I hate Maths

[SoccerHQ]

Everton have pretty much replicated our form all season. Like us they won the first 4 games of the season then they lost something like 4 out of 5 over October-November and then bounced back with a really good run in December as we did.

There's 1 point in it and I don't see them streaking way ahead of us at any point as they've got some tough games over next few weeks.

6th could well be low 60s this season so it should certainly be a target given what we've averaged so far. Tough ask but if we win 5 and draw 3 of the next 9 games we will be on 50 points with still 10 games left so that would put us in a very good position and likely above a few of the teams we're just below.

Probably one of Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal will go on big winning run but they won't all do that so big opportunity to finish above two of them for the first time in a long while.

[TelfordVilla]

Burnley have bettered us in results if not performance over two games this season.

[cannock villa]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

[Drummond]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

I'd love a good run in the UEFA Cup. Get the players used to it, ready for the Champions League when we win the Premier League........

[Drummond]

Oh, and this is as good a place as any, but is anyone else a little disappointed the club is pushing the 40th Anniversary thing a bit too much? I'm all for celebrating historical things like founding the league but highlighting a playing success from such a long while ago, marvellous as it was, just seems to bring attention to the subsequent failings.

[Lastfootstamper]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

That's the best bit of European football!

[danno]

Oh, and this is as good a place as any, but is anyone else a little disappointed the club is pushing the 40th Anniversary thing a bit too much? I'm all for celebrating historical things like founding the league but highlighting a playing success from such a long while ago, marvellous as it was, just seems to bring attention to the subsequent failings.

I didn't know we'd even done anything. Has a Ron Saunders statue been commissioned or something?

[ChicagoLion]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

I am with you, I think it sets our CL ambitions backwards, so I agree I would rather either Domestic cup but especialy the FA Cup.

[chrisw1]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

I would have said it's the first essential step we need to take to retain Jack.  So yeah, I want to qualify for the Europa League.  Desperately.

[chrisw1]

The thing with Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton & Spurs is they all have much deeper squads than we do.  So do West Ham to some extent and whilst they don't have Jack they do have some decent quality.

I think on form we're capable of top 6, but if we get an injury or a dip in form I just don't think we'll have the depth to cope.  But you never know and so long as we don't implode it will have been an excellent season either way.

[LeeB]

The thing with Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton & Spurs is they all have much deeper squads than we do.  So do West Ham to some extent and whilst they don't have Jack they do have some decent quality.

I think on form we're capable of top 6, but if we get an injury or a dip in form I just don't think we'll have the depth to cope.  But you never know and so long as we don't implode it will have been an excellent season either way.

We can handle a couple of injuries as long as it's not Jack, Watkins or Targett, and I'd agree with your assessment.

[Footy-Vill]

The thing with Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton & Spurs is they all have much deeper squads than we do.  So do West Ham to some extent and whilst they don't have Jack they do have some decent quality.

I think on form we're capable of top 6, but if we get an injury or a dip in form I just don't think we'll have the depth to cope.  But you never know and so long as we don't implode it will have been an excellent season either way.

Taken a sample of last 6 seasons.
Teams 4th , 5th 6th 7th with 21 matches played.  finishing position and final points.

2014/15
4 Man Utd 37pts (4th 70pts)
5 Arsenal 36pts (3rd 75pts)
6 Spurs 34pts (5th 64pts)
7 West Ham 33pts (12th 47pts)

2015/16
4 Spurs 36pts (3rd 70pts)
5 West Ham 35pts (7th 62pts)
6 Man Utd 34pts (5th 66pts)
7 Stoke 32pts (9th 51pts)

2016/17
4 Arsenal 44pts (5th 75pts)
5 Man City 42pts (3rd 78pts)
6 Man Utd 40pts (6th 69pts)
7 Everton 33pts (7th 61pts)

2017/18
4 Liverpool 41pts (4th 75pts)
5 Arsenal 38 (6th 63pts)
6 Spurs 37pts played 20. (3rd 77pts)
7 Burnley 34pts (7th 54pts )

2018/19
4 Chelsea 44pts (finished 3rd 72pts)
5 Arsenal 41pts (finished 5th 70pts)
6 Man Utd 38pts (finished 6th 66pts)
7 Leicester 31pts (finished 9th 52pts)

2019/20
4 Chelsea 36pts (finished 4th 66pts)
5 Man Utd 31pts (finished 3rd 66pts)
6 Spurs 30pts (finished 6th 59pts)
7 Wolves 30pts (finished 7th 59pts )

20/21
This season current - 21 matches played. (Unless stated)
4 Leicester 39pts
5 West Ham 35pts
6 Spurs 33pts (20 games)
7 Chelsea 33pts
8 Everton 33pts (19 games)
9 Villa 32pts  (19 games)

All to play for. And certainly in our hands even more so having Everton and Spurs as our games in hand. As we have to play them both twice. And results against both home and away will Impacts all 3 clubs placing come season end.

But focusing firstly on the 2 matches in hand
Spurs home
Everton home
Provided we don't lose both then it's a return of
1pt, 2pt , 3pt, 4pt, 6pt to be added to current 32pts
And beating either would give us good chance to climb above them.
Drawing is no good in trying to reach  for champions league and it's imperative we beat as many of the teams above us to make ground starting with West Ham tonight.

As we have to play every. Team above us at home apart from Liverpool and the Spurs and Everton double fixtures it really is a perfect opportunity to finish as high as possible.

[WarszaVillan]

The thing with Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton & Spurs is they all have much deeper squads than we do.  So do West Ham to some extent and whilst they don't have Jack they do have some decent quality.

I think on form we're capable of top 6, but if we get an injury or a dip in form I just don't think we'll have the depth to cope.  But you never know and so long as we don't implode it will have been an excellent season either way.

We can handle a couple of injuries as long as it's not Jack, Watkins or Targett, and I'd agree with your assessment.

After this week it is basically a game a week till the end of the season. Barring some very bad luck we should be ok in terms of our squad this season.

[cdbearsfan]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

I am with you, I think it sets our CL ambitions backwards, so I agree I would rather either Domestic cup but especialy the FA Cup.

If you win it, you qualify for the Champions League. If you're in it, you attract better players.

It makes the Champions League much more likely, not less.

And I'd rather play exotic foreign teams that "you've never heard of" than watch us play the same teams all the time.

[ChicagoLion]

Is it just me that doesn't want to qualify for the Europa League. Playing hundreds of games against teams you've never heard of. I would rather take the League Cup or FA Cup more seriously.

I am with you, I think it sets our CL ambitions backwards, so I agree I would rather either Domestic cup but especialy the FA Cup.

If you win it, you qualify for the Champions League. If you're in it, you attract better players.

It makes the Champions League much more likely, not less.

And I'd rather play exotic foreign teams that "you've never heard of" than watch us play the same teams all the time.

I do fancy a European Trip though