Are we home and dry?

Pat_Mustard · 27th March 2008, 07:05

Barring a monumental turnaround of the goal differences, Chelsea effectively need to make up 6 points from 21 left to play for. If they were to beat us at Stamford Bridge, then it would be only 3 points from 18, and we still have to play Arsenal before that. We've got a lot still to do.

If we can avoid defeat against Arsenal and Chelsea though then we could afford to lose another game even if Arse or Chelsea win all their other ones. If I've done my sums correctly, which I have to admit I probably haven't.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 27th March 2008, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam#1

It's far from over...

Word

Bilbo · 27th March 2008, 08:44

Not over yet. The team have shown on various occassions this season that we are capable of off-days. I'm quietly confident, but if we can get past the Chelsea game still in front it'll be over.

Still think Chelsea look likely to drop points at anytime, though its a testiment to their character that they are in the mix in a season when I can't really recall them over playing that well.

Arsenal have folded under pressure. No doubt about that, but it might suit them now that everyone has written them off, and if they find their form again then they are certainly capable of winning all remaining games.

Collina · 27th March 2008, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_live_cement

if we win the next 2 games I'd say it's 100 % ours. But until then I'm not going to be celebrating

You'll be celebrating the title if we win the next two games? Madness.

Crustanoid · 27th March 2008, 08:54

Still much to be done - we won't know until we have played Arse / Russian rentboys

IhabX7 · 27th March 2008, 09:52

We are playing some decent teams other than Chelsea and Arsenal. Its tricky to say the least. If the players show the expected desire, we should be able to get the results.

dmode · 27th March 2008, 10:15

and we should certainly not play for draws with Chelsea and Arses...

Jacob · 27th March 2008, 10:19

We will drop points, they will too. It's a matter of which club that drops the least on the way to the wire.

Jacob · 27th March 2008, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmode

and we should certainly not play for draws with Chelsea and Arses...

We're Man United, we never play for anything less than a win

OK enough. · 27th March 2008, 10:21

Good point. Winning at riverside stadium will be the key point and arse at home. this fixtures are tricky ones.

Escobar · 27th March 2008, 10:27

The players shouldnt get carried away by that lead but focus on every single game, as the past proved that the favourites can stumble the nearer they come as they already feel like Champions.

SirAF · 27th March 2008, 14:31

It is all in our hands, which is a very good thing, but it is far far from over. The away games against Boro, Blackburn and obviously Chelsea will be bloody hard. Those are the games imo that will decide the title.

Red Dreams · 27th March 2008, 14:49

Chelsea have the easiest run in...if we avoid defeat there, think we will win it...because I see them winning all their other matches...and it is not a given we will beat Arsenal and one or two other tricky matches in between the CL games.

we have that 5 point advantage...that is what gives us the slight edge atm.

Man-United · 27th March 2008, 14:57

I'm happy we play Roma on tuesday 1st of april and wednesday 9th instead of 2nd and 8th.
The Boro game are on sunday 6th and the four full days rest after Roma should help us to be ready for Boro. (the Premiership are most important, always)

Last year we played Roma wednesday away and Pompey away on saturday and that didn't go well...
Chelsea are playing in Turkey vs Fenerbache on the 2nd, and will play at City on the 5th so that's not very easy..

But first Villa on saturday, and we must win that.

REd FUn DevIl · 27th March 2008, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by IhabX7

We are playing some decent teams other than Chelsea and Arsenal. Its tricky to say the least. If the players show the expected desire, we should be able to get the results.

Exactly, the real problem is that apart the tricky fixtures on the league we have Champions League also and that makes difficult to recover in two days time to play again. Remember we just have Rooney and Tevez upfront and Rio/Vida will be needed on all the games.

If you ask me its hard as feck to win all the games. We are gonna need every single player available to come in and do the work, even Neville and Silvestre.

Crustanoid · 27th March 2008, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by REd FUn DevIl

Exactly, the real problem is that apart the tricky fixtures on the league we have Champions League also and that makes difficult to recover in two days time to play again. Remember we just have Rooney and Tevez upfront and Rio/Vida will be needed on all the games.

If you ask me its hard as feck to win all the games. We are gonna need every single player available to come in and do the work, even Neville and Silvestre.

Rotation rotation rotation

SAF could field two different teams alternatively

Trouble is we have seen Rafa try this - and look what happened.

