rubberman

Watching back again I was amazed by how chill I now am with the passing around at the back, even under immense pressure at times. Thinking back to when Emery started out on this journey and I'd be having a little nervous breakdown every time (though TBH they are much better at it now). We've come on such a long way.

43 minutes ago, Tubby said:

Chelsea also play Man City and Arsenal before us.

Hopefully someone gives Cole Palmer a kick in one of those games. Chelsea are a 1 man team at the moment.

duplicate

19 minutes ago, jayEm said:

Spurs will improve again this season, I can see them reaching 70, Sheffield and Burnley is as close to a guaranteed 6 points as you can get. They could absolutely nick a win and a draw somewhere else. Three wins and a draw from Bournemouth, Brighton, Chelsea and Palace though is probably all we need.

Games at the end of the season always throw up anomalies. Sheffield may (though unlikely) play with freedom once relegated, Burnley might still have survival to play for. Not really any gimmes in this league.

I think 3 wins will be plenty enough for us. And I think we'll get them.

Just realised I'm at a do with my wife's gooner boss...starting at 4.30.

Will have to savage the free bar. 

Yes please! 3-0

Opta's latest view - much the same as above - has 57.8% chance of the extra place, but down from 82.5% before this week's round:

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/04/will-fifth-place-premier-league-qualify-champions-league/

Although FFS...

Quote

So, which two leagues will win the race? Is it time for Manchester United fans to start supporting Manchester City in European fixtures? And for Tottenham fans to start following Arsenal’s campaign on the continent?

Given that their own 'supercomputer' gives Man U a 3.5% chance of getting 5th that is really crap.

So now we need Arsenal to be terrible this weekend and then amazing again next week.

So key this game. Winning takes a bit of pressure of hte PL performance with the coefficient stuff. Much as I'd love 4th and a 'traditional' CL qualification place (Wenger's 4th place trophy), I've shifted to this actual trophy and 5th now. (whynotboth gif)

Could really do with an emphatic victory so the return leg is made irrelevant, though that will be tough. Unai cup magic plesae.

3 hours ago, markavfc40 said:

I think a loss for Utd tonight at Chelsea pretty much sees their slim hopes of catching us or Tottenham disappear. Fortunately Chelsea still have plenty to play for/incentive tonight as they are only 5 points off 7th with 3 games in hand and if they beat Utd they'd only be 5 points off them/6th with a game in hand. 

Yes, but unfortunately Chelsea are also terrible. Let's hope they have one of their good days.

Meh. Did pretty well, but not enough quality depth in the end. Hope they do the same to spurs. 

Need to keep the concentration up for the next 20mins then see if we can grab another. No silly mistakes though. 

Oh my. Let's hope there are some Unai tactical shenanigans on the way, cos that is not terribly inspiring. Anyway - cmon lads - make us eat our words 

Might ditch the match thread I think. 

I imagine for Kamara cover we'll go for a Lenglet-style loan and save the permanent pennies for elsewhere.

Need Diaby on it and Bailey at his rampaging best plus a bit of Duran mayhem. Nick something on an early break and get their fans panicking.

Could be anything from a heavy defeat to a tight win either way. Just hope we do ourselves proud and show why we are only a couple of points behind them.

Back in our own hands now. Point tomorrow would be amazing. 

Enjoyed Diaby and Bailey having fun together. Would like to see them shitting up a few more defenses. Good work, on we go. 

2 hours ago, Villa87 said:

but dear Spurs will too.

Always respectful to the opposition on here. 

Like it. Looks like a good balance. Good luck to the new boys. Exciting to see what Morgan can do from the start.

No injuries please.

Presumably this year is a pretty good one to qualify with the changes coming in. Everyone definitely gets 8 games, rather than 6, so more ££ in the new format? Playing a wider spread of opponents (8 x once instead of 3 x twice) should make it a bit easier to avoid being in the bottom part of the league. Maybe. 

14 hours ago, Pinebro said:

We have something to learn from Arsenal here.

At 2-0 we seem to switch off too many times. They just keep going and going.

Bit harsh mate. We were 4 nil up after 30 minutes against them only a few weeks ago.

Pretty sure we'll start with the strongest team available and sub on when (hopefully) settled. Unai will take this seriously.

2 hours ago, TRO said:

Mark....your reference is no surprise......of course the goal scoring records are significant.....I did actually say " its only one set of criteria".......

The reason I didn't mention the goal scoring is because IMO its very good.....I am specifically talking and focusing on where we can do better.

I would not think for one second, that Unai is sitting there with his feet up, wallowing in what he has done so far......He will be working on how we can avoid giving away avoidable goals....and just to be sure, I am not referring to well crafted goals from the opposition, we all concede them, even the top 3.

I am not commenting, in a manner to use a stick to beat us with.....far from it.....just pointing out area's we could do better.

We really have missed Mings for this side of things. I'd have expected him to cut out a signficant number of the set-piece goals.  He is just so good at blocking and clearing headers and we don't have that skillset in the replacements (however good they have been at times). Let's really pray he comes back as good as he was last season. With his defence and Pau's offensive contribution we would be challenging up at the top.

Wildcard factor is the potential/probable point deductions for Everton and Forest. That could put them right in the relegation mix with Burnley and Sheffield (lots of 6-pointers between those clubs in the last few weeks). Burnley and Sheffield might suddenly find they have an (unlikely) chance of survival by getting something from Spurs.