15 Mar 2021 15:19:27
Thought I'd have a look at the remaining fixtures, having read through the various threads on how unlikely top 4 is looking for us at the moment.
Obviously, the most important thing is for us to win all (or at least 9/ 10) of the remaining games. And one of our challenges is that the only one of those 10 remaining games against a team above is us against Man Utd, who are probably too far away from us for it to be relevant.
However, looking at the remaining games for Leicester, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs:
First thing to note is that Man City have yet to play 4 of these 5 teams (excl West Ham) . Even if City win the league early (which looks likely) I would hope that they will take points away from at least some of those 4 teams, if not all of them.
Leicester also have to play Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham
Chelsea also have to play Leicester and West Ham.
West Ham also have to play Leicester, Chelsea and Everton.
Everton also have to play Spurs and West Ham.
Finally Spurs also have to play Leicester and Everton.
So every team above us has to play at least 2 of the other teams AND most of them have to play Man City too.
We are a (net) 10 points behind 3rd and 5 points behind 4th.
Now, I can't be bothered to work through the maths (with the teams above playing each other) but I certainly haven't given up on 3rd or 4th. Its not as simple as making up 10 (or 5) points over 10 days, as the teams are playing each other so much.
Stay positive, we can still do this!
15 Mar 2021 15:35:13
I didn't realise our run in was that "easy" on paper. So you'd assume most our remaining games are against mid table or bottom half opposition. Not that it guarantees anything with our former against the so called "smaller clubs" leaving a lot to be desired!
{Ed077's Note - For anyone interested the remaining fixtures for Liverpool in the PL are:
Wolves
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Leeds
Newcastle
Man Utd
Southampton
West Brom
Burnley
Crystal Palace
So ON PAPER May should be "easier"}
15 Mar 2021 16:05:04
Yep, we're only playing Utd out of the current top 8. However, my fear is for those games that are at "home"!
That's Villa (7-2!), Newcastle, Southampton and Palace.
Fortunately, 6 out of the remaining 10 are away, where our form is much better!
15 Mar 2021 16:14:43
I think someone said chelsea have dropped a fair few points in their last few games. All we can do is win starting today then it's five points. Leicester have a tough final 3 games but i think they are too far ahead. 4th is still there but we have to win nearly all of our games. Hoping we kick on from the performance last week. Give Kabak and Phillips a run of games and leave Fab at 6 then I think we are a diff side from the one we've been watching of late. I honestly think we have a great chance at 7 if we keep the current squad healthy and get Hendo back.
15 Mar 2021 16:53:59
you have to beat what’s in front of you though. Doesn’t matter at all if the teams we have to play look easier on paper than other teams, we’ve still got to go out and beat them all to stand a chance, that’s probably not going to happen for starters, I can’t imagine our injury ravaged team has it in them to string 3 wins together in the league, let alone 10.
Just look at some of the dropped points this season for example, we seemed to have struggled against the so called easy teams this year. Fulham, Brighton and Burnley looked easy on paper.
I think we have 2 paths we can go on for the remainder of the season now, either throw everything at trying to win the remaining league games and get top 4. Or throw everything at the champs league and possibly win a big trophy (plus qualification to next years tournament) I don’t think the team has it in them to go for both and I think you only need to look at recent results to know which competition means more to the team now.
15 Mar 2021 17:11:38
I think Europa would be a disaster. It’s all or nothing in the Champions League I reckon.
15 Mar 2021 17:18:20
Mikey, I do understand where you are coming from, and I sometimes swing that way too.
BUT (and it a big but! ) I think having a settled back 2, alongside Fabinho in the 6 is going to make a big difference, and hopefully get us back in the groove.
We have proved in the very recent path that can go on long winning runs - the mentality monsters - and I think with a bit of team stability we can do that again.
It won't be as easy as with VVD, Gomez and Hendo in the team, but hopefully it is good enough!
15 Mar 2021 17:45:53
The last 2 years we would win the lot, except Utd, draw.
15 Mar 2021 17:44:04
Our prob not defense but attack. We look so much better w fabs distribution already. I think the goals start to come if we keep the current squad fit.
15 Mar 2021 17:49:21
I've no idea what bottom teams the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Leicester and Everton have to play but you can guarantee that some won't go the way you expect.
15 Mar 2021 18:17:45
No results will go as we think or expect! I’m
Not expecting us to (but pray in hope we do get CL) we will wait n see but a little bit of advice drop the mystic Meg posts or the counting of points before we get them! One game at a time and let’s hope we turn a corner and get out of this mess!
15 Mar 2021 18:20:14
It's a bizarre situation. It doesn't matter who we have in the opposition, whether we are playing home or away, and how many points the rivals drops. If we don't snap out of this dreaded run we are capable of losing 7-10 of the remaining games. And if we do snap out we might win all 10 and score 5 past Man U at Old Trafford. It's just bonkers.
15 Mar 2021 18:24:01
All of the current top 4 including City have shown this season that they are more than capable of losing games.
Obviously City are too far ahead but I certainly wouldn’t rule out catching any or all of the others.
Of the chasing pack we are the only team with a history of winning lots of games in a row and with a more settled back 4, Fabs back in midfield and Jota to push the front 3 I think we could get one of those runs going.
15 Mar 2021 22:12:36
At the beginning of the match tonight the stat shown was 70 shots, 2 goals. The problem (in the Prem) is not the defence. Hopefully the return of Jota improves this.
15 Mar 2021 22:25:09
Big 3 points tonight. I think it’s a performance to build on.
15 Mar 2021 22:34:05
Makes no difference, we'll qualify for Europe next year when we win it this year.
16 Mar 2021 08:39:13
All this won't matter if we cannot win our games esp those at home. I'm not really arsed about other teams nor who they play. We have to take care of our own business first and if we do that, whatever happens will happen.