Race for the Top 4 - 2018/19

[djee]

I was hoping to be relaxed going into the final game but that is looking less likely now.

Form and fatigue is the worry. West Ham were so open today and we didn't have the energy or quality to punish them. I think there was a case of some players thinking about Tuesday but that doesn't explain Son's performance. He's either knackered or injured. We are so reliant on him with Kane out.

Huge day tomorrow. Can we be bailed out by poor results elsewhere again?

Yes we can be totally bailed out by a LCFC and /or Utd win. Victories for AFC and CFC would be a nightmare.

 

[scat1620]

I think we'll still do it. I don't see Arsenal winning all of their 3 remaining games and forcing us to get 6 points out of Bournemouth and Everton, and I think we should have just about enough in the tank to pick up 4 points from our remaining league games.

However, it would be very nice if Leicester can hold Arsenal to a draw (or beat them) tomorrow and get some nice early confirmation on my prediction that Arsenal won't pick up the 9 points.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Yes we can be totally bailed out by a LCFC and /or Utd win. Victories for AFC and CFC would be a nightmare.

Thanks. I knew that. Hopefully it happens.

The context of the last line was meant to be more like 'we've been helped out so much already, can we hope to get more?'

 

[ajspurs]

I was hoping to be relaxed going into the final game but that is looking less likely now.

Form and fatigue is the worry. West Ham were so open today and we didn't have the energy or quality to punish them. I think there was a case of some players thinking about Tuesday but that doesn't explain Son's performance. He's either knackered or injured. We are so reliant on him with Kane out.

Huge day tomorrow. Can we be bailed out by poor results elsewhere again?

This is my main worry too. I just feel as a team right now, we're too reliant on individual pieces of brilliance also, as opposed to playing with a nice fluidity and creativity. Desperately need at least one of Sissoko or Winks back, especially to allow some of the forward players to primarily focus on the football further down the pitch.

 

[Jimmypearce7]

I’m usually optimistic but we won’t make it now. The other teams won’t continue to fail and we’ve run out of steam with all our injuries.

 

[Monkey boy]

This is my main worry too. I just feel as a team right now, we're too reliant on individual pieces of brilliance also, as opposed to playing with a nice fluidity and creativity. Desperately need at least one of Sissoko or Winks back, especially to allow some of the forward players to primarily focus on the football further down the pitch.

The last three games the fluidity in our attack has been non existent. It’s got to the point where just like last season I can’t wait for the season to end. I’m just about drained of it all. That being said imagine the 3 week wait for a champions league final

 

[malin]

This is my main worry too. I just feel as a team right now, we're too reliant on individual pieces of brilliance also, as opposed to playing with a nice fluidity and creativity. Desperately need at least one of Sissoko or Winks back, especially to allow some of the forward players to primarily focus on the football further down the pitch.

I think the problem today was the lack of composure in front of goal in the first half. We had a few excellent chances and should have been in front at the break, which would made the second half easier to manage.

 

[VancouverSpur]

I’m usually optimistic but we won’t make it now. The other teams won’t continue to fail and we’ve run out of steam with all our injuries.

Honestly think it depends who comes back from injury between now and the end of the season. Sissoko and Winks could come back and that might make the difference.

 

[SpartanSpur]

This is my main worry too. I just feel as a team right now, we're too reliant on individual pieces of brilliance also, as opposed to playing with a nice fluidity and creativity. Desperately need at least one of Sissoko or Winks back, especially to allow some of the forward players to primarily focus on the football further down the pitch.

A bit of quality from our attackers today at 0-0 would have won it, but they were all so far off it. Big concern.

 

[thebenjamin]

Our inability to score first half goals has underpinned everything that's been wrong about us this season.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Weve lost the same amount of games as Wolves wow

 

[ajspurs]

The last three games the fluidity in our attack has been non existent. It’s got to the point where just like last season I can’t wait for the season to end. I’m just about drained of it all. That being said imagine the 3 week wait for a champions league final

Yeah it really has. I remember when we used to have Eriksen, Dele and Son behind Kane and the link up play between them was so good. Even with Kane in the fold, it would obviously be better but something is still missing.
So much of the time it's like we just don't know how to attack and the only way of finding something seems to be to play to Eriksen and have him look for one of those lofted balls over the top of their back line.

I think the problem today was the lack of composure in front of goal in the first half. We had a few excellent chances and should have been in front at the break, which would made the second half easier to manage.

A bit of quality from our attackers today at 0-0 would have won it, but they were all so far off it. Big concern.

That is true, that's also why I don't think it was a case of West Ham wanting it way more or anything like that because we could have been a couple of goals up at HT with more quality. It's not like they blew us off the pitch with their fight and desire.

 

[shelfboy68]

Weve lost the same amount of games as Wolves wow

Laughable that we are still in contention for top four because that record is mid table stuff

 

[Marty]

Weve lost the same amount of games as Wolves wow

But we don't draw. We've lost as many games as Chelsea did in their disaster season when they finished 10th and Leicester won the title, but we've only drawn once and Chelsea drew 14.

Turning the tight games into wins is what has kept us ahead, simple as that. It speaks volumes of the squad's mentality, which makes performances like today even more baffling.

 

[worcestersauce]

Weve lost the same amount of games as Wolves wow

We've won more than everybody else except City and Liverpool.

 

[bomberH]

I’m gutted we lost but I’m not overly bothered. We’ll still remain third after this set of games and we’re now officially underdogs for Tuesday - expectations are completely lowered, which is a good thing for us as that’s when we’re at our best. Midweek CL semi final game will be a million more times atmospheric than a morning game against our pretend rivals so hopefully we’ll be right up for it, with a bit of luck with injuries too - hopefully Sissoko, Winks or Vertonghen will be back.

Last week’s set of results for the others in the top 6 meant we could afford to lose this game. A draw between Utd and Chelsea would be nice, or a Utd win. Can’t see Arsenal getting 3 points away at Leicester either but even if they did it’s all still in our hands. The only shit thing will be playing Everton on the final Sunday if we need a win to guarantee top 4. The nerves would be awful.

 

[shelfboy68]

We've won more than everybody else except City and Liverpool.

Who are both about 20 points in front of us

 

[worcestersauce]

Who are both about 20 points in front of us

And even further in front of Wolves so we just have to work on those losses and the world's our oyster.

 

[fortworthspur]

whatever 538 is, does it factor in injuries and squad exhaustion or just expected results in a perfect world?

dont know their algorithm.

 

[longtimespur]

Can we rename this thread to ...…. The crawl for the top 4.
Hope we can manage to get out of first gear