Top Four Possibility

[TraffordBlue]

Not gonna get fourth but I hate this feeling we aren't capable of getting anything at Arsenal,Spurs, Utd or pool. These are exactly the places we need to start winning at. Sick of us going to these places like rabbits caught in headlights,they aren't even that bloody good. If the game was at goodison we would fancy ourselves big time.

As you've said, we are easily capable of winning games against those sides at least every so often but i've seen disappointments time and time again watching us play at those grounds. That week of the FA Cup Semi Final last season was so typically Everton. Lost on the Wednesday at Anfield 4-0 and were then beaten by a last minute winner by Man United at Wembley on the Saturday.

 

[TraffordBlue]

There is an inferior mentality amongst our players when it comes to playing against the top sides away from home and I don't see that changing this season with the side we have. We will hopefully finish in the top 7 and there is a slim chance that we will put up a challenge for 6th place. There is no way we will achieve a top 4 finish in my opinion.

Our record against the better sides away from home is a disgrace and has been for 25-30 years. Last win at Anfield was 1999, we have 1 win in 25 years at Old Trafford, last win at Arsenal was 1996, and we haven't won at White Hart Lane since 2008. Realistically the best we will get is 1 win from 4 in those games which is not the return of a top 4 side.

1 month on, our first big test against one of the sides in the top 4 and we failed miserably as we always do.

I am not too down after today though as quite simply, Spurs are far better than us, and they are one of the best teams in the league. Out of the 4 away games against the sides above us, I see that as the toughest in terms of quality of the opposition.

Still expecting 1-2 points maximum from Spurs, Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal away.

 

[LEONARD]

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Close threadlol

 

[zirc]

1 month on, our first big test against one of the sides in the top 4 and we failed miserably as we always do.

I am not too down after today though as quite simply, Spurs are far better than us, and they are one of the best teams in the league. Out of the 4 away games against the sides above us, I see that as the toughest in terms of quality of the opposition.

Still expecting 1-2 points maximum from Spurs, Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal away.

agree, although i am hopeful of a win against Arsenal or United. Rs it's anyone's guess but probs a draw. Remember they were very fortunate to win the Goodison fixture while they were flying and we were at a nadir.

 

[messymascot]

Still possible but we can only realistically drop 5 points from our last 11 games which is a draw and a defeat and while that's not impossible I would suggest it's implausible. Which means we probably have to beat 2 of United, RS, Chelsea and Arsenal. Maybe Chelsea will have league wrapped up so ease off and Arsenal might already be secure or feel nerves on last day when we play them. If we don't make it the Autumn bad run is to blame!!

 

[TraffordBlue]

Still possible but we can only realistically drop 5 points from our last 11 games which is a draw and a defeat and while that's not impossible I would suggest it's implausible. Which means we probably have to beat 2 of United, RS, Chelsea and Arsenal. Maybe Chelsea will have league wrapped up so ease off and Arsenal might already be secure or feel nerves on last day when we play them. If we don't make it the Autumn bad run is to blame!!

Maybe we will win all 11 games? lol

Our top 4 challenge was never on. 6th at best is what we can hope for, and it will still have been a decent season if we can get 7th and qualify for the Europa League.

 

[CynicalBlue]

Lock and revisit next January, perhaps.

 

[messymascot]

Maybe we will win all 11 games? lol

Our top 4 challenge was never on. 6th at best is what we can hope for, and it will still have been a decent season if we can get 7th and qualify for the Europa League.

I'm always a believer that something can be done until its impossible. My personal opinion is that we'll finish 7th maybe 6th but until it's mathematically out the question I will still dream about finishing top 4. I'm not deluded I'm an absolute realist but who can say what happens. We might lose them all and finish 13th.

 

[TraffordBlue]

I'm always a believer that something can be done until its impossible. My personal opinion is that we'll finish 7th maybe 6th but until it's mathematically out the question I will still dream about finishing top 4. I'm not deluded I'm an absolute realist but who can say what happens. We might lose them all and finish 13th.

Fair enough, I respect your optimism. I just can't get my hopes up when we never seem to be able to get a result in games away against the top sides, which is what we would need to do to get above 7th. We have 3 of them still to play away and also Chelsea at home which will be a tough game too.

 

[messymascot]

Totally agree. I think Koeman got tactics wrong today I would have gone 3 at the back and 3 in midfield. If he gets tactics right I believe we will be good enough to win at least one of them games.

 

[Markydys]

Will we keep Lukaku if we don't get into Europe?

 

[Caolam]

We are not a team who can challenge for a top four position at the moment. We don't have the team, we can eat any of the teams above us on our day but not every day.
7th place is a significant improvement on our last two outings. Given that we are still looking at a possible sixth is a testament to how far Koeman has brought us.
A solid 7th, Europa Cup football and 3/4 good quality signings in the summer and then we will be in a much better position to challenge for a Champions League spot and maybe a cup win.

 

[kithnou]

We are not a team who can challenge for a top four position at the moment. We don't have the team, we can eat any of the teams above us on our day but not every day.
7th place is a significant improvement on our last two outings. Given that we are still looking at a possible sixth is a testament to how far Koeman has brought us.
A solid 7th, Europa Cup football and 3/4 good quality signings in the summer and then we will be in a much better position to challenge for a Champions League spot and maybe a cup win.

+1.
Europa League qualification would be great, then strengthen the squad in the Summer with quality into the starting 11.

 

[TraffordBlue]

Posted on 6th Feb...

There is an inferior mentality amongst our players when it comes to playing against the top sides away from home and I don't see that changing this season with the side we have. We will hopefully finish in the top 7 and there is a slim chance that we will put up a challenge for 6th place. There is no way we will achieve a top 4 finish in my opinion.

Our record against the better sides away from home is a disgrace and has been for 25-30 years. Last win at Anfield was 1999, we have 1 win in 25 years at Old Trafford, last win at Arsenal was 1996, and we haven't won at White Hart Lane since 2008. Realistically the best we will get is 1 win from 4 in those games which is not the return of a top 4 side.

Posted on 5th March after Spurs...

1 month on, our first big test against one of the sides in the top 4 and we failed miserably as we always do.

I am not too down after today though as quite simply, Spurs are far better than us, and they are one of the best teams in the league. Out of the 4 away games against the sides above us, I see that as the toughest in terms of quality of the opposition.

Still expecting 1-2 points maximum from Spurs, Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal away.

I'm actually pleased with the overall performance tonight and I think the players went out and gave a good account of themselves but ultimately we haven't changed one bit as a team have we?

We are still the plucky underdogs who go to these grounds feeling inferior. If we're lucky we will come away with a point. 1 point from 9 so far and I doubt we'll get anything at Arsenal unless the season is over and then our team may step up as the pressure will be off.