Title Race | This vs Last Season

[Swales4ever]

Agree with Beefy that our next 3 might turn out stronger games than expected on paper, but I have total confidence on a decent spell of wins, providing that we recover soonest Milner to full strength and Vinnie asap, but in no rush whatsoever.

Main thinghy with Rags is which side actually are arsed to give em a match, but I think (hope?) either Swans and West Brom might be amongst those.

[dazby]

Over the past two seasons the rags have lost games you wouldn't expect them to lose. Those 3 look like prime examples of games where they will drop points.

[Beefymcfc]

Over the past two seasons the rags have lost games you wouldn't expect them to lose. Those 3 look like prime examples of games where they will drop points.

I honestly don't expect to drop that much until the New Year when they meet the likes of Liverpool and Spurs, and then onto Feb when the CL starts again. I've also noted that they've got a few difficult games come Apr and May, so we'll just have to see.

In the meantime, we can only concentrate on ourselves and give 100% in every game.

[AG7]

Our next three games:

H - Reading
A - Sunderland
A - Norwich

Their next three fixtures:

A - Swansea - 10th, lost their last 2
H - Newcastle - 15th, lost all but one in their last 7
H - West Brom - 7th, lost 3 and drawn 1 in their last 4

We totally *should* get 9 points from our three while they should drop at least 2-4 points somewhere in there ...

Although I have a funny feeling, we're getting a draw somewhere in there and coming out thinking it's at least a point added for us (like we have in each of the 6 draws so far) ...

You are expecting the Rags to draw 2 games against them 3? I can see a possible game at Swansea, nothing else though.

We should do well against Reading but we've only got 1 point from Sunderland in the last 3 seasons, although their form should change that stat. As for Norwich, sitting comfortably in 8th, won their last 3, haven't lost a game in God knows how long and have only lost 1 out of 8 at home. Just to top that off, they've beaten both Arsenal and the Rags recently and Hughton has got them on a high.

Nothing guaranteed for both teams.

Hello Beefy ;)

As I was saying ... 2-4 dropped points would be nice ... 2 done, another draw (or preferably loss to go) ...

Both tables have been updated. Last year we played our 19th game against Sunderland away, exactly the same fixture is upon us next. Last year we lost 1-0 there ... this year we better be prepared and Mancini might as well learn some lessons from the Reading game.

They on the other hand lost two in a row, their next two games no. 19 and 20 ... would be very very nice if that happens again :) And it's not like they lost to Chelsea or us during this time, it was Blackburn at Old Trafford and Newcastle away. This time they have both home games, Newcastle, although not playing as well as they were last year and then there is West Brom ...

Let's see ... interesting run of games till the big ones for both in Gameweek 22.

Title Race at 18 - By Same Fixtures.JPG

Title Race at 18 - By Gameweek.JPG

[Beefymcfc]

Please don't bring it back up mate, we're both right about the 1st game in that list and I'm hoping and praying that I'm wrong about the rest, especially the Rags ;-)

[Swales4ever]

Please don't bring it back up mate, we're both right about the 1st game in that list and I'm hoping and praying that I'm wrong about the rest, especially the Rags ;-)

I'm have positive vibes on West Brom and the game on Boxing day is a bit of a bet: You never know what celebration some brainless red twats may have on Christmas...
As wisely said by many, let's make our biz and enjoy the ride.

[AG7]

Numbers don't lie ...

At 19 games played, here's the half-season comparison side-by-side:

- We are 6 points worse than we were after 19 games last season; they are a point better.
- In same games comparison, we are 2 points worse vs. same games last season; they are a point better.
- At half-way mark we were equal to them on points; this season we are 7 points behind them.

Make what you want to make of the rest of the numbers ... both updated tables are here:

Title Race at 19 - By Gameweek.JPG

Title Race at 19 - By Same Fixtures.JPG

With Chelsea now just 4 points behind us, in my opinion we're paying for an atrocious summer of transfers (besides Nasti). No pace whatsoever in our game, no width, and simply no Plan B ... too predictable!

January window a must to bring in massive improvements, United and Chelsea both improved in summer window and might do even more next month ... and what will we do? we'll lose Yaya ... tch!

[City64]

We need to start scoring goals again and quickly , unfortunately our season is falling away at an alarming rate and ALL STATS show this ....... bobby manc now has a huge job on his hands to turn things around.

One thing certain in football is that things CAN TURN AROUND very quickly indeed ........ lets all hope so !

[Swales4ever]

Bearing in mind that we SHALL WIN the fixture of April, 6th 2013, I'd like to wallow myself with the idea that we only need to recover 4 points in 19 games.
whether their opponents are gonna open up their defense in the last quarter of every game while ours shall continue to fight for their lives against us, or not.

IT STILL MUCH POSSIBLE!




