I don't think the Arsenal board will sack Wenger even if fans have a SackPardew.com style thing going on, I'm totally convinced that they are happy with the sheer consistency of CL money they get every year.

There's a good point raised in some of the AFTV videos as well, even if Wenger were to 'retire' he would move up to be in a Chairman/Executive role and have influence on the club anyway.

Personally I think he would only get sacked if he misses out on top 4 and if there's significant protesting against him.

You have to think one year they're gonna miss out on the Champions League. When you keep scraping something eventually it's not gonna go your way. Wigan kept scraping safety for years and finally there luck ran out.

Think they will still scrape top 4 since Liverpool are dire and Spuds are...spuds.

Sanchez will get them there no doubt.

Chelsea

City

United

Arsenal

That's how I see it panning out, espeically if as expected United spend BIG in january.

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by RFC_CFC

Drive on talksport today could be worth listening to, Usually he starts the show on a Monday talking about the team in crisis, He's got a tough decision on where to start today Lol He might need a 4 hour special or something, Do Arsenal in the first hour, Us in the 2nd, Liverpool in the 3rd and Spurs in the 4th.  

I'm loving the fact the teams below us cannot afford to drop anymore points yet we have that luxury now.

8 points is a good lead, if we can keep that or add to it by Christmas then I don't see who would catch us.

And I'm not one for being over confident.

I'm loving the fact the teams below us cannot afford to drop anymore points yet we have that luxury now.

8 points is a good lead, if we can keep that or add to it by Christmas then I don't see who would catch us.

And I'm not one for being over confident.

Im not either but if that lead is intact or more come Jan 1st then I think its going to be a massive ask for anyone to catch us.

The fact we have played so many big teams away is already massive for us. None of those teams will look forward to coming to the bridge and our home fans will be up for the big games, they always are. If they aren't they need a kick in the bollocks!

Yeah I mean City still have to go to United and ourselves

I don't fancy many teams to turn over Everton at their ground either, that was a tough one.

Home games are by no means a banker but with the buzz of the fans I hope we can see them out.

You never feel 100% confident though in this league...Newcastle were odds on to be relegated and Pardrew sacked a month or 2 ago and now are 7th I think and on a high.

Crazy league this.

What we have though which no other team seem to possess is consistency and a plan A, B and C. We can counter, we can dictate play and we can scrap.

We have the skill and vision of Hazard, Cesc ect while we have the steel of Matic and Costa. The players look hungry, we have a great mix of players who have been there done that and others who want it badly.

Of course it also helps to have the best tactician and all round manager in world football in our dugout.

Southampton's next 9 fixtures after Villa.

 

30 Nov 13:30 Gameweek 13 Man City (H)
03 Dec 19:45 Gameweek 14 Arsenal (A)
08 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 15 Man Utd (H)
13 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 16 Burnley (A)
20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Everton (H)
26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Crystal Palace (A)
28 Dec 14:05 Gameweek 19 Chelsea (H)
01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 Arsenal (H)
10 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 21 Man Utd (A)

 

How many points do we reckon they'll get out of those 27? Predictions?

 

I'm going with 13.

RFC, I think you have forgotten to mention something Chelsea possess and do that other teams in the league just cannot seem to do and that is PRESS!! I was so impressed with how you pressed Liverpool's back four on Saturday and now I know the reason why you had so much success was because Rodgers was too ignorant to tell his players to go long, He wanted his back four to play the ball out, Any other team or manager would have changed those tactics and possibly negated how well Chelsea played in that first half, You should have been 2/3-1 up in my book.

 

Last year City, Arsenal and Liverpool fans were all mocking and laughing at why you sold Mata and that it was not his fault he didn't want to track back and do his defensive work and that Hazard could be next to go because he didn't believe in Mourinho's 'negative' style but the more I look at it, How is getting your players to work hard, press, track back, help out the full backs and do some dirty work 'negative'???

Lambert,Lovren,Lallana for Tadic and Schneiderlin. And we give Balotelli as a gift in the basket.

 

 

Just listened to Graham Roberts on Talk Sport. It's like shooting fish in a barrel saying footballers are thick but man alive he makes Phil Neal sound like Stephen Fry. In a five minute interview he just went on this monosyllabic rant in a high pitched voice that made him sound like Bernard Bresslaw. Mind you he could take a penalty.

