The 4th Place Race - Contender Watch

[Vermilion]

So assuming we don't get 4th, who would people rather did get it? Spurs, City or Villa ?

Well it could really open doors for City, make them more attractive as a club to big names, so not them.

Villa, because i think they are least likely to cement themselves into the top 4 position regularly.

City get it they'll spend more millions...more than they would have possibly had they not got 4th, and maybe on better players.

[Kenneth]

Well it could really open doors for City, make them more attractive as a club to big names, so not them.

I think the sheer amount of money they have will enable them to sign enough brilliant money grabbers to push on.

[Vermilion]

I think the sheer amount of money they have will enable them to sign enough brilliant money grabbers to push on.

Maybe, but will they get the top top names till they're in the champs league, ok maybe they won't need them to get 4th place next season if they miss out in may, but i'd still rather it be Villa, because i doubt their credentials to push on....and playing in the champs league next season will effect their Prem form imo.

It's difficult, i so hope we get it now.....it will shut so many pundits up who have said for certain we won't get it.

[Craig_H]

It'll be ding dong to the end of the season by the looks of it, the ones in front have the harder games but have good form, but, we are more than capable of putting a run together ourselves, if the players can shake themselves out of this inconsistency.

But it's by no means guarenteed we will, results like last nights should be enough to really give our players hope...and to believe that if they play well....it's still very much a possibilty.

Do they really? Only Spurs are in good form.

City and Villa have only won 3 out of their last 8 league games. Spurs have won 5 of their last 8 in the league and we've won 4 of our last 8 in the league.

Spurs are in good form, as 4 of those 5 wins have been in their last 4 league games. Villa and City arent in particularly good from.

City for me. At least we can excuse it as they have spent silly money. They've 'bought 4th place'

That'd be the worst outcome for us. Add the lure of CL football to their money, and they'd be in position to keep us out of the CL places for years to come. As it stands, CL football is the only obstacle in their way from becoming a truly top club.

Out of the other contenders, i'd much prefer Villa to get it, but they're the ones who are wilting the most.

[Neil Young]

Maybe, but will they get the top top names till they're in the champs league, ok maybe they won't need them to get 4th place next season if they miss out in may, but i'd still rather it be Villa, because i doubt their credentials to push on....and playing in the champs league next season will effect their Prem form imo.

It's difficult, i so hope we get it now.....it will shut so many pundits up who have said for certain we won't get it.

Villa are the least equipped to take advantage over the long term. City getting it could f*ck us up badly for a while, as Chelsea did when Abramovich appeared on the scene, or even forever if our worst fears were to come to pass.

[Darkon]

Maybe, but will they get the top top names till they're in the champs league, ok maybe they won't need them to get 4th place next season if they miss out in may, but i'd still rather it be Villa, because i doubt their credentials to push on....and playing in the champs league next season will effect their Prem form imo.

It's difficult, i so hope we get it now.....it will shut so many pundits up who have said for certain we won't get it.

[red g]

no way city ever. IF they get 4th .....the calibre of players they can get will only increase......alhthough on the plus point Mancini might stay

Bit worried if O'neil gets it then the Yanks will start looking that way for rafa's replacement but would fdefo prefer them to get it over anyone.

[Chazza]

Updated Table

Team Played GD PTS
Man Utd 32 51 72
Chelsea 32 53 71
Arsenal 32 40 68
Tottenham 31 28 58
Man City 31 19 56
Liverpool 32 21 54
Aston Villa 31 11 51

Remaining Fixtures

Spurs
Sunderland v Tottenham
Tottenham v Arsenal
Tottenham v Chelsea
Man Utd v Tottenham
Tottenham v Bolton
Man City v Tottenham
Burnley v Tottenham

City
Burnley v Man City
Man City v Birmingham
Man City v Man Utd
Arsenal v Man City
Man City v Aston Villa
Man City v Tottenham
West Ham v Man City

Liverpool
Birmingham v Liverpool
Liverpool v Fulham
Liverpool v West Ham
Burnley v Liverpool
Liverpool v Chelsea
Hull v Liverpool

Villa
Bolton v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Everton
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
Hull v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Birmingham
Man City v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Blackburn

[Dirk07]

i think the next round of fixtures are potentially the most important left, if we get a result after an away trip to benfica it will give us all the confidence we need and will make the others feel the pressure

+ city were poor last night and a result for them is anything but certain

[MrsB]

[The_weatherman]

On a side note, I hope Tottenham finish fourth, hopefully that means that City can't attract the best players being them and in the Europa league. I think it would be better in the long run, I also think Tottenham could get in trouble at the first hurdle. City has more European experience through their coach and players.

[Shaggy]

On a side note, I hope Tottenham finish fourth, hopefully that means that City can't attract the best players being them and in the Europa league. I think it would be better in the long run, I also think Tottenham could get in trouble at the first hurdle. City has more European experience through their coach and players.

I know exactly what you mean and you are of course right. However one of my oldest mates is a rabid Spurs fan. He's in his mid 30s but as far as 'banter' goes he's still like a 15 year old, gloating all the time, really in your face stuff. My life will be hell if a) they finish above us (which looks certain) and b) if they qualify for the CL.

[red g]

I know exactly what you mean and you are of course right. However one of my oldest mates is a rabid Spurs fan. He's in his mid 30s but as far as 'banter' goes he's still like a 15 year old, gloating all the time, really in your face stuff. My life will be hell if a) they finish above us (which looks certain) and b) if they qualify for the CL.

let them have there moment of glory, my dads a spurs fan and know a few of them.

I fully expect it to go tits up for them next year. Cant see them doing **** all in CL and will **** up there league next year and we can get back to laughing at them........

CIty in top 4 is disaster

[The_weatherman]

I know exactly what you mean and you are of course right. However one of my oldest mates is a rabid Spurs fan. He's in his mid 30s but as far as 'banter' goes he's still like a 15 year old, gloating all the time, really in your face stuff. My life will be hell if a) they finish above us (which looks certain) and b) if they qualify for the CL.

Well that's your fault for mingling with Spurs supporters

[MrsB]

Hull 0-1 Villa HT Agbonlahor