4th place?

[Red Wino]

4 games left with 5 pts up to 3rd and 5 pts down to 5th.

Arse:

Reading (home)
Derby (away)
Everton (home)
Sunderland (home)

Ours:

Fulham (away)
Birmingham (away)
Man City (home)
Spurs (away)

Bitters:

Chelsea (home)
Villa (home)
Arsenal (away)
Newcastle (home)

[Guest]

We can finish second ? Possibly a great incentive to fight till the end in the league and not take our feet off the pedal.

[Harv]

we can cach the Arse for sure. If they continue playing as they are Reading, the blue****e and Sunderland could take points from them.

If we win all our games i think we will get third

[dww]

I think that obviously we need to guarantee 4th but in terms of the fight for third if we have the opportunity I would rather we used the opportunity to rest players for the CL and bring on young players (i.e. Insua or Plessis). I don't really think there is any glory in 3rd rather than 4th and there are long term benefits in blooding young players.

[Reece]

Personally I hope we have it sowed up in the next two games, allowing us to try out a few youngsters in the last two games.

waves at Neil Warnock

[Harv]

I think that obviously we need to guarantee 4th but in terms of the fight for third if we have the opportunity I would rather we used the opportunity to rest players for the CL and bring on young players (i.e. Insua or Plessis). I don't really think there is any glory in 3rd rather than 4th and there are long term benefits in blooding young players.

yeah you gotta agree with that

I want to see Nemeth at least twice.

Plessis deserves another start also, as does Insua

[Liverta 78]

Even if we secure 4th place I doubt Rafa will risk playing any youngsters if 3rd place is a possiblity.

[Exiled_red]

It depends on Champions league, if we rest players we'll probably drop points meaning it's not possible, realistically we have to win all 4 games to make up the 5 points and hope Arsenal lose two of those games

[Neil Young]

When do the new Champions League qualification rules apply (i.e. 3rd goes straight in; 4th faces a playoff against a team from another strong league)?

[barnes10]

3rd is possible given the implosion at arsenal but i doubt it. there's also no real benefit to pushing for it. 2nd over 3rd for a better rest in the summer yes but nothing between 3rd & 4th.

[dww]

When do the new Champions League qualification rules apply (i.e. 3rd goes straight in; 4th faces a playoff against a team from another strong league)?

2009/2010 is the first season when the new criteria are to be used.

[Kenneth]

The Arse run in is too easy for them to drop 5, even if they continue to play ****e. 4th is safe.

[Gingawaria]

If we win the next 2, we'll be guaranteed 4th IMO.

Can't see The Bitters getting anything off Chelsea and Villa are never easy. Loss to Chelsea and a point from Villa for me.

[CincyRed]

Actually 3rd does make a difference. Our Champions League revenue for next year is determined by finishing order this year. If we finish 3rd we get a bigger chunk of the pie. That being said, I'd rather see Nemeth and Insua and finish 4th as I doubt Arsenal will drop enough points.

[MindGuerrillas]

Actually 3rd does make a difference. Our Champions League revenue for next year is determined by finishing order this year. If we finish 3rd we get a bigger chunk of the pie. That being said, I'd rather see Nemeth and Insua and finish 4th as I doubt Arsenal will drop enough points.

We don't. 3rd and 4th get the same cut. 1st gets 40%, 2nd gets 30%, the rest get 15%.