2017/18 Barclays Premier League Thread - General Discussion - FM24/25 Update

Number 1

17 years ago

1 year ago

3,650

29 Apr 2018 10:42:13

Well, its already confirmed that we're staying up... all that one can really say is a positive from the non-events at Goodison and then yesterday. Must be on a "reach 40 points then go on autopilot" vibe.

BR.

18 years ago

3 years ago

1,896

29 Apr 2018 15:23:32

By terriersmad | On 29 April 2018 - 07:23 AM UTC

That might be that with our last few games. Just to not be bottom is an achievement to be fair, considering the quality in our squad. Not that I'd write us off with our habit of pulling together for one final push - beat Arsenal on the last day and we will survive, which would be a frankly astonishing achievement considering the low base we started from when compared to everyone else in the division. But to do that we need more quality on the wings in particular. Not Quaner's fault he isn't very good, but our injury problems mean we have to play him if we're going 4-2-3-1 (personally, I'd chuck Billing in from the start and push Pritchard wider in more of a 4-3-3).

Still, if we go down, we go down. I don't want to say I'm not fussed, but it's one of those where, as disappointed as I'd be, I'd also appreciate just how much we've achieved this season. We'd be in a great position to build, even if we lost Wagner, and I think we'll have plans for whatever division we're in. We're keeping Lössl and Hadergjonaj (one of the achievements of the fans this season has been getting his name into a coherent song), even if we lost players we'd have a massive war chest to rebuild again. The Championship is one hell of a league, mind you, and if this is goodbye then at least we're taking some incredible memories with us - particularly the day we outfought, outplayed and quite deservedly beat Manchester United.

You might not get another point (although Arsenal's away record is dreadful, so you could get something against them) but who knows, that might be enough. If Southampton don't win at Swansea I doubt they'd catch you? Everton away and City at home their other games.

K3V0

16 years ago

1 year ago

5,966

29 Apr 2018 19:55:04

Feel it'll be West Brom, Stoke and Brighton who go down.

Think Southampton and Swansea will do just enough and West Ham and Huddersfield will knick a win somewhere.

Number 1

17 years ago

1 year ago

3,650

29 Apr 2018 22:33:47

Still feel its likeliest to be a straight fight between Southampton and Swansea, which means that the game between the two at the Liberty Stadium is potentially a "winner stays up" affair.

Not a done deal tbf, given West Ham's porous defence and Huddersfield's having the toughest fixture list. Don't think Stoke or WBA are getting out of it, while Brighton might well stay up with their current points total. But hey, I'm no prophet.

Dan

13 years ago

1 week ago

16,964

01 May 2018 06:59:48

The fact we can now miss out on finishing in the top four if results go against us is a little worrying considering how 'comfortable' we looked to have secured it a couple months ago. Big head to head game vs Chelsea Sunday at Stamford Bridge. They need to win all three of their remaining games (Liverpool (H), Huddersfield (H) and Newcastle (A)) to stand any chance of that. We need at least 1 win from our remaining 2 games (Chelsea (A) and Brighton (H)) and that should see us qualify as our goal difference is currently +16 better than Chelseas.

Carroll.

15 years ago

4 years ago

3,361

01 May 2018 16:10:12

So Gary Neville put Kompany in his team of the season..

terriersmad

17 years ago

4 years ago

744

05 May 2018 14:59:33

By BR. | On 29 April 2018 - 15:23 PM UTC

You might not get another point (although Arsenal's away record is dreadful, so you could get something against them) but who knows, that might be enough. If Southampton don't win at Swansea I doubt they'd catch you? Everton away and City at home their other games.

A lot depends on today. If Everton win, Southampton face Swansea in midweek and then Manchester City. If we don't win another game, we need this combination:

Everton beat Southampton
Swansea beat or draw with Southampton
Southampton lose to Manchester City.

If Southampton beat Swansea, we need Stoke to beat Swansea to drag Swansea down (provided Swansea lose today). Not out of the realms of possibility, but all enough to make the head hurt. I'm paranoid about Saints after 2011 and them pipping us in a promotion race by pulling an unlikely 10 wins on the spin out of the bag (you just can't help but applaud that) to overtake us on the last day. I just have a feeling that history is going to repeat itself and they'll succeed at our expense.

Eric Portapotty

15 years ago

1 month ago

3,324

Premium

05 May 2018 16:14:10

Kane has been a special sort of shite after returning from injury

Number 1

17 years ago

1 year ago

3,650

05 May 2018 16:17:33

Bloody nora West Brom, having been dead and buried since about January/February, could actually pull this off.

Well... provided Southampton and Swansea both fail to win another game this season.

BR.

