This seasons tough spell: March and April

[sweyid]

We're in for a very tough March and April this season.

Our fixtures are as follows:

March:

2nd: Arsenal (H)

9th: Liverpool (A)

16th: Fulham (H)

30th: Swansea (A)

April:

6th: Everton (H)

13th: Chelsea (A)

20th: Man City (H)

What do you guys reckon, could we potentially be in for a crash-and-burn ending just like last season? Of course January could have a big impact on our spring half of the season if we actually strengthen our squad. With Scotty, Kaboul and BAE back in the squad and hopefully fit through March and April we will get some leadership, heart and added quality without spending money.

I see the Arsenal game on 2nd of March as the most important game of the season, not only for the rivalry part of it, but getting a good result there will hopefully see boost the teams moral and give us a good run of form ahead of two tough months with 6 tough fixtures one after the other. Last seasons loss to Arsenal saw us plunge into a very bad run of form and them hitting their stride.

On the upside we have a bit easier finish to the season with Wigan (A), Southhampton (H), Stoke (A) and Sunderland (H) as our last games. Hopefully Wigan will have secured their spot for next season by then so they don't really have that much to play for as they can be rather tricky.

 

[ravo]

Checked it the other day. It is seriously tough.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I'm that a combination of factors will see us pick up more points than we have during that period in the last 2 years.

These being:
-Currently injured players such as Kaboul, Parker, BAE and Ade not being burnt out after only playing a few games in the first part of the season.
-AVB's approach of taking a considered approach to each match and adjusting tactics accordingly meaning we are competitive against each opposition. In contrast to last year where unless are star players pulled something out the bag we looked tired and bereft of ideas.
-Purchasing of a creative midfielder and winger/wing forward in Jan to strengthen the squad for the the second half push.

 

[neptunes]

Checked it the other day. It is seriously tough.

.......it is seriously tough........looks like it but if there are no injuries I say it is manageable COYS

 

[ClintEastwould]

IMO we've already gone through our hardest period. Arsenal, City, United and Everton away plus chelsea and pool at home with a lot of our best players out for almost every game. We've got players coming back from injury and tobably some January investment so I am not too worried at the moment.

I think that could be the period we cement our top 4 place

 

[fatpiranha]

Might not be too bad actually. Many of those teams might have nothing to play for at that time of the season or may possibly also have other matches that are more important. I'd much rather play mid-table teams in March and April than ones battling relegation. Obviously the Arsenal game is crucial but after that we have a bunch of games against teams who are likely to be safe in mid table or at best battling for a Uefa cup spot followed by matches against Chelsea and Man City which are admittedly tough. I don't think we'll see a collapse of form like last season unless we have a bad run of injuries.

 

[sweyid]

IMO we've already gone through our hardest period. Arsenal, City, United and Everton away plus chelsea and pool at home with a lot of our best players out for almost every game. We've got players coming back from injury and tobably some January investment so I am not too worried at the moment.

I think that could be the period we cement our top 4 place

Hopefully that's exactly what we'll do, but we're facing two (possibly three if Man City slips) of our biggest rivals for the 4th spot (I reckon Everton won't last all the way, but if they can we're in for 3/4 games vs our rivals for 4th), so it will certainly not be easy. If we can nick points from Chelsea, Arsenal and City we will be in for a very good season ending, but we could well end up dropping points in all those fixtures.

 

[Real_madyidd]

Can't wait for that Arsenal game!

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

IMO we've already gone through our hardest period. Arsenal, City, United and Everton away plus chelsea and pool at home with a lot of our best players out for almost every game. We've got players coming back from injury and tobably some January investment so I am not too worried at the moment.

I think that could be the period we cement our top 4 place

We only took 3 points from possible 12 in this sequence of games. We can't afford to repeat this when we play them again, especially Arsenal and Everton, who will in and around us.

 

[tototoner]

Our games in Nov were a lot tougher

 

[AW?]

We've got a nice little run in the next few games though. I'm really optimistic and I think we could even create a bigger gap on 5th of the next few weeks.

 

[Riandor]

Too far ahead to know.
We could in theory not sign anyone of note in January and suffer injuries to key players in the run up to those games and struggle or vice versa.

Simply put, yes it looks tough on paper but we beat United Away and should have done better vs Chelsea, Arsenal and City, so who knows.

Right now it's the next couple of games that are most important. Can we keep our momentum and maybe put some distance between us and Arsenal or better, overhaul Chelsea?!

I will worry about March and April come Feb.

 

[MightyModric]

14 points is an achievable target

 

[Riandor]

14 points is an achievable target

21 is an achievable target!

 

[gregga]

We're in for a very tough March and April this season.

Our fixtures are as follows:

March:

2nd: Arsenal (H) Win

9th: Liverpool (A) Draw

16th: Fulham (H) Win

30th: Swansea (A) Win

April:

6th: Everton (H) Win

13th: Chelsea (A) Draw

20th: Man City (H) Draw

I wouldn't rule out a late season collapse again because our players clearly are still mentally weak.

However, the toughest games are at home and the above results are perfectly achievable (not that I am predicted we will achieve them).

Remember, toward the back end of 09/10 we had been written off for 4th as we had one of the toughest runs of the season. Those games proved to be the making of us and were one of our most glorious PL sequences. COYS!

 

[Harry_Snatch]

1 game at a time. The worst thing to do, especially with Spurs is to try and predict points totals.

The only thing I'll say about that period is that it's doubtful that it will stop us finishing 4th. The only reason we won't finish 4th is if the goons go mental in the Jnanuary window and we resign Saha and Nelsen.

 

[bugsdad]

On present form and given that we have cleared all injuries and god willing strengthened in January, then not at all worried about first five games.
Last two are more difficult,but truthfully would hope for 15+ points there and our challenge for 3rd to be reinforced. COYS

 

[JimmyG2]

Gregga.
I wouldn't rule out a late season collapse again because our players clearly are still mentally weak.

What does this even mean?
Sandro, Parker, Kaboul,Vertonghen, Dembele, Bale, all suffer from 'mental weakness' do they?
What is it, a sort of virus running through the club?

It was the manager that lost focus last year if anything and we still made top four.

 

[Donki]

All about momentum, if we go on a run and keep improving the way we have been the lads will be confident and so will I. Of course injuires will be important.

 

[Gedson100]

Tough April then! Scaredy cats...