Proximity.

[miller0863]

We haven’t seen football this lacking in any sort of cohesion or energy since the Owl

[Insidious]

We could be third

I think back to how late the goals were in the (possible mistakes incoming) Fulham and Leeds games - think those were 96th and 97th minute concessions, with both matches turning from wins into draws.

Those 4 extra points we could have would be really bloody useful just now.

C'est la vie.

[Nineteenx]

I think back to how late the goals were in the (possible mistakes incoming) Fulham and Leeds games - think those were 96th and 97th minute concessions, with both matches turning from wins into draws.

Those 4 extra points we could have would be really bloody useful just now.

C'est la vie.

Yeah it stings we dropped a few having Marma in goal in place of Alisson too despite ppl knocking the best keeper we’ve ever had

[Insidious]

After 30 games played -

Distance from 1st - 21 points (we were 19 off, with Arsenal having played an extra game, so 2 points worse off) - a pretty disconcerting gap. For context, Houllier was replaced by Benitez for finishing 30 points behind the eventual League winners.

Distance from 4th and 5th - 2 points behind Villa in 4th (we're a point better off, though no celebrating it) and we ourselves are 5th - 6 points separate 3rd from 6th, up from a 3-point gap between the cluster.

Distance ahead of 6th - we are somehow a point above Chelsea - it's hard to believe they're worse than us. A win for Brentford v Wolves would take them within 2 points of us, so they may have a late chance of a Champion's League spot if the likes of ourselves, Chelsea and Villa continue to splutter.

Indeed, unless things are rescheduled, our last 4 League games are European make-or-break games, with us due to play Man United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford back-to-back in something we may end up calling "Monstrous May" depending on how it goes.....

This was a week that will be remembered for a dire performance against Tottenham and a failure to find ourselves level with Villa and 3 points off third. A huge opportunity wasted and boos at Anfield, heaping further pressure onto the Galatasaray fixture, the away game against Brighton and the away trip to the Etihad for an FA Cup quarter-final against Pep Guardiola's Death Stars.

[Nineteenx]

Slot has to go 433 now and make minimal changes and get the press and counter press and shake and patterns back and get in some form

[Insidious]

After 30 games played -

Distance from 1st - 21 points (we were 19 off, with Arsenal having played an extra game, so 2 points worse off) - a pretty disconcerting gap. For context, Houllier was replaced by Benitez for finishing 30 points behind the eventual League winners.

Distance from 4th and 5th - 2 points behind Villa in 4th (we're a point better off, though no celebrating it) and we ourselves are 5th - 6 points separate 3rd from 6th, up from a 3-point gap between the cluster.

Distance ahead of 6th - we are somehow a point above Chelsea - it's hard to believe they're worse than us. A win for Brentford v Wolves would take them within 2 points of us, so they may have a late chance of a Champion's League spot if the likes of ourselves, Chelsea and Villa continue to splutter.

Indeed, unless things are rescheduled, our last 4 League games are European make-or-break games, with us due to play Man United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford back-to-back in something we may end up calling "Monstrous May" depending on how it goes.....

This was a week that will be remembered for a dire performance against Tottenham and a failure to find ourselves level with Villa and 3 points off third. A huge opportunity wasted and boos at Anfield, heaping further pressure onto the Galatasaray fixture, the away game against Brighton and the away trip to the Etihad for an FA Cup quarter-final against Pep Guardiola's Death Stars.

Well, we're where we're at, with just 7 left to play.

After 31 games played -

Distance from 1st - 21 points still. No improvement.

Distance from 4th and 5th - 5 points behind Villa in 4th (we're 3 points worse off) and ourselves are 5th. We find ourselves 6 points behind Man United, who are 3rd which is.....well, less said the better.

Distance ahead of 6th - we remain a solitary point above Chelsea - no change - though I expect they'll find something in these last 7 games.

Those last 4 League games against Man United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford remain a concern.

I think it's probably fair to say that whilst we mathematically are in the hunt, we probably aren't going to overtake Man United or Aston Villa. This is looking like a straight shoot-out with Chelsea (unless, Heaven forbid, a side like Brentford catches us, which is plausible) for that 5th spot to scrape through at the death.

Do we fancy ourselves in what is essentially a 7-game League with a 1-point head-start over Chelsea?

[jozza800]

Yeah it stings we dropped a few having Marma in goal in place of Alisson too despite ppl knocking the best keeper we’ve ever had

Don't think anyone has been knocking Ali.

You can have positive sentiment about a player without bashing another.

[jozza800]

Well, we're where we're at, with just 7 left to play.

After 31 games played -

Distance from 1st - 21 points still. No improvement.

Distance from 4th and 5th - 5 points behind Villa in 4th (we're 3 points worse off) and ourselves are 5th. We find ourselves 6 points behind Man United, who are 3rd which is.....well, less said the better.

Distance ahead of 6th - we remain a solitary point above Chelsea - no change - though I expect they'll find something in these last 7 games.

Those last 4 League games against Man United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford remain a concern.

I think it's probably fair to say that whilst we mathematically are in the hunt, we probably aren't going to overtake Man United or Aston Villa. This is looking like a straight shoot-out with Chelsea (unless, Heaven forbid, a side like Brentford catches us, which is plausible) for that 5th spot to scrape through at the death.

Do we fancy ourselves in what is essentially a 7-game League with a 1-point head-start over Chelsea?

Think we have to at least win all of our home games, and probably at least one away game.

Tall order.

[jozza800]

Think I read somewhere that if Villa win the UEFA Cup and finish 5th then 6th place will get a CL position.

However, if they win it and finish in the top 4 then there isn't an extra place.

[Insidious]

Think we have to at least win all of our home games, and probably at least one away game.

Tall order.

Champion's League qualification scraps are ridiculously messy affairs - I think if we got the 5 wins you suggest then we'll walk it - I don't think it will take that many points.

My bigger concern is actually getting enough even if it's less than that. It feels a minor miracle that we are 5th at the moment. Quite how Chelsea aren't ahead of us and a side like Brentford or even Everton haven't caught us to this point is pretty wild.

Hopefully the international break doesn't lead to any lads returning injured and hopefully there's a key goal or two from Isak before the season is out.