Champions

[JLW]

Here's what points tally has been needed to reach 4th, between 60-79 points:

• 1995/1996 = Aston Villa (63 points)
• 1996/1997 = Liverpool (68 points)
• 1997/1998 = Chelsea (63 points)
• 1998/1999 = Leeds United (67 points)
• 1999/2000 = Liverpool (67 points)
• 2000/2001 = Leeds United (68 points)
• 2001/2002 = Newcastle United (71 points)
• 2002/2003 = Chelsea (67 points)
• 2003/2004 = Liverpool (60 points)
• 2004/2005 = Everton (61 points)
• 2005/2006 = Arsenal (67 points)
• 2006/2007 = Arsenal (68 points)
• 2007/2008 = Liverpool (76 points)
• 2008/2009 = Arsenal (72 points)
• 2009/2010 = Tottenham Hotspur (70 points)
• 2010/2011 = Arsenal (68 points)
• 2011/2012 = Tottenham Hotspur (69 points)
• 2012/2013 = Arsenal (73 points)
• 2013/2014 = Arsenal (79 points)
• 2014/2015 = Manchester United (70 points)
• 2015/2016 = Manchester City (66 points)
• 2016/2017 = Liverpool (76 points)
• 2017/2018 = Liverpool (75 points)
• 2018/2019 = Tottenham Hotspur (71 points)
• 2019/2020 = Chelsea (66 points)

 

[Barnfred 55]

You mean champions or champions league?

I think champions is pretty much impossible unless Man City completely collaspse.

We’re still in the hunt for CL, west ham have a lot of difficult games coming up and we can beat Liverpool to 4th if it’s just between us and them.

Chelsea. Plus you can't rule out Spurs either. We can't afford to lose our game against either of them.

 

[Kev50]

It looks like top 4 might be beyond Everton this year. I was optimistic again after Anfield but some of the game's deepest thinkers are starting to row back on its significance. Paul Merson just today was making the point that
“Fair play to Everton for what they did at Anfield at the weekend, but it just shows you where Liverpool are, at the moment,”
I really hadn't thought about it like that. We should be congratulated, but the real significance of the result was that it showed what terrible form Liverpool are in, that they let even Everton beat them.

 

[Connor]

20 in a row for city, I’m not happy to admit it, but I think our title challenge is over

 

[Saint Domingo]

Here's what points tally has been needed to reach 4th, between 60-79 points:

• 1995/1996 = Aston Villa (63 points)
• 1996/1997 = Liverpool (68 points)
• 1997/1998 = Chelsea (63 points)
• 1998/1999 = Leeds United (67 points)
• 1999/2000 = Liverpool (67 points)
• 2000/2001 = Leeds United (68 points)
• 2001/2002 = Newcastle United (71 points)
• 2002/2003 = Chelsea (67 points)
• 2003/2004 = Liverpool (60 points)
• 2004/2005 = Everton (61 points)
• 2005/2006 = Arsenal (67 points)
• 2006/2007 = Arsenal (68 points)
• 2007/2008 = Liverpool (76 points)
• 2008/2009 = Arsenal (72 points)
• 2009/2010 = Tottenham Hotspur (70 points)
• 2010/2011 = Arsenal (68 points)
• 2011/2012 = Tottenham Hotspur (69 points)
• 2012/2013 = Arsenal (73 points)
• 2013/2014 = Arsenal (79 points)
• 2014/2015 = Manchester United (70 points)
• 2015/2016 = Manchester City (66 points)
• 2016/2017 = Liverpool (76 points)
• 2017/2018 = Liverpool (75 points)
• 2018/2019 = Tottenham Hotspur (71 points)
• 2019/2020 = Chelsea (66 points)

Of course the highest ever points tally for fourth was the season we got 72.

