The numbers game

[patrickblue]

It's been in our own hands for a long time now, [highlight]all the pundits going on about spuds was rubbish, they're pretty at home, but no defence when the going gets tough.[/highlight] Scouse have the best chance, [highlight]but I believe they will bottle it starting this afternoon.[/highlight] If it was everton we were chasing 4th with I would be worried

How can you provoke fate like this? How long have you been supporting City??

Since when Johnny Crossan himself was playing, about 45 years. I accept full responsibility if it all goes tits up, but out of spuds, red scouse, villa and ourselves I think we have the best team, plus it's in our hands to win. Typical City is dying by degrees.

[s1ty m]

Right, Liverpool drop 2 points at Brum, they can now get a maximum of 15. They are 4 points adrift of us and we have better GD and 1 more game to play than them, 4/6 at home. We now need 11 points from our 18 to get 4th if Liverpool win all 5 and assuming Spurs do not do something amazing and win 2 of the 3 murder games coming up for them.

What looked good when I started this thread now looks even better.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

I like our chances of getting 4th after this weekends results

[dikdik]

If anyone wakes me up from this beautiful dream I shall be very annoyed...

[john68]

With regard to this season's final position, I don't see us failing to make 4th. It is in our own hands and unlike our nearest rivals, we have no other distractions or pressures. We have a good squad with strength in depth. This will be the best chance we have ever had to make the step into the CL for many years.
I am under no illususion of the importance of finishing 4th this year. It will open the gate to City being a more attractive proposition to the more elite player. Not the Vieiras who are past their prime but players who are in the prime, have a future and want |CL competition.
During the summer, we could see many changes to our rivals. I see Everton being a bigger threat, with Villa and Spurs another year stronger. Liverpool won't tolerate being so poor and there may be major changes at Anfield too.

Whether we play the nimbers game or whatever those numbers become, we have to finish 4th this season. We can do it.

[s1ty m]

With regard to this season's final position, I don't see us failing to make 4th. It is in our own hands and unlike our nearest rivals, we have no other distractions or pressures. We have a good squad with strength in depth. This will be the best chance we have ever had to make the step into the CL for many years.
I am under no illususion of the importance of finishing 4th this year. It will open the gate to City being a more attractive proposition to the more elite player. Not the Vieiras who are past their prime but players who are in the prime, have a future and want |CL competition.
During the summer, we could see many changes to our rivals. I see Everton being a bigger threat, with Villa and Spurs another year stronger. Liverpool won't tolerate being so poor and there may be major changes at Anfield too.

Whether we play the nimbers game or whatever those numbers become, we have to finish 4th this season. We can do it.

Spot on. If we get 4th, the floodgates will open. It is the key to getting 3 world class players in. Do that and we could push for the league next season. Seriously.

[btajim]

Fifth won't be an incredible achievement from where we are now. We have wanted this chance all season and here it is. We must take it now.

Yes it will be. We've not been in 4th for a significant part of the season. Manchester City haven't finished 5th in the top flight since I've been a Fan. To me, it's an incredible achievement and something to work on.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

[john68]

I think we should not go too overboard on our achievement this season.
There is still a large gap between the top 3 and the chasing group which shows that we might be pushing for a CL qualifying place but that is more to do with Liverpool's failure to compete at the very top. We have not replaced them yet and we still have some way to go.

Before we can truly celebrate, we have to be in the mix at the top with the rags, Chelsea and Arsenal, with the chasing pack around 10 points behind us.

[patrickblue]

Can't believe the bookies fancy Liverpool more than Spurs though!

They don't any more mate, not after they bottled it today

[patrickblue]

I think we should not go too overboard on our achievement this season.
There is still a large gap between the top 3 and the chasing group which shows that we might be pushing for a CL qualifying place but that is more to do with Liverpool's failure to compete at the very top. We have not replaced them yet and we still have some way to go.

Before we can truly celebrate, we have to be in the mix at the top with the rags, Chelsea and Arsenal, with the chasing pack around 10 points behind us.

Not going overboard, but I think the reason we are only scrapping for 4th is inexperience. Hull, Burnley and Fulham at home plus red scouse home and away are ten points I believe the top 3 would not have thrown away. Ten points would have us on 69 points, 5 behind Chelsea, 3 behind the scum and 2 behind Arse with a game in hand on all of them. We've shown we can compete with the best, 6 points off Chelsea, stuffed Arse and robbed at the swamp.We just need the belief which will come with experience.

[gillie]

I think we should not go too overboard on our achievement this season.
There is still a large gap between the top 3 and the chasing group which shows that we might be pushing for a CL qualifying place but that is more to do with Liverpool's failure to compete at the very top. We have not replaced them yet and we still have some way to go.

Before we can truly celebrate, we have to be in the mix at the top with the rags, Chelsea and Arsenal, with the chasing pack around 10 points behind us.

Not going overboard, but I think the reason we are only scrapping for 4th is inexperience. Hull, Burnley and Fulham at home plus red scouse home and away are ten points I believe the top 3 would not have thrown away. Ten points would have us on 69 points, 5 behind Chelsea, 3 behind the scum and 2 behind Arse with a game in hand on all of them. We've shown we can compete with the best, 6 points off Chelsea, stuffed Arse and robbed at the swamp.We just need the belief which will come with experience.

Absolutely agree with you Patrick mate also the fact that this team has been assembled in less than 2 seasons also adds credence to your argument imo.I was stunned to realise yesterday whilst watching the mauling of Burnley and on seeing Sven at the game that Ned was the only player in the starting 11 that was on Sven's team/squad thats a complete team put together in less than 2 seasons.

