Top 4 Race 19/20 | duffer: "We [Chelsea] are getting 3rd. Despite what the lunatics in here think, Man United are not all that."

[yumtum]

We've turned into a weaker Arsenal from our dominant period - our players are just not upto it mentally, how many years are we going to miss out on top 4 by shitting the bed and not taking the opportunity presented to us?

On a lighter note, all we have to do is win the next three games and we're in, that's all these guys should be focusing on now, if we drop any more points then we're just cowards.

 

[DevilRed]

I've been pretty consistent in my opinion on us not finishing inside the top 4, to be fair.

So am I. We just run out of steam.

Players like Lindelof, Fred just don't have it. The performance drops off completely and we can't keep the ball.

We are now relying on leicester to slip up and hopefully the dippers to do us a favor too. Not counting on us getting maximum points at palace either. It will take a monumental effort and we won't do it starting off so sluggish every match. The reason why we start off slow is the players don't have the energy to press anymore.

 

[Adam-Utd]

It’s nowhere near over but we looked very tired tonight. Now with injuries to shaw and williams we have no fit left backs which is worrying.

it feels like the wheels might come off right at the last moment.

 

[SirScholes]

We definitely have some mentality issues.

It’s certainly not that simple

 

[Tom Cato]

Just a reminder that we can still be in the CL in 2 rounds time, it's not like this ended the challenge, we still got this in our own hands.

 

[SER19]

We do not have the mentality to finish the job.

When the line is in sight, the players shit themselves.

Sounds tough to say this after such a good run, but it's still the problem.

Off nights for Greenwood and fernandes, pogba probably a 3/10. When we needed it most the team failed again. And I like the guy but its another goal from poor lindelof defending

 

[NK86]

We do not have the mentality to finish the job.

When the line is in sight, the players shit themselves.

It was clear as day they look tired. Martial and Rashford were basically running on empty towards the end and that really affected the way we played.

We have been flying since Bruno joined us. One draw doesn't mean we are bottling it. We will surely finish in the top 4.

 

[DRM]

Honestly don't know anymore

 

[boxykronikle]

Huge 2 pts dropped. We might put extra pressure on ourselves.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

We do not have the mentality to finish the job.

When the line is in sight, the players shit themselves.

Yeah that is the main concern, another reason why we can't rely on us winning the Cups either.

 

[McGrathsipan]

All we have to do is better Leicester results.

They are playing spurs and Sheffield United before we meet them

Were playing Westham and palace.

I know what I'd take fixture wise.

Chelsea are playing Wolves and liverpool too so they aren't nailed on wins.

I'm 100% confident we'll get top 4.

100%

 

[P-Nut]

I dont want to hear about anyone saying we have an easy run anymore. Read about way too many people thinking we're the real deal but haven't done shite yet, we have improved a lot but we're FAR from even saying we have an easy fixture. Every game will be fecking difficult and the fecking complacency after a good run is disgusting.

Say what you want we may lose to Leicester but West Ham and Palace are tricky fixtures aswell. West Ham, like Southampton, is a difficult fixture for United and it will be fecking hard as hell.

This United team isn't fecking anything yet.

This was always going to be the toughest game in the run in. We've always struggled with high pressing sides and it was the same story here.

West Ham and Palace won't press us half as much as that.

 

[duffer]

This was always going to be the toughest game in the run in. We've always struggled with high pressing sides and it was the same story here.

West Ham and Palace won't press us half as much as that.

Both of them were ball-aches against us!

 

[DevilRed]

United
Crystal Palace (a)
West Ham (h)
Leicester (a)

Chelsea
Norwich (h)
Liverpool (a)
Wolves (h)

Leicester
Sheffield United (h)
Tottenham (a)
Manchester United (h)

Heading into the last game we should be in the top 4 and just need to avoid defeat. Massive pressure on that game though and we don't seem the strongest when the pressure is on.

We are relying on the others to slip up again.

I also would not be surprised in the least if we drew or lost to palace. We look knackered and palace away has been a very difficult fixture for us over the years.

 

[SirScholes]

So am I. We just run out of steam.

Players like Lindelof, Fred just don't have it. The performance drops off completely and we can't keep the ball.

We are now relying on leicester to slip up and hopefully the dippers to do us a favor too. Not counting on us getting maximum points at palace either. It will take a monumental effort and we won't do it starting off so sluggish every match. The reason why we start off slow is the players don't have the energy to press anymore.

Both Chelsea and Leicester have harder games, we play Leicester so we aren’t relying on anybody

give your head a wobble

 

[Bastian]

This was always going to be the toughest game in the run in. We've always struggled with high pressing sides and it was the same story here.

West Ham and Palace won't press us half as much as that.

But we struggle under the weight of expectation. I think tonight was less about struggling with their high press (though we did struggle at times), and more about mentality.

 

[FootballHQ]

Wouldn't shock me if Leicester didn't win another game this season. Can certainly see Spurs getting a 1 nil v them and Sheffield United could get a draw. They may still have a chance on final day but having to attack Man. United would play into your hands with the space they'd leave behind.

It's pretty mad seeing how low all the points totals are btw. I know it's due to Liverpool running away with things but just checked back and when Moyes was sacked he had 57 points from 34 games so if you'd allow him one more game and he'd won that he'd have more points after 35 than Man. United do now. Anyway...

Liverpool were also 9 clear of Man. City at that stage.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27007492

 

[NK86]

It’s nowhere near over but we looked very tired tonight. Now with injuries to shaw and williams we have no fit left backs which is worrying.

it feels like the wheels might come off right at the last moment.