Mind you some of Liverpools players are crap and Rafa is retarded

KingEric7 · 27th March 2008, 15:27

It is likely that Chelsea will need nothing short of a win when they play us at Stamford Bridge. This should be a very interesting game as not only do Chelsea have a hell of a squad but they are also at home and will go for the win. This may be the one time where Chelsea go absolutely flat out and we're going to have to try and deal with this.
Rio Ferdinand is the key man now as far as our title challenge goes.

jojojo · 27th March 2008, 15:28

Last season in the run-in every time we tried to rest Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs or Scholes we were struggling - usually to the point where we were bringing the "rested" on to chase the game (not always succesfully)

The promising thing is that in the past 9 games we have played games without Ronaldo and Rooney and coped. It's true that if you take away Rio, Roo or Ron we're not the same team - but then why should we be? Luck, fitness and nerve are all in the mix - there's no way of predicting what'll happen in Cups but unless one of the big three (Rio, Roo, Ron) gets injured or hits a real low then I'm looking forward to enjoying our League run-in. Even though it will be bad for my heart rate.

Romaleouf · 27th March 2008, 15:36

As long as Chelsea & Arsenal mimick or imitate our results. If we win, they win, we draw, they draw, we lose, they lose.

Then, it would be the same points differential going into the last two games of the seaon.

But, it doesn't always work out that way, which means we have to go for the win in all games.

FlawlessThaw · 27th March 2008, 15:40

The Boro away game is sandwiched in between the two Roma legs so that could be quite crucial.

UnitedRoadRed · 27th March 2008, 15:44

It's over when we're over the line.
Simple as that.
Beat Villa, beat Boro, beat Arsenal, beat Chelsea.
Win those for and for me, it's over (although not mathematically, it's good as over).

Amir · 27th March 2008, 15:50

People talk about some of the matches we have before we go to Chelsea... They are all big, they are all dangerous. Villa, Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Blackburn. Chelsea only need us to lose one for them to smell blood.

REd FUn DevIl · 27th March 2008, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir

People talk about some of the matches we have before we go to Chelsea... They are all big, they are all dangerous. Villa, Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Blackburn. Chelsea only need us to lose one for them to smell blood.

Exactly i cant think on which of all those is more difficult. Even West Ham at home and Wigan (away) look tough.

Its stupid to predict which will be hard and which not, this part of the season demands a lot from the players. We have to take games against Wigan and West ham in the same way we should take Arsenal or Chelsea.

kietotheworld · 27th March 2008, 18:06

Chelsea have Boro at SB and City away before they play us, not easy fixtures.

FlawlessThaw · 27th March 2008, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by kietotheworld

Chelsea have Boro at SB and City away before they play us, not easy fixtures.

City will roll over and die for Chelsea, especially if their recent form is anything to go by.

jasonrh · 27th March 2008, 18:37

We've got a tough run in, but I fancy Le Arse to slip up against the scousers in the league, especially if Everton beat LFC at the weekend, and they're fighting for 4th. Le Arse look as if they've thrown in the towel already, and Wenger may rest players for the Cup if the first CL leg goes poorly.

Even if their form picks up I fancy we might well be able to beat them.

If we beat Arsenal then they would need to pick up 10 more points than us of a total of 18 in the other six games. Them going perfect aside from a loss to us would mean they would need us to do no better than winning two, drawing two and losing two. Not impossible, but if we can beat Arsenal we should be a lot better than to do that.

Chelsea may end up dropping points in a stupid place, and depending on the race for 4th, Everton might be up for it. Maybe Citeh can throw us a bone as well. Beating Chelsea makes the situation just as dire for them, except that they can lose to us and win it by going perfect and us only getting three wins and three losses. Again, if we can win at SB we should be better than that.

If we beat both Arse and Chelsea we'll win it barring truly catastrophic results in other games.

Doing that would mean that Chelsea could only win it by them going otherwise perfect and us doing no better than two wins and three losses. Things would be worse for Arsenal, who would have to go otherwise perfect and watch us go into free fall with no better than one win, two draws and two losses.

Getting the job done against those two would hand us the title.

Blackburn and Boro worry me a bit, but to win the title you've got to be better than the rest. It is time for us to show it.

jasonrh · 27th March 2008, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnitedRoadRed

It's over when we're over the line.
Simple as that.
Beat Villa, beat Boro, beat Arsenal, beat Chelsea.
Win those for and for me, it's over (although not mathematically, it's good as over).

That would end it mathematically for Arsenal barring both an unbelievable turnaround in goal difference and three losses in our current fixtures. We currently lead Arsenal by 14 in GD

Chelsea would still have a chance if they dropped nothing and we lost to Blackburn, West Ham and Wigan. They could also win it if we only got one draw and two losses from them while they made up a gap in goal difference of 17.

