Posted December 6, 200915 yr Heres the next 9 Premiership games for the current top 7 teams. Matches against other top 7 teams in bold. Chelsea: H Everton H Portsmouth A West Ham United A Birmingham City H Fulham A Hull City H Sunderland H Birmingham City A Burnley Manutd: H Aston Villa H Wolverhampton A Fulham A Hull H Wigan A Birmingham H Burnley H Hull A Arsenal Arsenal: A Liverpool H Burnley H Hull H Aston Villa A Portsmouth H Bolton H Everton A Bolton A Aston Villa H Man Utd Tottenham: H Wolverhampton H Man City A Blackburn A Fulham H West Ham A Liverpool H Hull H Fulham A Birmingham Aston Villa: H Man Utd A Sunderland H Stoke A Arsenal H Liverpool A Wigan H West Ham H Arsenal A Fulham Man City: A Bolton A Tottenham H Sunderland H Stoke A Wolverhampton H Blackburn A Everton A Stoke H Portsmouth Liverpool: H Arsenal H Wigan A Portsmouth H Wolverhampton A Aston Villa H Tottenham A Stoke A Wolverhampton H Bolton After seeing that, if were not (at least 5-8 points) clear at the top of the Premiership table by Febuary, we wont deserve to win it. We should win all 9 of those games, its our chance to put a stranglehold on the Premiership, something we havent done for the last 3 years.
December 6, 200915 yr God, if we could take 27 points from those games, that would set us up nicely for the second half. Surely the mancs would be dropping a few points along the way. Thank god we are playing Everton now rather than at the end of those games. With their terrible current form, I think they are bound to have a strong second half as they always do
December 6, 200915 yr I don't see us taking 27 points in the next 9 games. Someone will trip up the team in at least one of those games. I think taking 24 points or more puts us in good shape heading into the final stretch. Let's start with taking 3 at home from Everton (btw I was glad to see them get the draw against the Spuds today)!
December 6, 200915 yr I think to expect 27 points is to expect too much. Would think that at least a couple of teams will hold out for draws. 21+ would be good I think.
December 6, 200915 yr As said previously by many of us - our fixture list whilst the African lads are away is extremely kind. However I believe we are more likely to slip up rather than Man Utd, Villa always roll over for them, hopefully Arsenal will put up a fight. For me, Champions should win those games - let's prove it.
December 6, 200915 yr Easier said than done sadly. Who'd have thought we'd have got 0 points from games against city, villa and wigan?!
December 7, 200915 yr Easier said than done sadly.Who'd have thought we'd have got 0 points from games against city, villa and wigan?! and yet 9 points from Liverpool, Manure and arse.
December 7, 200915 yr It's a good run of games. Anymore than 2 losses in that run would be pretty poor.
December 7, 200915 yr Very kind run for us there. I'd say the mananger will be pretty disappointed if we drop more than 1 game there.
December 7, 200915 yr Author For me, Champions should win those games - let's prove it. Exactly Gem, thats why I posted, if we want to win it, its there to be taken, we must win it this season.
December 7, 200915 yr As said previously by many of us - our fixture list whilst the African lads are away is extremely kind. However I believe we are more likely to slip up rather than Man Utd, Villa always roll over for them, hopefully Arsenal will put up a fight. For me, Champions should win those games - let's prove it. SPOT SPOT SPOT ON GEM ! "Champions should win those games" Exactly, so I expect us to win all of these games if we want to win the title this year.
December 7, 200915 yr I think to expect 27 points is to expect too much. Would think that at least a couple of teams will hold out for draws. 21+ would be good I think. I would certainly love to see 21 from those fixtures, but the way I see it, those are 9 winnable fixtures. As Gem says, champions should win those fixtures Trips away to St. Andrews and Turf Moor will be tough, but i'm hoping the impressive home form can continue.
December 8, 200915 yr I dont think 21 points will be good enough. That would mean losing 2 games out of those 9 which will make it 5 losses for the season already. That cannot be a good thing, considering we still have trips to Old Trafford, Binfield, Lane towards the end of the season. I'd take a draw or max a loss. 24+ points is a must out of these games.
