The Race for Champions League Places

[Craig_H]

Apart from 5 or 6 key players I would do a swap with Swansea's team right now. They were phenomenally good to watch, and effective to boot. All they need is Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard and Suarez and they'd be league winners.

Dont be daft.

[Craig_H]

Our game vs Chelsea is the 2nd to last game of the season.

I think 4th place might already be decided by then, making our home game vs Chelsea pretty much null and void.

[magicalbarnes]

Bump.

With us winning and Chelsea & Arsenal both dropping unexpected points - it's back on.

After the results we've had over the past week, Suarez coming back & our other strikers all chipping in with goals it looks like the momentum's with us approaching the business end of the season.

[Craig_H]

Chelsea's dropped points at Swansea was pretty much to be expected - everyone bar Man Utd has dropped points away at Swansea.

[Baracus]

Gut feeling we won't do it.

15 games to go thou.

Still got to play Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton at Home and were Draw Kings and we've still got to go to Utd and a rejuvenated Sunderland.

Would have been happier if Terry was suspended for 8 games. IIRC 64-68 points is average for 4th. I think it could be higher this year.

[Craig_H]

We'll need to win 11 or 12 of our remaining 15 games. Tall order.

[wavydavy]

We'll need to win 11 or 12 of our remaining 15 games. Tall order.

Opinion peddled as fact. Who are you ? Mystic Meg?

[DannyMan2006]

We'll need to win 11 or 12 of our remaining 15 games. Tall order.

I don't think we'll have to win that many. Neither Chelsea or Arsenal have shown they are capable of going on a good run.

4th is their for any team that can streak a good run of form together, but I think it'll be touch and go all the way due to each team seemingly incapable of doing so.

The only game we have left that I see as a tall order is Man Utd away. Spurs, Arsenal, Everton & the Chavs are all home games. I'd fancy us to have a chance of winning each one of those. Despite Spurs maybe having a better side at present, I'd still class us as favourites at home, especially with their injuries and us hitting form.

All the rest of the games we are easily able to win. Of course, that's been the problem this year - but that's why it will be touch and go all the way.

[Jack D Rips]

As it stands we need to get 5 points more than Chelsea, 2 more than Newcastle and the same as Arsenal. Dont know how many wins that represents

[Craig_H]

Opinion peddled as fact. Who are you ? Mystic Meg?

Well obviously it's clearly opinion, anyone with a bit of nous could work that out FFS.

Unless you say "I think" in front of everything, does that mean you're 'peddling it as fact'? I would've put "IMO" but i thought anyone would realise that it's obviously my opinion i was expressing as opposed to somebody else's....

Clearly not everyone though

[Craig_H]

I don't think we'll have to win that many. Neither Chelsea or Arsenal have shown they are capable of going on a good run.

4th is their for any team that can streak a good run of form together, but I think it'll be touch and go all the way due to each team seemingly incapable of doing so.

The only game we have left that I see as a tall order is Man Utd away. Spurs, Arsenal, Everton & the Chavs are all home games. I'd fancy us to have a chance of winning each one of those. Despite Spurs maybe having a better side at present, I'd still class us as favourites at home, especially with their injuries and us hitting form.

All the rest of the games we are easily able to win. Of course, that's been the problem this year - but that's why it will be touch and go all the way.

Basing it on 70-74 points needed for 4th IMO Danny. What dya reckon, bit lower? We're on what, 38 now?

So if we go with 74 pts needed, we'll need another 36 (12 wins or 11 wins, 3 draws). That may be a bit more than needed though.

If we take 70 as the benchmark figure, the task is a bit more do-able. 32 points - 10 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. Reasonable ask?

I'm not sure 70 will prove enough though.

[ChesterDave]

4 points from the next 2 matches, and 7 points from our games against the bitters, chavs, and the arse and 4th is ours for the taking IMO.

[wavydavy]

Basing it on 70-74 points needed for 4th IMO Danny. What dya reckon, bit lower? We're on what, 38 now?

So if we go with 74 pts needed, we'll need another 36 (12 wins or 11 wins, 3 draws). That may be a bit more than needed though.

If we take 70 as the benchmark figure, the task is a bit more do-able. 32 points - 10 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. Reasonable ask?

I'm not sure 70 will prove enough though.

[Craig_H]

Glad I could cater for the 'slow burners' contingent

[Craig_H]

To put this into context, our current average points per game ratio thus far would equate to a total of 62.78 pts after 38 games and it's massively unlikely that this would be enough.

We need to step it up.