Spurs ?

[Randy Bumgardener]

After watching their highlights how they totally dominated Liverpool, is there a chance they could sneak into the top 4 ? Harry is a very good manager, as we all know. Modric is starting to look like the player they paid 16 million for and the players they have brought in give the side that depth they need. Bear in mind the injury problems, I was very very impressed with their performance. Liverpool looked devoid of ideas.

 

[Daniel]

I do dearly hope not... I dislike spurs.

 

[Rich]

I hope so, I've always had a soft spot for them, which has been somewhat intensified this season.

 

[The Maniacal Megatron]

Sooner Spuds than those Scouse bastards.

*****!

 

[sebs]

in a word, no.

teams have outplayed the "big 4" in the past, i remember villa doing a job on arsenal and chelsea before now- but the fact is they have far greater strength in depth than any other teams in the league. also, they have an aura of invincibility - so when spurs turn up at, say, sunderland this year, sunderland will be expecting to beat them. whereas if liverpool turn up, sunderland will be pleased with a draw.

villa, almost, until the last third of last season cracked this - they went on a dramatic winning streak and were beating teams home and away, but it takes a supreme effort which is hard to maintain.

to back up this point, everton are the only team to have broken into the top 4 in the last 7 years now, and they got more points last season than they did in 2005. and they were 9 points off fourth spot. not only are the top four the strongest, but they are getting stronger.

spurs are also looking to overturn 21 points on last season. that's some going.

so, they could, but it would be a minor miracle. and certainly harry redknapp's biggest managerial achievement ever.

 

[sebs]

if we're talking about this weekend's results - how much of an emphatic statement was arsenal's win? talk about big four dominance, how about knocking what should have been the most difficult game of the season outside of top 4 matches (away to the 5th place team) for six. wow.

 

[Rich]

spurs are also looking to overturn 21 points on last season. that's some going.

Bear in mind where there were after the firstten games last season, though. (or was it the season before?)

They were shocking, lost just about every one of their opening games, but then finished quite strongly with a surge forwards.

They're also not in Europe, I think, which means they won't be bogged down with European games, which is the irony that keeps the big 4 up there, as teams on the brink don't have the squad to compete in Europe and the league.

I remember Portsmouth playing a game in Europe that kicked off about midnight on a Thursday, then they had to play a league game Saturday. They didn't have the squad numbers to put out two different sides, which is possible for the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea.

 

[winnits]

So long as they displace Liverpool then I'm all for it.

 

[Nick.]

Don't think Spurs will be able to do it, which is a shame as I quite like Spurs!

Yesterday Spurs had a great game, Modric always been a fan of this season I think he'll be quality. He does everything in that Midfield so well, and if Keane gets on form he can be unstoppable. He had some rubbish shots yesterday.
It's only the defence for Spurs what sometimes let them down, as half the time they are injured. And Gomes, well... apprently he had a good game yesterday even with the penalty mistake. He might also come good this season!

 

[adam09]

I think yesterday was more of a case of Liverpool being poor and lacking any depth (one striker), rather than Spurs being amazing, but Spurs could challenge for that 4th spot.

Alonso is a massive loss for Liverpool, he's twice the player Mascherano is, who I think is overrated.

 

[EmJay]

6th placed finish for spuds, and a 3rd round FA Cup exit at White Hart Lane to us 8)

 

[The Maniacal Megatron]

I fancy Spuds to win the FA Cup this year

 

[Nick.]

I think yesterday was more of a case of Liverpool being poor and lacking any depth (one striker), rather than Spurs being amazing, but Spurs could challenge for that 4th spot.

Alonso is a massive loss for Liverpool, he's twice the player Mascherano is, who I think is overrated.

I agree with this, you could tell Alonso wasn't there yesterday

 

[Randy Bumgardener]

I can't see them finishing empty handed. I appreciate how early it is but Liverpool have sold beyond their means. I'm actually surprised that Torres didn't go they seem so intent on recouping some money. I just hope Owen goes to show Rafa what he's missed out on ! I think if Liverpool finish poorly, it may be his last season at the club !

 

[clusternakker]

Liverpool were shocking, which was nice.

 

[sebs]

Bear in mind where there were after the firstten games last season, though. (or was it the season before?)

They were shocking, lost just about every one of their opening games, but then finished quite strongly with a surge forwards.

They're also not in Europe, I think, which means they won't be bogged down with European games, which is the irony that keeps the big 4 up there, as teams on the brink don't have the squad to compete in Europe and the league.

