The Run-In Thread

[Mac76]

Having spent some time on this, I though i'd give it its own thread, rather than being tacked onto another


We've got three games left, Liverpool (a), Newcastle (h) and Saints (a)

Being realistic, I think we lose against Liverpool and draw or lose v Newcastle but then if we beat Saints we're almost definitely top 5, so while it could be close it should be fine.


I've now looked up the most relevant teams - Chelsea, Forest, Villa and Newcastle

The pivotal team is Chelsea, who play both Newcastle and Forest (plus have Liverpool today which hopefully dents their chances of catching us up)

So either they will lose those games and drop out of top five, or take points off other teams trying to finish top 5

Also Villa's run-in feels tricky, we know Bournemouth are dangerous and while I know Spuds and Man Ure lose most of their games but they can still pull anything off on the day and Villa are inconsistent - that said Both Spuds and Man Ure may still be in Europe and therefore not bothered

And Forest have been very inconsistent of late, though their remaining fixtures are fairly kind

Depending on how it goes, our getting something v Newcasle could still be important to settle the nerves, but my best guess is we finish third (behind Citeh) or fourth (behind Citeh and probably Newcastle)


We have 67 points from 35 games btw...

btw some of these dates might be wrong because of TV changes but I think the actual fixtures are all correct


Chelsea (currently 60 points/34 games)

Saturday, May 3: vs. Liverpool (Home)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Newcastle United (Away)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Manchester United (Home)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Nottingham Forest (Away)


Newcastle United (62/34)

Sunday, May 4: vs. Brighton (Home)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Chelsea (Home)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Arsenal (Away)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Everton (Away)


Aston Villa (60/35)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Bournemouth (Away)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Home)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Manchester United (Away)


Nottingham Forest (60/34)

Sunday, May 4: vs. Crystal Palace (Away)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Southampton (Home)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Leicester City (Away)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Chelsea (Home)

[Marc Overmars]

3rd is pretty likely now. Will be 4th should we lose to Newcastle at home and let’s face it that’s more than possible right now.

2nd will take getting 4 points from Liverpool and Newcastle which is extremely unlikely.

Don’t think we’ll be 5th at least thanks to Forest’s defeat the other night.

[Mac76]

3rd is pretty likely now. Will be 4th should we lose to Newcastle at home and let’s face it that’s more than possible right now.

2nd will take getting 4 points from Liverpool and Newcastle which is extremely unlikely.

Don’t think we’ll be 5th at least thanks to Forest’s defeat the other night.

Agreed though I'd say losing to Newcastle is quite likely as opposed to simply possible atm

That said if we're knocked out of the CL on Weds (not that I'm saying I'd like it to happen obvs), distractions will be gone and the focus back on the league, so who knows

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If Bournemouth could do a double against us , then almost certainly Newcastle will beat us 3 times this season.

The Liverpool game is where we can get a point and hopefully Southampton just spreads their legs like they've done all season.

[Mac76]

The Liverpool game is where we can get a point

Sorry but :blink:

been down the pub have we...? :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Sorry but :blink:

been down the pub have we...? :lol:

I bet they turn up for that game. Arsenal all over. Chuck the easy points down the drain, then fight for a point against an opponent and 50% of the fans shout, "We're Back!" Works every time.

[Niall_Quinn]

Agreed though I'd say losing to Newcastle is quite likely as opposed to simply possible atm

That said if we're knocked out of the CL on Weds (not that I'm saying I'd like it to happen obvs), distractions will be gone and the focus back on the league, so who knows

Joking - right? The boys will be off on holiday if that PSG game goes tits-up.

[Mac76]

After this weekend I think if Newcastle and Chelsea draw we might hang on to third, but Citeh are faves for second IMO, they've got Saints, Fulham and Bournemouth, that's at least 7 points

[Niall_Quinn]

City are nailed on for 2nd and that's going to be a hard pill to swallow. If they do anything in the summer to improve that squad we go into the season a mile behind them once again. I mean, if we couldn't finish above them when they took the season off, if they come back intending to compete we're pretty much fucked from the kickoff. This has been a tragic season - and we could still win the CL. Would STILL be a tragic season, even if we did that. Because there's no real construction process going on here. It's more like building sandcastles.