December 9, 200915 yr I'm worried about the Everton game; they're normally tricky customers, and if we're on a short run of poor form and missing Essien, they might be able to get a point.
December 9, 200915 yr Ess was extremely important for this game. I thought Carlo will rest him but now he's injured. Can't afford to drop any points now that United are really picking up form. Even with just one recognized defender, they won the last two games with ease.
December 9, 200915 yr Its a more open competition this year despite the decline of liverpool and arsenal. Manu will most likely finish the season strong. Our issues were clearly identified before the season to wit the ANC and keeping the ageing squad on the paddock. So far this season by and large we have played up to expectations but the ANC remains in front of us and the injury list is an issue. of the starting 13 Ballack - playing below his best and carrying an injury riccy - is he fully fit? bossy - when is he due back? Second serious injury in two seasons, clearly there may be a long term issue. ashley - will hopefully recover fully frank - clearly not doing as well this season, whether its injuries, age or formation. Deco/Joe - both of them are still injury and fitness risks, but I'm giving them a pass mark. Not convinced that joe is better in the centre than out wide. Drogs - Holding up, remains a big risk. Essien - Like bossy second serious injury although my recollection is the first one was a knee not a hammy. Zhirkov- been injured virtually all season who know how fit he is. Alex - out most of the season to date Have I mssed any of themain players? In the squad there's sturridge at least On the plus side? Anelka, Mikel, Terry, Malouda & Drogs holding up fairly well. A reliable forward partnership is out best thing this season. Ivanovic looks to have more or less established himself. Deco has played above expectations even if not at his top Barca form. Malouda has been good, Kalou has been steady Joe cole is back from injury and hopefully ashley and alex will be fully available near term. Key risk is managing without drogs over the anc period and keeping our best 13 fit for the last quarter of the season when games against the top 4 mostly away from home will be played to decide the comp.
December 10, 200915 yr Deco/Joe - both of them are still injury and fitness risks, but I'm giving them a pass mark. Not convinced that joe is better in the centre than out wide.Joe cole is back from injury and hopefully ashley and alex will be fully available near term. Joe Cole is not "back from injury" anymore. Just a very poor excuse for him not playing good. He came back from his injury on the 5th of october. Thats more then 2 months ago. And its not like he started with training at this date. Hes in training for about 3 months now. If you can´t get fit in 3 months, you will never be fit. Especially because Joe´s style isnt really about physical strength. Cant believe people still say hes not match-fit. I know that ozboy spoke about the saison in general, so its not about this post. Just something that really annoys me in general. Btw: He already played 13 matches for us since his injury. Plus 2 matches for England. Edited December 10, 200915 yr by german-blue
December 10, 200915 yr Agree about JC. However its not just physical or even mental fitness its about being able to do the same sorts of things that you did before you were injured. I'd like to see Joe playing wider, maybe he was more suited to 4 3 3 than a diamond. Maybe his next game will be fantastic.
December 19, 200915 yr The Most worrying is around the boxing day and the african cup, hope to make the gap as big as possible
December 20, 200915 yr I'm starting to get pre-match jitters for tomorrow. I remember last season when literally every time Liverpool or Man Utd would drop points, we would choke. Damn Scolari... It doesn't help that it's the Pikeys and they're as desperate for a win here as we are...
December 20, 200915 yr I'm a bit concerned too, I f**king hate West Ham with a passion and always a bit jittery when we play them for that reason. I think we'll do it though, Drogba back and MUST START MALOUDA!! Edit: I think we just posted in the wrong thread, that was your fault Plokoon!
December 20, 200915 yr ok thats the first 3 of those: drawn,won, drawn and the last 2 we struggled against the bottom 2 teams in the prem. next up is away at birmingham who are having their best run of form in living memory. if we don't get things bigtime in just about every area of the pitch we'll lose up there.
December 28, 200915 yr Think this thread may have put a CURSE ON US; it wears a navy blue hooped shirt with fluorescent trim! (thank christ we got lucky today!)