I remember Portsmouth playing a game in Europe that kicked off about midnight on a Thursday, then they had to play a league game Saturday. They didn't have the squad numbers to put out two different sides, which is possible for the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea.

i know what you're saying, but picking up an extra 21 points over the course of a season would be a tremendous achievement. i'm not sure what the biggest increase in points year-on-year in the premiership is, but i imagine 21 points is up there

(i might well research this now)

 

[Rich]

What was their points defecit between the season they finished fifth or 6th, and the following season when they had the worst start and flirted with relegation?

My interest in Premiership football is minimal, so forgive me for being a bit vague!

 

[sebs]

in 06 they were only 2 points off arsenal after the infamous food poisoning match. remember arsenal made the champions league final that season.
in 07 they were 8 points off.
by 08 they were 27 points off after sacking jol and having a dreadful end of the season under ramos after winning the league cup

 

[Randy Bumgardener]

Spurs had a grand goal difference of 0 last season apparently :wacko:

 

[Rich]

in 06 they were only 2 points off arsenal after the infamous food poisoning match. remember arsenal made the champions league final that season.
in 07 they were 8 points off.
by 08 they were 27 points off after sacking jol and having a dreadful end of the season under ramos after winning the league cup

What were the points totals in 07 and 08, not relative to Arsenal.

 

[congo_red_49]

I'd say all of the Big 4 look weaker now than they did last season, with the possible exception of the Arse. This can only be a good thing, and may it continue until the scouse get relegated. (One hours silence anybody?)

 

[dellaroc]

Spurs have more squad depth than both Liverpool and Arsenal.

I think more points will be swapped this season than in recent campaigns. There are now 8 teams in the league that can beat any given opponent on their own patch: Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Villa, Spurs and Everton. I don't think the top 4 is a closed shop any longer.

 

[Rich]

I don't think the top 4 is a closed shop any longer.

Before the season started, you could get very generous odds on the big 4 not being the top for.

something like 6/1 for Arsenal, 10/1 Liverpool, 20/1 Chelsea and 50/1 Man Utd.

 

[dellaroc]

Before the season started, you could get very generous odds on the big 4 not being the top for.

something like 6/1 for Arsenal, 10/1 Liverpool, 20/1 Chelsea and 50/1 Man Utd.

I've got the Arse to win the league at thirteens. It won't happen, but those odds are crazy.

 

[sebs]

ok i'm only going to do this for the premiership since the introduction of 38 game seasons for balance, and obviously promoted teams will be ineligible. i'm also only going to show rises of 10 points from one season to the next.

so:
96/97 in comparison to 95/96
sheff weds +17 points 40 to 57
wimbledon +15 points 41 to 56

97/98 in comparison to 96/97
blackburn +16 points 42 to 58
west ham +14 points 42 to 56
leeds +13 points 46 to 59
coventry +11 points 41 to 52
arsenal +10 points 68 to 78

98/99 in comparison to 97/98
chelsea +12 points 63 to 75

99/00 in comparison to 98/99
man utd +12 points 79 to 91
liverpool +13 points 54 to 67

00/01 in comparison to 99/00
no teams

01/02 in comparison to 00/01
newcastle +20 points 51 to 71
arsenal +17 points 70 to 87
liverpool +11 points 69 to 80
west ham +11 points 42 to 53

02/03 in comparison to 01/02
everton +16 points 43 to 59
blackburn +14 points 46 to 60

03/04 in comparison to 02/03
arsenal +12 points 78 to 90
chelsea +12 points 67 to 79
aston villa +11 points 45 to 56

04/05 in comparison to 03/04
everton +22 points 39 to 61
chelsea +16 points 79 to 95
manchester city +11 points 41 to 52

05/06 in comparison to 04/05
liverpool +24 points 58 to 82
blackburn +21 points 42 to 63
newcastle +14 points 44 to 58
spurs +13 points 52 to 65

06/07 in comparison to 05/06
portsmouth +16 points 38 to 54

07/08 in comparison to 06/07
arsenal +15 points 68 to 83
manchester city +13 points 42 to 55
villa +10 points 50 to 60

08/09 in comparison to 07/08
fulham +17 points 36 to 53
liverpool +10 points 76 to 86

also; the progression of points for 4th place since the "big four" were established:
03/04 - liverpool - 60 points
04/05 - everton - 61 points
05/06 - arsenal - 67 points
06/07 - arsenal - 68 points
07/08 - liverpool - 76 points
08/09 - arsenal - 72 points

those +20 point seasons were extraordinary circumstances - bobby robson replacing gullit at newcastle, everton having a massive "blip" season, liverpool concentrating on the league after winning the champions league, and, maybe tellingly considering who manchester city have in charge - mark hughes taking over at blackburn.

interesting to note chelsea are the only team with back to back seasons here which showed the extraordinary change abrahmovic has had - consider they finished 4th before starting that progression!!