Squeaky bum time, but better be us than them.

cockneyHammer · 27th March 2008, 18:50

If Chelsea win every game up until the end of the season and you lose 1 game (other than the Chelsea game) they win the title

With you having to play us, it could easily be West Ham that cost you the title..... would I get banned if that were the case

Longlivekeano · 27th March 2008, 18:51

One game at a time. Target 3 points. Get it by hook or by crook. 1-0 scrappy wins off Wes Brown's orange hair by everygame will do just fine for me. Once, the 3 points have been picked up. We move on to the next match....and so on....There is no such thing as home and dry until I see our captain parading the EPL trophy with my own eyes!!!

kietotheworld · 27th March 2008, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by cockneyHammer

If Chelsea go undefeated to the end of the season and you lose 1 game (other than the Chelsea game) they win the title

They went undefeated the last 5 games of last season, unfortunately they didn't win any.

cockneyHammer · 27th March 2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kietotheworld

They went undefeated the last 5 games of last season, unfortunately they didn't win any.

I meant if they won every game

27th March 2008, 07:05	#41 (permalink)
Pat_Mustard Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 868	Barring a monumental turnaround of the goal differences, Chelsea effectively need to make up 6 points from 21 left to play for. If they were to beat us at Stamford Bridge, then it would be only 3 points from 18, and we still have to play Arsenal before that. We've got a lot still to do. If we can avoid defeat against Arsenal and Chelsea though then we could afford to lose another game even if Arse or Chelsea win all their other ones. If I've done my sums correctly, which I have to admit I probably haven't.

27th March 2008, 08:44	#43 (permalink)
Bilbo Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 4,715	Not over yet. The team have shown on various occassions this season that we are capable of off-days. I'm quietly confident, but if we can get past the Chelsea game still in front it'll be over. Still think Chelsea look likely to drop points at anytime, though its a testiment to their character that they are in the mix in a season when I can't really recall them over playing that well. Arsenal have folded under pressure. No doubt about that, but it might suit them now that everyone has written them off, and if they find their form again then they are certainly capable of winning all remaining games.

27th March 2008, 08:54	#45 (permalink)
Crustanoid Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancs Posts: 1,061	Still much to be done - we won't know until we have played Arse / Russian rentboys

27th March 2008, 09:52	#46 (permalink)
IhabX7 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,359	We are playing some decent teams other than Chelsea and Arsenal. Its tricky to say the least. If the players show the expected desire, we should be able to get the results.

27th March 2008, 10:15	#47 (permalink)
dmode Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: vega Posts: 2,452	and we should certainly not play for draws with Chelsea and Arses...

27th March 2008, 10:19	#48 (permalink)
Jacob buS maeT tsriF Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 9,031	We will drop points, they will too. It's a matter of which club that drops the least on the way to the wire.

27th March 2008, 10:21	#50 (permalink)
OK enough. Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Redcafe star:Man utd for life. a player from Somaliland Posts: 3,741	Good point. Winning at riverside stadium will be the key point and arse at home. this fixtures are tricky ones.

27th March 2008, 10:27	#51 (permalink)
Escobar Poster originally known as Michel04 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Federer-Land Posts: 11,394	The players shouldnt get carried away by that lead but focus on every single game, as the past proved that the favourites can stumble the nearer they come as they already feel like Champions.

27th March 2008, 14:31	#52 (permalink)
SirAF Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 715	It is all in our hands, which is a very good thing, but it is far far from over. The away games against Boro, Blackburn and obviously Chelsea will be bloody hard. Those are the games imo that will decide the title.

27th March 2008, 14:49	#53 (permalink)
Red Dreams First Team Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Thunder Road to Old Trafford Posts: 10,003	Chelsea have the easiest run in...if we avoid defeat there, think we will win it...because I see them winning all their other matches...and it is not a given we will beat Arsenal and one or two other tricky matches in between the CL games. we have that 5 point advantage...that is what gives us the slight edge atm.

27th March 2008, 14:57	#54 (permalink)
Man-United Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,860	I'm happy we play Roma on tuesday 1st of april and wednesday 9th instead of 2nd and 8th. The Boro game are on sunday 6th and the four full days rest after Roma should help us to be ready for Boro. (the Premiership are most important, always) Last year we played Roma wednesday away and Pompey away on saturday and that didn't go well... Chelsea are playing in Turkey vs Fenerbache on the 2nd, and will play at City on the 5th so that's not very easy.. But first Villa on saturday, and we must win that.

27th March 2008, 15:27	#57 (permalink)
KingEric7 Winner of the Tabata bet Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan. Posts: 11,428	It is likely that Chelsea will need nothing short of a win when they play us at Stamford Bridge. This should be a very interesting game as not only do Chelsea have a hell of a squad but they are also at home and will go for the win. This may be the one time where Chelsea go absolutely flat out and we're going to have to try and deal with this. Rio Ferdinand is the key man now as far as our title challenge goes.