Should not happen, City will still be the best Club in the Land and the whole World and we'll just need to sack Mancini and re-appoint Mark Hughes, with Brian Marwood as CEO. Happy days, then. for Ted at least...

[AG7]

A great game today, a great result, fuck the refs and the FA ... both tables have been updated:

Comparing positions by gameweek (after 20 games each):

- We are 6 points worse off than at this point last season; they are 4 points better than their points last season.
- We were 3 ahead of them at this stage last year; they are 7 ahead this time around.

Comparing positions by same fixtures last season:

- We are 2 points worse off than against same oppositions last season; they are 1 point better.
- Our goal difference is 6 worse; theirs is 10 worse than last season.
- We have gathered 3 more points away in same fixtures; it's at home where we are 5 points less than last season.

Title Race at 20 - By Gameweek.JPG

Title Race at 20 - By Same Fixtures.JPG

Next three games are now absolutely crucial. We'll be without Toure bros from Watford on, so their last League game is the next one on New Year's day. At the end of these three, we might as well be within a game (3 pts) of them or as far as 10 points behind. We play Stoke (H), Arsenal (A) and Fulham (H) and they've got Wigan (A), Liverpool (H) and Spurs (A). Absolute crucial few weeks ahead!

[Swales4ever]

Next three games are now absolutely crucial. We'll be without Toure bros from Watford on, so their last League game is the next one on New Year's day. At the end of these three, we might as well be within a game (3 pts) of them or as far as 10 points behind. We play Stoke (H), Arsenal (A) and Fulham (H) and they've got Wigan (A), Liverpool (H) and Spurs (A). Absolute crucial few weeks ahead!

Particularly on today crossed evidence I must admit that the Taggart's 20th Theory is making way on my mind too.
In the positive we might be lucky if they will have a game at Anfield, just for sake of tradition's respect. I honestly do not think we are strong enough to prevail over 19 opponents and FA and Premier League.

Would love to be proved wrong, but, whatsoever output, I would not swap a Blue victory like today for all the last 20 years of Red Cheated Pots.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Can't see them not beating Liverpool at home. Wigan has the POTENTIAL to be a tricky game but one you'd expect them to sneak. Spurs away I can see them dropping points. Thing is, we have to beat Arsenal away and that's just something we never do. It's a very tough game and one we can't just expect to win but I just hope that we don't see another utterly cowardice display at the Emirates like we have done for the last 3 seasons.

[Swales4ever]

Can't see them not beating Liverpool at home. Wigan has the POTENTIAL to be a tricky game but one you'd expect them to sneak. Spurs away I can see them dropping points. Thing is, we have to beat Arsenal away and that's just something we never do. It's a very tough game and one we can't just expect to win but I just hope that we don't see another utterly cowardice display at the Emirates like we have done for the last 3 seasons.

Potentially I can see them dropping points almost every week. Actually it's a different story as pitfully seen the previous game vs. The Geordies.
It will be fun watching tho

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Can't see them not beating Liverpool at home. Wigan has the POTENTIAL to be a tricky game but one you'd expect them to sneak. Spurs away I can see them dropping points. Thing is, we have to beat Arsenal away and that's just something we never do. It's a very tough game and one we can't just expect to win but I just hope that we don't see another utterly cowardice display at the Emirates like we have done for the last 3 seasons.

Potentially I can see them dropping points almost every week. Actually it's a different story as pitfully seen the previous game vs. The Geordies.
It will be fun watching tho

I can see them dropping points, that's not the issue. The issue is whether we take advantage and that means winning at Goodison, the Emirates, White Hart Lane and Old Trafford and that's a tough ask.

[Swales4ever]

Can't see them not beating Liverpool at home. Wigan has the POTENTIAL to be a tricky game but one you'd expect them to sneak. Spurs away I can see them dropping points. Thing is, we have to beat Arsenal away and that's just something we never do. It's a very tough game and one we can't just expect to win but I just hope that we don't see another utterly cowardice display at the Emirates like we have done for the last 3 seasons.

Potentially I can see them dropping points almost every week. Actually it's a different story as pitfully seen the previous game vs. The Geordies.
It will be fun watching tho

I can see them dropping points, that's not the issue. The issue is whether we take advantage and that means winning at Goodison, the Emirates, White Hart Lane and Old Trafford and that's a tough ask.

bar the Goodison I am pretty confident on the last 3 trips.... You just keep the focus on having them dropping points... :-)

I'll be quick to come up and acknowledge Your brilliance.

[Beefymcfc]

18 games to go looking at every game as it comes. Enjoy the ride or just don't pay for the ticket.

There's a Caterpiller ride over there, not quite as exciting but much more exhilarating than the tea cups.

Does anybody wanna go faster!!!!

[AG7]

Updated highlights from both tables after Gameweek 21:

- Doesn't change much for us as we won this very fixture with the same exact scoreline of 3-0 last season ... and we had also won the 21st fixture last season so in both tables our position stays as it was after last game, i.e. 6 points worse off from last season in gameweek comparison, and 2 points worse off in same fixtures comparison.

