how close do we need to be.....

[kopirish]

so if by the end of christmas we are not ahead, we wont win the league?
massively disagree. We have proved we can go anywhere, on any given occasion and win.

I reckon within 6pts and the title is easily within our grasp

When was this proved this in last two years, number of points at Old Trafford, Emirates and Stamford Bridge last season, 0. Its ok going to Nou Camp in two legged match and snatching a win, but we only picked up 1 point at Ewood and Fratton Park.

The defining game will be against the scum, lose that and no 19 will have to wait another year. I believe Arsenal win fall away around xmas and new year (lots of games with small squad and players at African Nations). chelsea will go on a run now and I think it will be between United and Chelsea. If we can beat united we will put ourselves in the picture. Hopefully Torres and Agger stay fit, if they do I think we can run it close.

[fred_plasticine]

When was this proved this in last two years, number of points at Old Trafford, Emirates and Stamford Bridge last season, 0. Its ok going to Nou Camp in two legged match and snatching a win, but we only picked up 1 point at Ewood and Fratton Park.

The defining game will be against the scum, lose that and no 19 will have to wait another year. I believe Arsenal win fall away around xmas and new year (lots of games with small squad and players at African Nations). chelsea will go on a run now and I think it will be between United and Chelsea. If we can beat united we will put ourselves in the picture. Hopefully Torres and Agger stay fit, if they do I think we can run it close.

although these are important games they will not decisive.
the gunners have had a very good record against the other top teams over the past seasons yet have never come close.
it's about winning those games we usually draw or lose. it's no point winning against the scum if draw another 3 after that one, know what i mean?

[kopirish]

although these are important games they will not decisive.
the gunners have had a very good record against the other top teams over the past seasons yet have never come close.
it's about winning those games we usually draw or lose. it's no point winning against the scum if draw another 3 after that one, know what i mean?

Agreed on that point, however if we lose to united, we will likely be at least six or 9 behind them come xmas, too much in my opinion. The last three seasons has seen the marjin for error become so so low. Imagine we went the whole season unbeaten and did not win the league. I think I need to lie down

[fred_plasticine]

Agreed on that point, however if we lose to united, we will likely be at least six or 9 behind them come xmas, too much in my opinion. The last three seasons has seen the marjin for error become so so low. Imagine we went the whole season unbeaten and did not win the league. I think I need to lie down

it's a tough call whether 6 or 9 points will be too big a gap whether or not we'll have to beat the scum home and away - we don't know what the season holds for any of the top teams.
everyone on here seems to agree that the gooners will crack around xmas whereas utd will go from strenghth to strength. at this stage of the season none of the big teams can be written off. maybe the gooners will be the team to beat this season, maybe the scum will lose a few. too early to make any predictions i'd say.

[kopirish]

it's a tough call whether 6 or 9 points will be too big a gap whether or not we'll have to beat the scum home and away - we don't know what the season holds for any of the top teams.
everyone on here seems to agree that the gooners will crack around xmas whereas utd will go from strenghth to strength. at this stage of the season none of the big teams can be written off. maybe the gooners will be the team to beat this season, maybe the scum will lose a few. too early to make any predictions i'd say.

True, Remember under Houllier going 13 unbeaten at the start, Diouf anfd Diao leading the charge, plays 4-5-1 against Middleboro and we lose. I think a further 12 games elapsed before another league win.

Its a funny old game

[calvoboy]

Hmm, how do we treat the game in hand? Most people said that if we were within 5-7 points at Christmas we'd win it. Does 10 points with a game in hand mean we are on track?

[Montana]

I think if we can cut the gap to 6 or 7 points with the game in hand to be played in January (West Ham at home), we will have a decent chance. However, to win it we'll still need to probably beat our main rivals away whether it's Arse or Scum or both.

[Imy]

I fear we are now too far, the problem is the Man Yoo/Arsenal machines will continue to pick up points, our record vs them is nothing special especially away from home so i doubt we will be able to snatch some points with wins at their places.

Ultimately it's the poor home form this season that has cost us.

[Red_Polo]

There's many a twist and turn left in this title race. There's no threshold points gap we need to be within, it's simply a case of the bigger the gap the harder it is.

[Montana]

It's gonna be very tough to beat Arse & Scum away but I believe we can do it if we are closer, say 5-6 points behind. That will put them under pressure. I'd go for the following line-up/system, injuries permitting:

Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

Mascherano Alonso

Babel Gerrard Kewell

Torres

[Imy]

There's many a twist and turn left in this title race. There's no threshold points gap we need to be within, it's simply a case of the bigger the gap the harder it is.

Yep I agree but I fear we are not and will not be in a position to take advantage of any slip-ups, my feeling is that we will battle the Chavs for 3rd whilst the Mancs and the Gooners disappear in to the sunset fighting for the title.

[Imy]

It's gonna be very tough to beat Arse & Scum away but I believe we can do it if we are closer, say 5-6 points behind. That will put them under pressure. I'd go for the following line-up/system, injuries permitting:

Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

Mascherano Alonso

Babel Gerrard Kewell

Torres

Arsenal gave us a footballing lesson at Anfield and the Mancs are so solid in defence they looked well water tight, i don't know what extra could be done at their places to get the necessary wins to gain points on them.

[Parm]

6-8 points, if we can win our game in hand and beat scum.chavs and arsenal at their grounds, things look a lot better.

[Imy]

6-8 points, if we can win our game in hand and beat scum.chavs and arsenal at their grounds, things look a lot better.

We can't beat them when at home, never mind pick up points at their homes. I would say Fergie, Grant/Maureen, Wenger are pretty please with their team and points gained when playing us at home.

Next season Rafa (or whoever the manager is) must go all out to get a win at home versus the other top 3 and then picking up points at their place is a bonus.

[Frank Leroux]

I know this goes against the point of the thread but I really think we're looking too far ahead. The Portsmouth, Derby, Man City games are now huge imo. 9 points from them dar games really sets us up psychologically for the second half of the season. I'd say two wins and a draw is the minimum - any less so soon after the Reading/Utd defeats and we might go on a run of dropping silly points here and there.

Utd & Arsenal will lose at least two more games...we need to be in a position to take advantage of those slip-ups and apply pressure come March. Not losing to Utd & Arsenal away goes without saying.