The injuries are the real worry. I think we do have problems with our CBs pairing not keeping calm when needed, however I think we will be over the line this season. Leicester are absolutely dreadful. They still have Spurs away and I expect Mourinho to get points off them. Similar for Sheffield United.
I can see us winning the next two games and wrapping up CL qualification before the final round of matches.

 

[SirScholes]

It’s nowhere near over but we looked very tired tonight. Now with injuries to shaw and williams we have no fit left backs which is worrying.

it feels like the wheels might come off right at the last moment.

how do you know shaw and Williamswill be missing?

 

[Pow]

Well thats set the cat amongst the pigeons

 

[Dominos]

I'm fuming, but I still have to laugh at the arrogance on this forum over the last couple of weeks.

There were people categorically saying we'd beat Leicester in the last game away from home no problem, and even some people saying they hope Chelsea beat Liverpool because we'll still finish above them. The idea of us dropping points almost seemed laughable to most on here.

The team have absolutely shat themselves, fed up of seeing us bottle the top 4 race year after year.

 

[manuchamp88]

Every f****** time we have a golden opportunity to get top 4 and we sh*t in its face. P*ss it up the bloody wall. We don't deserve CL. I hope Leicester and Chelsea get it. These bottlers can do one. We can finish 8th with no Europa League for all I care. Sick of it.

 

[duffer]

My prediction for the final 3 games:

Chelsea - 3 points.
Leicester - 3 points.
Man United - 9 points.

 

[DevilRed]

Both Chelsea and Leicester have harder games, we play Leicester so we aren’t relying on anybody

give your head a wobble

I suppose if we somehow beat leicester on GD we will get the final spot, assuming everyone gets maximum points in the next 3 fixtures.

Its chance after chance wasted from us though. Even throughout the whole match, we had at least 2 chances to make it 3-1 and Martial missing the one on one right from the start. Our statistics for winning when being up 1-0 in a match at OT is ridiculous.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Fatigue is really catching up with our players.

 

[dwd]

My prediction for the final 3 games:

Chelsea - 3 points.
Leicester - 3 points.
Man United - 9 points.

What about Wolves?

 

[Adisa]

We are cursed.

 

[DevilRed]

My prediction for the final 3 games:

Chelsea - 3 points.
Leicester - 3 points.
Man United - 9 points.

I think you lot will drop points against norwich too.

 

[Adam-Utd]

how do you know shaw and Williamswill be missing?

Shaw twisted his ankle so that’s not going to heal in 3 days.

williams split his head open and looked pretty groggy walking off. Doubt he will be playing for at least a week with concussion protocols and letting it heal.

 

[manuchamp88]

I'm fuming, but I still have to laugh at the arrogance on this forum over the last couple of weeks.

There were people categorically saying we'd beat Leicester in the last game away from home no problem, and even some people saying they hope Chelsea beat Liverpool because we'll still finish above them.

The team have absolutely shat themselves, fed up of seeing us bottle the top 4 race year after year.

Because we've been playing bottom feeders. Our rival fans are right. When it's crunch time we just can't handle it.

 

[duffer]

I think you lot will drop points against norwich too.

You think we'll get less than 3 points? I hope you would like to bet!

 

[Bastian]

My prediction for the final 3 games:

Chelsea - 3 points.
Leicester - 3 points.
Man United - 9 points.

I know what you're trying to do

My prediction

Chelsea 6 points
Leicester 7 points
United 5 points

 

[Offside]

We are relying on the others to slip up again.

I also would not be surprised in the least if we drew or lost to palace. We look knackered and palace away has been a very difficult fixture for us over the years.

We're not really. 3 wins and we are in. The problem I have is that I was hoping we'd be out of sight of Leicester come the final day. We're going to have to go there and get a result and I can see the calamity now. West Ham 2015/16 vibes.

 

[NK86]

Well thats set the cat amongst the pigeons

You guys are going to get a drubbing at Anfield. I am sure we will be comfortable going into the final round of matches.

 

[Fooza]

My prediction for the final 3 games:

Chelsea - 3 points.
Leicester - 3 points.
Man United - 9 points.

Let me undo your jinx

Chelsea - 9 points.
Leicester - 6 points.
Man United - 0 points.

We're out lads...

 

[Relevated]

We are not winning another game this season. Quote me in 3 games.

 

[sewey89]

At least the responses are rational.

Leicester lost to Bournemouth last night.

We played the best team (in terms of form) that we had left to play And but for an injury to Williams, we’d have probably won and been 3rd.

it’s annoying but let’s not pretend we were horrendous. We created plenty of chances against a good team and should’ve won. Keep the belief and beat Palace on Thursday who looked hopeless against villa

 

[Jacko21]

If we’re not clear of them by the final day, that Leicester game could be West Ham at Upton Park all over again.

Win our next two though and let’s see what points Leicester pickup against Sheffield United and Spurs.

 

[P-Nut]

Both of them were ball-aches against us!

Derby games for you lot though aren't they. Can't see them being half as much of a test as this game was.

But we struggle under the weight of expectation. I think tonight was less about struggling with their high press (though we did struggle at times), and more about mentality.

We opened them up time and again, if any of those chances drop in all this noise is out the window.

We conceded after going down to 10 men. If we hadn't come from behind then sure, I'd say its a mentality issue.

Let's be honest, 90 minutes ago everyone was saying we're the 3rd best team in the league, that hasn't changed after conceding an injury time equaliser whilst down to 10 men.

 

[SirScholes]

I suppose if we somehow beat leicester on GD we will get the final spot, assuming everyone gets maximum points in the next 3 fixtures.

Its chance after chance wasted from us though. Even throughout the whole match, we had at least 2 chances to make it 3-1 and Martial missing the one on one right from the start. Our statistics for winning when being up 1-0 in a match at OT is ridiculous.

We are level with Leicester ffs, if we beat them we go above them by 3 points