 

[Saint Domingo]

It looks like top 4 might be beyond Everton this year. I was optimistic again after Anfield but some of the game's deepest thinkers are starting to row back on its significance. Paul Merson just today was making the point that
“Fair play to Everton for what they did at Anfield at the weekend, but it just shows you where Liverpool are, at the moment,”
I really hadn't thought about it like that. We should be congratulated, but the real significance of the result was that it showed what terrible form Liverpool are in, that they let even Everton beat them.

Logically if Liverpool are in the race so are we seeing as we are level on points and we have a game in hand. I think it will be one space between us Chelsea and Liverpool. The head to heads will be key. Perhaps one of Leicester or United could collapse back into that battle then it would be two spots between 4 teams. Let’s just win at Southampton then we’re in a great position with an away game at WBA.

 

[paulbefc]

I'm all for optimism on top 4, but this is what leads to meltdowns if we don't beat Southampton or West Brom and people saying we've "bottled top 4".

Our chances of finishing in the CL spots were and are extremely slim. We haven't really looked like a top 4 side all season so will have to not just maintain what we've done, but actually considerably improve on it over a period of 14 games. This is possible, but unlikely.

That we have a chance is an achievement in itself and a sign of progress, but the same can be said of the Europa, which we're also perfectly capable of missing out on, even without a disastrous end to the season.

Anything we achieve above and beyond 7th this season is a bonus. We were absolute light years off it when Carlo took over, less than 18 months ago.

 

[SussexToffee]

There is a chance we’ll get top 4, I’ll only loose faith once it’s mathematically impossible. Yes, we need to play better than we have been lately, but I’m keeping up hope.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I'm all for optimism on top 4, but this is what leads to meltdowns if we don't beat Southampton or West Brom and people saying we've "bottled top 4".

Our chances of finishing in the CL spots were and are extremely slim. We haven't really looked like a top 4 side all season so will have to not just maintain what we've done, but actually considerably improve on it over a period of 14 games. This is possible, but unlikely.

That we have a chance is an achievement in itself and a sign of progress, but the same can be said of the Europa, which we're also perfectly capable of missing out on, even without a disastrous end to the season.

Anything we achieve above and beyond 7th this season is a bonus. We were absolute light years off it when Carlo took over, less than 18 months ago.

Top 4 is in our hands. We are 5 points off 4th with 2 games in hand

 

[The Binman]

Logically if Liverpool are in the race so are we seeing as we are level on points and we have a game in hand. I think it will be one space between us Chelsea and Liverpool. The head to heads will be key. Perhaps one of Leicester or United could collapse back into that battle then it would be two spots between 4 teams. Let’s just win at Southampton then we’re in a great position with an away game at WBA.

Of course it's written that we will lose to fat Sam... And maybe Southampton too

 

[paulbefc]

Top 4 is in our hands. We are 5 points off 4th with 2 games in hand

And Chelsea also have a game in hand, that if they win, will see them 6 points ahead with a much better goal difference.

It's not going to really be "in our hands" until we win our next two games. And even then, we'll have to maintain a place in top 4 for another 12 games, which is a lot to ask of this squad.

Chelsea's and Liverpool's squads are both far better. We'll need a heroic effort and are serious underdogs. It's possible though.

 

[matty1878]

Of course it's written that we will lose to fat Sam... And maybe Southampton too

it’s not

 

[MrGrumpy]

And Chelsea also have a game in hand, that if they win, will see them 6 points ahead with a much better goal difference.

It's not going to really be "in our hands" until we win our next two games. And even then, we'll have to maintain a place in top 4 for another 12 games, which is a lot to ask of this squad.

Chelsea's and Liverpool's squads are both far better. We'll need a heroic effort and are serious underdogs. It's possible though.

Disagree there far better, better but not far

 

[Dublin blue 75]

Villa looking excellent this evening too - 3 points Monday critical

 

[messymascot]

Win our next two and we will be 4th before the RS and Chelsea kick off. We will be on the same number of games. If they then draw we will be 4th with a game in hand. Just for once I hope they turn up and do the business.