Champions League Contention

[Ian.]

Having your most aerially dominant centre halves knee ligament explode midway through the opening half of the first game of the season is unhelpful when looking to defend crosses.

True but the coaching team have had all season to train Carlos and Torres into dealing with such battles far better than they are. One plus point yesterday from a defensive point of view is that we didn't concede from a corner/free-kick where we've been Lambert-like recently.

They just haven’t got the defensive ability of Mings.

I would hope we’re seriously looking for an upgrade this summer. Someone who can defend and impose themselves but also has the requirements to play the ball. Not easy to find, but it’s essential to how we play. On paper Carlos sounds perfect, however his positioning isn’t that great and he isn’t dominant as his size says he should be.

[Percy McCarthy]

Having your most aerially dominant centre halves knee ligament explode midway through the opening half of the first game of the season is unhelpful when looking to defend crosses.

True but the coaching team have had all season to train Carlos and Torres into dealing with such battles far better than they are. One plus point yesterday from a defensive point of view is that we didn't concede from a corner/free-kick where we've been Lambert-like recently.

They just haven’t got the defensive ability of Mings.

I would hope we’re seriously looking for an upgrade this summer. Someone who can defend and impose themselves but also has the requirements to play the ball. Not easy to find, but it’s essential to how we play. On paper Carlos sounds perfect, however his positioning isn’t that great and he isn’t dominant as his size says he should be.

Hermosa (sp?).

[Footy-Vill]

Beautiful!

[eamonn]

Hermoso - handsome.

[ez]

One thing to flag up is that if fifth is sewn up bar the shouting, Emery has got us here with half a Premier League standard squad. If we ever have any luck with injuries, we'd be in a four horse race for the title.

Indeed. And we would be hoping for a man utd win today instead of liverpool.

[Drummond]

I think they will beat Liverpool on Sunday.

They may have to score at least three so I can't see it.
United are way too open.

Well, looks like you're right!

[Demitri_C]

Another game closer to top 5

[Ads]

Another game down for Man United with no further points gained on us.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Man U with the same form as us, one win, two draws in five.

[PaulWinch again]

Well that was nearly bad, but draw effectively wipes out another game.

[Ads]

Balance of all those games it should be 5 defeats.

[langleylions]

Did she just say man u are 8 points off the champs league , err excuse me sky but we are 11 points ahead of that shower ffs ,

[Clampy]

Did she just say man u are 8 points off the champs league , err excuse me sky but we are 11 points ahead of that shower ffs ,

She probably meant 5th place, even if it's not guaranteed yet.

[Demitri_C]

Did she just say man u are 8 points off the champs league , err excuse me sky but we are 11 points ahead of that shower ffs ,

Its more like 12 points if you include GD

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Basically, Man U have to win 4 of their last 7 to overtake us - IF we don't pick up another point.

They don't have the toughest run-in, and they're jammy bastards, so it's feasible that they could achieve that.

I think another win will sew up 5th.  I think Spurs have more winnable games than we do, so they'll get 4th.