Proximity.

[JockStrap]

I think the importance of that, within the contextual parameter of a quick-glance thread that passes short-hand comment on how close/far we are from a couple of positions is honestly a pretty trivial detail. It's as important and unimportant as anything else, like most casual chatter in an online forum.

Conversation and observation are simply different pleasures - and not everything is done purely for pleasure's sake.

Besides - it's distance from first, 4th and the relegation spots - the distance from the Champion's League spots are simply one of 3 of the Barometers, so I see no need to isolate that one.

That’s not the answer I would expect from anyone who has been to watch their local team. But OK.

[shminkyred]

Is this the season we expected last Season?

And if so, did Slot overachieve in his first season?
Where were City this time last season with the greatest manager in the world (allegedly) ? I'm sure they were up and down the table.

If slot had come in bought a load of new players in his first season would we not be saying "Transition" I think whats left of the squad from last year are just not fresh....Winning a title in the EPL takes it out of a small squad.
The new players need to find their feet.

Maybe we need to treat this as year 1 and give him time without the pressure of raised expectations.?

Artetta has won an FA cup- in however many seasons and almost a billion spent? And MAYBE this year everything might actually come together from him

[Insidious]

That’s not the answer I would expect from anyone who has been to watch their local team. But OK.

We're all built differently I guess - both of my most local sides play at Stadiums - small, but still Stadiums.

One of which I wouldn't go to due to potential sectarian-related issues, the other I attended once and found to be "too much" regarding typical health issues.

Hope for the sake of Dads with young guns they have upgraded the loos since I was last there (over 10 years ago admittedly) as you literally walk around a brick wall with a roof, around another brick wall and piss against a brick wall, near enough pissing in the dark (no light, no metal to piss against) - if you were to need a "number two" at this place, I don't think it's an option!

[Insidious]

Is this the season we expected last Season?

And if so, did Slot overachieve in his first season?
Where were City this time last season with the greatest manager in the world (allegedly) ? I'm sure they were up and down the table.

If slot had come in bought a load of new players in his first season would we not be saying "Transition" I think whats left of the squad from last year are just not fresh....Winning a title in the EPL takes it out of a small squad.
The new players need to find their feet.

Maybe we need to treat this as year 1 and give him time without the pressure of raised expectations.?

Artetta has won an FA cup- in however many seasons and almost a billion spent? And MAYBE this year everything might actually come together from him

I tend to assess things after the fact (you'll hear me say "wait and see" a lot, as I always fear big calls being made on players or Managers too early and us potentially shooting ourselves in the foot) but I would say possibly. I think when Slot first came in a lot of people thought that 4th would be "enough" to get started. It will be interesting to see if we can achieve that this season.

We've gone from conceding 10 goals in 3 games to conceding 5 goals in 3 games, with the xG (a metric many hate and I respect people's right to hold that opinion) against us being about 0.5 or 0.6 for both West Ham and Sunderland, so we have at least tightened up a bit and gone 3 unbeaten, potentially 7-points-from-9 had Konate not had his Brain-Fart, though we'll never know and it's pointless to speculate after the fact. Still, the 5-from-9 is an improvement from the absolute rot and the question now will be how long we can go unbeaten for in League games for a bit? If we get 0 points from Brighton and Tottenham then knives will be out, whereas 4 points or 6 points might see us relax a little, as it would mean 5 League games unbeaten.

Won't know until it plays out!

As for an update -

After 15 games played -

Distance from 1st - 10 points (having been 11 points adrift, so we're 1 closer to the top)
Distance from 4th - 3 points (having been 2 points adrift, so we're 1 further from 4th spot)
Distance from 18th - 10 points (having been 10 points clear, so no change)

4-game swing from top.
2-game swing from 4th (we'd be behind on goal difference, hence an extra game required, though could at least draw level on points potentially)
4-game swing clear of the relegation zone.

Still a 4-game swing from the top which is a long way away, Champion's League places still mercifully close.

