The race for 86 points

[90291Spur]

Too soon?

Given that we face the possibility of the treat of another roll of the dice in the El and are currently 4 points of 4th place with those above us (Cheat$ki, Dippers, Emirates Marketing Project and L'Arse) looking strong I'm wondering what your thoughts are on getting back in to the CL.

There is a possibility that by the time the EL rolls around - if we can manage a draw at Wemberly against CSKA - that it might be our best route back. I hope it isn't, but unless our form improves and one of those scumbag outfits above us hits a sticky patch then winning the 4th place trophy could be a very tough ask.

 

[Kandi1977]

How many threads over the same theme do we need?

 

[90291Spur]

How many threads over the same theme do we need?

Huge apologies for missing the plethora of threads that discuss the race for 4th place. I assumed that as we have had one for the past several years we might have one again. Again, so sorry.

 

[Pandy]

We will certainly put up a fight for 4th, and maybe the title.

We have a nice run of games now (even Old Trafford doesn't look especially menacing at present), and there are a few upcoming fixtures where our rivals play each other, so a winning run is guaranteed to put us back in contention by Xmas.

We all know that we can play a lot better than this with a bit of consistency in the team selection. That hasn't been helped by injuries and CL, both of which will (hopefully, in the case of the former), be coming to an end shortly. Chelsea and Liverpool won't keep this up, Man U will put some wins together, Man C will probably go on another run, Arsenal are Arsenal.

None of that means we will come above or below any of those teams, but the race is certainly not over yet.

 

[Modric THFC]

Why label it?
It's the Fight to finish as high as possible. Same as every year.
Finishing 4th isn't the aim.

 

[Kandi1977]

Why label it?
It's the Fight to finish as high as possible. Same as every year.
Finishing 4th isn't the aim.

For Arsenal it is. They disappointed themselves last season.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Oh no, not this so early again....

 

[metalgear]

Thought there was talk about a 5th place for English clubs?

Sent from my SM-T819Y using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app

 

[a spur from swansea]

Thought there was talk about a 5th place for English clubs?

Sent from my SM-T819Y using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app

There was more talk of us losing a place than gaining a place but because we pay a load of dosh in television rights uefa have sort of changed the points system now so english clubs won't lose a place for good few years now.

 

[braineclipse]

Fighting for a top 4 finish was my realistic aim for this season in the summer. We're currently clearly doing that being 4 points off 4th right now at our lowest point so far this season.

 

[iggyfog]

The guardian doesn't see us a title contenders....

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ers-chelsea-liverpool-manchester-city-arsenal

 

[SPURSBOY]

Getting back in the champs league for the next 2 years is imperative for when we are in the new stadium along with the naming rights and global brand will give us soo much more financial power when looking for signings for the first year in the new stadium. We have to get back in the champs league either through 4th or the Europa its soo important!

 

[Bedfordspurs]

The guardian doesn't see us a title contenders....

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ers-chelsea-liverpool-manchester-city-arsenal

Yet randomly the only one of those sides to actually look good against us were Liverpool who drew with a soft pen (it was a pen before anyone says so).

Chelsea for me last week looked blunt for a lot of the game despite the win and they were playing a weakened Spurs side at home

It ultimately comes down to points on the table but I think it's easier for them press to ignore who has played who and just count the games. We have a good run of games now with only Lamellla being out medium term (it looks that way)

 

[Modric THFC]

The guardian doesn't see us a title contenders....

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ers-chelsea-liverpool-manchester-city-arsenal

They said we'd finish 6th at the start of last season.

 

[SpurMeUp]

The guardian doesn't see us a title contenders....

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ers-chelsea-liverpool-manchester-city-arsenal

Exactly where we need to work from. Poch needs to keep the feeling that we have been written off. That we are underdogs who can fight to prove ourselves. Whenever we start to feel entitled we look bad. We're not a slick Barca, we are a young side that have to prove what they are worth.

If we go out of Europe, we have a decent shot at the title imo. Now's the time to get a bet on. I don't think we will surpass chel$ea who don't have European games. But it is possible. If they get key injuries they will drop points.

 

[90291Spur]

Exactly where we need to work from. Poch needs to keep the feeling that we have been written off. That we are underdogs who can fight to prove ourselves. Whenever we start to feel entitled we look bad. We're not a slick Barca, we are a young side that have to prove what they are worth.

If we go out of Europe, we have a decent shot at the title imo. Now's the time to get a bet on. I don't think we will surpass chel$ea who have European games. But it is possible. If they get key injuries they will drop points.

That's the spirit. Some optimism. Just because this young squad had one season where we over-achieved doesn't mean that there isn't still a ton of experience to be gained.

 

[DubaiSpur]

We won't win the title, so the Guardian's probably accurate.

73 points - that's what I want us to get. Sadly, I don't think it will guarantee CL football this season, but it would be a positive improvement over last season.

Alternatively, win the FA Cup/ Europa League, and I'll happily class the season as a success even if we finish one place above the relegation zone.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

We won't win the title, so the Guardian's probably accurate.

73 points - that's what I want us to get. Sadly, I don't think it will guarantee CL football this season, but it would be a positive improvement over last season.

Alternatively, win the FA Cup/ Europa League, and I'll happily class the season as a success even if we finish one place above the relegation zone.

See I look at our coming fixtures and the fact we will ah e the important players back bar Lamella and I see 19 points from the next 6 games. That puts us right back up there if we achieve that

I'd also add that all our key players have had a time on the sidelines so far so will be fresh in comparison to last season

It won't win us the league but I do think we have an opportunity to have build momentum again

 

[Kandi1977]

See I look at our coming fixtures and the fact we will ah e the important players back bar Lamella and I see 19 points from the next 6 games. That puts us right back up there if we achieve that

I'd also add that all our key players have had a time on the sidelines so far so will be fresh in comparison to last season

It won't win us the league but I do think we have an opportunity to have build momentum again

I'd be over the moon, and equally astounded if we pick up 19 points from 6 games. If we can continue to pick up points that way, we're in for a truly record breaking season. Ok, I'll stop now

 

[Rorschach]

See I look at our coming fixtures and the fact we will ah e the important players back bar Lamella and I see 19 points from the next 6 games. That puts us right back up there if we achieve that

I'd also add that all our key players have had a time on the sidelines so far so will be fresh in comparison to last season

It won't win us the league but I do think we have an opportunity to have build momentum again