Top 6 2016-17

[sl1k]

With the PL boasting managers the likes of Mou, Pep, Wenger, Conte and Klopp it's obviously going to be a fascinating season as atleast one of these dudes and their respective team will miss out on a place in Europe's top competition next year. Who do you think that will be? (And in the case of 'Pool fans, why will it not be Klopp?) Poll included.

Obviously there's still plenty of time for transfer dealings too.

Edit: I've also made it so you can change the vote, so it can reflect how the season progresses.

Edit: ive added poch and Ranieri to the poll, allowing 3 votes for those you think will miss out on top 4, now making this a top 6 discussion. Make the discussion more inclusive that.

 

[Stevencc]

They are all quality managers so you have to look at the squads they have at their disposal and Klopp is at a distinct disadvantage in that respect. He seems intent on buying players you'd rate as suitable for a 5th-7th finishing side so far, too.

Klopp.

 

[sl1k]

I do rate klopp as a manager however liverpool fc the club, squad and the quality they're able to attract will let him down.

Liverpool.

 

[FrazerLloyd]

I would say that Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are almost certainly going to finish in the top four.

Whilst Arsenal aren't in the same bracket of those three in my opinion, given their track record where qualification is concerned, I would be shocked if they don't make the top four also.

Klopp is a good manager but the Liverpool team simply isn't good enough to compete, and they don't have the pull or the finances to compete in the transfer market either.

 

[SALTIRE]

He competed ok with Dortmund against a behemoth in that league. Sure Liverpool can't attract the top echelon players but he's never been about that and gets in players he can work with that are already half decent, and make them stars. It may not happen this season to get them back in the top four (though I think it's very doable ) but I think going forward Klopp's Liverpool will more than compete.

I voted for Wenger to miss out btw.

 

[Dirk]

He competed ok with Dortmund against a behemoth in that league. Sure Liverpool can't attract the top echelon players but he's never been about that and gets in players he can work with that are already half decent, and make them stars. It may not happen this season to get them back in the top four (though I think it's very doable ) but I think going forward Klopp's Liverpool will more than compete.

Exactly my opinion

I voted for Wenger to miss out btw.

Me, too. At least I hope so. I was very sad that the Gunners overtook the Spurs again last season in the last match.

 

[merseyboyred]

No Pochettino or Spurs in this? I mean I don't think they'll repeat a top four finish, but don't think they should be discounted entirely.

 

[Pagnell]

No Pochettino or Spurs in this? I mean I don't think they'll repeat a top four finish, but don't think they should be discounted entirely.

This too. 4th and 5th is between Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs, with the former being favourite because they seem to find it impossible not to finish in the top 4, even when fate dictates that they're going to. It has to happen eventually though.

I expect progression from Liverpool and a top four challenge but, as things stand, for me:-

4th Arsenal
5th Liverpool
6th Spurs

 

[sl1k]

The thread is about the top 4 so poch and spurs will be a part of the conversation I'm sure. The poll is more about which of the 5 'blockbuster' managers you think is most likely to miss out.

Klopp has the advantage of having spent more time with his team in conparison to mou pep and conte. Arsenal haven't recruited adequately thus far, and history would tell us they probably won't either.

 

[Stevencc]

So Pagnell chooses Klopp/Liverpool of the options given but can't quite bring himself to officially participate in the poll.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

 

[Pagnell]

Klopp has the advantage of having spent more time with his team in conparison to mou pep and conte.

But the disadvantage of not having an unlimited budget to piss up the wall.

 

[Stevencc]

That's more like it Pags.

 

[sl1k]

But the disadvantage of not having an unlimited budget to piss up the wall.

Is pissing it up the wall really an advantage though? We have an fa cup to show for the billion quid we spent under lvg. Isn't klopp the master of astute economical and potential filled (under his tutelage) signings?

 

[FrazerLloyd]

Is pissing it up the wall really an advantage though? We have an fa cup to show for the billion quid we spent under lvg. Isn't klopp the master of astute economical and potential filled (under his tutelage) signings?

To be fair though, LVG thought Rooney was a central midfielder and that Antonio Valencia was a defender.

Anyone that plays Valencia in defence, given his ineptitude when it comes to remembering the offside rule, shouldn't be trusted with a fiver, let alone £1bn.

 

[Pagnell]

Is pissing it up the wall really an advantage though?

Is not having to consider the cost of targets an advantage? Hmmmmmm.....I'll need to think about that one.

And with LVG it was just as much a case of him not having a fucking clue how to properly use the players he bought (and motivating them) as him spending badly. And besides, I question how much influence Moyes and LVG had at United in terms of buys anyway in comparison to the likes of Woodward. Things are likely going to be different under Mourinho though.

 

[smat]

Conte and Guardiola are far from certs to get their teams there in their first seasons in England IMVHO, especially with Chelsea having finished TENTH last season. Also United were pretty poor last season as well, and big money new signings have not exactly been a guarantee for them in recent years, see Di Maria, Herrera and Depay (think they are by far the most likely of the 3 to win the league though). I can't get excited about us but we do always make it in the end. Spurs will still be up there, Liverpool will definitely improve, and erm Leicester actually won the thing last season, what makes you think they'll fall out of contention for the top four altogether?

I think Chelsea will miss out for sure.

 

[Abertawe]

To be fair though, LVG thought Rooney was a central midfielder and that Antonio Valencia was a defender.

Anyone that plays Valencia in defence, given his ineptitude when it comes to remembering the offside rule, shouldn't be trusted with a fiver, let alone £1bn.