27th March 2008, 15:28	#58 (permalink)
jojojo Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: not round here Posts: 926	Last season in the run-in every time we tried to rest Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs or Scholes we were struggling - usually to the point where we were bringing the "rested" on to chase the game (not always succesfully) The promising thing is that in the past 9 games we have played games without Ronaldo and Rooney and coped. It's true that if you take away Rio, Roo or Ron we're not the same team - but then why should we be? Luck, fitness and nerve are all in the mix - there's no way of predicting what'll happen in Cups but unless one of the big three (Rio, Roo, Ron) gets injured or hits a real low then I'm looking forward to enjoying our League run-in. Even though it will be bad for my heart rate.

27th March 2008, 15:36	#59 (permalink)
Romaleouf Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 80 miles off Equator Posts: 929	As long as Chelsea & Arsenal mimick or imitate our results. If we win, they win, we draw, they draw, we lose, they lose. Then, it would be the same points differential going into the last two games of the seaon. But, it doesn't always work out that way, which means we have to go for the win in all games.

27th March 2008, 15:40	#60 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 7,307	The Boro away game is sandwiched in between the two Roma legs so that could be quite crucial.

27th March 2008, 15:44	#61 (permalink)
UnitedRoadRed Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,589	It's over when we're over the line. Simple as that. Beat Villa, beat Boro, beat Arsenal, beat Chelsea. Win those for and for me, it's over (although not mathematically, it's good as over).

27th March 2008, 15:50	#62 (permalink)
Amir First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Rehovot, Israel Posts: 9,862	People talk about some of the matches we have before we go to Chelsea... They are all big, they are all dangerous. Villa, Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Blackburn. Chelsea only need us to lose one for them to smell blood.

27th March 2008, 18:06	#64 (permalink)
kietotheworld Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: "Arsenal have been knocked out of the Champions League and have all but run out of steam in the race for the Barclays Premier League title. Anyone not inclined to lament, mourn and bewail this fact is not in possession of a soul." Posts: 2,628	Chelsea have Boro at SB and City away before they play us, not easy fixtures.

27th March 2008, 18:37	#66 (permalink)
jasonrh Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: "You sir, are the syphilitic cockbiscuit son of a hamster rimmer."; "Sir Alex Ferguson, trainer of the English champions, wants to start the spoon fruits since early." Posts: 56,261	We've got a tough run in, but I fancy Le Arse to slip up against the scousers in the league, especially if Everton beat LFC at the weekend, and they're fighting for 4th. Le Arse look as if they've thrown in the towel already, and Wenger may rest players for the Cup if the first CL leg goes poorly. Even if their form picks up I fancy we might well be able to beat them. If we beat Arsenal then they would need to pick up 10 more points than us of a total of 18 in the other six games. Them going perfect aside from a loss to us would mean they would need us to do no better than winning two, drawing two and losing two. Not impossible, but if we can beat Arsenal we should be a lot better than to do that. Chelsea may end up dropping points in a stupid place, and depending on the race for 4th, Everton might be up for it. Maybe Citeh can throw us a bone as well. Beating Chelsea makes the situation just as dire for them, except that they can lose to us and win it by going perfect and us only getting three wins and three losses. Again, if we can win at SB we should be better than that. If we beat both Arse and Chelsea we'll win it barring truly catastrophic results in other games. Doing that would mean that Chelsea could only win it by them going otherwise perfect and us doing no better than two wins and three losses. Things would be worse for Arsenal, who would have to go otherwise perfect and watch us go into free fall with no better than one win, two draws and two losses. Getting the job done against those two would hand us the title. Blackburn and Boro worry me a bit, but to win the title you've got to be better than the rest. It is time for us to show it.

27th March 2008, 18:50	#68 (permalink)
cockneyHammer What contract? Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hiding with the fortunes Posts: 3,457	If Chelsea win every game up until the end of the season and you lose 1 game (other than the Chelsea game) they win the title With you having to play us, it could easily be West Ham that cost you the title..... would I get banned if that were the case

27th March 2008, 18:51	#69 (permalink)
Longlivekeano Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,223	One game at a time. Target 3 points. Get it by hook or by crook. 1-0 scrappy wins off Wes Brown's orange hair by everygame will do just fine for me. Once, the 3 points have been picked up. We move on to the next match....and so on....There is no such thing as home and dry until I see our captain parading the EPL trophy with my own eyes!!!

27th March 2008, 19:11	#72 (permalink)
REd FUn DevIl First Team Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 <