Will we win the Premier League

[cdbearsfan]

We were top in the live table in 2020, before Bamford got the first of his eventual hat-trick against us.

We were also top for a couple of hours in 2013 after our 3-1 opening day win at Arsenal, before Man U won 4-1 at Swansea in an evening kick-off to overtake us.

[PeterWithesShin]

I think we were the only side to win the first 4 but were a game behind everyone.

[cdbearsfan]

I think we were the only side to win the first 4 but were a game behind everyone.

We were still top, for a bit. Leeds game was on a Friday night so we had played the same number of games as everyone else by its conclusion. Only needed a draw to go top so were in first place until they took the lead.

[django]

I make us third most likely side to win the league. I think Man City are most likely and Arsenal have a deep squad. Both of those have a better record over the last few years getting points than we do.

But there’s not that much in it and they are both vulnerable if they lose a couple of key players.

The build uo and reaction to the game at the weekend shows how hyped one or two teams and their players are. There is a feedback loop as they are over represented and discussed in the media. The last few days has shown how outside of our fanbase people still don’t get what we are capable of.

I’m not moaning about a media conspiracy although if one day they were more balanced and informed it would be nice. But I think sometimes it makes it harder for us to judge our level against some of these overhyped teams and players. I’m beginning to realise we’ve been a lot closer than I thought.

We’re not perfect but neither are those sides around us. We’ve got vulnerabilities but so have they. I thought we’d finish above Chelsea this season and we’d finish behind Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City. I was nervous about Newcastle and Spurs under Frank. Now I’m feeling pretty confident we could stay in the top 3.

Someone in the other games thread just mentioned Bacuna, it was like a wormhole to a parallel universe. These are crazy times.

[ajmant]

Nope. But top 4 would be incredible. And we should not forget that. Emery is a genius. Let other people talk about us and just let’s see where we finish. Big ourselves up…..it rarely ends so well

[eamonn]

When was the last time we were top of the table? I'm feeling a 3-2 at home to Bolton about 20 years ago, but not sure.

1998 and into early 1999. We barely won again all season.

Is he not right about the Bolton game? 01/02, late October? Think we lost at Newcastle, 3-0 the following week. Same as it ever was.

[ChicagoLion]

There is an argument that we should focus on the Premier League at the expense of everything else.

[Olneythelonely]

There is an argument that we should focus on the Premier League at the expense of everything else.

It’s not just an argument, it’s exactly what Unai says we’ll be doing every season.

[ChicagoLion]

There is an argument that we should focus on the Premier League at the expense of everything else.

It’s not just an argument, it’s exactly what Unai says we’ll be doing every season.

No , that isn’t exactly what he says.

[Olneythelonely]

There is an argument that we should focus on the Premier League at the expense of everything else.

It’s not just an argument, it’s exactly what Unai says we’ll be doing every season.

No , that isn’t exactly what he says.

Well, no, if you want to be facetious it isn’t. Although he does say the Premier League is our priority every season and with our squad, that’ll obviously be at the expense of everything else.

[ChicagoLion]

There is an argument that we should focus on the Premier League at the expense of everything else.

It’s not just an argument, it’s exactly what Unai says we’ll be doing every season.

No , that isn’t exactly what he says.

Well, no, if you want to be facetious it isn’t. Although he does say the Premier League is our priority every season and with our squad, that’ll obviously be at the expense of everything else.

I wasn’t being facetious, a good word by the way that suggests you don’t have reading difficulties.

[Olneythelonely]

I’m not sure why you’re being a dick here. I was trying to say that Emery agrees with you and actually says that.

[Pat Mustard]

Regardless of if we win the league (or are even still challenging by the end of the season), we have consistently been the fourth best team in the country since Emery took over.  Other than C115y, Arsenal and Liverpool (and even they are wobbling now), no other team has done what we've done and been in the Champions League race solidly for the last 3 years (and had Emery taken over earlier we would probably have qualified in 22/23 too).

I think this is what pisses me off about the media coverage most of all - it is just lazy, talk of lack of squad depth and the expectation that we will eventually fall away.  Given the advantages that the three teams named above have had, plus then what the likes of Chelsea, Manure, Spuds and Newcastle should also have on us than what we are doing is remarkable, but it's not an aberration - we are at least the fourth best team in England, and have been for nigh on 3 years now. 

[Baldy]

The Opta stats predictions for end of season currently have us ending third, 6 points ahead of Chelski but behind the Arses and the money boys.

Mind you, it does predict the Dingles will end up with 21 points!!