The Race for the Top 4 2017

[Exiled_red]

I thought it was going to be earlier, I must have been thinking of Europa League. Those dates aren't too bad, the league season starts around then anyway.

The PL season starts on the 12th Aug, I had assumed that the CL playoff would have been before the start of the season but seemingly not.

[Irishnev]

The team that won the league lost 4 games against 'the top six'

It really is a meaningless table / stat.

I wasn't having a go at yourself in my original post.

Merely voicing my displeasure that Sky Sports have someone sought to publish a 'top six' table as though it is in anyway relevant to the overall league campaign.

I agree with you btw but it does show what we are capable of and what a chance we let slip this season

[Ams12]

I hope that we are still able to attract the higher caliber type of players with a CL qualifier to entice them...although i hope they see that as an opportunity to come on board early July and cement that place in the CL!

[McDermotX]

So......everyone super-confident of next Sunday ?

Fantastic win yesterday, but we've had a couple of atrocious home results this season especially when spending long periods trying to force the game. Boro's mental state will hopefully be on the floor and I would be more concerned if we had to play it there in their last PL home game, so things are looking good. Even better if Arsenal (or even City) were to make a balls of it before then, unlikely though.

We go agai.......... Oh.

[Irishnev]

So......everyone super-confident of next Sunday ?

Fantastic win yesterday, but we've had a couple of atrocious home results this season especially when spending long periods trying to force the game. Boro's mental state will hopefully be on the floor and I would be more concerned if we had to play it there in their last PL home game, so things are looking good. Even better if Arsenal (or even City) were to make a balls of it before then, unlikely though.

We go agai.......... Oh.

The same anxieties are there but I think Sturridge gives you that X factor against ****e teams where we have all the ball. We should beat them though......surely

[McDermotX]

Aye.....done well yesterday, and even Origi grew into the game as it went on. Bit sloppy in retaining the ball on the outset but settled well I felt - certainly an improvement over the last few games at least, no doubt helps having a partner that needs to be watched.

Assuming Sturridge stays fit, I'd expect him to start, probably Origi dropping out if Firmino is available.

[labourRed]

Adama Traore is the only player that worries me going into the last game. That kid is unplayable if he wants to and its his last game in a shop window. I'd be tempted to mark him out of the game, if he starts.

[Doc_Piptorious]

So......everyone super-confident of next Sunday ?

Fantastic win yesterday, but we've had a couple of atrocious home results this season especially when spending long periods trying to force the game. Boro's mental state will hopefully be on the floor and I would be more concerned if we had to play it there in their last PL home game, so things are looking good. Even better if Arsenal (or even City) were to make a balls of it before then, unlikely though.

We go agai.......... Oh.

I think we will batter Boro next weekend.

[brightred]

I think we will batter Boro next weekend.

Hopefully they won't give a ****.

[Darkon]

I'm feeling pretty confident that we will beat boro now and clinch top-4.

[gratziani]

I think we will batter Boro next weekend.

Me too after yesterday as long as we play the SAME system with Cout deeper and Sturridge part of a two again.

[RichC]

If we can put the same side as we put out yesterday apart from bringing in Firmino for Del I think that's pretty much as strong a side as we can put out at the moment.

Having Phil playing in the deeper position seems to offer that range of passing we've been missing with the park the bus weaker sides (Mancs etc...) it also really helped us having a player like Sturridge looking to play off the shoulder of the last man.

[Mark79]

I'm still not sure how much being in the Champions League play-offs helps us sign players who demand CL if we're up against teams who can offer them automatic qualification to the group stages.

[EwarWoo]

I don't think qualifiers would make too much difference tbh. If we can't get through them we certainly have bigger issues than having to go through qualifying. But if they have reservations it's usually over before the window shuts isn't it?

That being said I don't think it will make us a prime destination overnight anyway.

We need to show our faces in the comp and make it back again next year. Show we're back in Europe and not just having a blip.

[Shaggy]

Imagine if we **** it up now.