The boring top 4 thread

[mistermagic]

I know, relegation talk is better but I reckon we could use this thread to determine who of Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs will be left out. City have won the league I think so there are only 3 spots left for the much-coveted CL. Liverpool are currently in the CL and will be looking to secure for a second season in a row for the 1st time since the Big Four era. United won't want to miss out given the amount of money spent, Chelsea are accustomed to it and should be expected of making it all the time but there is this damn Spurs and their super super Harry Kane striker who could disrupt it.

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that I don't think Arsenal will make it. Too weak, too fragile and just not as good as the rest. Not saying they're out of the race (I reckon they'll be within touching distance come May) but just don't see them winning the big games that matter.

So, baring this in mind, can Spurs disrupt the league as it stands?

 

[Pagnell]

Had Spurs down for 5th-6th at the start of the season and I stand by that.

1 City
2 Chelsea
3 United
4 Liverpool
--------------------
5 Spurs

 

[mistermagic]

Had Spurs down for 5th-6th at the start of the season and I stand by that.

1 City
2 Chelsea
3 United
4 Liverpool
--------------------
5 Spurs

I honestly hope Spurs get it to United's detriment. They're not a team just a bunch of world-class players put in no particular order by Mourinho. Spurs are better to watch and Pochettino is a likeable lad (he played for PSG). I think what you just posted will happen but I sincerely hope not.

 

[SALTIRE]

I honestly think Liverpool can push on for second. As for the rest of the top four I think Chelsea and us will make it and probably Utd too though they need to pick it up otherwise super Harry and his fighting cocks could yet usurp them.

 

[Pagnell]

Without Kane Spurs are toothless, as shown by the fact he's scored more goals than the next 3 highest scorers have combined. It's dangerous to rely on one player that much, can he keep his goal scoring up or avoid injury? They're fucked if he goes off form or picks up a knock.

 

[SALTIRE]

Let's hope not I'd rather Spurs get top four than Utd.

 

[Pagnell]

I'd rather Everton got top 4 than United.

 

[JimJams]

Without Kane Spurs are toothless, as shown by the fact he's scored more goals than the next 3 highest scorers have combined. It's dangerous to rely on one player that much, can he keep his goal scoring up or avoid injury? They're fucked if he goes off form or picks up a knock.

Thats not massively different to you with Salah though is it?

January will have a big say. Coutinho could be off, so that disrupts Liverpool going forward but VvD comes in which could be a great help at the other end.
Arsenal could be in really big trouble with potentially Ozil, Sanchez and even Wilshere talking to clubs. They might not move in January, but they'll surely take the foot off the gas if theyre not staying at the end if the season.
Spurs usually do alright in the new year after slow starts to the season, so I doubt they'll drop off much, and Son has filled in when Kanes been out so far.
Jose needs to sort his shit out. Pogba playing more advanced today saw him provide two assists (though not defence splitting passes admittedly) but they look much more dangerous when hes allowed to get further up. But Jose plays for draws against the big sides then moans at sides like Burnley doing it to him. I'd love to see him fuck it up tbh. Right fucking bore he is now, and I used to like him.
Chelsea I think are more fragile up front than Spurs.

 

[Leewilson]

Many thought Spurs would finish 5th/6th last season, myself included, with having to combine Champions League amongst everything else. They're not a 1 man team. Kane was missing for spells last season and they coped. They put Son up front and he's a half decent deputy. I think they will get top 4 personally unless they go deep in the Champions League, then it just may be a slight struggle.

I'm pretty sure Arsenal will miss out. But then it's hard to call the other one. Liverpool are going along very well. United will grind out results. Chelsea have got over their early season struggle. Spurs I've covered above.

January transfer window along with how deep teams go in Europe could decide it.

 

[Pagnell]

Thats not massively different to you with Salah though is it?

Yeah, I knew someone would probably say that. But it is different, although that could change if Coutinho leaves and we don't bring in a suitable replacement, although Lallana is now back and that is like having a new player in the team he's been out that long.

The stats at the moment stack up like this. This season our top 5 goal scorers have 63 goals between them in all competitions. Take Salah out of the equation and that goes down to 40 from the other 4. Spurs top 5 goal scorers have 49 goals between them. Take Kane out of the picture and that goes down to 25.

 

[mistermagic]

But Jose plays for draws against the big sides then moans at sides like Burnley doing it to him. I'd love to see him fuck it up tbh. Right fucking bore he is now, and I used to like him.
Chelsea I think are more fragile up front than Spurs.

My thoughts pretty much echoed re Mourinho. I still like him but I used to actually rate him as the best manager in the world. He clearly lost the Classico battle against Guardiola, never won the CL for Real Madrid (wasn't even close) and it's proving very costly to win the league under his budget demands (£300M not being enough didn't you know?). What I'm very disappointed about is that he got his name on the map by nurturing a young Porto side who won the CL. It was a refreshing change. Since the 2003 days (not making us any younger is it?), Mourinho has had golden talent like De Bruyne or Salah in his ranks and he doesn't nurture or even try to make them into better players by giving them game time. And let's not pretend that he is giving youth its chance at United. He is buying whichever player he wants (they're generally quite expensive) and demands that United pay the very high fee the seller's club requires. If United don't, it gives him ammo in press conferences and an excuse as to why his football is bland, rubbish and boring. He's turning into a very bitter old man who can't take defeat at any time.

