Posted March 12, 201213 yr RDM may only have been in charge for 2 games but it says something when watching the Arsenal v Newcastle game, I am more concerned about Arsenal winning and getting away from us than Newcastle winning and gaining on us There was some criticism of his tactics, especially by the idiot commentating on the channel many of us watched on, But I don't think he could have done much more. I think he was brave with his tactics and team selection and went with a 4-2-3-1 formation, something I know we have been looking for, and the only reason I think Mata didn't have the position behind the forward from the start was probably a consequence of a long game against Birmingham and the upcoming trip to Napoli. When they lost a man, we removed a defensive midfielder in a positive move, and then later removed the other defensive midfielder for another more attacking player. So really, what more could he have done. I think the performance was decent, not great but we never looked out of control So all in all I am a lot more confident going into this weeks CL match than this time last week, and hope this is not just the RDM honeymoon period.
March 12, 201213 yr TBH it's not about daring to be optomistic. 4231 is the preferred formation of top teams these days, AVB was just too stubborn to try it, we have the players for it, it allows for flexibilty with substitutions, I applaud Robbie D for realising the mistake of the previous manager and rectifying it immediately!
March 12, 201213 yr Author What I am trying to get across is that things seem a bit more positive and there is less doom and gloom around us In general, the stadium seemed less nervous against Stoke. Maybe I am getting carried away too soon but I am quietly confident of getting 4th this season Edited March 12, 201213 yr by Martin_plumb
March 12, 201213 yr Le Arse just scored in the last minute. Spuds 53.. Arsenal 52.. Chelsea 49.. its 4 points with ten games left. The race for fourth begins eh. In my opinion we should be getting 20+ points from the 30, we still have to go to Etihad, Anfield, Emirates and Tottenham come to the bridge.
March 12, 201213 yr Author Le Arse just scored in the last minute. Spuds 53.. Arsenal 52.. Chelsea 49.. its 4 points with ten games left. The race for fourth begins eh. In my opinion we should be getting 20+ points from the 30, we still have to go to Etihad, Anfield, Emirates and Tottenham come to the bridge. All hinges on these 3 in my opinion. I'd like to think we will take the spuds at our place
March 12, 201213 yr Mthematically it's wide open, only 3 points behind 4th, but realistically I think it'd going to be very tough.
March 12, 201213 yr Well spurs are starting to crumble, and surely as the season goes on and if arsenal can secure their top4 position maybe they'll start getting distracted by the rvp contract/transfer dealings (not likely though) I think the big thing for us will be if we can start to find some form, defensively 3/4 are in good form, LB being the problem position midfield seems to be settling but the main thing will be if we can get a decent striker firing, wether its Torres drogba or Sturridge, as long as one of them starts banging in goals will be looking good
March 12, 201213 yr If Stoke could somehow get a point against the Spuds no matter what our result vs City I would start to believe.
March 13, 201213 yr All this talk about Spurs 'slipping' is nonsense. They've had three very tough games, and they battered Arsenal for most of the game, they better United for most of the game and they battered Everton in the second half. For some reason they've been very inefficient, and have dominated tough games but came out a loser in each, but will they continue like that? As much as it must be worrying for them to be playing relatively well and still losing, personally I'd be much happier if they were playing badly. Arsenal... well, god damn, all of that talk about their poor form at the start of the season and now look at them! Even players like Rosicky are playing well. I still think RVP is absolutely vital to them though, and it'll be interesting to see if he lasts the season. I'm still somewhat confident of gaining fourth, maybe even third - but the two teams above us are (unfortunately) no mugs. It won't be easy.
March 13, 201213 yr For some reason they've been very inefficient, and have dominated tough games but came out a loser in each, but will they continue like that? As much as it must be worrying for them to be playing relatively well and still losing, personally I'd be much happier if they were playing badly. We've done this for most of the season, and we are apparently sh*t.
March 13, 201213 yr We have 3 very challenging fixtures to go, City away - Tevez is supposedly being let of the leash especially for us. Arsenal away - they seem to have turned it around big time. Spuds at home - should be winnable. Also 3 other hard games derbys away to Fulham and home to QPR and then the Dippers away. Spuds have an easy run in, Chelsea being the only tough game so cant see them dropping out of top 4. Arse have 3 tougher games Everton away, Chelsea & City at home. On paper it seems that getting 4th place is going to be a pipe dream, needing all the winnable fixtures to actually be won, turning over Fulham & QPR, getting something at crapfield plus defo beating Arse at emirates and maybe a draw at City. Based on the prem league this season any team can beat any other anytime, who the F knows if we dare to be optimistic, realistically probably not.
