Top 4 race 2016/17
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
Well, Arsenal and Spurs could say a similar thing in the league, but on another day we could have won both games 3-0. So I do think we have it in us to comfortably beat a big side at Old Trafford this season if we're at 100% and the other team are below their best - as is often the case at Old Trafford (compare Spurs performance yesterday to against United for example) Saying that, I don't expect Liverpool to pull an Arsenal and play like tards for 89 minutes, as their record is very good against the top 5 this season.
At the half-way stage of the season (OK we're just past that now) the fact that every club has played every other club once is of secondary importance to looking at which of those fixtures have been home or away.
For example, of the 9 away games Spurs have played - only 1 has been against a current bottom 6 team (Boro) and only 3 have been against teams in the current bottom half of the table (Boro, Watford and Stoke). To put this another way, 6 of our 9 away games have been against top half teams.
Well I'm talking about every team not just Spurs. 5 of Utd's away games have been against teams in the top half also. The difference is a pretty poor Southampton team who are much closer to the relegation zone than top 6. Your advantage isn't quite what you think it is. You're only looking at it one way also. You've had more of your home bankers than anyone else too.
Playing the bottom 6 away late in the season isn't something to look forward to though.
Exactly. If there's a bad time to play them it's late in the season.
Our form since the Chelsea debacle has been pleasing, if we look at the run of games since, it's fair to say we've dominated every game:
Burnley (0-0)
Swansea (3-0)
Arsenal (1-1)
West Ham (1-1)
Everton (1-1)
Spurs (1-0)
Palace (2-1)
WBA (2-0)
Sunderland (3-1)
Boro (2-1)
WHU (2-0)
Played: 11
Won: 7
Drawn: 4
Lost: 0
GF: 18
GA: 6
Points: 25
Within that run is Arsenal and Spurs as well as an away game to Everton and away to a WBA team who have done well this season.
It's not an exaggeration to say we could and maybe should have won all of those games.
Burnley (0-0)
Swansea (3-0)
Arsenal (1-1)
West Ham (1-1)
Everton (1-1)
Spurs (1-0)
Palace (2-1)
WBA (2-0)
Sunderland (3-1)
Boro (2-1)
WHU (2-0)
Played: 11
Won: 7
Drawn: 4
Lost: 0
GF: 18
GA: 6
Points: 25
Within that run is Arsenal and Spurs as well as an away game to Everton and away to a WBA team who have done well this season.
It's not an exaggeration to say we could and maybe should have won all of those games.
It's better than playing top 6 teams away.
I agree with this. I don't see either manager throwing caution to the wind and going for it. Both teams will be more defensive than they have been of late. Both would naturally love a win but also see a draw as 'not losing ground' and trust to other results to see them reach their targets.
I can see Liverpool playing a similar way as against City (in which case in the team below bring in Can to Wijnaldum's position, Wijnaldum to Lallana's position and move Lallana to Sturridge's).
Not too concerned with giving up possession but equally capable of retaining it when won back and playing fast attacking football on the break. Mourinho may play slightly more adventurously than at Anfield, especially since United have more confidence and form going into this match, however neither manager is going to underestimate the strength of their opposition.
No more than a goal between them at the end though I strongly fancy a draw (0-0 or 1-1), all things considered. And I'd be happy enough, though not ecstatic, with that.
................... Mignolet
Clyne ..... Matip ..... Lovren .... Milner
............ Henderson
................................. Wijnaldum
.......................Lallana
Sturridge........ Firmino ....... Coutinho
(Origi for Studge if Klopp wants to play it more conservatively)
If level or ahead then Can will come on late 2nd half to strengthen midfield. Origi/Sturridge both to see match-time later on, especially if chasing the game.
I think Utd will go for the win quite aggressively.
They are at home, have the momentum of results going into the game and they are still looking to eat into a 5 point deficit. A draw could feasibly mean that even after the run they are on being 5 points away from top 4 and I think they will want to be closer. A Utd win would mean 2-6 having virtually nothing between them and will create pressure, I think Utd will be quite offensive in this game.
I think it could be a cracker for us neutrals.
Will coutinho play? Isnt he injured? Sturridge also went off with a knock,i wouldnt care if it was any other player, but simple knocks to sturridge may mean out for 2 months or shit like that.
Its always better to forget form going into a game against Liverpool.
That said, i am very confident of a result and a performance here, as i rate our current team very highly. We have dominated all our games over the past two months or so, and i expect the same here, not because of current form, but more because of the players we have and the manager.
I just hope Mikhi and Martial start.
That said, i am very confident of a result and a performance here, as i rate our current team very highly. We have dominated all our games over the past two months or so, and i expect the same here, not because of current form, but more because of the players we have and the manager.
I just hope Mikhi and Martial start.
Doesn't all of the top 6 have a good recent run of form that looks like this though?
Yeah most likely, everyone has gone on a run like this, United are just in the middle of it and have to hope we can continue it.
Liverpool's defence struggled against Sunderland when pressed high. I don't know if you have the players to do it.
If we win next 5 league games, Top 4 is definitely on because many top 6 teams are playing each other during next 5 games.
