28 minutes ago, EmeraldBlue said:

If the winners of the Europa have already qualified for the CL do the runners up get the CL spot?

Not feeling optimistic this morning.

No they don't, I believe that spot would go to the 3rd team in France.

https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2598506.html

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by squabble

Really I think it will all come down to Chelsea v United - Whoever wins that one will be in top 4 imo.

38 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

The one thing that is a concern is that out of our peers for top 4 we are the only that has a difficult opponent on the last day of the season, some might say Arsenal at Burnley away though I expect Burnley to be comfortably safe by then with the deck chairs out and sunglasses on mode.

Yeah but then it is their final game at home for the season, they’ll want to finish the season on a high.

Can’t trust Sarri to lead us to a win in The Europa Cup finals v Arsenal. You bet he is going to line us up using a False “9”.

He is probably the one Chelsea manager I have the least confidence in, I would back a Benitez led Chelsea team even an Abram Grant one. 

Europa fixtures are now out, assuming we beat Prague this week we then face semis on 2nd May and 9th May.  That is one busy end before the season concludes.

No they don't, I believe that spot would go to the 3rd team in France.
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2598506.html

Thanks Squabble.

I think we will have to win our last 4 games to make top 4 now. That would give us 78 points which is probably still not going to be enough to finish above Spurs. That would guarantee that we finish above United and would then mean that Arsenal need 4 wins out of their last 5. I can see Arsenal dropping a few more points. However they have 2 very winnable home games and will probably manage at least 1 more win on the road. So even 3 out of 4 wins for us probably won't be enough. On current form I think we will fall short and finish 5th or 6th.

9 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

Europa fixtures are now out, assuming we beat Prague this week we then face semis on 2nd May and 9th May.  That is one busy end before the season concludes.

And as much as I am looking forward to seeing them, the Boston friendly on 15 May is a poorly timed fixture if we make the EL final...….

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by Boston Blue

Big result for Arsenal last night, leapfrogging us into 4th place on goal difference. 

Spurs, Arsenal and United all have a game in hand over us now which can potentially leave us in 6th place. 

I think we're going to miss out on a top four place, we need too many results to go in our favour now. Even if we manage to beat Man United I just can't see Spurs and Arsenal dropping more points that us in the last four games. 

3 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Big result for Arsenal last night, leapfrogging us into 4th place on goal difference. 

Spurs, Arsenal and United all have a game in hand over us now which can potentially leave us in 6th place. 

I think we're going to miss out on a top four place, we need too many results to go in our favour now. Even if we manage to beat Man United I just can't see Spurs and Arsenal dropping more points that us in the last four games. 

I dunno i could see Arsenal dropping points away to Wolves and Leicester. Spurs even if they lose away to Man City i still feel they have 3rd place now. They have the easiest run in too despite Kane being injured. I feel that we will have to beat Utd, draw wont be good enough.

4 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Big result for Arsenal last night, leapfrogging us into 4th place on goal difference. 

Spurs, Arsenal and United all have a game in hand over us now which can potentially leave us in 6th place. 

I think we're going to miss out on a top four place, we need too many results to go in our favour now. Even if we manage to beat Man United I just can't see Spurs and Arsenal dropping more points that us in the last four games. 

Yep, I think that's pretty much it as far as our top 4 hopes go. Loads of reasons why we haven't made it but I think ultimately the lack of a decent striker has cost us the most.

 

3 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I dunno i could see Arsenal dropping points away to Wolves and Leicester. Spurs even if they lose away to Man City i still feel they have 3rd place now. They have the easiest run in too despite Kane being injured. I feel that we will have to beat Utd, draw wont be good enough.

Gooners could drop points against those teams but had on heart can you say you feel entirely confident of us taking 6 points off of Watford and Leicester? 

Our form has been so erratic this season. We've dropped points in 14 of our 34 games this season so history tells us there's a good chance of us dropping points in 2 of our remaining 4 games. 

6 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Yep, I think that's pretty much it as far as our top 4 hopes go. Loads of reasons why we haven't made it but I think ultimately the lack of a decent striker has cost us the most.

