Run-in...it's still possible....

[Guest]

We still have some difficult away games such as the next one, away at West Ham.

[Jazzmaster]

We still have some difficult away games such as the next one, away at West Ham.

Its a massive game.... Win it and the momentum could carry us a long way. Anything less than that would definitely consign us the third or fourth place. A win would also put us four clear of arsenal who dont play next week.

[einar]

Every game is a massive game now.

[Red Chilli]

11 years ago, Man Utd trailed Newcastle by 12 points after the same number of games that we have played and went on to win the title.
SCUM went on to win 13 out of their last 15 games.
It was also the season of the 4-3 versus Newcastle.
It was also the season of Keegan's "LOVE IT!" rant.

BELIEVE

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

All this talk of "we're back in it" etc, etc is a little premature. Some of us are even comparing the respective run ins of the top 4. Very premature.

I'm taking this game by game. All we can do is win every match and hope that the others drop points. That is our situation. Yes it helps that Arsenal and the scum have to visit, but what if we beat them and drop points elsewhere? We simply can't afford to.

11 points is not insurmountable, we have a chance, albeit a slim one.

I think we've got a better chance of winning the European Cup. Most of the players have gone the distance in that competition, they haven't in the league.

[Icon]

aim for the moon, you might reach the stars


Giggle

They're quite a bit further away though

[carrsim]

i am one of those who always believe until the maths say its impossible (often leaves me open to ridicule granted)

but there is no pressure on us now- there seems to be a bit of a gap opening between arsenal and the rest so Cl footy for next year should be an absolute bare minimum this year with our great home form (and to think that in September some people in here would have taken 4th at that stage)


Noone is expecting us to do it so we have nothing to lose, whereas any kind of dropped points from the mancs and chavs will crank the pressure on them.

Rafa has shown that he knows how to finish a season- with us and valencia- so all we can do is be positive in every game and play without fear.

Will we do it? As a blind optimist I think yes, but only time will tell. I do know one thing- it would a travesty if the top 2 do drop points and we are not able to capitalise

[darkknight]

All this talk of "we're back in it" etc, etc is a little premature. Some of us are even comparing the respective run ins of the top 4. Very premature.

I'm taking this game by game. All we can do is win every match and hope that the others drop points. That is our situation. Yes it helps that Arsenal and the scum have to visit, but what if we beat them and drop points elsewhere? We simply can't afford to.

11 points is not insurmountable, we have a chance, albeit a slim one.

I think we've got a better chance of winning the European Cup. Most of the players have gone the distance in that competition, they haven't in the league.

I m with Niall on this - as admirable as blind eyed optimism is, if you set yourself up for anything other than 'whats above' then your looking for a big fall.

Bit of perspective reds.

[Nicey]

They're quite a bit further away though

hAHA ... Love it ..

[Nicey]

I m with Niall on this - as admirable as blind eyed optimism is, if you set yourself up for anything other than 'whats above' then your looking for a big fall.

Bit of perspective reds.

Stranger things have happened,

All we can do is play our game and hope they cant keep theres up. At this stage thats all there is too it. Pressure is all on them.

It is their title to lose. Everybody has always said what a great run in we have, with each successive win with put in the bank we are turning the screw ever so slightly. Wenger has fired a shot over the bow with United get tired in the last 20 minutes comment, essentially he is saying to the Lg thats how you beat them.

If they dont drop anymore points this season .. then fair ****s to the ******s .. they played some nice football this season but I feel they have a blip in them, because they have not had theres yet, maybe this is the beginning of it.

We need to keep doing our job and thats winning games, we need to turn the screw again when they come to Anfield and lets see how the cope with the pressure.

Its been a long season and Demento has been playing a very simular starting 11 each game, a number of them "accent" in footballing terms if you ask me.

Does Giggs have the engine for an entire season ? Does Ginger Spice ? Ronaldo had a good run, can he keep that up ? They have f all cover at the back if things go pear shaped, they have just been beaten by the Arch rivals in a very harsh fashion, will this have an effect on them?

So many things can happen if we beat them, they just need to lose 3 more games .. very possible

Lets see

[calvoboy]

Scholes getting injured on Feb 1st (once the window has shut) would improve our chances immensely. He's been the difference for them this season, their midfield looked poor last season without him.

[Dhav]

Winning the league again is such a precious dream that I'd be careful getting my hopes up even if we were the ones with the big lead. I cannot see it but there's no harm in dreaming. Its good to have optimistic threads again so soon after the Arsenal games.
A side point - over our last 12 league games we have a very healthy 24-1 goal difference. Reina - one season wonder it was suggested!

Great post.

Take your point about the goal difference as well. Remember not so long ago we had a bnegative goal difference, now it's +21 which is testimony to how well we've done the last few games.

Like other people have said on this thread, we need to take it one game at a time, win our remaining fixtures, and then if in 3-4 games time we've closed the gap then we can dream.

Personally, I think we'll fall short, but not by far, may be 4-5 points, and we'll have that damn Boxing Day game against Blackburn to blame.

[Craig_H]

It's still too early.

IF we win the next 6 or 7 league games on the bounce, THEN it'll be on.

Not yet though.

[fah-q]

Nothing wrong with dreaming a bit. We have got less games to play than the other teams now.

FEWER games

[Speedy]

Pretty shaky predictions so far.

It's still possible.