The battle for fourth.

Stag

Stag

Stag

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HOPELESS Prediction

I had a gander at the link above and they predict that Spurs will finish above Arsenal and get the coveted 4th Champions League Spot (Lets just ignore the possibility of Arsenal winning it for now :p)

Beside from the stupid if possibly ironic title they give their prediction "engine" I don't see why they use this bizarre points system with half points. Anyway the result has got me thinking.

I've seen lots of opinions of Spurs fans saying that not finishing 4th would be devastating, though I agree after being in fourth since November? that not finishing there would be a letdown. However given that the team finished 14th 2 seasons ago and 9th last year, the club is heading in the right direction and that mirubles aside no club can break into the top four quickly.

I'm personally happy with a UEFA cup place, however I'll be cheering on my team and wishing defeat on Arsenal. There still a good chance Spurs can do it, the last north london derby at Highbury could prove to be very memorable and influential encounter.

(The above is not discounting Blackburn who have done amazingly well, though I feel they won't quite make it. Also Bolton who I thought would be in the mix seem to have blown it.)

So opinions on 4th people? :)
 
TBH this is wide open for Spurs, Rovers and Arsenal. If you look at the games remaining and going on present form I think Blackburn have the edge at the moment and they don't have too many hard games left.

It will go down to the wire no doubt ;)
 
mysticsniper said:
TBH this is wide open for Spurs, Rovers and Arsenal. If you look at the games remaining and going on present form I think Blackburn have the edge at the moment and they don't have too many hard games left.

It will go down to the wire no doubt ;)
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For me on current form, position and remaining fixtures there's only one outcome = Arsenal.

They have the easiest run out of all three, the best team, and are on much better form than the Spuds, and probably the same as Blackburn.

Blackburn are one Bellamy injury away from not winning another game this season, so they are fragile IMO.

Blackburns fixtures arn't too kind either with Liverpool & Chelsea at home, & Birmingham & Charlton away, throw in a Man City at home and i can only see them picking up one more win, plus two draws, 5pts, and thats only if Bellamy keeps on form.

Back to the Spuds. Home games of Manu & Bolton i can only see them getting a point from, then 3 away games against Everton, Arsenal & West Ham.

On current form they'll lose all away games, but i fancy them getting a point either at West Ham or Everton, but not more than that.

So Blackburn & the Spuds are about to burn out with some tough fixtures while Arsenal will run rampant at the last with home games of Tottenham, WBA & Wigan, 9pts IMO, & Pompy, Sunderland & City away, i think they've got 6pts there, 15pts in total.

This for me spells 4th place to Arsenal

Final position:

4th: Arsenal 68pts
5th: Tottenham 62pts
6th: Blackburn 59pts

For me, it wont even be close.
 
When I watch Tottenham I never see why the are so high personally... ?
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Home form is the main reason. Spurs haven't lost at home since August 2005. They've got a great defensive block of Robinson, King and Dawson and they seem to have the canny ability of recovering when they go a goal down at home.

I think Spurs have got a great chance of beating both Manchester United and Bolton at home. Everton and West Ham away are bigger causes for concern, IMO.

If you ask me though, it'll all be decided in the North London derby. If either side wins then I think the forth spot is theirs.

So Blackburn & the Spuds are about to burn out with some tough fixtures
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Spurs? Burnout? They've only played 35 games so far this season! :)
 
Tunney said:
Home form is the main reason. Spurs haven't lost at home since August 2005. They've got a great defensive block of Robinson, King and Dawson and they seem to have the canny ability of recovering when they go a goal down at home.

I think Spurs have got a great chance of beating both Manchester United and Bolton at home. Everton and West Ham away are bigger causes for concern, IMO.

If you ask me though, it'll all be decided in the North London derby. If either side wins then I think the forth spot is theirs.



Spurs? Burnout? They've only played 35 games so far this season! :)
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Yep, shortest season possible i believe!!!!

Still though, they've been too inconsistant and drop too many points to get 4th, there only there since Arsenal decided to cry far too long over losing Paddy V.

Home form is good, but they've got more away games, and i think the games they've got at home are tough.

They've played all there easier games as well, for me Spurs are in a false position.

Don't get me wrong, there not miles off where they should be this season, but they wont end up in 4th if things balance out like they should do.
 
It does look like it's all set to come down to that game at Highbury, doesn't it? ;)

I see it as being only really between Spurs and Arsenal now, and I think Spurs have the marginally tougher run-in, what with play us away and Man Utd at home. But I'm not predicting anything for certain, cos it'll only end up going wrong to embarass me. :o
 
dokko said:
Back to the Spuds. Home games of Manu & Bolton i can only see them getting a point from, then 3 away games against Everton, Arsenal & West Ham.

