Champions League Contention

[PaulWinch again]

Good results today, blitzing Sheff Utd (who were terrible) will hopefully be a big boost for the confidence. Especially with Pau coming back soon. Chance to reset and kick on.

[Dave]

After all six of our defeats this season we've won the next game.

We'll lose more, but as long as we keep that record up to make sure we never get in much of a rut, then we'll be in contention.

Now if Spurs could have another one-point-from-fifteen and Arsenal have another four-points-from-fifteen like they both did previously, that would be lovely.

[Rigadon]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not. 

[chrisw1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not. 

I don't see why pundits get so much hate for doing their job.  If you look at Footy's thread before the Sheffield game I think the majority had us 6/7th.  The truth is they have a deeper squad and don't have the distraction of Europe.  I'd imagine the vast majority of football followers would expect them to finish above us, probably including the majority of Villa fans.  What's the problem with him saying what most people think?

[Sexual Ealing]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not. 

I don't see why pundits get so much hate for doing their job.  If you look at Footy's thread before the Sheffield game I think the majority had us 6/7th.  The truth is they have a deeper squad and don't have the distraction of Europe.  I'd imagine the vast majority of football followers would expect them to finish above us, probably including the majority of Villa fans.  What's the problem with him saying what most people think?

Prepare for lots of disingenuous replies about Reithian values, as opposed to naked bias.

[OCD]

I'd make Spurs favourites for 4th spot too. Let them have the pressure of being front runners. Unfortunately Spurs did some very good transfer business last summer.

[PaulWinch again]

Spurs also only have the league to play for, which is a big advantage for them.

[The Edge]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not.

It's amazing that a so called pundit can do whole article on his top 4 predictions without mentioning a team who are currently sat in the top 4. As others have said it's only his opinion but it's annoying all the same. There's only one way though to break the cosy cartel and that's to keep winning our games and getting in their faces 

[Holte L2]

There's a 77% chance that 5th will get the Champions League spot.  Win on Sunday and we are well within a great chance.

[Rigadon]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not. 

I don't see why pundits get so much hate for doing their job.  If you look at Footy's thread before the Sheffield game I think the majority had us 6/7th.  The truth is they have a deeper squad and don't have the distraction of Europe.  I'd imagine the vast majority of football followers would expect them to finish above us, probably including the majority of Villa fans.  What's the problem with him saying what most people think?

It's an irrational hatred for all things Spurs I suppose - and I find Jenas himself irritating.  Good for you that you don't get as irritated - you must be calmer than me sometimes. 

I listened to the BCC news on the radio and read a few things about a 3 way title race. It's that kind of stuff. You know, without doubt, that were Spurs in 4th on as many points, it would be a 4-way race. 

How do you know what "most people think"?  Fans always feel gloomy after a shit performance and loss.  Maybe those people feel differently after the weekend than they did after the Newcastle game?  If we finished lower than 5th from this position it would be off the back of a massive and total collapse.  Not sure I see that happening, do you?  For what it's worth, after the Newcastle game I said 4th in the (very limited) poll of pissed off Villa fans on here, and remain confident that's where we'll end up. 

Finally, if anybody is still reading, not being part of 'the conversation' doesn't help the club, and so perceptions do matter.  It doesn't help from a commercial revenue, or a player recruitment perspective.

[chrisw1]

I do get annoyed how much exposure the 'so called Big 6' get and how it gets referenced even when Chelsea are floundering and Spurs' are deemed to have a rightful place in it despite never really winning anything.

But in terms of chat about the top 4, league winners etc, I can't really get worked up about pundits saying something I agree with. 

[paul_e]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68192325

Jenas can’t see spurs not finishing top 4.  Is there a more irritating pundit?  I think not. 

I don't see why pundits get so much hate for doing their job.  If you look at Footy's thread before the Sheffield game I think the majority had us 6/7th.  The truth is they have a deeper squad and don't have the distraction of Europe.  I'd imagine the vast majority of football followers would expect them to finish above us, probably including the majority of Villa fans.  What's the problem with him saying what most people think?

I'm not sure you can say Spurs have a deeper squad. When they had 3-4 first team players and a handful of reserves unavailable they had a run of awful form getting 1 point from 5 games.

Also I'm not sure if Footys thread is worth mentioning, it's not really a shock that this forum, which skews to the negative very quickly, was down on our chances after a defeat.

Finally I'm not sure why you'd think the job of a pundit is to just say what everyone thinks, what is the point of them if they just spout the same biased cliches that you'd hear in the pub?

[chrisw1]

1 - I think Spurs have a better and deeper squad than us, if you don't then great.  Well done.

2 - If a thread on a reasonably balanced forum leans towards us not making top 5, I'm not sure how you can sit there and fire shots at a pundit who thinks we probably won't get top4.

3 - I think their job is to say what they think, not appease a precious fanbase who meltdown because they're not getting the attention they think they deserve (I don't necessarily mean posters on here)

[darren woolley]

I reckon we can get top four I think it will go to the last game of the season and I think we will nick that fourth position.

[chrisw1]

I reckon we can get top four I think it will go to the last game of the season and I think we will nick that fourth position.

That's the spirit, and I truly hope you're right Daz.