1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

We have two decent fixtures, in theory, to do so. United might be focused on the Europa League final, and Forest are a mess, and missing Murillo.

Biggest obstacles to us is ourselves, as Jackson and a few others, showed us.

Cannot win both games unless Palmer shows up.

I don’t think it’s fair to load the weight of qualifying on Palmers shoulders. It’s Maresca’s job to get the team to win the games. If we don’t qualify for CL, it will be on the coach, SDs and the board, they’re amateurs trying to con us into believing that they are the top cream.

28 minutes ago, RMH said:

I don’t think it’s fair to load the weight of qualifying on Palmers shoulders. It’s Maresca’s job to get the team to win the games. If we don’t qualify for CL, it will be on the coach, SDs and the board, they’re amateurs trying to con us into believing that they are the top cream.

Agreed it is on them, but am just being realistic that if Palmer does not show up we don't win those games.

Both us and Villa have winnable games. I think we probably want a United win in the Europa so that they finish on a high. Don’t want them being down in the dumps.

As for us, again 2 winnable games. United should be more focused on Europa but they can be tough to beat, won’t be easy. Forest are done, we should beat them.

I suspect however that either us or Villa will drop points in the next two fixtures. Easy to predict and say “easy games” however look at City, games are unpredictable.

I think there's a good possibility that Forest lose away to West Ham. Villa will obviously beat spurs but their last game is away to Man Utd, it'll be after the Europa League final so if United have any shame they'll put out a full strength team and be up for the game. But again, it is still all in our hands at least

Forest are done for the CL chase, just throw away couple of 'easy' games and no way back. Our next 2 are very winnable, especially now Jackson is off. United is a 'funny" team, awful against teams playing on the counter, but if we play for possession let them play on the counter, they could hurt us.

I think today's result doesn't change much. We needed 3 wins out of our last 4. Newcastle was always going to be a defeat. Us beating Liverpool is what keeps our hopes alive. Now we need to win our last two games. No ifs or buts.

What a massive opportunity to get CL football. The manager, sporting directors and Owners needs this to prove their strategy is working. I imagine a lot is being said to Maresca and he’ll be under pressure.

Given the money we’ve spent, the financial aspects of CL football cannot be ignored. The fact that they’re selling the women’s teams and hotels shows they need the cash.

Think it's between us and Villa and it'll go down to the last round. Villa and ourselves play United and Spurs just before their EL Final so I reckon they will rotate massively as the match means more than just a trophy for them, it's CL football at stake, too. Whereas I can see Forest dropping points away at West Ham which is basically game over for them if both Chelsea and Villa win. Newcastle can also drop points away at Arsenal and frankly if they look remotely close to what they looked in the 2nd half against us, I can see Arsenal batter them. Also watching Lego Pep fuming after the Liverpool loss makes me think they will go all guns blazing into the Newcastle match.

And then it's Chelsea away at Forest and Villa away at United and a draw would be enough if United have a last drop of manhood in them. It all depends on if they win the EL or not. If they do, they will be pumped up for their last match at OT this season and the atmosphere will be a good one and they can get a draw at least. If they don't win the EL, then I am afraid we will have to win our match vs Forest as the atmosphere will be a toxic one and Villa can put three past them with ease.

Still in our hands though.

Utd often do well against us with draws hopefully that changes and Forest have a crisis of confidence.

I think we need to win both yet just have to wait and see.

Utd have a euro final, and their only chance at CL qualification a couple of days after us. The simply have to play the b team and not risk injury.

On the top 10 part it is mission accomplished. Lowest we can finish is 7th.

So yay?

The United game worries me more than the Forest one as I think Forest are done now.

United play a back 3 which we often struggle with and they can be tough to beat when they come up against a big team. They’ve drawn with Arsenal, Liverpool and City this season.

Hopefully their final will be in the back of their head and they will only give 70/80% effort.

Based on yesterday's performance, we'll need big help from the Hammers tomorrow AND help from ManU on the final day for 5th.

At least ManU will have 16th place to play for.

Match Day!

Come on you Irons!

I just don’t see any other team in the race losing their last games and I don’t see us beating Forrest either.

We have to pray Villa somehow mess up against United.

11 hours ago, Remodez said:

I just don’t see any other team in the race losing their last games and I don’t see us beating Forrest either.

We have to pray Villa somehow mess up against United.

Even if we draw with Forest, it could see us in 6th and it's this I can really see happening

It’s in our hands and that’s what we all wanted.

Let’s see what Maresca does for Forest game. At the moment I have absolutely no faith in him but hopefully he can surprise us all. I doubt it but miracles do happen.

There's a great chance City, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Villa end on 69 points.

As much as I don’t like Carjacker, it’s hard to argue with his take. When have we shown character this season? Whenever we’ve come up against a hard intense team, we bottle it completely

Jamie Carragher: “I think Chelsea and Forest both miss out. I see that being a draw on the weekend. I think the atmosphere will be absolutely electric. I’m not sure Chelsea have the character and personality to go there and win.”

(🎥 via @SkySportsPL)

Edited May 19, 20251 yr by JM7