On current form they'll lose all away games, but i fancy them getting a point either at West Ham or Everton, but not more than that.
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I have to disagree, at home Spurs are a force, even if they play badly they always come away with a good result (bar vs the russians blue boys). We played some good stuff against Man City and if not for James would have scored more. I expect at least 4 points with a point against Manyoo and all 3 against Bolton who have lost a lot of confidence.

Our away form is what will make or break the challenge for fourth, away at Everton and West Ham could both go either way but we'll just have to see. I still believe the crunch game at Highbury will be the 4th spot decider.
 
Stag said:
I have to disagree, at home Spurs are a force, even if they play badly they always come away with a good result (bar vs the russians blue boys). We played some good stuff against Man City and if not for James would have scored more. I expect at least 4 points with a point against Manyoo and all 3 against Bolton who have lost a lot of confidence.

Our away form is what will make or break the challenge for fourth, away at Everton and West Ham could both go either way but we'll just have to see. I still believe the crunch game at Highbury will be the 4th spot decider.
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Manu will take all points, you may get 3 from Bolton, but your away form ends any chance of getting 4th IMO.

But i could be wrong.
 
Looking at the remaining fixtures I still think Arsenal will get 4th but I think Spurs will push them all the way, Blackburn will make it interesting too.

At least we're still there and it's exciting that's what it's all about :D

No matter what, the speed at which Spurs have closed the gap on Arsenal is astonishing. Ok they still have a better first XI man for man and they play better football when on song but that's what happens when you have possibly the worlds best player in your side... take Henry out and it's much closer.

Just two years ago:
Arsenal - 1st, lost 0 with 90 points
Spurs 16th, lost 19 with 45 points

Now:
Spurs - 4th, lost 7 with 58 points
Arsenal - 5th, lost 11 with 54 points

The difference in the Arsenal teams is very small, Veira? The only thing the same in the two Spurs teams there is Ledley King I think!
 
Bumping this ahead of Saturday. :cool:

After Arsenal won 1-0 last night they should have high confidence which will make up for their tired players. I feel Arsene will have more than half an eye on the away leg and may rest players to the detriment of his team.

This match could go either way, I predict a high scoring game with both defenses conceding at least 2 a piece. Going to be real end to end stuff with Arsenal hitting on the counter effectively.

Without King we will have to rely on Davenport to fill the gap, he played well against Manyoo though this will be a real test for him. Also worryingly speculation as to whether Dawson will be fit?

Hopefully Mido will be in the mix as I see his presence will unerve the Arsenal backline. Spurs will need to play with more grit than usual if they want a result here, Davids will need to show his ability to dominate the midfield.

Keane is the key man, his combination of tenacity and flair will ensure Spurs will be able to keep the heads high after the final whistle.

I expect an open game, could go either way. :)
 
It's nice for us have to an exciting season for once. I'm not going to be completely heartbroken if we only get fifth because I have the consolation that I might actually be able to get some tickets to go and see them in the UEFA cup.

I think our only chance on Saturday is if Arsenal go easy on us due to the second leg. I hope if we do find ourselves losing then we'll go 4-3-3 because that's always fun to see.
 
punky_munky said:
It's nice for us have to an exciting season for once. I'm not going to be completely heartbroken if we only get fifth because I have the consolation that I might actually be able to get some tickets to go and see them in the UEFA cup.

I think our only chance on Saturday is if Arsenal go easy on us due to the second leg. I hope if we do find ourselves losing then we'll go 4-3-3 because that's always fun to see.
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Would you rather finish 5th with Arsenal 4th and Arsenal lose the CL final.

Or

Finish 4th & Arsenal win the CL?

Both optiuons leave you in the Uefa cup mind.
 
If we had King I would be a lot more confident, does anyone know if Campbell will be playing? Will be good to see the north London derby with something in it for once.
 
dokko said:
Would you rather finish 5th with Arsenal 4th and Arsenal lose the CL final.

Or

Finish 4th & Arsenal win the CL?

Both optiuons leave you in the Uefa cup mind.
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I'd rather finish 4th and see them win the CL because if they finish 4th they'll gloat about that and still gloat about reaching the semis/final ;)

I don't mind if we end up in the UEFA cup, we're taking it one step at a time. 3rd/4th next year and then 1st the year after. Simple :D
 
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