Probably not where any of us would of hoped to be at this stage, but with a third(ish) of the season gone we should have a fairly good idea of how things will look in May. Last season it was very fine margins between ourselves and Liverpool, little separating the two both when we played, and where we ended up. This year it’s pretty clear they are a level above, or we’ve moved a level below, or a combination of the two... A lot is made by some rival fans about their luck with injuries, referees, or even opposition goalkeeping gaffes, but let’s be honest their just up at the moment, when you’re up it can seem like everything goes your way, but make no mistake they have earned that.
Can City over turn a 9 point deficit? Of course, we have overturned similar gaps before in a shorter amount of games - if we could go into the reverse fixture on April 4th with a 6 point gap then things could get interesting, but the smart money would have to be on us dropping more points between now and then than the leaders. Our over reliance on Laporte has left us looking incredibly defensively suspect in his absence, but it’s not just the Leicester’s and Chelsea’s who will fancy their chances of exploiting our frailties, it’s the lower table sides, Wolves (8th), Norwich (20th) who also pose more of a threat than they generally have over the past two years.
On Sunday they looked dangerous whenever they came forward, when we had our moments, which we did, it became more hope that we would find the net. Perhaps that’s just the nature of watching a game where you have a vested interest, especially one where the most dangerous striker in premier league history appears to have forgotten what his job is - but now looking at the bigger picture it feels like we find ourselves in a similar position in the league. Them dangerous, and us hopeful.
I was impressed by the way we carried on working even at 3 down, our goal made things a little uncomfortable for them for a short while, just a shame it came so late. But the point is the desire is clearly still there in a squad vying for a very rare, back to back third title. Already a shoe in to finish top of Group C, and with decent domestic cup runs a given, considering how seriously we take these competitions under Guardiola, there is still an awful lot of football left to play this season. Title talk will be on hold though, at least for now, the next job is moving back above Chelsea - in our hands 10 days from now.
4th after 12
posted on 13/11/19
maybe, maybe a handball on silva would have been beter then!
posted on 13/11/19
His wife went back to Barca a few months ago with one of his kids. Tbh I think things like that get overplayed. When money is no object it’s probably easier for them to spend time together as a family than it was for me to get from North Greenwich to Brixton when I was in London over the weekend...
posted on 13/11/19
I dunno. Was reading she's not just his wife, she pretty much organises his life. It's not ideal either way. Big fan of Pep though.
posted on 13/11/19
comment by HB Fash (U21935)
posted 41 minutes ago
Would Pep sneak out in the summer with no trophies in his final season? Not sure his ego will allow that.
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The season ends in May.
Oh and Pep already won the Charity Shield this season.
I estimated that Liverpool would be 12 points clear of us by January 2020. So being 9 points at this point is still within my estimation.
Still a lot of football to play and anything can happen.
If it's easy to predict what would happen between now and May, the bookies would be out of business.
posted on 13/11/19
“ If it's easy to predict what would happen between now and May, the bookies would be out of business.”
I fancied Pool, City, Leicester and Chelsea as top 4 at the start. Should of put my money where my mouth is. £30 on that in any order was bringing in over £500 a few months ago 🤦♂️
posted on 13/11/19
comment by gratedbean (U4885)
posted 6 minutes ago
“ If it's easy to predict what would happen between now and May, the bookies would be out of business.”
I fancied Pool, City, Leicester and Chelsea as top 4 at the start. Should of put my money where my mouth is. £30 on that in any order was bringing in over £500 a few months ago 🤦♂️
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No one expected us to be 4th after 12 games.
Lots of people thought Chelsea would struggle under Lampard.
It's just so difficult to think things would remain as they are between now and May. It won't.
We won the league after being 8 points behind with just 5 games to go.
United won the league being 12 points behind in January.
But football fans are so fickle. Most always live by the last match.
Personally, I was impressed with our performance at Anfield. Especially with Angelino.
But the newspaper colums and comments from fans ignored our performance but instead, have all focussed on the results alone.
I would chose performance over result any day.
Why?
Because if you maintain consistent performance, over time, the results will follow.
posted on 13/11/19
Pep”a wife runs a clothing business in Barcelona, it’s not like she’s run off to Buenos Aires with her Latin lover
posted on 13/11/19
No it's like she's left the country though while Pep stats here.
posted on 13/11/19
comment by gratedbean (U4885)
posted 3 hours, 5 minutes ago
“ If it's easy to predict what would happen between now and May, the bookies would be out of business.”
I fancied Pool, City, Leicester and Chelsea as top 4 at the start. Should of put my money where my mouth is. £30 on that in any order was bringing in over £500 a few months ago 🤦♂️
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I wish I had your optimism around Leicester. I had the top 4 as: Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea before the season started - so I might have flushed my money down the pan already.
I wouldn’t assume anything is done at this stage though. Man City and Liverpool proved last season that both teams are capable of relentless runs of form that could see either one take the title. Chelsea and Leicester will do well to hold onto the coattails but, as a Leicester fan, I’d be surprised and delighted to finish top four.
posted on 13/11/19
Leicester look good and at this stage should be certainly pushing top 4
Spurs have disappeared, United & Arsenal are a shambles so why not?
City will pick up at some point and have a12 game winning run or something like that, a question of when Liverpool start to play well as they have stumbled a bit so far
Chelsea aren't really a surprise are they, they have had a deep squad for years now. It's strange how people keep talking about a transfer ban, they have spent £100m+ since January on new players!