Title Race

[Pablo]

Do we need Mata though? Who would he replace? We have Alberto who could play the Coutihno role, so I'm highly dubious we'll go for him. We need another midfielder as a priority and possibly both a left and a right back. That's it.

I stopped taking your post seriously after reading this.

Not that I would normally take your posts seriously anyway.

[dom9]

I stopped taking your post seriously after reading this.

Not that I would normally take your posts seriously anyway.

I guess he might have meant that Mata may not be a priority over other positions.

[Fredo]

Of course he isn't. We're the second highest scorers in the league and don't have any issues in creating goalscoring chances. There are other areas that need addressing more than the attack.

[BigChief]

So, here’s how I see it versus Chelsea and City:

Man City:
No Aguero means their goals will have to come from midfield. Negredo/Dzeko will play the sole up front role but this is a game designed (much like Spurs) for Henderson, Allen and Lucas. Sterling will be up against a better left back (Clichy) so will need to change his thought process. Nasri and Silva are bottlers who can disappear if you constantly nip at their ankles (Arsenal players didn’t yet still scored 3). City should try to press us high so we’ll need to do exactly the same as versus Spurs. Suarez will do the rest against Demichellis.

Verdict: We could actually win this, but equally we could lose if we let the occasion (dollars) get to us

Chelsea:
With Terry and Luiz/Cahill they are very suspect at the back much like Tottenham. However, unlike Spuds, Maureen will play deep and try to force us to play high up the pitch to catch us out. A game of attrition will ensue requiring one piece of magic to swing it. So, who possesses the magicians to swing it? Obviously, we have Luis but Coutinho or a crazy GJ dribble could be the difference. I can see Sterling, Henderson and Allen struggling in this game as they will have more time on the ball against a 10 man wall which they’re not so used to. This is the game I wish we had Studge.

Verdict: Even if we lose it won’t be a walkover

[Pablo]

2012/13 - Man United - 89pts
2011/12 - Man City - 89pts
2010/11 - Man United -80pts
2009/10 - Chelsea - 86pts.

It looks like it's going to be a lowish points total that wins it this year but getting to 80 odd points is going to be a very tough ask for us!

[RedReet]

Of course he isn't. We're the second highest scorers in the league and don't have any issues in creating goalscoring chances. There are other areas that need addressing more than the attack.

I argued in the summer that I’m not sure if we needed Mata, but at this stage I reckon he could have a Ozil type effect on the rest of the players and lift the whole team for a few months. By then, we’ll have the league wrapped up.

In al seriousness, with Sturridge’s injury problems and the poor showing from Moses, we definitely could easily fit in another quality attacker.

[fah-q]

So, here’s how I see it versus Chelsea and City:

Man City:
No Aguero means their goals will have to come from midfield. Negredo/Dzeko will play the sole up front role but this is a game designed (much like Spurs) for Henderson, Allen and Lucas. Sterling will be up against a better left back (Clichy) so will need to change his thought process. Nasri and Silva are bottlers who can disappear if you constantly nip at their ankles (Arsenal players didn’t yet still scored 3). City should try to press us high so we’ll need to do exactly the same as versus Spurs. Suarez will do the rest against Demichellis.

Verdict: We could actually win this, but equally we could lose if we let the occasion (dollars) get to us

Chelsea:
With Terry and Luiz/Cahill they are very suspect at the back much like Tottenham. However, unlike Spuds, Maureen will play deep and try to force us to play high up the pitch to catch us out. A game of attrition will ensue requiring one piece of magic to swing it. So, who possesses the magicians to swing it? Obviously, we have Luis but Coutinho or a crazy GJ dribble could be the difference. I can see Sterling, Henderson and Allen struggling in this game as they will have more time on the ball against a 10 man wall which they’re not so used to. This is the game I wish we had Studge.

Verdict: Even if we lose it won’t be a walkover

I admire the optimism but I think City will be much more powerful and physical against us in the same way they swept aside Arsenal.

Allen, Henderson and Lucas are probably going to have to work even harder than against Spurs.

[BigChief]

City don't have any muscle though, unless I'm missing something. Yaya is like Dembele, looks big and strong going forwards but Allen took on Dembele on his own and won. Fernandinho is of surprisingly small stature. The other two will be Silva and Nasri who are the weakest players in any team.

Not sure who's going to outmuscle us (that's a genuine question not a smart remark). Arsenal were just useless that day.

[Mostar]

I said that I'd be happy with 6 points in last 4 games of this year and without getting too much carried away I'd still be content with that.

We have to win against Cardiff and a point or 2 in last 2 games vs Chelsea and City would be gravy.

[Mostar]

2012/13 - Man United - 89pts
2011/12 - Man City - 89pts
2010/11 - Man United -80pts
2009/10 - Chelsea - 86pts.

It looks like it's going to be a lowish points total that wins it this year but getting to 80 odd points is going to be a very tough ask for us!

The goal is to get in CL and to me that hasn't changed.

We are certainly on the track to get there given our point production so far.

With that said, belief and confidence can do wonders and we only need to see what last year Man U team did.

I suppose anything is possible.

[danperkins]

Just looking at Everton there.. come the new year they have a real chance of being in a strong top 4 position. Their run of games up until Jan 1st:

Swansea City vs Everton
Everton vs Sunderland
Everton vs Southampton
Stoke City vs Everton

Whilst i think Everton will hopefully fade a bit & are bound to pick up injuries... they really are a surprise package thus far. They've done fantastic under Martinez.

[magicalbarnes]

I know im being greedy here but i honestly wouldn't take 4th place right now.

Id like us to go all out for the title, at least be involved until the the very end. We may never have such a great opportunity.

If after away games at City & Chelsea we are still only 5 points off top - we have every chance.

[G]

Lee Mason ref for the City game

[Leyton388]

If we get a draw at city and beat the chavs I want the title.

last 38 league games under Rodgers have yielded 81 points. he's doing a great job.

[Norbs]

It's 72 mate, that 81 thing is wrong