[Chippy]

Having spent some time on this, I though i'd give it its own thread, rather than being tacked onto another


We've got three games left, Liverpool (a), Newcastle (h) and Saints (a)

Being realistic, I think we lose against Liverpool and draw or lose v Newcastle but then if we beat Saints we're almost definitely top 5, so while it could be close it should be fine.


I've now looked up the most relevant teams - Chelsea, Forest, Villa and Newcastle

The pivotal team is Chelsea, who play both Newcastle and Forest (plus have Liverpool today which hopefully dents their chances of catching us up)

So either they will lose those games and drop out of top five, or take points off other teams trying to finish top 5

Also Villa's run-in feels tricky, we know Bournemouth are dangerous and while I know Spuds and Man Ure lose most of their games but they can still pull anything off on the day and Villa are inconsistent - that said Both Spuds and Man Ure may still be in Europe and therefore not bothered

And Forest have been very inconsistent of late, though their remaining fixtures are fairly kind

Depending on how it goes, our getting something v Newcasle could still be important to settle the nerves, but my best guess is we finish third (behind Citeh) or fourth (behind Citeh and probably Newcastle)


We have 67 points from 35 games btw...

btw some of these dates might be wrong because of TV changes but I think the actual fixtures are all correct


Chelsea (currently 60 points/34 games)

Saturday, May 3: vs. Liverpool (Home)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Newcastle United (Away)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Manchester United (Home)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Nottingham Forest (Away)


Newcastle United (62/34)

Sunday, May 4: vs. Brighton (Home)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Chelsea (Home)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Arsenal (Away)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Everton (Away)


Aston Villa (60/35)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Bournemouth (Away)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Home)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Manchester United (Away)


Nottingham Forest (60/34)

Sunday, May 4: vs. Crystal Palace (Away)

Saturday, May 10: vs. Southampton (Home)

Sunday, May 18: vs. Leicester City (Away)

Sunday, May 25: vs. Chelsea (Home)

Liverpool gave Chelsea three easy points today. You can bet that the fuckers turn up against us. I can only see us scraping past Saints for our only remaining win. Hopefully we will scrape 4th or 5th to get over the line. I actually cannot believe these Muppets have created this scenario. It may actually be funny if we finish sixth and listen to Arteta's excuses regarding fatigue and mis-shaped balls.

[Mac76]

City are nailed on for 2nd and that's going to be a hard pill to swallow. If they do anything in the summer to improve that squad we go into the season a mile behind them once again. I mean, if we couldn't finish above them when they took the season off, if they come back intending to compete we're pretty much fucked from the kickoff. This has been a tragic season - and we could still win the CL. Would STILL be a tragic season, even if we did that. Because there's no real construction process going on here. It's more like building sandcastles.

I've been trying to put in order of priority the reasons why this season has not gone better in the league, and while I do think the disgraceful and biased refereeing decisions really shouldn't be underestimated, plus the injuries, ultimately it's all just exposed the failings of the squad, which was too weak in attack and has also lacked any alternative to playing certain players, in particular Odegaard

Calafiori is a waste of space and even Merino is just a workhorse in his actual position, all his goals have done is prove how we actually needed a big goalscorer at 9

And then there's Arteta's refusal to explore alternatives and stop relying on a few players every match, hence after we failed to secure an alternative up front we just decided to play Havertz every game but then he got an injury.

The idea that Jesus was ever a serious consideration as a striker is absurd, he's never been a natural goalscorer even when he wasn't drifting all over the pitch or getting injured - no manager should ever go into a season to try to win the PL with him as an upfront option

Both he and especially Zin were Pep's joke on Arteta - I still think Zin was the biggest factor in our not winning the league last season

[Chippy]

3rd is pretty likely now. Will be 4th should we lose to Newcastle at home and let’s face it that’s more than possible right now.

2nd will take getting 4 points from Liverpool and Newcastle which is extremely unlikely.

