Can we realistically finish 4th?

[Vaughan]

after this weekend it got me thinking;

Spurs are not that good despite all their spending. Yes, they could click together and be unreal, but at the moment they look dire. No firepower upfront, no commanding players, too many players that get chopped and changed and a manager that's looking out of his depth outside of the Portuguese league and without a special, special player like Bale to save him.

United obviously have a stronger side than us, and two of the best strikers in the world in Rooney and RVP, but moyes again is looking out of his depth despite a recent run of form.

We battered Liverpool at times yesterday, unfortunately their keeper was in great form and they have one of the best in the world upfront. But I believe we're a better side

Southampton won't finish top 4

That leaves City and Chelsea who have the storngest squads and Arsenal who are the only one of the big sides who've been really consistent. I doubt we'll finish above those three, but if we keep our players fit, cut out the defensive mistakes and bring in a player or two in january i think top 4 is doable. This league is so wide open it's crazy

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Long season, there could easily be a complete reversal of fortunes for 70% of the sides. Week by week, that's how I'll roll.

 

[dholliday]

after this weekend it got me thinking;

Spurs are not that good despite all their spending. Yes, they could click together and be unreal, but at the moment they look dire. No firepower upfront, no commanding players, too many players that get chopped and changed and a manager that's looking out of his depth outside of the Portuguese league and without a special, special player like Bale to save him.

United obviously have a stronger side than us, and two of the best strikers in the world in Rooney and RVP, but moyes again is looking out of his depth despite a recent run of form.

We battered Liverpool at times yesterday, unfortunately their keeper was in great form and they have one of the best in the world upfront. But I believe we're a better side

Southampton won't finish top 4

That leaves City and Chelsea who have the storngest squads and Arsenal who are the only one of the big sides who've been really consistent. I doubt we'll finish above those three, but if we keep our players fit, cut out the defensive mistakes and bring in a player or two in january i think top 4 is doable. This league is so wide open it's crazy

Good analysis, that. I agree that City, Chelsea and Arsenal are picking off the smaller teams, bagging 3 points, in ways that we don't. City's away record is not great, but that will pick up soon enough.

So that leaves 4th spot. We cancelled each other out vs Spurs. We were better vs Liverpool, but are we better than them in picking up 3 points vs smaller clubs?

Moyes' Man Utd seem to be dropping points in ways they never did with Ferg in charge. But then the key difference between the two managers is how they approach games, and we all know how cautious Moyes is. This caution, and our Martinez's atack-friendly optimism, might be the reason we finish above them this season.

But to finish above Spurs and Liverpool, we have to turn these draws against the bottom-12 into wins.

 

[Pabbers]

We need bodies in, in January.

Kone & Gibson out, will hurt.

 

[Sozzled]

With Barry McCarthy partnership -NO.

 

[dholliday]

We need bodies in, in January.

Kone & Gibson out, will hurt.

Aye, our squad is looking painfully thin, with more deadweight than is comfortable. We get long-term injuries to one or two key players and byebye top 6 nevermind 4th.

 

[TheFinnFan]

We will see January business theres no doubt about it.
Wouldnt be talking about top four yet. Euro places, though.

 

[coollino]

Maybe, not sure

 

[dannyboy]

All about January. Go out and spend the money we have we and we'll probably give ourselves a real chance.

Stand still like we did last year and we simply won't get 4th.

 

[mawders]

it's a big ask.

 

[Big Doug]

Problem is our draws, spurs have lost 3 more games than us but are only 1 point behind thats simply not good enough the draws imo cost us europe last season and will this season until we learn to finish teams off. Also notices how this has a correlation with when we score for fun we also concede more but when we keep it tight we dont score:

Liverpool- 3-3
Newcastle-3-2
West ham- 3-2

Then
Spurs 0-0
Palace 0-0
West Brom 0-0

 

[MickM86]

We possibly could be in contention but we also could run out of steam by February.
Bring another CB and CF in January.

 

[dholliday]

Problem is our draws, spurs have lost 3 more games than us but are only 1 point behind thats simply not good enough the draws imo cost us europe last season and will this season until we learn to finish teams off. Also notices how this has a correlation with when we score for fun we also concede more but when we keep it tight we dont score:

Liverpool- 3-3
Newcastle-3-2
West ham- 3-2

Then
Spurs 0-0
Palace 0-0
West Brom 0-0

Good spot that. What's the solution? New goalie? New Centreback pairing? A more dangerous midfield shooter than peashoot Pienaar or those limpy Osman specials? Our shots often seem to lack dangerous venom in them. Even when we do get raw power behind the ball, it's often blocked or skied.

 

[neil999]

if we can keep in touch by january and get 2 good players, then yes...if we dont strengthen in jan.. then no

 

[EFC Si]

We'll give it a good go, but no. Chelsea, Arsenal, City and United are far too strong.