[Kraftwerker]

After Chelsea we look the most balanced side in the league. The spine of our team in particular is looking top class.

City and Liverpool are half teams really, whilst Spurs are just dull-as-dishwater grinders. Arsenal appeared more balanced this season but are starting to stutter.

4th place should be the minimum of our ambition.

 

[Klopper76]

After Chelsea we look the most balanced side in the league. The spine of our team in particular is looking top class.

City and Liverpool are half teams really, whilst Spurs are just dull-as-dishwater grinders. Arsenal appeared more balanced this season but are starting to stutter.

4th place should be the minimum of our ambition.

You need to start putting some more goals past teams. You're playing catch up on goal difference which might count for something at the end of the season. You do look a lot better than you did now that Carrick is in there bringing balance to the midfield.

I feel like someone unexpected is going to miss out. Could this be the year Wenger fails to deliver the minimum expectation?

 

[GlastonSpur]

Nope it doesn't lie, it shows we had a poor start to the season. It doesn't show we are getting better every week and that Arsenal and Spurs are stuttering and will continue to do so for the rest of the season while we overtake them.

Spurs are stuttering but United aren't?

In the last 6 matches - including two tough away games against Chelski and United - we have gained exactly the same number of points as United - 12 points - but with a better GD.

Here's another thing the league table doesn't show: United have had an easier fixture list compared to Spurs so far, yet you are still behind us.

 

[Kraftwerker]

You need to start putting some more goals past teams. You're playing catch up on goal difference which might count for something at the end of the season. You do look a lot better than you did now that Carrick is in there bringing balance to the midfield.

I feel like someone unexpected is going to miss out. Could this be the year Wenger fails to deliver the minimum expectation?

Keep winning and goal difference will either take care of itself or becomes irrelevant. We have an opportunity to rack up convincing wins in next two fixtures but I'm convinced teams above us will continue to drop points this month so a couple of 1-0 wins will suffice to turn the screw a little more.

It's not like the team is scraping wins either. Most opponents should've been convincingly beaten over the last couple of months including the two we faced who are above us in the league.

 

[CG1010]

Spurs are stuttering but United aren't?

In the last 6 matches - including two tough away games against Chelski and United - we have gained exactly the same number of points as United - 12 points - but with a better GD.

Here's another thing the league table doesn't show: United have had an easier fixture list compared to Spurs so far, yet you are still behind us.

What do you mean by the bolded? On week 18, United play Sunderland at home and Spurs play Southampton away. After this, both teams would have played 9 home games at the half-way mark and presumably played every other team once.

 

[BringNaniBack]

Spurs are stuttering but United aren't?

In the last 6 matches - including two tough away games against Chelski and United - we have gained exactly the same number of points as United - 12 points - but with a better GD.

Here's another thing the league table doesn't show: United have had an easier fixture list compared to Spurs so far, yet you are still behind us.

Do you honestly beleive Spurs will finish above United? I could hardly be more confident of United finishing above you. Come back to me at the end of the season.

 

[m1y2]

Spurs is the team which finishes on the edge of 4th 5th place if a strong team out of top4 has a bad season, last year was an exceptionally poor year for United, City and Chelsea, you can't expect that this year too, Liverpool is also stronger this year but they are not really balanced team and that's why they are not going to win the title, they will have ups and downs but they can make top 4 but will probably fight with spurs for the 4th 5th place, despite a good start.

Looks like Chelsea could win it this year, pep will drop easy points while Conte seems good coach to make his players concentrated in games against lesser opponents, we will see how he does against top 6 sides though... Arsenal I can see them actually dropping out of top4 this year, they are not better and other teams will do better like us, My bet is we finish third second, very tight with city while chelsea will snatch the win.

Long way to go but I am super confident we make the top 4 this year, never felt any pesimistic during the season, we are playing good football and were really unlucky to lose some 6 points in total, that six points more, we'd be second now, leaving arsenal even more behind..

 

[GlastonSpur]

Do you honestly beleive Spurs will finish above United? I could hardly be more confident of United finishing above you. Come back to me at the end of the season.

lol .... you make it sound as if twice in the last 3 years never happened. Yes is the answer to your question.

 

[Kraftwerker]

lol .... you make it sound as if twice in the last 3 years never happened. Yes is the answer to your question.

Using a season where Moyes was our manager (what feels like a lifetime ago) as evidence of anything this season is mental.

Spurs have also quite clearly regressed on last season where you only just finished ahead of an LvG side which has had significant summer surgery.

Right now the sides are moving in two different directions relative to previous seasons.

 

[GlastonSpur]

What do you mean by the bolded? On week 18, United play Sunderland at home and Spurs play Southampton away. After this, both teams would have played 9 home games at the half-way mark and presumably played every other team once.

If you compare the away fixtures of both clubs so far United have had it easier.

 

[BringNaniBack]

lol .... you make it sound as if twice in the last 3 years never happened. Yes is the answer to your question.

Finishing above us twice in 3 years means very little considering we didn't have the likes of Zlatan, Pogba, Mhki and Bailly. Plus a manager who has an unbelievable record.