[Blue Since 76]

To help with the desperation and as a bit of random hope, I've put the points for 4th and 5th place over the last 10 seasons (thanks Wikipedia)

1999-00 - 67, 65
2000-01 - 68, 66
2001-02 - 71, 66
2002-03 - 67, 64
2003-04 - 60, 56
2004-05 - 61, 58
2005-06 - 67, 65
2006-07 - 68, 68
2007-08 - 76, 65
2008-09 - 72, 63

An average of 68 points for 4th. Perhaps more importantly, the 5th placed side has averaged 64 points and, in 2004 and 2005, 59 points would have already been enough for 4th.

History is bunk, but perhaps it shows that our concerns that Liverpool will win the next 5 are unlikely. If we didn't get 4th with 70 points, we'd be very unlucky, in fact, it would be the first time in the last 10 years and probably longer.

[gillie]

To help with the desperation and as a bit of random hope, I've put the points for 4th and 5th place over the last 10 seasons (thanks Wikipedia)

1999-00 - 67, 65
2000-01 - 68, 66
2001-02 - 71, 66
2002-03 - 67, 64
2003-04 - 60, 56
2004-05 - 61, 58
2005-06 - 67, 65
2006-07 - 68, 68
2007-08 - 76, 65
2008-09 - 72, 63

An average of 68 points for 4th. Perhaps more importantly, the 5th placed side has averaged 64 points and, in 2004 and 2005, 59 points would have already been enough for 4th.

History is bunk, but perhaps it shows that our concerns that Liverpool will win the next 5 are unlikely. If we didn't get 4th with 70 points, we'd be very unlucky, in fact, it would be the first time in the last 10 years and probably longer.

BS76 I have said all along we will get71/72 pts so by your reasoning and the stats we will be 4th because after all what cant speak cant lie.Its ours and its time to believe guys.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

To help with the desperation and as a bit of random hope, I've put the points for 4th and 5th place over the last 10 seasons (thanks Wikipedia)

1999-00 - 67, 65
2000-01 - 68, 66
2001-02 - 71, 66
2002-03 - 67, 64
2003-04 - 60, 56
2004-05 - 61, 58
2005-06 - 67, 65
2006-07 - 68, 68
2007-08 - 76, 65
2008-09 - 72, 63

An average of 68 points for 4th. Perhaps more importantly, the 5th placed side has averaged 64 points and, in 2004 and 2005, 59 points would have already been enough for 4th.

History is bunk, but perhaps it shows that our concerns that Liverpool will win the next 5 are unlikely. If we didn't get 4th with 70 points, we'd be very unlucky, in fact, it would be the first time in the last 10 years and probably longer.

I think this helps dispel the mytyh that it's all down to Liverpool's failure. We are well on track for the points total that historically would secure fourth. Come to think of it, Liverpool are quite possibly going to amass a total that would normally be enough, and still miss out. Hurrah!

[bluechester]

think birmingham game this weekend will be massive for us, especially that spurs have got ars, we could build a little gap between us & them after this weekend, if results go our way, so HUGE weekend comming up,

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

think birmingham game this weekend will be massive for us, especially that spurs have got ars, we could build a little gap between us & them after this weekend, if results go our way, so HUGE weekend comming up,

If we beat Brum, a four point gap (albeit with a game in hand) might prove too much for Spuds. Would you fancy making up four points when your next three fixtures are Arse, Filth and Chelsea?

[bluechester]

think birmingham game this weekend will be massive for us, especially that spurs have got ars, we could build a little gap between us & them after this weekend, if results go our way, so HUGE weekend comming up,

If we beat Brum, a four point gap (albeit with a game in hand) might prove too much for Spuds. Would you fancy making up four points when your next three fixtures are Arse, Filth and Chelsea?

exactly that will leave just us & liverpool for a fight for forth, this game against birmingahm is massive,

[Crossie]

It could easily be sown up before we play Spuds, which would be ideal, because id fucking hate it if they beat us at home. They always feel like our bogey team since that FA cup 5-2 piss take back in the 90's The Terry Phelan game

[brite blu sky]

It could easily be sown up before we play Spuds, which would be ideal, because id fucking hate it if they beat us at home. They always feel like our bogey team since that FA cup 5-2 piss take back in the 90's The Terry Phelan game

Spuds are a serious bogey team for us, but this time round i am much less worried.. already this season we have put to bed a few bogey teams or grounds, most notably Craven Cottage and Chelsea. I have a sense that Mancini can deal with a team like Spurs and get the set up right.. it is the Everton types he clearly hasn't sussed out.

In general i have been trying to read the tea leaves this season and im confident that we can do Spurs this time and also do Arsenal at the Emirates.

Anyways can anyone seriously believe that Spurs are going to come out of their next 3 in any shape whatsoever to still be sniffing around 4th ?

[s1ty m]

It could easily be sown up before we play Spuds, which would be ideal, because id fucking hate it if they beat us at home. They always feel like our bogey team since that FA cup 5-2 piss take back in the 90's The Terry Phelan game

it was 4-2 crossie, sorry to sound picky. just saying...

but, have they really been a bogey side? since that dreadful afternoon you mention, i recall a few good wins v spuds:@

the 4-3 and 5-2 games, both outstanding in one way or another. the 2-0 at their place one bank holiday (sommeil and barton, thanks joey) and a couple of basic league wins at home. plus we didn't play them 5 years at all.

not the record we used to have against the, but not quite bogeyish.