16th round of fixtures ahead, with Chelsea due to play Everton and Crystal Palace to play Man City. Precisely the sort of round of fixtures you want (if you win) as you could gain ground on multiple sides just above you, depending on their results. Unfortunately that feeling of crossing fingers for certain results does feel a little reminiscent of the 09/10, 10/11, 11/12, 12/13 and 14/15 seasons - so here's to hoping we can find something resembling form in December and January.

[JockStrap]

Which gives you more satisfaction? Watching and rooting for a local team or posting about how many points we are from 4th place?

We're all built differently I guess - both of my most local sides play at Stadiums - small, but still Stadiums.

One of which I wouldn't go to due to potential sectarian-related issues, the other I attended once and found to be "too much" regarding typical health issues.

Hope for the sake of Dads with young guns they have upgraded the loos since I was last there (over 10 years ago admittedly) as you literally walk around a brick wall with a roof, around another brick wall and piss against a brick wall, near enough pissing in the dark (no light, no metal to piss against) - if you were to need a "number two" at this place, I don't think it's an option!

What if I change the question slightly. Which gives you more satisfaction? Watching and rooting for LFC or posting about how many points we are from 4th place?

[Insidious]

What if I change the question slightly. Which gives you more satisfaction? Watching and rooting for LFC or posting about how many points we are from 4th place?

Naturally watching and rooting for LFC.

[JockStrap]

Naturally watching and rooting for LFC.

But you don't think the same of watching your local team.

[Steveo]

Granted, it’s quick off the mark, but firing blanks…

[Insidious]

But you don't think the same of watching your local team.

I don't enjoy attending Stadiums on account of some health issues and to repeat myself for the sake of clarity, both of my most local sides play at Stadiums.

One of which I wouldn't go to due to potential sectarian-related issues, the other I attended once and found to be "too much" due to aforementioned health issues - and thus not "enjoyable" - and thus in no hurry to repeat aforementioned experience.

[JockStrap]

I don't enjoy attending Stadiums on account of some health issues and to repeat myself for the sake of clarity, both of my most local sides play at Stadiums.

One of which I wouldn't go to due to potential sectarian-related issues, the other I attended once and found to be "too much" due to aforementioned health issues - and thus not "enjoyable" - and thus in no hurry to repeat aforementioned experience.

Fair enough. Most football isn't particularly glamorous. Many don't have stadiums. You're lucky to have wooden changing rooms in the car park a lot of the time.

[Martyboy]

Granted, it’s quick off the mark, but firing blanks…

The wee bampot has returned I see.....

[Insidious]

The first little update was after 12 games -

(After 12 games played)

Distance from 1st - 11 points (space in brackets template for future info about +/- distance)
Distance from 4th - 4 points, Sunderland have played 13 (future info about +/- distance)
Distance from 18th - 7 points (space in brackets template for future info about +/- distance)

The most recent after 15 games -

(After 15 games played)

Distance from 1st - 10 points (having been 11 points adrift, so we're 1 closer to the top)
Distance from 4th - 3 points (having been 2 points adrift, so we're 1 further from 4th spot)
Distance from 18th - 10 points (having been 10 points clear, so no change)

So now we arrive at the 16 games played point -

Distance from 1st - 10 points (no change - we were 10 points adrift after 15 played)
Distance from 4th - 2 points (1 point closer to 4th spot)
Distance from 18th - 13 points (having been 10 points clear, so 3 further points away from the horrible bit of the table)

I doubt many had genuine relegation fears, but it's nice to be so far clear of the drop zone. Arsenal remain annoyingly far away and indeed it's worth noting that 3rd-placed Aston Villa are 7 points away - a 3-game swing which is quite a gap.

At least 4th spot remains quite close, but it would be good to reel in 3rd spot somewhat. I tend to think of the League (whatever your aspirations are) as really hotting up at around the 25-played point, so we have could do with getting closer to clicking in the 17th-24th fixtures if we wish to remain in the hunt at all.

In terms of other sides with European ambitions, we'll soon see Newcastle play both Chelsea and Man United, whilst we have an upcoming opportunity to get 7 points clear of Tottenham. Meanwhile, Man United have matched our pace over our last 5 League fixtures (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) though have tricky fixtures in Villa and Newcastle to come.

