Will we qualify for the CL?

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Looks like we may be able to throw everything at the Forest games.

[Brazilian Villain]

We're 33/1 on to finish top 5. I'm feeling fairly confident.

[eamonn]

Good to rule put Chelsea but I want 3rd so didn't really want Yanited to win either.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm sticking with no one below Liverpool will reach 61 points. ManU winning was great for us. While 3rd would be nice top 5 is far far more important. We finished miles ahead of ManU last season, do people think about the glory of that or how missing out on the CL cost us massively.

And the sooner CL qualification is wrapped up the sooner we can focus on getting the squad into the best possible shape to win our first trophy for 30 years.

[Rory]

I'm sticking with no one below Liverpool will reach 61 points. ManU winning was great for us. While 3rd would be nice top 5 is far far more important. We finished miles ahead of ManU last season, do people think about the glory of that or how missing out on the CL cost us massively.

And the sooner CL qualification is wrapped up the sooner we can focus on getting the squad into the best possible shape to win our first trophy for 30 years.

Agreed.

3rd or 4th, who cares?

I mostly want us to win the Europa, but we never win anything, so 3rd/4th/5th, whatever. As long as we qualify.

[PeterWithesShin]

After the games yesterday to reach 61 points Chelsea (1 win last 5 games), Brentford (0 wins last 5 games) and Bournemouth (2 wins last 5 games) need to end the season W4 D1 L0. Brighton (3 wins last 5 games) need W5 D0 L0. Everton and Sunderland are the only other clubs that can reach 61 points.

[algy]

Not far off now. Win today and we’re entering the territory where Chelsea et al will need league-winning form and us bottom-of-the-league form. All very exciting.

I think we should aim for 3rd. Not sure where this defeatist “we can only compete for one thing” mindset has come in when we’ve been doing as well as we have all season.

I want it all now, finish the season on a high and go in to the summer being able to tell players - our own and ones we’re trying to sign - that (a) we can and do win stuff, and (b) point at the league table and say we’ve risen above the hoi polloi of Manc Utd, Liverpool, and Chelsea now, we’re highly likely to be able to offer consistent Champions League football and to go deep in that, and we’ve got Manc City & Arsenal in our sights.

[LeeS]

We're 33/1 on to finish top 5. I'm feeling fairly confident.

How would an interested punter lay this bet. For some inexplicable reason, I am banned from Betfair. I’ve literally never had an account with them and assume I am the victim of some sort of cyber thingy. Are there other places I can bet on us not getting it?

[PeterWithesShin]

Who has said we can only compete for one thing?

[Dave]

I think we should aim for 3rd. Not sure where this defeatist “we can only compete for one thing” mindset has come in when we’ve been doing as well as we have all season.

Nobody's suggesting we sack the league off, but hopefully we're going to need to pick priorities in the last week of the season.

Assuming we've got >5th sewn up (and I'm pretty sure we'll will have) and we get past Forest then it would be pretty reckless to go all out against Liverpool, when the priority should be the final.

And if we win the final, Man City on the final day will be like Palace two years ago.

So sure, aim to win every game we play. But in the hierarchy of our objectives "aim to win a trophy" should be higher than "aim to finish third".

[LeeS]

I think we should aim for 3rd. Not sure where this defeatist “we can only compete for one thing” mindset has come in when we’ve been doing as well as we have all season.

Nobody's suggesting we sack the league off, but hopefully we're going to need to pick priorities in the last week of the season.

Assuming we've got >5th sewn up (and I'm pretty sure we'll will have) and we get past Forest then it would be pretty reckless to go all out against Liverpool, when the priority should be the final.

And if we win the final, Man City on the final day will be like Palace two years ago.

So sure, aim to win every game we play. But in the hierarchy of our objectives "aim to win a trophy" should be higher than "aim to finish third".

Agreed. 5th and silverware beats 3rd and nothing every day of the week.

[PeterWithesShin]

We could have CL clinched before the semi. Let's go with a 1-1 draw again at the City ground. What's the best scenario against Spurs, play everyone full throttle as we want 3rd and maybe get a couple of Kamara type injuries against them again, or rest anyone with a niggle so as we are as strong as possible for the 2nd leg?

[PaulWinch again]

I think we should aim for 3rd. Not sure where this defeatist “we can only compete for one thing” mindset has come in when we’ve been doing as well as we have all season.

Nobody's suggesting we sack the league off, but hopefully we're going to need to pick priorities in the last week of the season.

Assuming we've got >5th sewn up (and I'm pretty sure we'll will have) and we get past Forest then it would be pretty reckless to go all out against Liverpool, when the priority should be the final.

And if we win the final, Man City on the final day will be like Palace two years ago.

So sure, aim to win every game we play. But in the hierarchy of our objectives "aim to win a trophy" should be higher than "aim to finish third".

Agreed. 5th and silverware beats 3rd and nothing every day of the week.

100% agree. Whilst 3rd and Europa League would be great, Chelsea dropping off and us confirming Champions League as early as possible so we can turn our attention to the Europa League is likely what gives us the best chance of achieving our objectives. I see 3rd more as a nice potential bonus.

[PaulWinch again]

We could have CL clinched before the semi. Let's go with a 1-1 draw again at the City ground. What's the best scenario against Spurs, play everyone full throttle as we want 3rd and maybe get a couple of Kamara type injuries against them again, or rest anyone with a niggle so as we are as strong as possible for the 2nd leg?

In spite, of what I said on objectives - I do want us to relegate Spurs. Not just out of utter dislike for them, although that plays a big part. It’s more that longer term I see them as a team who could compete with us if they get their house in order, so a relegation would be great.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd love to relegate them but I want a trphy so needs must for me. Jam today please, not tomorrow.