Regarding Chelsea, Willian has litterally transformed the attack. They were one-dimensional in October but with him in the side, Chelsea look like an exciting bunch going forward. I doubt 2nd spot will go to anyone else if they keep it up. It really is amazing how much one player can change a team, a squad and a season. I'd rather Conte played with an actual #9 in Morata and actually use Michy when the Spaniard is tired rather than playing Hazard as a false 9. Chelsea not playing the past-it Fabregas is working wonders too.

 

[Pagnell]

It's great to see people seeing Mourinho for what he is. Namely a whining, boring hypocrite of the highest order. To see him bitch about smaller teams not making the effort against United by playing defensively has to be one of the most hilarious things in modern football.

 

[Bilo]

I feel that this is probably the first year since Ferguson's days that the Premier League lives up to its hype, in more ways than one.

Aside from the one horse title race for the second year in a row, which is a proper bore, all of the top six are having decent to good seasons which makes the race for top four as interesting as it's always predicted to be. Usually (often us) someone is well off the mark. Also, all clubs are performing well in Europe and it certainly isn't beyond imagination that City will win the CL and Arsenal the EL. I can see Chelsea knocking out Barcelona (god, that will be a boring tie) in which case the road is completely open for City, as Barcelona with their very disciplined 4-4-2 is the only team I can see knocking out City. Currently, anyway, I guess Real can pick it up at some point and Bayern under Heynckes are a threat indeed, but there isn't a better team in Europe than City, currently.

This is all off topic, I just don't find things as boring as they usually are. Us, United and Spurs will make up the rest of the top four with Arsenal probably managing it through the EL.

 

[mistermagic]

Chelsea to finish 5th then?

 

[SALTIRE]

Can't see that, Chelsea will be 3rd or 2nd at the end imo.

 

[mistermagic]

Can't see anyone else finishing 2nd. Conte has found his starting 11. Bit late for a title push but Chelsea are starting to look like the side we saw in 16/17.

 

[Bilo]

Chelsea to finish 5th then?

I meant us, United and Chelsea lol sry m8

 

[Johnnyt]

the top 4 is boring as hell, i only enjoy watching City and Spurs

 

[Pagnell]

If there is one thing you can't call Liverpool, it's boring.

 

[Leewilson]

Just did this for Spurs in another thread so thought I'd have a glance at Liverpool.

After 22 games:

2013/14 - 43 points (finished 2nd on 84) (Liverpool's last decent season for a few years)
2016/17 - 43 points (finished 4th on 76)
2017/18 - 44 points (????)

Klopp's had a bit of criticism this season yet he's matched last season's start (which was very good). They have the potential to motor on and go beyond 76 points I think. Champions League progress could play a part though. Like Tottenham, everything is very much in the balance.

 

[Bilo]

Just did this for Spurs in another thread so thought I'd have a glance at Liverpool.

After 22 games:

2013/14 - 43 points (finished 2nd on 84) (Liverpool's last decent season for a few years)
2016/17 - 43 points (finished 4th on 76)
2017/18 - 44 points (????)

Klopp's had a bit of criticism this season yet he's matched last season's start (which was very good). They have the potential to motor on and go beyond 76 points I think. Champions League progress could play a part though. Like Tottenham, everything is very much in the balance.

But like in 13/14, we have one player scoring at a won't stay at Liverpool-rate, which makes such a huge difference you only ever realize when it's gone. As a team, on the whole, we have regressed slightly. Not much yet to be worried about, mind.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

I think the top 3 will stay the same it's just wether Manchester United and Chelsea can keep the motivation up being so far behind City. Spurs will beat Liverpool to the final spot, just a better all round team and Liverpool's defence will let them down again, Van Djik won't be able to sort it out on his own. Arsenal will miss out, unless they seriously invest in this window and even then I can't see it.

 

[Pagnell]

Nah. We're unbeaten in 16 games, with 11 of those being wins. I'm pretty confident we will finish above Spurs and possibly even United given how unconvincing they are.

 

[Pagnell]

West Ham doing us a favour tonight.

 

[Pagnell]

Still confident the top 4 will be City, Liverpool, Chelsea and United, not necessarily in that order. Still think Spurs will fall short, although they currently look more convincing than United and Chelsea.

 

[Abertawe]

don't think we'll make up the ground to finish top four this time - matter of time though

 

[£50mPoundSterling]

City
Liverpool
Chelsea
United

 

[JimJams]

I think the only definite is that Man City will be top of the 'big 6' and Arsenal will be bottom!

 

[Roque Santa Cruz]

I honestly think Liverpool can push on for second.

In that case they should definitely leave wijnaldum on the bench. 'The invisible man' adds nothing particular to liverpool.

 

[SALTIRE]

In that case they should definitely leave wijnaldum on the bench. 'The invisible man' adds nothing particular to liverpool.

Your a weird guy. Did you not watch the match the other day?