Whilst Champion's League football isn't "everything" we do know how important it is for maintaining our appeal to foreign players, our capacity to pay fees and wages and our ability to retain current stars, so it's encouraging that 4th remains close. Let's hope we can reign 3rd in a bit whilst maintaining our decent campaign in the League phase of Europe to ensure knock-out football without an extra qualifying round.

If we can continue with our more solid performances, we should still be capable of grinding out a very respectable season and creating the template for the 26/27 season while we're at it.

[CCTV]

The first little update was after 12 games -



The most recent after 15 games -



So now we arrive at the 16 games played point -

Distance from 1st - 10 points (no change - we were 10 points adrift after 15 played)
Distance from 4th - 2 points (1 point closer to 4th spot)
Distance from 18th - 13 points (having been 10 points clear, so 3 further points away from the horrible bit of the table)

I doubt many had genuine relegation fears, but it's nice to be so far clear of the drop zone. Arsenal remain annoyingly far away and indeed it's worth noting that 3rd-placed Aston Villa are 7 points away - a 3-game swing which is quite a gap.

At least 4th spot remains quite close, but it would be good to reel in 3rd spot somewhat. I tend to think of the League (whatever your aspirations are) as really hotting up at around the 25-played point, so we have could do with getting closer to clicking in the 17th-24th fixtures if we wish to remain in the hunt at all.

In terms of other sides with European ambitions, we'll soon see Newcastle play both Chelsea and Man United, whilst we have an upcoming opportunity to get 7 points clear of Tottenham. Meanwhile, Man United have matched our pace over our last 5 League fixtures (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) though have tricky fixtures in Villa and Newcastle to come.

Whilst Champion's League football isn't "everything" we do know how important it is for maintaining our appeal to foreign players, our capacity to pay fees and wages and our ability to retain current stars, so it's encouraging that 4th remains close. Let's hope we can reign 3rd in a bit whilst maintaining our decent campaign in the League phase of Europe to ensure knock-out football without an extra qualifying round.

If we can continue with our more solid performances, we should still be capable of grinding out a very respectable season and creating the template for the 26/27 season while we're at it.

If we can win our next 5..... then we'll very likely be in a title race

[CCTV]

15 points from 5 would take us to 41 points after 21 games.
Arsenal would have a maximum of 48 points. Cituae a maximum of 49 points.

Taking us up to the January break there are 5 more PL games to play, a few have an efl quarter-final to play.


Here's the next 5 fixtures.... including EFL QFs

LFC:
Spurs A,
Wolves H,
Leeds H,
Fulham A,
Arsenal A.

Arsenal:
Everton A,
Palace H EFL cup,
Brighton H,
Villa H,
Bournemouth A,
LFC H.

Cituae:
Brentford H EfL cup,
WestHam H,
Forrest A,
Sunderland A,
Cfc H,
Brighton H.

Villa:
Manu H,
Cfc A,
Arsenal A,
Forrest H,
Palace A.

Cfc:
Newcastle A,
Villa H,
Bournemouth H,
Cituae A,
Fulham A.

[CCTV]

If we can win our next 5..... then we'll very likely be in a title race

15 points from 5 would take us to 41 points after 21 games.
Arsenal would have a maximum of 48 points. Cituae a maximum of 49 points.

Taking us up to the January break there are 5 more PL games to play, a few have an efl quarter-final to play.


Here's the next 5 fixtures.... including EFL QFs

LFC:
Spurs A,
Wolves H,
Leeds H,
Fulham A,
Arsenal A.

Arsenal:
Everton A,
Palace H EFL cup,
Brighton H,
Villa H,
Bournemouth A,
LFC H.

Cituae:
Brentford H EfL cup,
WestHam H,
Forrest A,
Sunderland A,
Cfc H,
Brighton H.

Villa:
Manu H,
Cfc A,
Arsenal A,
Forrest H,
Palace A.

Cfc:
Newcastle A,
Villa H,
Bournemouth H,
Cituae A,
Fulham A.

1 down, 4 to go