And scored a cracker against forest if I remember right..and I found it

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDe-y3VbEco

Edited November 10, 201411 yr by The Brit

Southampton's next 9 fixtures after Villa.

 

30 Nov 13:30 Gameweek 13 Man City (H)

03 Dec 19:45 Gameweek 14 Arsenal (A)

08 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 15 Man Utd (H)

13 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 16 Burnley (A)

20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Everton (H)

26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Crystal Palace (A)

28 Dec 14:05 Gameweek 19 Chelsea (H)

01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 Arsenal (H)

10 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 21 Man Utd (A)

 

How many points do we reckon they'll get out of those 27? Predictions?

 

I'm going with 13.

 

I could only count 11 then I noticed they play Arsenal twice, so 13 it is.

Southampton's next 9 fixtures after Villa.

 

30 Nov 13:30 Gameweek 13 Man City (H)

03 Dec 19:45 Gameweek 14 Arsenal (A)

08 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 15 Man Utd (H)

13 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 16 Burnley (A)

20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Everton (H)

26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Crystal Palace (A)

28 Dec 14:05 Gameweek 19 Chelsea (H)

01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 Arsenal (H)

10 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 21 Man Utd (A)

 

How many points do we reckon they'll get out of those 27? Predictions?

 

I'm going with 13.

 

Says a lot for Southampton's opening fixture list when you look at that lot, that's a pretty scary run of fixtures for any team let alone the Saints. 

 

If they come away with 12 or more points from that lot I think they'll be happy and they will probably still be pretty well placed in the table as well. 

Even if Southampton did only get 11 or 13 points from those games, Assuming they beat Villa, That would leave them on 39/41 points, Can you honestly see United, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton or Arsenal getting 25 + points from their next 10 games in order to overtake them? I can't, Those teams inconsistencies are the whole reason everyone is starting to truly believe Southampton could end up in the top 4 because barring a huge implosion on their parts, They should be 3rd/4th/5th going into the last 3rd of the season and from there anything can happen.

I predict Southampton will get between 12-16 points from that run

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11220352/Decadence-and-indiscriminate-big-spending-mean-Premier-League-could-be-all-but-finished-by-Christmas.html

Another decent effort from the Telegraph

Like many supporters (and especially Chelsea fans) I get very edgy and uncomfortable when things are going so well. It's almost as if we are waiting for it all to go pear-shaped!!

 

We couldn't have a better man at the helm to stop that happening, but even with Mourinho in charge, I still can't help those pessimistic feelings and keep asking those "what-if" questions. What if Costa, Hazard, Matic, Fabregas etc get injured? We are playing well and all looks rosey, but things can change so quickly in football, that I won't be getting carried away anytime soon, even with all of our rivals dropping points like they have been.

 

I hate the fact that all the pundits and media are saying we've won it already - let's see what the state of play is come the end of January, then I might be a little less edgy.

You know the rest are worried when Wenger comes out and says no one can stop us.

The main thing I worry about is City getting schooled again in Europe and having nothing but the prem and domestic cups to play for. If we go a fair way in Europe as we expect plus a title challenge it's hard going when your nearest challenger is having much more rest.

Everything considered, this has been a pretty good season so far.

The fact we have played so many big teams away is already massive for us. None of those teams will look forward to coming to the bridge and our home fans will be up for the big games, they always are. If they aren't they need a kick in the bollocks!

well said zola!

You can always point to that debacle at Da Bridge (CFC 6-0 Woolwich Wanderers). If that doesn't shut them up, then you can use this image

My gooner friends have slither out of sight & my manure friends are happy that they can tie CFC these days. I remember 10 years ago it was a very different story & I had to shut my mouth. Not now

Damn. I woke up in the early hours and checked the site. I couldn't sleep. Did this photo' help me to get back to sleep? No...

Nice pair (of cups)...

Prepare yourselves for a shock Chelsea fans........................The d**khead known as John Aldridge is on TalkSport praising us :ohmy:

Prepare yourselves for a shock Chelsea fans........................The d**khead known as John Aldridge is on TalkSport praising us :ohmy:

 

Still a c**t. Always a c**t.

Prepare yourselves for a shock Chelsea fans........................The d**khead known as John Aldridge is on TalkSport praising us :ohmy:

Don't want he's praise