The top 4

[Leewilson]

Everton, a team that sit? I think Everton will be a tough game for different reasons.

I was talking about the majority of the home games. Probably should have made that a bit clearer. Out of all of them home games, Everton is the one they'll relish with them being so open at the back unless something has changed by then. Still at that time of the season, they have to hold their nerve as well.

 

[JimJams]

If Leicester don't buckle and continue to play they have done all throughout the season then away trips at Old Trafford and Chelsea aren't a problem. They suit Leicester's fast counter attacking style as they can sit in and just launch forward when necessary, like they did yesterday.

Where the test comes for Leicester is overcoming the teams who will sit in and defend against them. The easy winnable games on paper.

Home games are: Norwich, West Brom, Newcastle, West Ham, Swansea and Everton.

On paper, lovely games. In reality, awkward matches against teams who will sit in and make Leicester find gaps in very small spaces. They will need Mahrez bang on it for them ones.

For me, if Leicester can win 4/5 of them matches, they win the league. Any less and they might be struggling.

I think the likes of West Ham and Southampton may prove more difficult. Not just because they are better sides, but because at the crunch end of the season those sides that you've mentioned will also be needing to go for 3 points to avoid relegation so I'm not sure their tactics will be to sit back. WBA will obviously as that's what Pulis does, but the rest might need to play in order to try and secure safety.

This is our run in with our previous result against them:
Arsenal Lost
Norwich Won
West Brom Won
Watford Won
Newcastle Won
Crystal Palace Won
Southampton Drew
Sunderland Won
West Ham Won
Swansea Won
Man Utd Drew
Everton Won
Chelsea Won

A repeat would be nice.

 

[Leewilson]

I think the likes of West Ham and Southampton may prove more difficult. Not just because they are better sides, but because at the crunch end of the season those sides that you've mentioned will also be needing to go for 3 points to avoid relegation so I'm not sure their tactics will be to sit back. WBA will obviously as that's what Pulis does, but the rest might need to play in order to try and secure safety.

This is our run in with our previous result against them:
Arsenal Lost
Norwich Won
West Brom Won
Watford Won
Newcastle Won
Crystal Palace Won
Southampton Drew
Sunderland Won
West Ham Won
Swansea Won
Man Utd Drew
Everton Won
Chelsea Won

A repeat would be nice.

Honest opinion JJ, let's say you throw in a loss midway through that list, say Sunderland. Will the wheels come off? Or are you confident that this team will just knuckle down and get back to it the following week?

This is what's bugging me as I can't decide if they're riding the momentum and when the pressure kicks in and a defeat happens, it's all going to go to shit, consecutive losses etc. Or will it just be a single game blip and the next week, bang back on it.

I know earlier in the season there were dropped points around December time from memory and it hasn't affected them but obviously the pressure wasn't as big back then.

Thoughts?

 

[JoshBCFC]

If Leicester don't buckle and continue to play they have done all throughout the season then away trips at Old Trafford and Chelsea aren't a problem. They suit Leicester's fast counter attacking style as they can sit in and just launch forward when necessary, like they did yesterday.

Where the test comes for Leicester is overcoming the teams who will sit in and defend against them. The easy winnable games on paper.

Home games are: Norwich, West Brom, Newcastle, West Ham, Swansea and Everton.

On paper, lovely games. In reality, awkward matches against teams who will sit in and make Leicester find gaps in very small spaces. They will need Mahrez bang on it for them ones.

For me, if Leicester can win 4/5 of them matches, they win the league. Any less and they might be struggling.


Elsewhere, I do think Spurs will fall short but pick up 4th. If Arsenal can get through February and March in contention, I think they can win it but I expect them to finish 2nd or 3rd. City will be right up there and will come 1st or 2nd. I think it depends on Kompany's fitness more than anything as the current CB pairing is a disaster waiting to happen. Get the leader at the back and Aguero up front and they'll put a run together.

Don't really think Everton should be in the list, they don't really sit and defend and can't do shit at the moment, and will have nothing to play for.

 

[JimJams]

Honest opinion JJ, let's say you throw in a loss midway through that list, say Sunderland. Will the wheels come off? Or are you confident that this team will just knuckle down and get back to it the following week?

This is what's bugging me as I can't decide if they're riding the momentum and when the pressure kicks in and a defeat happens, it's all going to go to shit, consecutive losses etc. Or will it just be a single game blip and the next week, bang back on it.

I know earlier in the season there were dropped points around December time from memory and it hasn't affected them but obviously the pressure wasn't as big back then.

