The Race for 4th Place

So he will get 4th place?

It seems to be a 4 horse race consisting of Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool

Discuss

Chelsea if they can play like they did today.

We are finishing 3rd :lucas:

jog on... that spot is reserved for Spurs

Im not trying to entice the OP but I really liked what I saw from Newcastle today. I just can't trust Chelsea's defense and with the addition of the new Demba Newcastle just looks deadly up front.

I mean Chelsea played really well today and still managed to let in 3 goals. Say what you want about the penalties but MAn U probably should have had another one in the first half.

They got through the loss of Demba Ba to the African Cup of Nations and now I think they are ready to go on a run and they have some depth to there team as well plus one of the best keepers and back 4's in the EPL. I mean you can say what you want about the individual players in there back 4 but as a unit with the keeper they are tremendous.

Plus for some reason teams don't respect them. I don't know why but it is what it is.

It's not a fluke anymore nor a "nice story", Newcastle are for real and Demba Ba is one of the top 3 forwards in the league.

1. RVP
2. Demba Ba

Most consistent strikers in the league

Newcastle

Yakubu has been great as well

Geordies are fave at the moment

Probably because we were in the championship 2 years ago probably......

We have played crap in last few weeks but bar the Fulham game we have been getting results......

We were shit today and we badly missed Tiote and Cabaye and also Ben Arfa's creative influence but that was a tactical decision ( not one i agree with btw)

But we won in the end and at this stage thats all that matters.....

Having said all this i dont think we will be good enough to get 4th place but i can dream.

Chelsea and Arsenal are still in the CL, while Newcastle don't have European obligations. You're also grinding out results without Tiobaye.

I'm more scared of Newcastle than I am of Liverpool, TBH, because of your very functional attack.

Sushi Master wrote:Chelsea and Arsenal are still in the CL, while Newcastle don't have European obligations. You're also grinding out results without Tiobaye.

I'm more scared of Newcastle than I am of Liverpool, TBH, because of your very functional attack.

Suppose, iam just pessismistic because 2 years ago we where in the championship and i cant believe how well we are doing and how far we have come in such a short term.....

Also when you compare our budget and squad to the other contenders it simply doesnt compare.

We are going to get smashed next week tho

Greatest league in the world

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Probably because we were in the championship 2 years ago probably......

We have played crap in last few weeks but bar the Fulham game we have been getting results......

We were shit today and we badly missed Tiote and Cabaye and also Ben Arfa's creative influence but that was a tactical decision ( not one i agree with btw)

But we won in the end and at this stage thats all that matters.....

Having said all this i dont think we will be good enough to get 4th place but i can dream.

That's why in my post I said you guys have some depth as well. I mean Cabaye and Tiote can be argued are 2of your best 4 players and they didn't even play and you get results.

Plus watching the game today there was just a feeling that Newcastle would win, I don't know how to explain it but earlier in the season you kind of waited for the other shoe to drop and them to blow the game or tie when they should have won etc etc.

But now they go into games expecting to win no matter who's on the pitch for them, you can see the confidence in how they play now.

They just look like a team on a mission and I Think the owner spending some money has placed more confidence in the players that they are going after Europe not just happy to stay in the league.

Chelsea, Newcastle or Liverpool, whatever as long as Arsenal is not in

Our next 3 games are Spurs (H), United (A), and Arsenal (H).

Watch us get 9 points

Good point dnmac, thing about depth is interesting one because quite frankly players like Best, Guthrie, Perch, Obertan etc etc shouldnt really be playing for a side in 5th place.....

But Pardew has managed to the very best out of the fringe players, which has actually given us more depth than we actually have in a sense.....

Still think we need about 5 signings to compete next season and do well in europe next year because the squad is still far too small.( europa league)

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Good point dnmac, thing about depth is interesting one because quite frankly players like Best, Guthrie, Perch, Obertan etc etc shouldnt really be playing for a side in 5th place.....

But Pardew has managed to the very best out of the fringe players, which has actually given us more depth than we actually have in a sense.....

Still think we need about 5 signings to compete next season and do well in europe next year because the squad is still far too small.( europa league)

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Good point dnmac, thing about depth is interesting one because quite frankly players like Best, Guthrie, Perch, Obertan etc etc shouldnt really be playing for a side in 5th place.....

But Pardew has managed to the very best out of the fringe players, which has actually given us more depth than we actually have in a sense.....

Still think we need about 5 signings to compete next season and do well in europe next year because the squad is still far too small.( europa league)

Yea most def. If you do get into Europe (CL or Europa) it won't be fun with your current squad competing in 4 different competitions.

You will need 4-5 more GOOD players not just bodies because the EPL alone is such a war.

But you have the money to spend so it would be one of those good problems to have.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Sushi Master wrote:Also when you compare our budget and squad to the other contenders it simply doesnt compare.

Budget is irrelevant right now since the other top 4 sides didn't do anything to strengthen and squads are pretty meh overall. In the summer, maybe, but if you hit top 4 you can catch up

Squad... grinding out results with Guthrie and co. is impressive enough, nevermind with Tiobaye back. Well, Dnmac summed it up.

You're just being overly pessimistic so in the case Newcastle do hit top 4, we'll be bombarded by immaculate trolling. :lucas:

Good idea about the immaculate trolling i didnt think of that before :lucas:

A rampart resurgent MON lead Sunderland to take 4th on the last day of the season

aunshi wrote:A rampart resurgent MON lead Sunderland to take 4th on the last day of the season

Sunderland aint beating us at our own place with Tiote and Cabaye back on top of Cisse and Ba

Plus Arsenal with Ox WalGOAT will smash them next week and end any silly dreams "The Unwashed" may have

O'Neill will make sure that doesnt happen

O'Neill>>>>>>>

6 points down to Chelsea with a game in hand