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The race for the title

TheVoiceofReason

Well-Known Member
Feb 5, 2005
6,320
15,685
There's absolutely loads of games to go.

We beat Chelsea two weeks ago, the title race is more 'on' than it was two weeks ago. Let's not forget also, we are one point closer to them today (I know, I know, it's hull).

But it's weird how any games before Christmas are seen as 'early games' that don't really matter too much, but then three games into the new year and every game is life or death.

I get how mathematics work, and statistically our chances of gaining ground depreciate after every game, but say Chelsea lose tomorrow, or even next week- it will be on again.
 

Adam456

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2005
4,453
3,117
In all likelihood it will be 9 points tmrw but they are almost certainly going to drop points against 1 or both of Arse and Liv

There will be opportunities but whether we can take them and be 9 points better is unknown. When they get to the last few games they can start to play defensively and just try to get the lastfew ppoints by not losing so you need to do the catching by April
 

StartingPrice

Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
Feb 13, 2004
32,568
10,280
Chelea have Liverpool and Arsenal next, lets see where we are after that before declaring them champions. Today was our most difficult remaining game (on paper at least) and I fancy us to finally take 3 points at Anfield.

Quite.

I said before the Chelsea game, if we could beat them, then whoever gains and loses from the next run of games will be massive. We haven't finished that run of games yet. And we don't know if we will have accumulated more or less points from them...nor will we after Chelsea/Hull. And therefore, we do not know yet if today was a point gained or two dropped (though, on general considerations, I would see it as a point gained).

What we do know is that after today, we have only one more game against a top six team - and they are probably the weakest overall, and only being classed on the same level because they have no European commitments. After that, our only two remaining games against top six sides are both at the Lane.

Chelsea are still clear favourites. And we aren't their only potential challengers. But I still think overall, as an away team as well as home, in terms of team balance, in terms of fight and durability, we are as good as any of the challengers. So it all comes down to if Chelsea drop points, and if we (or anyone else) can take advantage of it if they do.

The one thing I think really going against us is that we have no more head-to-heads with the Chavs - winning a six pointer at this stage could make all the difference.
 

millsey

Official SC Numpty
Dec 8, 2005
8,735
11,504
In all likelihood it will be 9 points tmrw but they are almost certainly going to drop points against 1 or both of Arse and Liv

There will be opportunities but whether we can take them and be 9 points better is unknown. When they get to the last few games they can start to play defensively and just try to get the lastfew ppoints by not losing so you need to do the catching by April
How are they almost certain to lose points to Arsenal and Liverpool? I don't get it. They are better than both those teams
 

StartingPrice

Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
Feb 13, 2004
32,568
10,280
7 points was the margin with Leicester for most of this timeframe in the season and Chelsea's team squad is far superior than theirs.... Incidentally when people say we messed it up last season it always winds me up as it's factually inaccurate, as Leicester never gave us an opening to mess it up. Leicester never dropped the requisite points to allow to top the table.

Yes, and our team is better and more experienced than the one that tried to chase Leicester down.
 

Saoirse

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
6,143
15,550
We're almost certainly not not catching Chelsea. Not because they're better than us. Not because we only drew at Man City. But because between fatigue, injuries, lack of form and being too slow to adapt our tactics, we won one game out of six following the second international break (and were extremely fortunate to win that against West Ham), dropping points against Leicester, Bournemouth and West Brom. We'll need Chelsea to have a similar run of total fuck-ups against mid-table or relegation-threatened opposition, but that doesn't seem likely - and we'd still need to avoid another similar run ourselves just to be back roughly level with them.
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
Quite.

I said before the Chelsea game, if we could beat them, then whoever gains and loses from the next run of games will be massive. We haven't finished that run of games yet. And we don't know if we will have accumulated more or less points from them...nor will we after Chelsea/Hull. And therefore, we do not know yet if today was a point gained or two dropped (though, on general considerations, I would see it as a point gained).

What we do know is that after today, we have only one more game against a top six team - and they are probably the weakest overall, and only being classed on the same level because they have no European commitments. After that, our only two remaining games against top six sides are both at the Lane.

Chelsea are still clear favourites. And we aren't their only potential challengers. But I still think overall, as an away team as well as home, in terms of team balance, in terms of fight and durability, we are as good as any of the challengers. So it all comes down to if Chelsea drop points, and if we (or anyone else) can take advantage of it if they do.

The one thing I think really going against us is that we have no more head-to-heads with the Chavs - winning a six pointer at this stage could make all the difference.

overall possibly, but when it comes to playing teams around them in the table they have the best head to head. if we play our normal line up, this game v Liverpool could be as tough as today. the only game we have lost this season in the league we deserved to lose was Man U away. 2 of our draws over the whole 90 mins if we had lost, I don't think we could really complain was Everton and Liverpool even if their penalty wasn't/shouldn't of been a penalty, their performance in the 1st half was as good as Man C today
 

Adam456

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2005
4,453
3,117
How are they almost certain to lose points to Arsenal and Liverpool? I don't get it. They are better than both those teams

Both teams know that their title ambitions are over if they lose and will have a point to prove. They've both already beaten Chelsea this season and will doubtless study our victory closely and so, IMO, one of the two will at least get a draw.
 

UpTownSpur

Says it like it is
Dec 31, 2014
2,266
4,362
Both teams know that their title ambitions are over if they lose and will have a point to prove. They've both already beaten Chelsea this season and will doubtless study our victory closely and so, IMO, one of the two will at least get a draw.

With those two games coming up there's massive pressure on Chelsea to get a result tomorrow against a Hull team inspired by both a new manager and being the UK City of Culture for 2017. That title has got to be worth a goal a game for them.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
Let's see if our B-team can do us a favour.
They lost Livermore and a few players to the ACN and havent bought in anyone worth much of anything. Snodgrass has been the subject of a few bids so he might have had his head turned. There is next to no chance they get anything out of tomorrow
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
We're almost certainly not not catching Chelsea. Not because they're better than us. Not because we only drew at Man City. But because between fatigue, injuries, lack of form and being too slow to adapt our tactics, we won one game out of six following the second international break (and were extremely fortunate to win that against West Ham), dropping points against Leicester, Bournemouth and West Brom. We'll need Chelsea to have a similar run of total fuck-ups against mid-table or relegation-threatened opposition, but that doesn't seem likely - and we'd still need to avoid another similar run ourselves just to be back roughly level with them.

True, been said many times, we had Kane and Toby out during that rough patch hence us looking weaker and dropping points so if we avoid that I think we can still push. I'm not subscribing to the notion that the league is over, way too many games to go.
 
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Paq

Well-Known Member
May 12, 2008
360
437
Yesterday was a result of Champions. Sir Alex would've been proud of that (the result not the performance).

We've shown we can steamroller teams, put in solid, professional performances, and be lucky and resilient when we need to be. Let's also not forget that for all Man City's nice play, they could't score. We handed them their goals.

9pts (as it'll likely be after Chelsea play Hull) is a huge swing and I don't know that the precedent is for that to happen but I maintain we'll finish first or second. Put money on it.
 
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