He wasn't played as a defender but you're right his tactical nous going backwards isn't good enough. He would've been an awesome wing back had he learnt the ropes from young though. Physically he's got everything you'd want from a WB.

 

[Dirk]

Who will most likely miss out on a CL place?
And then you mentioned Klopp and at the bottom Liverpool? What's that supposed to mean? If Klopp misses the CL place then Liverpool, too (and vice versa). Or is this (again) an inside joke that a newcomer like me doesn't understand yet

 

[SALTIRE]

No Pochettino or Spurs in this? I mean I don't think they'll repeat a top four finish, but don't think they should be discounted entirely.

Or Leicester, but two Liverpool options, I wonder why.

 

[SALTIRE]

Who will most likely miss out on a CL place?
And then you mentioned Klopp and at the bottom Liverpool? What's that supposed to mean? If Klopp misses the CL place then Liverpool, too (and vice versa). Or is this (again) an inside joke that a newcomer like me doesn't understand yet

A lot of Liverpool trolls on this forum mate

 

[Dirk]

A lot of Liverpool trolls on this forum mate

Thanks for the explanation, SALTIRE.

So, actually Klopp would have 6 Votes plus 2 Liverpool Votes, that's 8 Votes and the unanimous "Lead" in missing the Top4.

Come on, Kloppo. Prove them wrong!

 

[G-Dragon]

We have a very good chance of making top 4. Personally think Chelsea will miss out. Too many rats in that team.

Surely its a disgrace if United don't win (buy) the league after throwing away all that money!

 

[Abertawe]

Well if they've thrown it away surely that would suggest they're not well equipped to win the league. Jheeze, you're shit at this trolling lark.

 

[Skinner]

1. City
2. United
3. Arsenal
4. Spurs
----------------
5. Chelsea
6. Liverpool

 

[epic73]

1. United
2. Spurs
3. Leicester
4. Arsenal
5. City
6. Chelsea

 

[Mr. Scruff]

Man Utd - Fuck being cautious, first time I felt we've had a chance in 3 years. Our squad is as good as any in the league as is our manager. What gives us the edge is how physically imposing our squad is, can see us winning a fair few games on set pieces alone. It's a coin toss between us and City.
Man City- Too much quality going forward to fail miserably. Will get some bloody noses from physical sides away from bome which will cost them.
Tottenham- Done well in the market building on a good team.
Chelsea- Have enough quality to edge out Arsenal
Arsenal- This is the year they finally drop out of the top 4.Light at the back and up front, if they get their usual injuries they won't have enough.
Leicester- Will just edge out Liverpool.

 

[sl1k]

Fixture lists of the top 6 playing each other

Manchester United

• Liverpool (Home) Jan 15
• Man City (Away) Feb 26
• Chelsea (Home) April 15
• Arsenal (Away) May 6
• Spurs (Away) May 13

Chelsea

• Spurs (Away) Jan 4
• Liverpool (Away) Jan 31
• Arsenal (Home) Feb 4
• Man City (Home) April 5
• United (Away) April 15

Liverpool

• Man City (Home) 31 Dec
• United (Away) 15 Jan
• Chelsea (Home) 31 Jan
• Spurs (Home) 11 Feb
• Arsenal (Home) 15 Mar
• City (Away) 18 Mar

Man City

• Liverpool (Away) 31 Dec
• Spurs (Home) 21 Jan
• United (Home) 26 Feb
• Liverpool (Home) 18 Mar
• Arsenal (Away) 1 April
• Chelsea (Away) 15 April

Arsenal

• Chelsea (Away) 4 Feb
• Liverpool (Away) 4 Mar
• City (Home) 1 April
• Spurs (Away) 29 April
• United (Home) 6 May

Spurs

• Chelsea (Home) 4 Jan
• City (Away) 21 Jan
• Liverpool (Away) 11 Feb
• Arsenal (Home) 29 Feb
• United (Home) 13 May

We're about half way through the season now, and it's looking likely that Chelsea will certainly get top four if not go on to win the league. The other 3 spots are well up in the air still IMO.

Liverpool look good, as much as it pains me to say - will probably finish in the spots.

Arsenal are seasoned pros in the top four game, but with contracts stalling with a couple top players, Wenger's future being uncertain, and Arsenal still fully capable of being Arsenal when push comes to shove - y'never know.

City have lost Gundogan, have a shite defence that can be got at and can have pretty erratic form at times.

We're just starting to mesh now, Mou's identified the strongest team and has moulded them in to a system with brilliant patterns of play beginning to emerge. Unbeaten in the last 11 games and have won four on the bounce in the league. Only 4 points off fourth.

Shaping up to be a tasty season, and the head to heads will be key. Think we'll smash Liverpool and continue our good run.

Edit: oops forgot spurs. Enough said

 

[SALTIRE]

You might beat us but your still miles behind. And even if we do fall back over the next few months, the last two months fixtures in the run-in are very favourable.

Also probably only need another 10 wins to guarantee CL football which is well doable.

 

[sl1k]

After doing various math voodoo, I reckon it can take as much as 72points to secure top four his year (give or take a point or two).

We'll have to go on a run for sure, though it'll come down to the 6 pointers. We're only 4 points off fourth and 7 off second with half the season to go. We'll have to better the 5/15 accumulated the first round, at least 9-10 off the 15.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

I think Chelsea will miss out for sure.

Agreed.




(we're going to get stuffed by Spurs now and go on a calamitous run, aren't we?)