NID? That can't be a real acronym
Top 4 race / race abandoned (or maybe not) / Leicester & Chelsea in the process of bottling it
- Thread starter Andycoleno9
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Can you believe those ESL clubs tried to destroy the excitement of the top 4 race. Unforgivable.
Maguire started every game for us in like forever. He's an integral part of our team and our captain. I wouldn't swap him for most CB's in the Premier League let alone Chelseas.
I think they'll beat Arsenal, Leicester (way they defended tonight Chelsea will cut through them no problem) and probably beat us last day if they need to so even with defeat tomorrow I think they'll hit 68-70 points and I can't see that points haul not being enough for top 4.
Spurs might have a say in this with their remaining fixtures. 2 points behind Chelsea if they win and City beats the chavs.
Yeah, Chelsea will do it, they've been the second best side in the country since Tuchel took over. Final spot looks like a case of who is the least rubbish of Leicester, Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham. I reckon Liverpool will nick it. Leicester have bottled it again - unbelievable.
Not in doubt ?NID? That can't be a real acronym
So all we need to secure 2nd is a win Sunday a draw against Leicester?
I’m already counting on Chelsea to lose tomorrow.
I’m already counting on Chelsea to lose tomorrow.
If we win and Chelsea lose, it’d leave only Leicester able to get more points than us, and they’d need to avoid defeat against United, Chelsea and Spurs to have any chance.
so yea, win on Sunday and it’s done
Westham might actually sneak in looking at that fixture list if they win against Everton. Come on then Jesse.
Mason the only one not trying to pull off some tough guy arms crossed pose - on that basis, I reckon Spurs will do it.
Absolutely have to beat liverpool now. Cant have them getting back in after all of that.
Rodgers has Leicester punching above their weight and people overrating their players
Rodgers has Leicester punching above their weight and people overrating their players
It's mental how many times its been the main thing that's still to be decided on the final day. Maybe Wenger was right after all!
This gave me flashbacks of last season
So Leicester beat Palace 2-1 (after being 1-0 down), played 1-1 despite playing against 10-man Southampton for 80 minutes and now lost to Newcastle 4-2 at home and were even 4-0 down. If they don't finish in top 4 then they only have themselves to blame really. No excuses this season, most of their players are fit. I do think they'll beat us though but if we didn't have this tight schedule don't think it would've happened.
If West Ham beat Everton then they're in with a chance, though I reckon Brighton is trickier fixture for them than Everton.
If West Ham beat Everton then they're in with a chance, though I reckon Brighton is trickier fixture for them than Everton.
Can you imagine that, Spurs sneaking in for once because everyone else above them bottles it.
They would probably give Mason the job full time if it actually happened so would be Di Matteo esque.
I'm glad we're out the race, who wants something to play for at the end of the season!
It's like 2 years ago, we were both in top 4 race and collapsed towards the end leaving it to Chelsea and SpursI'm glad we're out the race, who wants something to play for at the end of the season!
Tottenham have to beat Leeds at Elland Road this weekend to even think about top 4. Not saying it can't happen but very unlikely. Everton on the other hand had their best chance in years and won't do it, really expected much more of them.
I think we'll get the draw we need to guarantee ourselves 2nd and will play a completely rotated XI in that game. We'll go full strength v Villa and Liverpool and should beat both.
Yup, seems the logical approach. Ironically, that could mean the really big losers from the rescheduling will be Liverpool.
Anyway, Leicester will need that, because this was a catastrophic loss for them. When you consider the remaining schedule, this drops them right into the chasing pack, and I think the smart money is now on Chelsea for third.
Correspondingly huge win for Newcastle too. Not only does it put them pretty much clear of relegation, they now have a quite realistic opportunity to climb up to claim a place in the middle pack, rather than the bottom one. 13th may be very attainable. For a club that's spent so much time near the relegation zone, that'd mean something and put quite a different spin on the season.
Chelsea's next few weeks are absolutely bonkers. Leicester twice, City twice, Arsenal and then a final day of partytime Villa. Madness.
Have to be rooting for WHU. Or Spurs now that Jose is gone.
Have to be rooting for WHU. Or Spurs now that Jose is gone.
I think Chelsea will need to beat City to get third. Their league form has been a little erratic at times, as they seem to have fallen into the trap of playing their best in cup fixtures. For all the wins against Madrid/Atleti/City etc, they have drawn with: Wolves, Leeds, Brighton and Soton and lost to WBA since Tuchel came in.
Even though I'd obviously much rather prefer to have top 4 secured already, to have every single game until the end of the season be a crucial game with something important riding on it is incredibly exciting.
Nice 0-0 tomorrow would go a long way. Not a strenuous match. A nice light jog as active recovery!
I fancy West ham with that fixture list if they can get rice back
For West Ham it is all about beating Everton. I have the Dippers getting 13 points out of their 15 remaining and they have a much better gd to West Ham.
NID? That can't be a real acronym
Yeah but you've made it up yourself. It's not a thing is it?
I think so too. They don’t play anyone above them yet Leicester play us and Chelsea. If they lose both or draw one I think Westham will nick it.
Yep.
In the two seasons under Benitez after returning to the PL, they spent £88.5m on transfer fees and finished 10th and 13th with 44 and 45 points. And he was proclaimed a genius, working wonders with peanuts to spend.
In Bruce's two seasons they've spent £100m on transfer fees, so pretty much the same, and last season also finished 13th, again with 44 points. This season, despite all their injuries (and results unsurprisingly improved on their return) they're now currently 13th again, with 39 points, so on course for low-to-mid 40 points again like under Benitez.
The spending and points return is pretty much identical under Benitez and Bruce, as is the goals scored each season, but the narrative of their achievements - one a genius working miracles, one a clown deserving sacking - is hugely different.
Spurs, the fecking dark horses. It feels like they've been shite and dropping points for 2 months but they're still in with a good shout.
We’ve been rubbish since December and still have a shot. It’s ridiculous really.
The standard has been poor this year (to be fair, for understandable reasons).
I expect things to get back to something approaching normal next season.
You'll be better (you couldn't be much worse), Chelsea will have a full season under Tuchel and City will get 95+ points because, well, they're City. Hopefully we kick on, too.
Agreed, though I do think Chelsea will drop points v City this weekend, and if that happens then it would be a straight shootout between them and Leicester in their head to head
The last part is crucial. People seem to forget very quickly how porous your defense was under Lampard. Tuchel has definitely improved your defense. It is very clear from the way you get back your shape the moment you lose the ball. A well-drilled unit.
Leicester have screwed it up, they had to win the easy games as you can't see them picking up barely a point from all the big sides they have left in the run in.
Weakened team vs Leicester and all out vs Liverpool.