Don’t think we’ll be 5th at least thanks to Forest’s defeat the other night.

Third is pretty unlikely, especially after Villa winning today. The only silver lining is City somehow drawing with Southampton. Top five is the best we can hope for.

[Mac76]

You need to remember Chelsea play Newcastle, as well as Forest - it's what I'm hanging onto anyway...

[Chippy]

You need to remember Chelsea play Newcastle, as well as Forest - it's what I'm hanging onto anyway...

As I have said before, it is pretty annoying that we are in this position, this should not be a discussion right now.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Well it’s the same reason why we aren’t in the European cup final. Lack of goals

Since beating city in February we’ve scored 15 in 11 league games

[Chippy]

Well it’s the same reason why we aren’t in the European cup final. Lack of goals

Since beating city in February we’ve scored 15 in 11 league games
Yep. That's a pretty poor return.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Sorry but :blink:

been down the pub have we...? :lol:

So, that's half of my prediction right, just waiting for Newcastle to do the rest , unfortunately.

[Marc Overmars]

Should make the Newcastle game next week spicy now.

Would quite like to fuck up their CL chances.

[Mac76]

So, that's half of my prediction right, just waiting for Newcastle to do the rest , unfortunately.

Ha, fair enough , hope you're wrong re Newcastle though I doubt it...

[Mac76]

Because our GD is much better than Newcastle and Citeh's that result really makes a big difference, if we can at least draw v Newcastle second is just possible (though it would be typical to then fail to beat Saints on the last day...)

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Should make the Newcastle game next week spicy now.

Would quite like to fuck up their CL chances.

Well, in the unlikely event that we hold them and manage a draw, if we beat Southampton, we are guaranteed our annual 2nd place :trophy: and a summer of gloating from a coach who has little to no shame.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Because our GD is much better than Newcastle and Citeh's that result really makes a big difference, if we can at least draw v Newcastle second is just possible (though it would be typical to then fail to beat Saints on the last day...)

Ah, you beat me to it :good:

[Mac76]

Well, in the unlikely event that we hold them and manage a draw, if we beat Southampton, we are guaranteed our annual 2nd place �� and a summer of gloating from a coach who has little to no shame.

Like Arteta or not, as much as I'm not as exercised about being 2nd as some, it would at least close off one angle of criticism if we do

And for all his faults I don't think he'll be gloating, his problem is overcaution, obsession with one way of playing and a myopic stubbornness which prevents him from seeing it

I just hope Berta has the clout to make him buy decent players instead of more injury-prone workhorses and losers

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Like Arteta or not, as much as I'm not as exercised about being 2nd as some, it would at least close off one angle of criticism if we do

And for all his faults I don't think he'll be gloating, his problem is overcaution, obsession with one way of playing and a myopic stubbornness which prevents him from seeing it

I just hope Berta has the clout to make him buy decent players instead of more injury-prone workhorses and losers

I hate to impersonate NQ, but I just don't want to give enablers any reason to change the narrative and spin this season.

This has been a failure of a season and it's been more annoying than any season as our weaknesses were foreseen by everyone, even before we kicked a ball, and we did F all to rectify them, despite given more than enough opportunities till January .

The only season that comes close, where I've been so annoyed (Note: not hurt btw) that we didn't step up was the Leicester season, and after that it only solidified my belief that AW would never win the league.

Anyway, I definitely agree with the part in bold.

[Mac76]

Not arguing with any of that, I just don't think you'll see anyone gloating

[HCZ_Reborn]

Just hope Berta has the clout to make him buy decent players instead of more injury-prone workhorses and losers

Seeing that Berta is against us signing Joan Garcia because doesn’t want a sizeable amount of money being spent on what could be a backup goalkeeper

That’s the main frustration I have with Arteta in the transfer market, this constant Goldilocks attitude where he keeps going back to the same old positions we’ve already spent loads on to get the player that’s “just right”

Raya is ideally not tall enough but he’s good enough imo, certainly hasn’t made mistakes of the kind and in the amount Ramsdale was making (no issue with Ramsdale I always liked him, but think Arteta probably just about had that one right)

