Fourth place

[DannyMan2006]

If you really believe that Kenny isnt looking ahead to future games and putting an idea into his head of what's required, then you're viewing the situation very differently to me.

The rumour is that Kenny was told if we finish the season in a Europa Cup place, he gets the job on a permanent basis. If you think where we were when he took over, a Europa Cup spot would have been a worthy finish. So I'm sure he has one eye on where we will finish and what it will take.

We've reached 6th place quicker than anyone expected, and you would think that would most likely mean a Europa Cup spot. But since we're here I'm sure the players will now be looking up and thinking about 4th. We have the momentum, but you can guarantee that if we end up dropping points against Wigan or West Ham, that momentum can quickly dissappear. In fact, I'd likely completely write off 4th if we get anything less than 6 points.

Man Utd would be the next league game after those two. I don't think dropping points to them would be too big a blow confidence wise, so that is a game where we could get away with dropping points. Same goes for Arsenal away. I think Spurs and City at home could be massive games depending on how those teams do in other fixtures. I do not by any stretch think that catching City is beyond us.

I think the only two teams that are completely beyond dropping enough points to finish below us are Man Utd and Arsenal. Even a bad spell by their standards would not see them drop below us. So we need to vastly out perform two out of three sides IMO. As has already been mentioned in this thread, we'll have to show title winning from for that. I'm sure everybody remembers ares and Man Utds finish in 08/09, or the when Arsenal overcame a massive gap on Man Utd for the title. That's the kind of results we need.

I think it's safe to say we'll ave to be lucky with injuries. If key players stay fit, I still think we have enough about us to beat anyone on our day.

[Craig_H]

It depends Danny.

I agree that we should be looking at 6 points from Wigan and West Ham, but if we only picked up 4 points, and Chelsea/Spurs only managed 1 or 2 points from their own next 2 games, would we take that?

I know what you're saying though, we have to be beating Wigan and West Ham, realistically.

[DannyMan2006]

Man U to beat Chelsea twice and in the process we get 4th but united win the league, or Chelsea spank utd twice and Arsenal win the league?

I'm having issues with this scenario

How about Chelsea and United draw twice, allowing us to close in on Chelsea, and Arsenal to steal a march on the mancs?

If Man Utd win the league and we get 4th I'll be happy enough with that. In fact, I'd go as far to say as I'd be close to delighted. Finishing 4th would be a massive boost for our future chances of challenging as it means more money for us to spend.

If we don't challenge within the next few years there will be no guarantee anyone else will challenge Man Utd. Forget them and let's worry about ourselves.

[DannyMan2006]

It depends Danny.

I agree that we should be looking at 6 points from Wigan and West Ham, but if we only picked up 4 points, and Chelsea/Spurs only managed 1 or 2 points from their own next 2 games, would we take that?

I know what you're saying though, we have to be beating Wigan and West Ham, realistically.

That is like saying Arsenal picking up one point against Newcsatle is fine because Man Utd dropped all three at Wolves.

In actual fact it's a massive opportunity missed. We can't go dropping points in games we should be winning and hope that Spurs and Chelsea will drop further points down the line. I'd take 1 point from those two games if it meant we won everyother game we played, but we are already close to the realms of fantasy thinking about 4th place now, to suggest we'd do it without getting 6 points from our next two games is a reach too far IMO.

[Craig_H]

You could be right, but the way i am looking at it, is that we have to make up 6 (7 with GD) points on spurs and chelsea, and if we make up 3 or 4 of them in the next 2 games, that'll be fantastic, no matter how it happens.

[topscorer]

Man U to beat Chelsea twice and in the process we get 4th but united win the league, or Chelsea spank utd twice and Arsenal win the league?

I'm having issues with this scenario

I've been thinking about this issue the last few days myself.

I think it warrants a poll - go for it.

I think I'd rather have another year in the Europa and 'concentrate' on winning the league next season than to see the Mancs win again to be honest.

[Craig_H]

Anyone who wouldnt take us getting 4th, even if it meant them winning the title, should be questioning their priorities IMO.

As Danny says, it'd be such a massive boost for us if we snuck into the CL for next season and it would go a massive way to repairing the damage done by Hicks, Gillett and Hodgson.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Anyone who wouldnt take us getting 4th, even if it meant them winning the title, should be questioning their priorities IMO.

As Danny says, it'd be such a massive boost for us if we snuck into the CL for next season and it would go a massive way to repairing the damage done by Hicks, Gillett and Hodgson.

its a no brainer. to get 4th (even at the expense of manure getting the title) would be awesome after the start of this year.

[DannyMan2006]

I've been thinking about this issue the last few days myself.

I think it warrants a poll - go for it.

I think I'd rather have another year in the Europa and 'concentrate' on winning the league next season than to see the Mancs win again to be honest.

If we make the Champions League it keeps our top players happy and helps attract the best players. It also serves as a blow to the two teams above us who would miss out.

Imagine if Chavs didn't make the top 4. Torres only joined because they were certaintys to make it in his opinion. I'm sure it would stop others from joining and would piss off some of the top players there. Then take Spurs. They have kept their squad happy this year because they've been in the CL. When you are competing in Europes biggest competition you can keep most players happy. Then there's City, i don't think I need to say how big a blow missing out on 4th would be to them. They've spunked the cash now knowing the FFP rules will make it awkward. If they missed out again, this time they can't go crazy in the transfer market.

We would improve our chances so much just by getting 4th. It really is that massive.

[banditos]

its a no brainer. to get 4th (even at the expense of manure getting the title) would be awesome after the start of this year.

I agree, but the idea of watching Manure v Chavs and hoping for a Manure win makes feel really dirty. It'll be like watching like geriatric porn.

[Assassin]

I agree, but the idea of watching Manure v Chavs and hoping for a Manure win makes feel really dirty. It'll be like watching like geriatric porn.

You have stitched yourself up here

[Chris]

How anyone could go against whats best for us is utterly baffling. So they'll win another title, big deal, it's nothing we havent seen before.

[banditos]

You have stitched yourself up here

[RichC]

How anyone could go against whats best for us is utterly baffling. So they'll win another title, big deal, it's nothing we havent seen before.

Bang on, we should worry about we're doing not what the Mancs etc... are up to

If we can get 4th and the win the league, so be it - just shows us what we need to do and knock them off their perch!

[nineteen]

We will finish in the top four.