Thoughts?

I don't think it'll make a difference tbh. The side is confident, but they were confident last year when they were on a shite run, that's what kept them going through the great escape. The dropped points in december/Jan were a loss to Liverpool and draws against the Manchester City and Bournemouth. Really the more deflating results were the draws against Bournemouth and Villa, two sides that we'd expect to have beaten given the run we've been on and two sides we would have beaten had Mahrez put his penalties away. I think those results though are what will stop complacency, we won't play Norwich thinking it's 3 points in the bag. Arsenal is our last 6 pointer, so it's probably a more important game for us in terms of taking something from a rival and also gaining that bit more confidence.
It's difficult to say how things would go if we were to lose 2 in a row as we've only lost 3 times since April last year and we've followed up losses with decent results.
I think a battering from Arsenal and a loss to Norwich and you'd see if we have the mentality to carry on because that'd be a punch in the gut.
We only beat Norwich, West Brom and Watford by a single goal so they were close games so we will look at every run as a tough set of fixtures.

 

[Leewilson]

Don't really think Everton should be in the list, they don't really sit and defend and can't do shit at the moment, and will have nothing to play for.

I just listed all of their home games and made a generalisation about the majority

 

[Munkiki]

I just listed all of their home games and made a generalisation about the majority

thought that was obvious tbh considering you also had Norwich in the list and they make it anything but awkward for the opposition. they could put out their u12s and still score at least 2 goals...

The win over Man City was huge. Even if they lose to Arsenal, they'll be top and then they have their easiest game of the season to put them back on track. It'll be the one defeat this season I'll actually be happy about. Would love them to win the title.

 

[mistermagic]

Elsewhere, I do think Spurs will fall short but pick up 4th. If Arsenal can get through February and March in contention, I think they can win it but I expect them to finish 2nd or 3rd. City will be right up there and will come 1st or 2nd. I think it depends on Kompany's fitness more than anything as the current CB pairing is a disaster waiting to happen. Get the leader at the back and Aguero up front and they'll put a run together.

I find it strange that you keep giving City so much praise despite them playing very badly. They were toothless yesterday and not just because Kompany was missing. De Bruyne not playing is a big miss and it showed as the creativity and general movement upfront was shambolic, unlike Leicester's.
I don't think the managerial situation will have the players particularly motivated either. City will finish 4th imo.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

There were a lot of kneejerk reactions after our dropped points midweek, but after today we're still in a good position given our recent poor form and injuries etc.

If we can get through the next month where we play Leicester, United and Spurs still up there then I'd be confident in our chances, especially with the likes of Cazorla Wilshere and Welbeck coming back to play a part. Coquelin back is huge as well.

 

[Leewilson]

I find it strange that you keep giving City so much praise despite them playing very badly. They were toothless yesterday and not just because Kompany was missing. De Bruyne not playing is a big miss and it showed as the creativity and general movement upfront was shambolic, unlike Leicester's.
I don't think the managerial situation will have the players particularly motivated either. City will finish 4th imo.

I'm not praising them. More so, I find it ominous that they're still up there despite a below par season. Aguero has scored 6 in his last 4, Kompany is still to return and they have a group who know how to win the league. In what has been a poor season, I'd place City's experience and 2-3 world class players as a real factor to consider.

 

[Whitechapel]

As much as it's wired into me to hate Tottenham. This season they have been fantastic (so far). They've given young British talent a chance and they've taken the bull by the horns.

I expect them to come off the rails when the Europa League returns, however if they can keep up their league form then they will fully deserve the Champions League place.

As for Leicester, it would be fantastic to see them win the league. All the excuses for manager not winning the league over recent years will mean nothing, yes including Wenger with the limited funds excuse. The only thing I find annoying is the press (surprise surprise), if Arsenal were to win the League it will of course been the poorest season in recent history with nobody performing. However if Leicester win it then it'll be one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time, which in my opinion it would be.

What a fantastic season, and we have to give Chelsea a mention...LOL.

 

[JimJams]

I dunno about that WC, plenty of neutrals are saying how shit the league must be if Leicester are top and have been saying it for a long time. It wouldn't matter if we won every game 5-0 it won't change some peoples perspectives.

 

[JoshBCFC]

I just listed all of their home games and made a generalisation about the majority

Oh, fair enough.

 

[mistermagic]

I dunno about that WC, plenty of neutrals are saying how shit the league must be if Leicester are top and have been saying it for a long time. It wouldn't matter if we won every game 5-0 it won't change some peoples perspectives.