You only have to look at how many goals the other teams around us have to see how a lack of goals has hurt us this season. 

I don't think it was just down to not having a decent striker but also having a lack of goals from midfield too. Jorginho and Kovacic in 61 appearances between them have just 2 goals. Throw Willian into the mix and it's just 5 goals from 91 appearances.

One goal for every 18 appearances between the three of them... Just not good enough. 

Go one step further and include Kante and his 3 goals and you've got 8 goals from a combined 124 appearances. Doesn't make for pretty reading does it? 

Top 4 is out of reach, we aren't going to beat United at OT, and Leicester is not an easy game either, lose anyone and we are definitely out. We will try, but I reckon we left it too late, should have never been in this position after a great start up to October. Europa league looked a lot more promising, we looked  a lot more comfortable when having that extra bit of time with or without the ball, of course we haven't played a good enough team yet. Come Final time ( granted we don't f* up), we should match up player to player against anyone left in the competition, do we have the smartness, will and mental strength to win it? Honestly can't tell based on our erratic season so far.

On 15/04/2019 at 09:34, Strider6003 said:

Still think we might make top 4 as both Utd and Arsenal have potential banana skins.

Which I had your confidence, I think we are nailed on 6th unfortunately

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Tottenham, Arsenal and United all dropped points in the final few games, I actually expect it. The problem is that I just don't think we will be able to avoid doing the same. I don't expect to get anything at Old Trafford. Sarri's record against the top teams is atrocious this season and our away record has been awful too. I wouldn't be surprised if we can only get a draw out of the Leicester game too. 

The maximum points total we can still achieve is 78. That would probably get us top 4. Anything less and we have to rely on rivals dropping points in multiple games. Not impossible but chances look less likely with each point we drop. Add to that that Arsenal and Spurs have superior goal difference, and it is hard to see much less than 76 points doing it.

Sarri has to be better after half-time. We have come out so lethargic and slow in the second half of matches. I know he isn't doing this, but it's almost like he is demotivating the squad during half time. Or maybe he is just chain smoking fags while the boys talks amongst themselves. 

With his track record this year against the top 10, it would seem that we need to put most of our eggs into the Europa League basket. Obviously, we are not out of contention for top 4, but I don't have the most faith right now against better comp with him. Of course, with him seemingly playing the correct starting XI now, maybe that will change.

22 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Gooners could drop points against those teams but had on heart can you say you feel entirely confident of us taking 6 points off of Watford and Leicester? 

Our form has been so erratic this season. We've dropped points in 14 of our 34 games this season so history tells us there's a good chance of us dropping points in 2 of our remaining 4 games. 

You only have to look at how many goals the other teams around us have to see how a lack of goals has hurt us this season. 

I don't think it was just down to not having a decent striker but also having a lack of goals from midfield too. Jorginho and Kovacic in 61 appearances between them have just 2 goals. Throw Willian into the mix and it's just 5 goals from 91 appearances.

One goal for every 18 appearances between the three of them... Just not good enough. 

Go one step further and include Kante and his 3 goals and you've got 8 goals from a combined 124 appearances. Doesn't make for pretty reading does it? 

I don't think goals from Midfield is a massive issue, Liverpool/Barca/Real. none of these teams really have goalscorers in the middle of the park.

Jorginho/Kante/Barkley - 8 goals in 89 premier league games

Wijnaldum/Keita/Fabinho - 4 goals in 70 Premier league games

Modric/Kroos/Casemiro - 6 goals in 78 La Liga games

Busquets/Arthur/Rakitic - 3 goals in 83 La Liga games

I've lost count the amount of times Luiz or Jorginho have dinked a ball in behind for one of our attackers to make an absolutely abysmal touch or finish. 

Look at our front line after Hazard (16 goals) in the league Pedro (8 goals), Morata (5 goals) Higuain (3 goals) Willian (3 goals)

Liverpool's - Salah (19 goals) Mane (18 goals) Firmino (12 goals) Shaqiri (6 goals), even Shaqiri who sits on the bench or gets chucked on deeper has doubled Willian's output.