March 13, 201213 yr I have never been an optimist in regards to Chelsea so you'll have to excuse me when I say I don't think we will get top 4 this season, but as long as there is an outside chance we can at least hope. My opinion is that no matter what happens at Eastlands next Wednesday we have to beat Spurs at home (who in all likelihood) will be 6/7 points ahead of us with a better GD going into that game. If we draw or dare I say lose at home to them (something that I wouldn't have contemplated a few years ago) top 4 is all over. Here are our remaining 10 games: Manchester City (A) Tottenham Hotspur (H) Aston Villa (A) Wigan (H) Fulham (A) Newcastle (H) Arsenal (A) QPR (H) Liverpool (A) Blackburn (H) One positive is that we still play Arsenal and Spurs, so it still is just about in our hands. Spurs have by far the easiest run-in of the three and Arsenal have about 4 or 5 that will concern them with the others being "easier". They are the form team in the moment and have won 5 on the trot and come from behind in 3 of them so there is no doubt they are favourites for 3rd spot now in my eyes. I think any less than 7 wins and a draw from those games (inc win over Spurs) and we aren't playing CL Football next season.
March 13, 201213 yr I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment. The next two games are the key for me. We have to beat Spurs and pick up at least a point against City. I think it's going to be very tough.
March 13, 201213 yr I think any less than 7 wins and a draw from those games (inc win over Spurs) and we aren't playing CL Football next season. Yeah...i'd agree with that D W D W W W D W W W ^ These results would suit me, scoring plenty of goals along the way....
March 13, 201213 yr Arsenal are the form team?! Yes!? But, am not much worried about them though, they seem to be winning games left, centre and right, but their wheels are liable to fall off, unless we are talking about a new team. Who doesn't know them, perennial chokers. Watch this space once. Arsenal is going to crumble on their own. Lets just wait
March 13, 201213 yr Arsenal are the form team?! Yes!? But, am not much worried about them though, they seem to be winning games left, centre and right, but their wheels are liable to fall off, unless we are talking about a new team. Who doesn't know them, perennial chokers. Watch this space once. Arsenal is going to crumble on their own. Lets just wait We keep saying that but unless RVP gets injured I'm yet to be convinced. Arsenal may not be technically as good as they were, but this crop of players seem to have more "mental strength". I don't think we are dealing with the mentally fragile players of previous Arsenal sides, they are more experienced and we have to accept that. Even if they do slip up, who's to say we won't?
March 13, 201213 yr No chance I'm afraid. I know, just trying to convince meself its all gonna be ok......
March 13, 201213 yr Based on the prem league this season any team can beat any other anytime, who the F knows if we dare to be optimistic, realistically probably not. Just another thing to throw into the mix....if we DO fail in acheiving 4th place... and when all of us on the forum disect the season and its shortcomings.... who will we ultimately point that finger at?? AVB, the squad, the board, Roman? No CL and its vast revenue, no José (or any other top flight manager for that matter IMO will want to manage Chelsea)..then its enter Rafa....(god no!!!) Thursday night Channel 5 being a distinct possibilty...4th IS acheivable...the FA Cup IS acheivable,,sadly the CL may not be... For these points alone....lets DARE
March 13, 201213 yr No chance I'm afraid. Sadly I'd have to agree. Just cant see us going unbeaten for the rest of the campaign, nothing ive seen in our form this season suggests we are capable. Hope I'm wrong but I just don't see it. Unless Robbie can pull some serious magic out of the hat and get the best of about 6 players 5th beckons and it's all the club deserve.
March 13, 201213 yr Spurs: Should win: H Swans, A QPR, H Blackburn, H Norwich Could lose: A Chels, A Sunderland, Could draw: A Villa, A Bolton, H Fulham, H Stoke. This scenario leaves them at 69 points Arsenal: Should win: H Villa, A QPR, A Wolves, H Wigan, H Norwich Could lose: A Everton, H City, Could draw: H Chelsea, A West Brom, A Stoke Leaves them at: 70 points Chelsea: Should win: H Spurs, A Villa, H Wigan, H QPR, H Blackburn Could lose: A City, Could draw: A Liverpool, A Arsenal, A Fulham, H NUFC Leaves us at: 68 Turn one draw into a win: 71 So if we beat Spurs and draw against Arsenal. We would need a further 17 points in the remaining 8 games (3W, 2D, 1L)
March 13, 201213 yr I know, just trying to convince meself its all gonna be ok...... Embrace the Europa League like I have :D We'll be loving it when we win that, and then beat Barca in the Super Cup!
March 13, 201213 yr Author Just another thing to throw into the mix....if we DO fail in acheiving 4th place... and when all of us on the forum disect the season and its shortcomings.... who will we ultimately point that finger at?? AVB, the squad, the board, Roman? No CL and its vast revenue, no José (or any other top flight manager for that matter IMO will want to manage Chelsea)..then its enter Rafa....(god no!!!) Thursday night Channel 5 being a distinct possibilty...4th IS acheivable...the FA Cup IS acheivable,,sadly the CL may not be... For these points alone....lets DARE Serioulsy?? I was hoping this would be the only really positive thread about us on here? Didn't even make it to a second page before its brought back to the doom and gloom of reality huh! Ah well, I tried
