Pressure

[carl_feedthegoat]

4th is bolloks and I wish people would stop going on about it...its not a CL guarantee until we actuallyget through the knock out stages.

All this money spent and the players we have - 3rd is the fucking least we should achieve this season.

[ashton287]

4th is bolloks and I wish people would stop going on about it...its not a CL guarantee until we actuallyget through the knock out stages.

All this money spent and the players we have - 3rd is the fucking least we should achieve this season.

I expect to finish 3rd and quite comfertably. But i don't think we will finsh 1st and a loss will just bring everyone back down to ground level so they can focus again on just winning games and not on where the win will take us.

[john68]

A few weeks ago, the results caused the picture to balance positively our way. This week the balance has changed negatively for us. Who knows what will happen. As BBS and others say, we set out to win every game and see how the others do.

Just an historic note that maybe useful to bear in mind as this balance changes pro and con over the run in.
In 1936-37 At this stage of the season we were about 10pts short of where we are now. We ended up Champions.
In 1967-68 With only a few games to go we has a poor run of dropped points and most considered our challenge was over. With only a couple of games left, the rags got mullered by West Brom and Leeds keeper gary Sprakechucked the ball famously into his own net at Anfield. Suddenly we were in pole position.

Never say never.

[the_georgian_genius]

I fail to see how yesterdays result was down to pressure.

We have a team full of players who have played with pressure and succeeded in their careers under it.

4th is what we need, anything else is a bonus this season.

[Beefymcfc]

I fail to see how yesterdays result was down to pressure.

We have a team full of players who have played with pressure and succeeded in their careers under it.

4th is what we need, anything else is a bonus this season.

Would 4th be acceptable if we crapped out of the quali's?

Carl's right, we aim for 1st but if we get 3rd, it's a very good season. 4th is a gamble.

[the_georgian_genius]

I fail to see how yesterdays result was down to pressure.

We have a team full of players who have played with pressure and succeeded in their careers under it.

4th is what we need, anything else is a bonus this season.

Would 4th be acceptable if we crapped out of the quali's?

Carl's right, we aim for 1st but if we get 3rd, it's a very good season. 4th is a gamble.

No it wouldn't but it would be acceptable if we finished 4th and went through the qualifying round.

Carl is right, i haven't said otherwise.

[Beefymcfc]

A few weeks ago, the results caused the picture to balance positively our way. This week the balance has changed negatively for us. Who knows what will happen. As BBS and others say, we set out to win every game and see how the others do.

Just an historic note that maybe useful to bear in mind as this balance changes pro and con over the run in.
In 1936-37 At this stage of the season we were about 10pts short of where we are now. We ended up Champions.
In 1967-68 With only a few games to go we has a poor run of dropped points and most considered our challenge was over. With only a couple of games left, the rags got mullered by West Brom and Leeds keeper gary Sprakechucked the ball famously into his own net at Anfield. Suddenly we were in pole position.

Never say never.

Interesting to note that we are 1 point above what we had lasts year at this point. I wonder how MRM's straight comparison looks?

[Beefymcfc]

I fail to see how yesterdays result was down to pressure.

We have a team full of players who have played with pressure and succeeded in their careers under it.

4th is what we need, anything else is a bonus this season.

Would 4th be acceptable if we crapped out of the quali's?

Carl's right, we aim for 1st but if we get 3rd, it's a very good season. 4th is a gamble.

No it wouldn't but it would be acceptable if we finished 4th and went through the qualifying round.

Carl is right, i haven't said otherwise.

OK mate, good to see you're all over it.

[halnone]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

Chelsea maybe but I have no doubt they will see the tangerines off.

[Beefymcfc]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

Holloway try to beat Taggart, you're having a laugh mate.

[brite blu sky]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

Chelsea maybe but I have no doubt they will see the tangerines off.

I'd agree with that, but then the unexpected slip up comes.. well when least expected. At least we know that Blackpool will have a go.. if they for some reason have the game of their lives it could well be tight.

[Blue Since 76]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

Chelsea maybe but I have no doubt they will see the tangerines off.

I'd agree with that, but then the unexpected slip up comes.. well when least expected. At least we know that Blackpool will have a go.. if they for some reason have the game of their lives it could well be tight.

Can I hold you to that? I suspect they'll roll over following a mutual holloway/taggart love in the week before the game.

[CityFanFromRome]

I don't want to be too optimistic, but both of the scum's games in hand are against, blackpool away, and chelsea. Not exactly easy fixtures. We still play them at OT also. If we manage a win there, our title challenge is definitely back on.
I'd still be happy with 3rd or 4th though.

Chelsea maybe but I have no doubt they will see the tangerines off.

That's still 3 or 4 points out of six for them, so not the whole amount; if we win at the swamp this will be our gap to fill and I believe we can do it given their hot and cold form away from home.

[dick dastardley]

maybe not win the league but i want a bleeding trophy!!!!!

[Redna]

As the unwashed have looked like shite in many of their games they still have managed to scramble points not deserved of. They won't drop many points I'm affraid. Hope I'm wrong though.
Chelski has enormous pressure on tonite at The Reebok. A loss and they're looking at the title train if not leaving the station but at least the engines has started.
CTID!!

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Both arse and the scum are ahead of us now with games in hand.

I think this should relieve some of the pressure that has been built up around us and let us get on with playing football and finish 3rd maybe 2nd. Anyone who says this is under achieving is a tool. We all started the season looking to finish in the top 4 and thats what we will do. We all know it takes time and CL qualification is a big step.

Completely opposite opinion to the other thread.

Spot on.

It's like Sven era when we do exceptionally well and then all of the sudden people start expecting all sorts of shit and then when we end up reaching our targets we have apparently failed. I said it before the season that this was at least one season too early to talk about winning the league. I stand by my opinion.

[HeyMark]

I never expected us to win the league this season, all I wanted was to see us put up a lengthy fight for it, be still in with a shout with a few weeks to go and not out of it by christmas.

So far i'm viewing this as a success