We'll always struggle until we get rid of Willian and bring in a goalscorer up top. 

 

5 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I don't think goals from Midfield is a massive issue, Liverpool/Barca/Real. none of these teams really have goalscorers in the middle of the park.

I've lost count the amount of times Luiz or Jorginho have dinked a ball in behind for one of our attackers to make an absolutely abysmal touch or finish. 

Look at our front line after Hazard (16 goals) in the league Pedro (8 goals), Morata (5 goals) Higuain (3 goals) Willian (3 goals)

Liverpool's - Salah (19 goals) Mane (18 goals) Firmino (12 goals) Shaqiri (6 goals), even Shaqiri who sits on the bench or gets chucked on deeper has doubled Willian's output.

We'll always struggle until we get rid of Willian and bring in a goalscorer up top. 

All fair points, I just feel like going into the season we already knew we didn't necessarily have the most potent goal threats in the front three. 

Hazard's never scored 20 league goals, even if Morata hadn't sulked and just got his head down he'd also never scored 20 in a season before. Willian averages about 5 a season and Pedro about 7. 

So I just feel that having played a midfield 3 of Kante, Kovacic and Jorginho who aren't goalscorers we were picking a team from day one where goals were going to be issue. If you know your front 3 don't score enough goals, look to the midfield to help out. 

For sure going into next season if we don't have the transfer ban a centre forward should be priority but I also think need more goals from all over the pitch. 

11 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

All fair points, I just feel like going into the season we already knew we didn't necessarily have the most potent goal threats in the front three. 

Hazard's never scored 20 league goals, even if Morata hadn't sulked and just got his head down he'd also never scored 20 in a season before. Willian averages about 5 a season and Pedro about 7. 

So I just feel that having played a midfield 3 of Kante, Kovacic and Jorginho who aren't goalscorers we were picking a team from day one where goals were going to be issue. If you know your front 3 don't score enough goals, look to the midfield to help out. 

For sure going into next season if we don't have the transfer ban a centre forward should be priority but I also think need more goals from all over the pitch. 

Hopefully Mount, Abraham's, and Reece James, who all have goals in them maybe get a chance pre season to stake a claim. Maybe I'm being a bit romantic thinking of a young youthful side with lots of homegrown players. If we have a transfer ban then this maybe the way forward.

13 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

All fair points, I just feel like going into the season we already knew we didn't necessarily have the most potent goal threats in the front three. 

Hazard's never scored 20 league goals, even if Morata hadn't sulked and just got his head down he'd also never scored 20 in a season before. Willian averages about 5 a season and Pedro about 7. 

So I just feel that having played a midfield 3 of Kante, Kovacic and Jorginho who aren't goalscorers we were picking a team from day one where goals were going to be issue. If you know your front 3 don't score enough goals, look to the midfield to help out. 

For sure going into next season if we don't have the transfer ban a centre forward should be priority but I also think need more goals from all over the pitch. 

Kovacic was the weakness there, Barkley and RLC should have been starting in that 'Hamsik role' imo. It still amazes me that this club has managed to go 4 years now without upgrading the wing position.

18 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

It still amazes me that this club has managed to go 4 years now without upgrading the wing position.

Even Spurs have bought wingers in that spell, that's how badly we've neglected it. 

23 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Kovacic was the weakness there, Barkley and RLC should have been starting in that 'Hamsik role' imo. It still amazes me that this club has managed to go 4 years now without upgrading the wing position.

This has been massive for us IMO. The output of our wingers particularly Willian and Pedro has never been at the level it should be for a top team. Like you, I’ve no idea why we’ve not looked to strengthen the RW position for so long, fans have been crying out for it most summer windows.

Oh i love spurs (for now)

8 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

This has been massive for us IMO. The output of our wingers particularly Willian and Pedro has never been at the level it should be for a top team. Like you, I’ve no idea why we’ve not looked to strengthen the RW position for so long, fans have been crying out for it most summer windows.

Nope, and you know have Kante and Kovacic (when not in Jorghino's position) in wide positions who are not goal scorers either.