18 years ago

3 years ago

1,896

05 May 2018 20:26:11

By Eric Portapotty | On 05 May 2018 - 16:14 PM UTC

Kane has been a special sort of shite after returning from injury

Bodes well for the World Cup....

Last gasp equaliser for Everton v Southampton. Huge game on Tuesday, Swansea v Southampton.

Shola

16 years ago

6 years ago

2,708

06 May 2018 08:31:44

Can't believe Benitez' pre-match chat about how his squad are all shite and he's the greatest manager ever who deserves trophies.

Always thought Javi Gracia looked a good manager - but he took off his centre forward and replaced him with Adrian Mariappa - and then but no pressure on the ball - and allowed Newcastle all the time in the world to create attacks, - Really awful tactics.

BR.

18 years ago

3 years ago

1,896

08 May 2018 21:24:59

Southampton pretty much safe, delighted for Hughesy.

Swansea are seriously struggling for goals. Stoke are dire but I wouldn't even be that confident backing Swansea to beat them at home. I expect Huddersfield will get beat at Chelsea but wouldn't be surprised if they get a point or something v Arsenal. Gonna be interesting!

Number 1

17 years ago

1 year ago

3,650

09 May 2018 18:49:56

I liked the Southampton fan who went on Trip Advisor and put up a semi-serious 1/5 review of the hotel that cancelled the team's booking. Made me chuckle.

But yeah. I think Huddersfield might get a point from one of their last 2 games, and even then, can equally see an increasingly toothless looking Swansea not picking up three points on the final day. So that race is probably run. Must be equally galling for them knowing Cardiff City are passing by in the opposite direction.

terriersmad

17 years ago

4 years ago

744

10 May 2018 19:15:25

Our technical deficiencies going forward may have limited our quality of football at times, but by heck that defending over the last two games has been incredible. Strangely, we were never really tested by Manchester City but last night it was proper bodies on the line, last-ditch, do-or-die stuff. The scramble that led to Lössl's save would have been a goal against any other side, but this isn't any other side. It's an incredible side, of character and desire and heart. Of never giving up, of no limits. What a team. What a season.

Also, Carlos Carvalhal will be sick of us on Wednesday nights in May. Last season we kept him down, this season we've sent the poor sod down. Kinda feel sorry for the bloke.

BR.

18 years ago

3 years ago

1,896

10 May 2018 19:46:29

By terriersmad | On 10 May 2018 - 19:15 PM UTC

Our technical deficiencies going forward may have limited our quality of football at times, but by heck that defending over the last two games has been incredible. Strangely, we were never really tested by Manchester City but last night it was proper bodies on the line, last-ditch, do-or-die stuff. The scramble that led to Lössl's save would have been a goal against any other side, but this isn't any other side. It's an incredible side, of character and desire and heart. Of never giving up, of no limits. What a team. What a season.

Also, Carlos Carvalhal will be sick of us on Wednesday nights in May. Last season we kept him down, this season we've sent the poor sod down. Kinda feel sorry for the bloke.

Congrats, delighted you've stayed up. You deserve it too, two excellent displays in the last few days. I know it doesn't mean quite as much now but you must fancy your chances on Sunday too, looking at Arsenal's dreadful away form.

It wasn't long ago Swansea were about 14th and looked safe. They've really gone off the boil last few weeks and look pretty toothless going forward. Carvalhal is leaving at the end of the season, it's been announced today.

bmg033

10 years ago

6 days ago

2,268

13 May 2018 14:01:42

Well I certainly didn't expect top 4 this season, although Chelsea collapsing and Arsenal being hilariously shit made it near impossible to not get at least 4th. Also delighted to see Stoke finally go down, hope they don't make a return any time soon.

By Eric Portapotty | On 05 May 2018 - 16:14 PM UTC

Kane has been a special sort of shite after returning from injury

He was rushed back, should've waited 1 or 2 more games before returning but you can't really blame Pochettino when our only other striking option is Llorente.

BR.

18 years ago

3 years ago

1,896

13 May 2018 16:11:44

City first team to get 100 points in top division history.....fair play!

Swansea down without a fight, Chelsea's capitulation wasn't that surprising but well done to Newcastle.........and Salah breaks the record for most goals in a 38 game PL season.

Number 1

17 years ago

1 year ago

3,650

13 May 2018 16:26:31

Top 10 finish on our return to the PL is a very good return given some of the poor runs on the pitch and transfer-based politics off it. And I'm aware its on goal difference, partially helped by Chelsea effectively not bothering to take part in a good 3/4 of today's game, but its still an excellent reward.

Spurs v Leicester has to be one to seek out for later's highlights shows. Sounded hilariously absurd.