tbh i'd say Spurs are a better chance to make the top four than Chelsea even before this morning and this result only convinces me more... Sunderland away will be difficult for Spurs while i think Chelsea are really going to struggle... don't start saying we can get into the top four, just want the run to continue

pffffft YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED AT A BIG CLUB

The Stadium of Light is always tough. I don't see us losing with no bent to contend with. Without our stars we seem to be playing a different kind of game. I'd love to see Kranjcar play a centre role (Palacios is hopeless).

Chelsea look off. Torres was awful last night. The problem with the reds taking 4th is can they win enough games? I still feel they have a few slip ups in them against the lower teams. Don't write off West Ham, they looked good without scoring for the 1st 60 minutes last night and Wigan can often provide some entertainment.

Yeah, we're definitely going to drop points, but hopefully with a bit of luck we can still be thereabouts come mid March. Either way, it's a great turn around under Kenny :)

I don't think we'll get forth but a respectable 5th would be really good (get ahead of one of the top 5 teams atm would be a big result to build on), although i think we'll finish 6th-7th

I'd like to get 6th and not 7th, because 7th is not definite Europa place. 6th would be a good finish considering how the season started.

6th isn't a definite Europa place either.

Really? In what circumstances would it not be? If both FA Cup finalists are outside top 6?

We'll get fourth.

Notice that the back three was very rarely a back three? Awesome.

If the winner of the League Cup is from outside the top 6 they take one of the 3 qualifying places for the Europa League. Then if a UCL team plays in the FA Cup Final against a non-top 6 team then the non-top 6 team qualifies for Europa League regardless, which would mean only 5th place qualifies through league position. If the FA Cup Final is contested between two non-top 6 teams then only the winner qualifies.

If Arsenal win the League Cup and the FA Cup is contested between two UCL teams then 5th 6th and 7th qualify for Europa League, but if Arsenal win the League cup and a non-top 6 team contests the FA Cup Final only 5th and 6th place qualify.

SO if Birmingham win the League Cup, 6th place is the lowest you can finish to qualify for Europa League but then that depends on the FA Cup Final.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 7/2/2011 04:53:07 PM

Alright. Come on Arsenal in the final then! :P

If Arse win, then 6th is 100% Europa League spot. Cool.

Five is the only automatic. Three places, two domestic cups, six and seven are completely dependent on who wins the cups.

But that doesn't matter, because we want Champions League and anything less than that is an underachievement.

Tbph after the season you've had so far and who you've have to catch to get to 4th I'd focus on consolidating a Europa League spot for this season.

You have to be joking if you think Liverpool will get 4th.

You have to be joking if you think it's not a possibility. We're only 2 wins behind 4th.

Edited by imnofreak: 7/2/2011 05:20:12 PM

Well, we're sixth, six points off fourth and we've just beaten the fourth placed team. We still have Suarez to fully enter the squad in a starting role, and the two teams in our way are beatable and have runs just as difficult as we do.

I'd say fourth place is a very possible outcome. Anything less would be disappointing.

i think your putting too much emphasis on placing... i don't expect champions league and not particuarly fussed about europa league, just want to continue to build and play good football so we're set up for next season

This. I'd also like to see Suarez and Carroll (when he becomes fit) playing a few games together to form a partnership.

And West Ham are 2 points to be out of the relegation zone. Point is, the table is close, it's not as simple as "two wins behind 4th".

I'm not entirely sure why you don't think it's possible. Europe is where we belong. Why shouldn't we strive to get there? Why do you think that chasing a place and team building are mutually exclusive?

We really need to be playing in Europe next season, if only to attract players in the summer. I'd also love us to get 4th just to stick it to Nando :p

It's not as simple as "6 points off fourth" when the difference between your GD and Chelsea's is 21 goals.

And the fact that a whole lot of teams are really close together.

End of 2005 Everton got fourth with a negative goal difference...

...I know you want to see us fail, but I'll believe you when it's not possible, not when the season is wide open and we've just taken 12 from 12. :)

Edited by dizzy_red: 7/2/2011 05:47:09 PM

Edited by dizzy_red: 7/2/2011 05:47:24 PM

Yes. It is in fact that simple. 6 points. That is all. Numbers don't lie.

And yeah, one win puts them out of it.

As simple as that.

Edited by dizzy_red: 7/2/2011 05:56:03 PM

Unless there's a miracle if you get those 6 points you'll still be in 5th.

Yeah an Arsenal fan wants to see Chelsea and Sp*rs ahead of Liverpool:lol:

We have 12 games to make up those 6 points, and whilst we have europa matches coming up, it's not like they're as meaningful as the champions league ties that spurs and chelsea have. Our run home is probably easier than those two as well. 4th is by no means out of reach.

Not saying it's out of reach, just still a bit off that's all.

12 games, 4 points, I still doubt chelsea will slip up on 2 occasions, maybe tot'ham:-k

Edited by nhub24: 7/2/2011 07:18:39 PM