The table below is with my pessimistic prediction
The table below is with my pessimistic prediction
My prediction: chelsea 61, city 57, liverpool 56, united 54, arsenal 53, spurs 51
You've got us losing one- Stoke, Leicester or pool?If we win next 5 league games, Top 4 is definitely on because many top 6 teams are playing each other during next 5 games.
The table below is with my pessimistic prediction
I fear for the Liecester Away game. If results go our way and rivals loose points, we can even be 2nd after next 5 games. But you never know, all unbeaten runs have an end.
I struggle to look that far ahead tbh. Just want to get through Sunday first. I think a lot on here are underestimating Liverpool.
Agree the Leicester one is a tough call. You never know if they'll turn up or not.
Please can we practice finishing though! Double shifts on it.
I don't think they do. The rest are all in good form but not losing is important mentally imo. I know that run wasn't the toughest and I do expect you guys to start dropping points when you hit the big teams again but not losing games creates an air of invincibility and I think if you guys avoid defeat v Liverpool you are likely to extend your unbeaten run to 23 games in all comps before you come to the Etihad and even with us winning all our games pre-derby I wouldn't like to face a United team on the back of 23 unbeaten which is a real possibility. Imo if you get past Liverpool only Leicester away is a threat and they are such a hit and miss team they'll either push ye to the limit or bend over.
This is what i have been thinking as well. I am still quite fearful that our good run might end this sunday. But if we play to our strengths and Liverpool play like how they have played recently, we can get the win and move on. But it's going to be quite difficult. The forum is looking way too optimistic and just brushing aside Liverpool as some 2nd grade team. They have scored 17 more goals than United and have played a bit better overall as well since United started well and wobbled in between.
Seems it's a crime to be confident of a win on here.
Being nervous doesn't make anybody more pragmatic, it just makes you nervous.
Being nervous doesn't make anybody more pragmatic, it just makes you nervous.
Prediction Time - Guess we think pretty much the same.If we win next 5 league games, Top 4 is definitely on because many top 6 teams are playing each other during next 5 games.
The table below is with my pessimistic prediction
Chelsea D, W, L, W, W - Total 59.
Liverpool L, W, W, W, D - Total 54
Spurs W, L, W, W, D - Total 52
Man City D, W, W, W, W - Total 55
Arsenal D, W, W, L, W - Total 51
Man Unt W, W, W, D, W - Total 52
Need nerves. Them's what makes you win.
We're not playing though
You going to the theatre instead?
My lack of nerves will have the same impact on United's performances wherever I am. None.
I don't know about that. Against Hull, the fans expected a result. The atmosphere was flat. There's a connection, I believe.
Shrug.
Agreed. They'll have Coutinho back too probably. Do think we'll surely click at some point though and start to batter a few teams.
I actually agree with cyberman for a change, and probably last time. Liverpool have lost their fast flowing football over at least the last 5 games, even the win against City was defensive in nature. I was hoping that would change yesterday but looks like it will take longer, or maybe not at all this season. More Utd fans should be visibly confident.
The Derby is likely to be pushed back now that we're looking likely to reach the cup final.
Not sure when it will be moved to and what our run would be like at that point. A draw against Liverpool isn't the worst result but I wouldn't be happy with it at this stage of the season tbh. Taking into factors such as our form, Liverpool's form/injuries over the past couple of weeks and the fact we're playing catch up because of a poor Sep/Oct/Nov.
yeah, 5 games a go people were saying Arsenal for the league now they're saying they'll not make top 4, same with City, they were going to walk the league then they wouldn't make top 4.
Every team hits a bad run, just depends on where in the season it is and how other teams do while you're on that run of games, at the moment things are far too tight to call on who will and won't make the top 4 or IMO who will win the league, I honestly believe if Costa gets crocked then Chelsea are screwed, not one of the top 6 are nailed onto a top 4 place yet. Only 8 points between 1st and 5th.
It appears that Liverpool have hit a dip. Perhaps they're tired? Klopp has been acting very strangely (even a bit unhinged) and he has complained relentlessly about the fixture pile up but really every team is similarly affected. His squad lacks depth and that could be seen from the recent cup ties where tried to rest his first team players but had no real quality options unlike the other big teams. I actually believe that Liverpool are physically tired, Klopp's Gegen-pressing tactics are physically very exhausting.
Extremely optimistic for this game, I like our chances. I don't think we could have chosen a better time to play Liverpool.
I would like us to lay down a marker and not be content with a narrow victory. We should go all out to thrash them. To send a signal that UTD are a force to be reckoned with in the title race.
Extremely optimistic for this game, I like our chances. I don't think we could have chosen a better time to play Liverpool.
I would like us to lay down a marker and not be content with a narrow victory. We should go all out to thrash them. To send a signal that UTD are a force to be reckoned with in the title race.
Very much like reading your posts then.
Of course he is complaining, as he knows his team can only play once per week. In fact now Liverpool have looked rusty since the start of the year.
I was one of the ones who doubted United's ability to come back but fair-do's. Your defending is improving game after game and your strikers are firing. If you guys get a young striker, or say Griezmann then I'd back United for Top 4 easily. Even then, you're right in it. The Liverpool game should show as well where you're at.
Do you think Klopp doesn't know he has a tiny squad?Seriously, what on earth are you talking about?
Does anyone know how Klopp teams tend to react after a poor defeat? Does he tend to get an immediate reaction?