- They have over the past few games jumped ahead in both the tables, mainly because last year they had lost back to back two games (their fixture no. 19 and 20) so obviously jump ahead in the gameweek comparison (4 points ahead on that now) and also in same fixtures comparison, their win today at Wigan away gives them a 4 points advantage (on same fixtures comparison) as well.

- Last season this was the key fixture they lost which helped us get those 8 points back towards the back end of the season. So again, to those thinking they'll slip up and give such a lead back that easily ... there's your answer; won't happen two years in a row.

Finally, am happy with our 3 points today and 3 goals as well ... but something that's pissing me off in the back of my mind is why didn't we go for the 4th or 5th goal in the last 20 odd minutes. Yes we need to gain points on them but we should also keep our goal difference in mind as you never know where it ends ... so it does pisses me off a bit that we win 3-0 at home, while they go and win 4-0 away.

Title Race at 21 - By Same Fixtures.JPG

Title Race at 21 - By Gameweek.JPG

[City64]

To be fair AG7 Stoke dont get done 4 or 5 often if at all , Sinclair however missed a glorious chance to get our 4th today after some incredible play from Milner plus we hit the woodwork a couple of times. 3-0 a great result today , more than happy with that plus we are playing much much better than of late and the goals are starting to flow.

[Ted Hughes]

The number of things we did right in this game, that we've often done wrong for the past 2,3 years was astonishing. And we are only scratching the surface of this, IF we continue to place emphasis on it.

This incredible rocket science of basic,attacking football, that takes world class players years to develop. (my arse)

Had we spent pre season on this rather than playing 3/5 at the back, we would be top of the league now. It has taken an impending crisis, to focus the efforts on what we should have been perfecting 2 years ago.

There were still loads more opportunities for early crosses, little dinks to the far post, Aguero to 'play in' Dzeko etc etc but the difference a bit of focus, human intelligence & common sense makes, rather than just playing moves from a chessboard.

The fact that Mancini can change it like that almost overnight, when the shit starts to hit the fan, shows how good he could be if he took the feather out of his arse.

Even if we don't win the league, if we keep working on this stuff & also the high pressing Barca style football we played v Fulham etc, perfect it, then we have used this season properly, rather than it being the complete utter waste of space it has been so far.

The irony is that Stoke were absolutely drilled to stop our one usual attacking move (the little ball round the back) and often had two players on it, thinking that if they stop that & block the centre, we are fucked. We gave them so much else to worry about, that 2 mins before half time they forgot about it for a second, we did it & scored. That's what high tempo, simple, skillful, attacking football does to a team when played by quality players. Those who we are not allowed to mention have known this for years, & the original architect of it over there, at all levels, sits next to Bob, on our bench. Use him.

[City64]

The number of things we did right in this game, that we've often done wrong for the past 2,3 years was astonishing. And we are only scratching the surface of this, IF we continue to place emphasis on it.

This incredible rocket science of basic,attacking football, that takes world class players years to develop. (my arse)

Had we spent pre season on this rather than playing 3/5 at the back, we would be top of the league now. It has taken an impending crisis, to focus the efforts on what we should have been perfecting 2 years ago.

There were still loads more opportunities for early crosses, little dinks to the far post, Aguero to 'play in' Dzeko etc etc but the difference a bit of focus, human intelligence & common sense makes, rather than just playing moves from a chessboard.

The fact that Mancini can change it like that almost overnight, when the shit starts to hit the fan, shows how good he could be if he took the feather out of his arse.

Even if we don't win the league, if we keep working on this stuff & also the high pressing Barca style football we played v Fulham etc, perfect it, then we have used this season properly, rather than it being the complete utter waste of space it has been so far.

The irony is that Stoke were absolutely drilled to stop our one usual attacking move (the little ball round the back) and often had two players on it, thinking that if they stop that & block the centre, we are fucked. We gave them so much else to worry about, that 2 mins before half time they forgot about it for a second, we did it & scored. That's what high tempo, simple, skillful, attacking football does to a team when played by quality players. Those who we are not allowed to mention have known this for years, & the original architect of it over there, at all levels, sits next to Bob, on our bench. Use him.

I am feeling much more positive about our chances of holding on to our title Ted .

Firstly we have responded very well since the Sunderland debacle , its like the shackles have come off and suddenly we are creating plenty of chances and scoring goals again and like you say the tempo has deffo increased in our play.

Arsenal away is going to be massive , if we get all 3 points there we have a nice run of games to crank up the pressure on the rags.

Lastly everything is going so well for Van Pussy ...... we all know football can bite you in the arse , the rags and purple nose are totally dependant on him this season ...... here is hoping Van Pussy has a mishap and the rags season takes a turn for the worse.