Third place anyone?

[magicalbarnes]

Very much so, I'd take a draw. We're playing much better now and have our backbone back...but we're still not attacking particularly well and we're really missing Nando, Yossi and Johnson.

Yep id take a draw aswell.

If we keep the gap at 5 points with 12 games to play, i reckon we will catch them. Their low on confidence, whereas we're on a high.

[lfc]

i know we are a few points behind arsenal but so what, i have a good feeling about the rest of the season, there is a passion there, a backs to the wall mentality that as been sadly missing.
optimism rules and in rafa i trust.

third place is a maybe

[leftpeg]

Problem is, we dont see it in every match.

Obviously, that's been a major problem this season. That's why I said if. And it is a very big if. But, at least for a couple of days, I'm going to feel positive about our situation.

[cadmium]

Beat arsenal on Wednesday and it'll be very interesting, I personally think we'll finish third, arsenal seem in a downward spiral

[Bender]

Think the players mentallity has now changed hence the improoved results

[SK]

arsenal imo have an easier run in till the end of the season, as they've had a couple of really tough matches in a row, and after playing us on wednesday they only have spurs and city left of the top teams to play against. as we still need to beat chelsea, man yoo and city.

i still think we'll finish 4th as city seem to have tougher fixtures than us in the following moths.

would however be good to put the arse under some pressure, as they don't handle it very well.

[Shaggy]

arsenal imo have an easier run in till the end of the season, as they've had a couple of really tough matches in a row, and after playing us on wednesday they only have spurs and city left of the top teams to play against. as we still need to beat chelsea, man yoo and city.

i still think we'll finish 4th as city seem to have tougher fixtures than us in the following moths.

would however be good to put the arse under some pressure, as they don't handle it very well.

Agreed.

And I know in the grand scheme of things 4th is **** and nothing to be excited about, but I'd be ****ing delighted with 4th. Not so long ago I gave us no chance. Finish 4th, put this rotten season behind us and move on.

[Craig_H]

Their low on confidence, whereas we're on a high.

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=66475

[Craig_H]

Very much so, I'd take a draw. We're playing much better now and have our backbone back...but we're still not attacking particularly well and we're really missing Nando, Yossi and Johnson.

We've been so defensively sound of late, completely organised at the back and brilliantly drilled. Arsenal's last two games against United and Chelsea have exposed how difficult they find it to play through such a defensive setup.

We're perfectly equipped to go and do that to them, as did Chelsea and United.

Our only problem is that, without Nando, we lack that thrust, power and pace to hurt them on the counter.

United had Rooney - powerful, quick and clinical.

Chelsea had Drogba - exactly the same.

We have Nando - but he's out. That's where we'll struggle.

We can contain them and frustrate them, but when it comes to hitting them on the counter, we lack the necessary tools to make it count. N'Gog's quick, but not powerful enough, clinical enough or experienced enough to hurt them.

It's a real shame, because at full strength, we could've gone there and turned them over.

[Guest]

I have a hunch that Rafa's going to spring a surprise on Wednesday Craig. Enter RYAN BABEL.

[Craig_H]

I have a hunch that Rafa's going to spring a surprise on Wednesday Craig. Enter RYAN BABEL.

Oh please to ****, no.

[Guest]

Oh please to ****, no.

[el matador]

one game at a time but 17 points out of 21 isnt bad at all.

we need to build on this run though and our target has to be fourth - anything more is a massive bonus.

[JohnDoe]

I have a hunch that Rafa's going to spring a surprise on Wednesday Craig. Enter RYAN BABEL.

Don't think anyone will notice him on the pitch if he starts against Arsenal.

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

Don't think anyone will notice him on the pitch if he starts against Arsenal.

Sure Torres hasn't been sold on the sly, haven't seen any pics of him in ages!