How many points will keep us up?

[Ads]

I think we are more likely to beat Stoke than either Fulham or Liverpool. If West Ham can win their, then Christ, anybody can.

There form over the past twelve months is as bad as ours.

[SoccerHQ]

When was the last time Fulham won at VP in the league?

I know they won at Spurs last time out but their away form is generally toss so that's a game I expect us to win.

3 points there and draws with Liverpool and Stoke, I'd take that all day long.

[curiousorange]

Why's it any different to Fletcher and Sunderland or Wigan and Arouna Kone?

Or Suarez at Liverpool, Van Persie (in the early part of the season) at United or Flukaku at the Bitters. That's what you buy strikers for. Besides which, all of our strikers have healthy scoring form this season, so this sudden theory that it's Benteke keeping us up and nobody else is ignorant.

[SoccerHQ]

It's funny but I thought Benny was our quietest forward against QPR but popped up with the winner.

Could be argued Weimann and Gabby have been playing better recently.

[ozzjim]

I think the 3 compliment each other well actually. Weimann gets his head up, plays people in and also scores a fair few, Gabby stretches the flanks and Benteke, well, does what Benteke does.

[curiousorange]

The funny thing is that even though points of the season have been cringe-making, there are at least three candidates for player of the season for me.

[maidstonevillain]

I've noticed this week that there have been one or two digs at us regarding having the cheek to play a guy who scores goals in Benteke. It's all pretty snidey - e.g. goals by Christian Benteke (again) or the crap gallery on the Guardian site - but now we're in a bit of form it's almost as if we've got to be criticised for not doing it in exactly the right way.

And probably from the same people who a few weeks ago were slating us for playing Benteke instead of Bent.

How dare we have the cheek to play a striker who scores goals.

[Irish villain]

The funny thing is that even though points of the season have been cringe-making, there are at least three candidates for player of the season for me.

I know I will look back fondly on this season. I won't look back fondly on last season. There have been a lot of positives this year (with some absolute horror shows thrown in).

[SoccerHQ]

For anyone who does gets the season review DVD, just make sure you fastforward quickly straight after Liverpool until you hit March.

[peter w]

Not really interested about the press and their opinions. We know that our last 5 goals at least were well constructed, well taken goals. Whatever else they say shows that they're not watching us. Criticise the other end of the park maybe, but the front-line right now? Nah.

[Matt Collins]

To respond to the first question: I don't think 35 points will be anything like enough. I think we'll need around 40 to be confident. We need to play to win all out games, but I suspect it will come down to Fulham, stoke, norwich and above all Sunderland. 8 points or more from those and I think we'll be ok, especially if it includes beating Sunderland. But none of them is a gimme by any means.

[OCD]

Looks like all the teams in the bottom half will pick up points and the third relegated team will do so with a points tally that would have kept them safe in other years. We play most of the sides down there so we have it our own hands. Someone like Sunderland's going to have real problems. Even if they pick up the odd surprise result, their fixture list is still tough enough that it's going to be struggle for them to stay above the other sides down there that have better fixtures.

[SoccerHQ]

I reckon Sunderland will get 5 more points in the run in.....draw with Everton and 4 points from Stoke and Souhampton. If we beat them we'll be o.k.

Mind you they've got Chelsea next who no doubt will donate them their annual relegation points gift.

[eastie]

I reckon Sunderland will get 5 more points in the run in.....draw with Everton and 4 points from Stoke and Souhampton. If we beat them we'll be o.k.

Mind you they've got Chelsea next who no doubt will donate them their annual relegation points gift.

Chelsea need results as arsenal are right on their heels for top 4 - they should beat sunderland - I can see why they rested many today as they have a big game on Monday against utd.

[KRS]

An interesting stat I heard on SSN today was that Chelski have played 53 games compared to 34 for Southampton. Their game against Utd is arguably more important but the higher placed teams resting players at the business end of the PL really doesnt do us any favours in our situation.