I'd have a bet with you but I doubt you'd be confident enough to risk your money. Good luck.

 

[ti vu]

Using a season where Moyes was our manager (what feels like a lifetime ago) as evidence of anything this season is mental.

Spurs have also quite clearly regressed on last season where you only just finished ahead of an LvG side which has had significant summer surgery.

Right now the sides are moving in two different directions relative to previous seasons.

Finishing above us twice in 3 years means very little considering we didn't have the likes of Zlatan, Pogba, Mhki and Bailly. Plus a manager who has an unbelievable record.

I'd have a bet with you but I doubt you'd be confident enough to risk your money. Good luck.

You two don't know about "trend"...

 

[cyberman]

Spurs are too one paced and their midfield creativity will let them down.
We haven't looked in danger of losing a game since Chelsea away, the scary thing this I think there's more to come from this side

 

[GlastonSpur]

Using a season where Moyes was our manager (what feels like a lifetime ago) as evidence of anything this season is mental.

Spurs have also quite clearly regressed on last season where you only just finished ahead of an LvG side which has had significant summer surgery.

Right now the sides are moving in two different directions relative to previous seasons.

Which translates as: had a bucket load of money spent on it ... just like the season before and just like this season. This is a remarkable excuse: we didn't do well because we spent zillions on new players.

It is certainly not "clear" that United are improving relative to Spurs ... certainly the league table doesn't show that.

Nor is it "clear" that Spurs have regressed: we have more points at this stage of the season (week 17) than we did last time ... and what's more the improvement in points is more than that showed by United.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Finishing above us twice in 3 years means very little considering we didn't have the likes of Zlatan, Pogba, Mhki and Bailly. Plus a manager who has an unbelievable record.

I'd have a bet with you but I doubt you'd be confident enough to risk your money. Good luck.

I already made have a bet, so your doubt - like your confidence - is misplaced.

 

[AshfordLad]

I'm not sure when winning by 1 goal instead of 4 or 5 counted as 'running out of steam'. Is it really realistic to expect us to be going goal crazy every week? I'd be more worried by that to be honest, as it'd probably leave us fecked for the second half of the season.

The performance against Palace in the first half was so ordinary and same goes for the second half at West Brom. We were not particularly impressive against boro either given dippers spanked them 3-0 just days later while we had a laboured 1-0 win.

 

[bond19821982]

For Glaston's convenience, he took last 3 years. Why not take last 2 year or 4 years ?

 

[ti vu]

For Glaston's convenience, he took last 3 years. Why not take last 2 year or 4 years ?

Trend...

The performance against Palace in the first half was so ordinary and same goes for the second half at West Brom. We were not particularly impressive against boro either given dippers spanked them 3-0 just days later while we had a laboured 1-0 win.

Performance in an individual game is overrated. Your team kept a clean sheet streak and looked secured with defenders like Cahill, David Luiz, Alonso, Moses (if counted as defender) which not widely rated. That's what is really impressive feat/ performance. Trying to break that Chelsea defense and on the counter attack they have Costa , Hazard and co to really punish the space left behind. So looking at games vs lesser teams are not the whole picture of overall performance.

 

[NK86]

Why didn't they hammer them three weeks ago at Stamford Bridge then? Spurs even had Rose and Alderweireld missing from the back four.

Because not every game is the same. You lot have been piss poor at the back and Costa along with Hazard will have a ball waltzing through it.

 

[Antisocial]

Will be 4 points behind you after Everton wins tomorrow

Good one, Everton winning a Merseyside derby

Just goes to show how much we wasted in that run of draws - three wins on the spin and we're still in 6th, three points behind Spurs, four behind Arsenal, six behind City, seven behind Liverpool, with Chelsea obviously out of sight. The best thing to say is that the gap isn't any wider than that, but United simply can't let-up, there's still damage to put right - the wins are only slowly bringing us back into contention.

My confidence is slowly growing, but there's still a long way to go for us.

 

[Member 58925]

City and Arsenal are complete shite at this point.We've looked miles better than both in some of our dumbfounding draws at home. (including one against Arsenal) Neither has finished out of the top 4 in years but this is also the worst I've seen City look in a while and I'm not count the second half of last season. Mancini's title winning team would beat the breaks off this City team.

 

[itso 7]

lol .... you make it sound as if twice in the last 3 years never happened. Yes is the answer to your question.

And you make it sound as if football began just three years ago, the funny thing is that in those three years we still won more than your sorry ass club.

 

[Rafateria]

Let's just hope you and City are the ones to miss out.

Obviously no advantage to Southampton, but definitely to Watford and Chelsea have been handed a significant advantage.

But it is what it is and we just have to get on with it.

Away at Saints, Watford (local derby and Watford will be well up for that) and Chelsea are three very tough matches to call. It could easily be 9 points or Nul Point. I'd guess somewhere in the middle though (WLD - not calling which is which).

 

[Rafateria]

I am very confident of top four.

We have played great football the last two months and have players like Mkhi, Pogba and Zlatan coming into their best form.

Martial, Rashford and Shaw can only play better as well.

Massive, massive, over exaggeration. Are you one of the 'excited ones' a poster referred to in this thread ?