But the fucking left back saga

[Mac76]

There's little doubt for me that Arteta sees Garcia as Raya's replacement, otherwise why the obssession - his search for the ideal goalie who never concedes is positively quixotic

[Letters]

limp in thread, more like.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Looking at the table 2nd is pretty much ours because of superior goal difference….that and the assumption that we will beat Southampton on the last day of the season

In that respect, you probably can’t blame Arteta being content to hold on for a draw yesterday

[Marc Overmars]

Newcastle will feel confident they can beat us. So it’s very much down to that game this weekend. As long as we don’t lose then with Southampton on the last day you feel the 2nd place cup will be ours.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Newcastle will feel confident they can beat us. So it’s very much down to that game this weekend. As long as we don’t lose then with Southampton on the last day you feel the 2nd place cup will be ours.

Doesn’t even matter if we do lose to Newcastle tbh, we have a substantial GD advantage

[Marc Overmars]

Doesn’t even matter if we do lose to Newcastle tbh, we have a substantial GD advantage

Check the table again, they are only 2 points behind us sadly

[Mac76]

Leo sounds like a hamstring which mean he's done, Rice is a hip issue and sounds doubtful, Timber is a possibility, Havertz is only back for Saints if at all

TBF I thought White was good in the second half yesterday and with a week to recover even if Timber isn't fit I'm ok with him being there

and hopefully bouyed by the comeback yesterday I hope we can give Newcastle a good game

With Leo out I guess Nwaneri might start on the left (or maybe Tierney) and Gabby in the middle

[Letters]

I don't think we'll lose to Newcastle. I do think we'll beat Southampton. So I reckon we'll be OK.
I don't care about 2nd that much or see it as important as some others on here but in the context of us not winning the CL, and given we've been in 2nd all season it would be embarrassing to slip from that. And it would be another and final kick in the pants we could do without. So, overall, let's fugging go!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Check the table again, they are only 2 points behind us sadly

Oh so they are

Then yes, definitely can’t afford to lose that game

Time for Second coffee of the day for me I think

[HCZ_Reborn]

Leo sounds like a hamstring which mean he's done, Rice is a hip issue and sounds doubtful, Timber is a possibility, Havertz is only back for Saints if at all

TBF I thought White was good in the second half yesterday and with a week to recover even if Timber isn't fit I'm ok with him being there

and hopefully bouyed by the comeback yesterday I hope we can give Newcastle a good game

With Leo out I guess Nwaneri might start on the left (or maybe Tierney) and Gabby in the middle

Could do without the Trossard hamstring injury, not so much for his availability but for selling him if he’s out any length of time with it

Despite the fact that both have reached a second tier European final where the choice of who id want to win becomes about as appealing as the choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, still feel we’ve managed despite injuries far better than most this season.

Though with the potential of playing 67 games next season (I don’t think we will but the potential is there) we need to really bolster the squad or face injuries happening again like this one

[Mac76]

I don't think we'll lose to Newcastle. I do think we'll beat Southampton. So I reckon we'll be OK.
I don't care about 2nd that much or see it as important as some others on here but in the context of us not winning the CL, and given we've been in 2nd all season it would be embarrassing to slip from that. And it would be another and final kick in the pants we could do without. So, overall, let's fugging go!

Yeah that's where I am with it too, when we were competing for CL I wasn't bothered about second but it's more important now

I think our result and the Citeh result have made it much more possible now but we need to get something v Newcastle for sure

[Mac76]

Could do without the Trossard hamstring injury, not so much for his availability but for selling him if he’s out any length of time with it



I'd be really sorry to see Trossard go, especially without him having won anything, he's put as much work in as anyone and I think if we want more depth we should keep him, whether he'll want to I don't know but I hope so, he surely would like another tilt at PL or CL, particularly if we strengthen as we should. Not sure where else he gets much success at his age.

[Chippy]

Check the table again, they are only 2 points behind us sadly

We are defo not beating Newcastle! Rice and Leo have been added to our ridiculous injury list.
I am still keeping an eye over my shoulder for top 5 and CL qualification.
We were very lucky with the results at the weekend, especially the Forest and Man City results. They should have been nailed on wins and we could have been fighting for top 5 against Saints on the last day (that still might be the case).

