Cornish Steve Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 I'm coming across more and more articles (like this one) on the web from commentators who believe we have a genuine shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn31 Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nikica Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 (edited) I don't think you will, but the article is built on sound principles, and I particularly agree with points one and five. I've alluded to point one on here a few times, and in fact Lukaku as an individual embodies what you showed as a team the other day - he/you are capable of getting the job done even when playing below your usual standard. Point five is a great one and something which I feel is overlooked in football - a lack of fear in football can be something which makes all the difference. It can make players less hesitant and more likely to try things. It can be the difference between pulling off a great pass, finding the net or hitting the corner flag etc. You are playing with the shackles off and have a very nice run of games over the next twelve weeks or so. In saying that, I'd expect you to drop points in some of them as that's how football works. I think Man City will prove to be too strong, but I don't think any of the other teams have played better football than you on the whole. There's some comments along the lines of you 'lacking money or the players', but football doesn't always work like that: the game isn't played on paper or in a bank. Being a cohesive team which works well is worth far more than those things. Purely from an entertainment standpoint, the teams I've enjoyed watching most so far this season are Man City, Everton, Arsenal and Liverpool. I'd have no problems with those clubs comprising the top four if they maintain their level. If I was to bet I would say you will finish 3rd - 5th. The smaller squad may prove to hurt any title aspirations in the long term. However, other than Man City the other teams aren't that strong in comparison to previous seasons so now is the perfect time to take advantage. Edited December 16, 2013 by Nikica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Stop it! Quinn31 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Of course we can because we're only four points off the top of the table approaching the half way point of the season....and an alien looking at the table with no point of reference other than that would say we have a decent chance. But we won't.....bookies have us at 33/1 which is about right. Decent December/January though and 3rd/4th is not beyond us. Quinn31 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 The FA wouldn't let us win the league even if we had a genuine chance of doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcopaulo Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Come on, lets just enjoy it so far. If we are within three points of the top spot come the second week of January i'll believe we have a chance. Lets just beat Swansea and Sunderland first, then see what happens. Lowensda and Romey 1878 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenosetoffee Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 If we could turn some of the draws we are getting into the wins then maybe. We drew against Norwich and Cardiff which we really should have won. Every manager has a rough patch through a season when they will lose to the likes ot Palace and then morale goes down. I do think we can get 4th - 5th place but lets see how the rest of the season pans out. COYB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Can we win it? yes. We have proven that by the way we have played against the top teams. Will we win it? no I don't think so. Our squad lacks depth, injuries are inevitable. If we take out any two from Howard, Jags, Barry, McCarthy, Lukaku, Baines then I fear any of the top 8 will be a tough opponent. I think we seen this against Fulham (Baines and McCarthy) - still good but just lack that edge. When the big boys get injuries they can cover them far easier. Lets see what Bob has in store for January though... Lowensda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowensda Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Draws to wins, we could have. We're two injuries away from not being our best...at the moment, we've been lucky by not having them. Exhaustion may play a part later on, if Lukaku gets injured, we've not got the resources to replace him. If Barry gets injured or cant play(Man City) we look week in the middle. If Jags/Distin get injured (god forbid) will Stones be able to step in and keep us aloft? I think we'll get Europa and i'd be happy. Small steps of progression, lead to bigger rewards. Too much too soon can affect you in more ways than just league position. weebittight 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 If we go into deadline day having won the next 7 games (ok big ask but...) we will be on 52 points on 23 games - the average top 4 qualifier is 70 points. That leaves 15 games to get 18 points... surely warranting an investment.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoof_It_Nev Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I hope so, before the season I put £2 on us to finish top 2, 300/1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 No. Think thats all that needs to be said really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 My lad just asked me a difficult one. Given the choice, what would you take.... Finish fourth or finish fifth and win the FA Cup? Winning a trophy would be special but potentially Champs League money could be game changing. I'm really not sure....head v heart stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 My lad just asked me a difficult one. Given the choice, what would you take.... Finish fourth or finish fifth and win the FA Cup? Winning a trophy would be special but potentially Champs League money could be game changing. I'm really not sure....head v heart stuff. We could finish fourth and blow it in the qualifiers again, but I think it would make too much of a difference to us financially if we could qualify for the Champions League so I think I would go for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) 4th is only CL qualifiers stage, not the group stages (is 4th is even a place this season?) so money isnt guaranteed until we get there. Still a tricky question either way. I'd rather finish top 3 and win the FA Cup Edited December 17, 2013 by Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 We could finish fourth and blow it in the qualifiers again, but I think it would make too much of a difference to us financially if we could qualify for the Champions League so I think I would go for thatha, beat me to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 4th is only CL qualifiers stage, not the group stages (is 4th is even a place this season?) so money isnt guaranteed until we get there. Still a tricky question either way. I'd rather finish top 3 and win the FA Cup The top 4 is always the CL places. Well it will be while our coefficient is high enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 The top 4 is always the CL places. Well it will be while our coefficient is high enough. didnt Spurs miss out despite finishing 4th? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 didnt Spurs miss out despite finishing 4th? Only because of the rule change that came about due to us finishing fourth and the shite finishing outside the CL places but winning the CL that season, meaning England had an extra club. Otherwise the places just go to the top 4 in the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I would go for 4th. Winning a Cup would be nice, but having the chance to qualify for the CL would be brilliant. I dont think any of us reasonably think we are going to win the league or even come that close, but what a great feeling it is to even be having this discussion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Are we as good as the shite,spurs,arse? Yes undoubtably Chelsea and city aren't that great either. Can we win the league? Why not? I think we will finish third though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 4th, if we progress to the league how much is that worth? £15m? Massive boost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 4th, if we progress to the league how much is that worth? £15m? Massive boost. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1858497.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMorley91 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Only because of the rule change that came about due to us finishing fourth and the shite finishing outside the CL places but winning the CL that season, meaning England had an extra club. Otherwise the places just go to the top 4 in the league. Anyone else horribly afraid that we will get fourth and Moyes will continue his lucky draws (Olympiakos, Shaktar etc.) to win the things and knock us into the Europa? Would cry.... And no, we have the potential to be close to winning the league, but as was mentioned above, two injuries and we are looking very thin. On any given day we can beat any team, but over the course of the season, I cannot see us toppling City in particular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Anyone else horribly afraid that we will get fourth and Moyes will continue his lucky draws (Olympiakos, Shaktar etc.) to win the things and knock us into the Europa? Would cry..... You had to go there! CMorley91, Quinn31 and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcopaulo Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Anyone else horribly afraid that we will get fourth and Moyes will continue his lucky draws (Olympiakos, Shaktar etc.) to win the things and knock us into the Europa? Would cry.... And no, we have the potential to be close to winning the league, but as was mentioned above, two injuries and we are looking very thin. On any given day we can beat any team, but over the course of the season, I cannot see us toppling City in particular. if that happens...i will find you Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weebittight Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 We would need to win all our home games, the Anfield Derby and probably the Chelsea game. I expect a lot of draws between the other contenders and Liverpool. If we are still around the top four in April I might start thinking we could go all the way. Whatever happens I have had more fun these last four months under Matinez than the last four years under the Wizard. Romey 1878, CMorley91, marcus jones and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hafnia Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Had a little chuckle - seen the thread saying "Can Everton win the league" - two threads above it "Martinez will not last the season" Matt and Pearso 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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