Well yeah.

 

[JimJams]

Plenty of c*** too...

 

[Jarv]

It's interesting we've not had the "it'd be a victory for Football" Crap shoved down our throats this time an unexpected team is up there. maybe it's because most of the commentators/pundits don't really believe Leicester can do it yet. Certainly can't faulyt the football they're playing

 

[smat]

I expect them to come off the rails when the Europa League returns, however if they can keep up their league form then they will fully deserve the Champions League place.

They have bigger fish to fry than the Europa League now. Having pretty much qualified for the CL now, there's no reason to take that competition seriously. They'll rest players to be fresh for the league games imo.

 

[blademan89]

I think the likes of West Ham and Southampton may prove more difficult. Not just because they are better sides, but because at the crunch end of the season those sides that you've mentioned will also be needing to go for 3 points to avoid relegation so I'm not sure their tactics will be to sit back. WBA will obviously as that's what Pulis does, but the rest might need to play in order to try and secure safety.

This is our run in with our previous result against them:
Arsenal Lost
Norwich Won
West Brom Won
Watford Won
Newcastle Won
Crystal Palace Won
Southampton Drew
Sunderland Won
West Ham Won
Swansea Won
Man Utd Drew
Everton Won
Chelsea Won

A repeat would be nice.

The repeat is on

 

[Leewilson]

I'm not praising them. More so, I find it ominous that they're still up there despite a below par season. Aguero has scored 6 in his last 4, Kompany is still to return and they have a group who know how to win the league. In what has been a poor season, I'd place City's experience and 2-3 world class players as a real factor to consider.

I still think this. As rubbish as City have been, I have a feeling the other 3 may bottle it.

City vs Arsenal in the penultimate game I can see being a title decider.

 

[Abertawe]

Understand the logic but for the majority of the season they just haven't seemed like a side that can put together a win streak necessary to overhaul their current points gap. They might click into gear but based on their performance so far this season I can't see it. They started the season well in terms of results but I can remember their performances in those early games being pretty shoddy.

 

[mistermagic]

I still think this. As rubbish as City have been, I have a feeling the other 3 may bottle it.

City vs Arsenal in the penultimate game I can see being a title decider.

I hope not. Lose at home to your closest rivals and still win the league would send the wrong message.

I don't think the top 4 will change here on in. I reckon it'll end:
1. Arsenal
2. Tottenham
3. Leicester
4. Man City

 

[smat]

I hope not. Lose at home to your closest rivals and still win the league would send the wrong message.

I don't think the top 4 will change here on in. I reckon it'll end:
1. Arsenal
2. Tottenham
3. Leicester
4. Man City

wtf

i thought man city won the league after six games?

 

[mistermagic]

I may have spoken too soon. Injuries to Kompany, Aguero and De Bruyne haven't helped but Pellegrini should be doing much better with a squad that is head and shoulders better than anyone else's in the league.

Man City have failed me this season.

 

[Storzy]

Man City's transfer fees are head and shoulders above everyone else's, but their squad is basically an injury prone Aguero ahead.

Now that still means they should be topping the league because Aguero is an amazing striker. The biggest failure for Man City is that their squad should be so much better. Two centre backs costing a combined £70m-£80m looking like crap is totally unacceptable.

 

[Leewilson]

I hope not. Lose at home to your closest rivals and still win the league would send the wrong message.

I don't think the top 4 will change here on in. I reckon it'll end:
1. Arsenal
2. Tottenham
3. Leicester
4. Man City

I'll have a little £5 1FF bet with you that City win the league.

 

[Stevencc]

We had a gentleman's bet, MM. Now I want money. All your money.

 

[mistermagic]

I'll have a little £5 1FF bet with you that City win the league.

You're on.

 

[JimJams]

He's played you for 2 teams there...

 

[Liam01]

I think the top 4 as it is looks fairly secure, none of teams chasing have the consistency to claw the points back, Manchester United are playing poorly and look like losing to everyone, while West Ham and Southampton haven't got the quality to bridge the gap.

I still think Arsenal will end up winning the league, with Spurs coming second, City third and Leicester taking the final spot. Just think Arsenal will have the quality and consistency through to the end of the season which is where I feel Spurs and Leicester will slip up. City are far too hit and miss with their best players injury prone likely to be spending time on the treatment table.


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[Jarv]

City vs Arsenal in the penultimate game I can see being a title decider.

Might be a battle to secure 4th yet