[Letters]

We are defo not beating Newcastle! Rice and Leo have been added to our ridiculous injury list.
I am still keeping an eye over my shoulder for top 5 and CL qualification.
We were very lucky with the results at the weekend, especially the Forest and Man City results. They should have been nailed on wins and we could have been fighting for top 5 against Saints on the last day (that still might be the case).
Good lord. You're full of whatever the opposite of the joys of spring is, aren't you?!

[Chippy]

Good lord. You're full of whatever the opposite of the joys of spring is, aren't you?!

Being a miserable bugger makes me very happy :sarcy:

[Mac76]

Being a miserable bugger makes me very happy :sarcy:

I can see why you hang out here then :lol:

[Letters]

:lol:

[Chippy]

Good lord. You're full of whatever the opposite of the joys of spring is, aren't you?!

I just showed Mrs Chippy your comment, she said that you should try living with me :lol:

[Letters]

I just showed Mrs Chippy your comment, she said that you should try living with me :lol:
:haha:

[Chippy]

As expected, Spuds and Man U rolled over last night in their respective games.
So, in my opinion, we will lose to the bar codes tomorrow because not only are we not playing well, we are running out of players. As predicted by John Cross a couple of weeks ago, we could be sweating on the last day needed something at Southampton! :arry:

[Letters]

I don’t think we will lose tomorrow

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t think we will either

In the spirit of being accused of thieving other peoples catchphrases :lol:

I hope we win, tbh

[Letters]

You’ll be hearing from my solicitors :fury:

:lol:

I just have a feeling the fact this one actually matters might stir them in to action. We’ll see

[HCZ_Reborn]

You’ll be hearing from my solicitors :fury:

:lol:

I just have a feeling the fact this one actually matters might stir them in to action. We’ll see

I believe we have the same solicitor

Oriental gentleman by the name of No Wan

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

You’ll be hearing from my solicitors :fury:

:lol:

I just have a feeling the fact this one actually matters might stir them in to action. We’ll see

I'd suggest experience indicates it's usually the opposite.

[Letters]

I believe we have the same solicitor

Oriental gentleman by the name of No Wan

:lol:

[Letters]

I'd suggest experience indicates it's usually the opposite.
:cool:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:cool:

Yeah, you and Mac got this one right :good:

[Letters]

I didn’t think we’d lose but sounds like we stumbled over the line somewhat.
At least we got there.
It’s been a mess of a season but I do think there’s a good side in there somewhere.
We are very hard to beat but we don’t win enough either. It’s clear where the problem is. We didn’t address it last summer, we absolutely have to this year.

[Chippy]

I didn’t think we’d lose but sounds like we stumbled over the line somewhat.
At least we got there.
It’s been a mess of a season but I do think there’s a good side in there somewhere.
We are very hard to beat but we don’t win enough either. It’s clear where the problem is. We didn’t address it last summer, we absolutely have to this year.
Yep. You called this win, I thought that we would lose. I think we can all agree that we need to buy big this summer or it will be another trophy less season.
Please buy a bloody Striker!!!

[Letters]

Well it’s the same reason why we aren’t in the European cup final. Lack of goals

Since beating city in February we’ve scored 15 in 11 league games

I was watching the highlights and when Havertz came on they pointed out that he hasn't played for 3 months and he's still our top scorer :lol:
:doh:

[Letters]

City are nailed on for 2nd.
lolz

[HCZ_Reborn]

I was watching the highlights and when Havertz came on they pointed out that he hasn't played for 3 months and he's still our top scorer :lol:
:doh:

Arteta seems very keen on having goals come from all over the team and whilst I favour that as well, you do need a focal point of attack and someone you can rely on to get you goals. We haven’t had a player get anywhere near 20 goals a season since Auba.

We do have a lot of different players who score goals (16 different goalscorers in the league this season) but this season no one in double figures and it shows why the last two seasons we got 89 and 91 goals and this season we have 67 (18 goals in last 13 league games)