I've seen a lot of comments from opposition fans saying they don't think we will win the title because we don't have enough to beat the bigger sides in the league e.g. Chelsea, City and to an extent United.
But the truth is, we don't need to beat these sides to win the title. What we need to do is master the art of flat track bullying and not drop points against lesser opposition like how the other sides have.
As an example, let's go a few years back and use United's 08/09 title winning season.
These were the results against the other top 3 sides.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool
Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea
Played: 5
Won: 1 Drew: 2 Lost: 3
That's 13 points dropped against the other teams that finished in the top 4. The reason they won the title last season, although partially it was down to Benitez not handling the pressure and bottling it, was down to United ensuring there was very little margin for error against the other teams.
If we want to win the title, we need to win the other games. Very few teams (if any) are going to beat Chelsea and City at Stamford Bridge and The Etihad, but away from home is where these teams may drop points (moreso City than Chelsea I'd imagine though)
Will it be annoying if we do not beat these sides? Yes, it will. But if we can take advantage of dispatching the other teams, then we will definitely be in with a very good shout. Cardiff beat Manchester City 3-2; we beat them 3-0. Sunderland beat Manchester City 1-0; we beat them 3-1. These are the type of away fixtures where I can see City not caring as it will not be deemed a 'big game' or where Pellegrini will set-up the team wrong tactically.
Before the season started, I said it would be between City and Chelsea for the title. Little did I know that City were going to throw points away against the likes of Sunderland and Villa. I now think it will be between Arsenal and Chelsea for the title.
But going into the Chelsea and City games, I don't expect us to win either. Which is why it is absolutely essential for us to beat Hull and Everton.
We don't NEED to beat the bigger teams
posted on 2/12/13
If you saw my 6ft 4in silhouette walking towards you in the dark in the street, you'd probably quicken your pace or hold someone close or cross the road or bolt into a shop nearby.
---------
wtf?
posted on 2/12/13
It only doesn't matter if you don't beat your immediate rivals if they also beat each other.
However if you do beat them all, then you're sitting pretty, if we take out City and Chelsea we're pretty much running unopposed at that point, if we lose both we're probably dropping to third!
posted on 2/12/13
One thing we can all agree on is that if win our next 4 games we will be way out in front on Christmas Day.
43 points from 17 games would be incredible.
Teams would play Arsenal consigned to defeat (it is this mental edge that Fergie had at United which is now gone).
posted on 2/12/13
"Erm...no it isn't the opposite. If you lose points to the big teams, you have to depend on someone else taking points of them WHILE you must make back the points winning your own games. If you beat the big teams, you're less dependent on this. Take Man U for example. They were 8 points behind us when we played them. The went from the possibility of going 11 points behind to just 5 points behind - just by winning that one game. A 6-point swing. That was more desirable to them than HOPING we drop 6 points ( with 2 defeats or 3 draws) against other teams while the keep winning to take advantage of those dropped points. Slightly convoluted but fairly clear logic."
===
That's one way of looking at it, but if you can't beat the small teams but can beat the small ones and your rivals are the exact opposite, they are relying on you to drop points against the smaller sides. Works both ways but I see your point.
posted on 2/12/13
big*
ffs
posted on 2/12/13
''As I've alluded to, it's mathematically possible. But realistically, it ain't happening. I'm not saying we'll "crumble" as you put it. But losing 6-pointers to title rivals would be big blows. Big enough to affect the team mentally when it gets to the crunch.''
They would be blows, but not as significant as you think. Not this early on in the season. Our run-in up until new year is far from easy but I expect us to get around 13 points (excluding Napoli game). United have still not been that good since they've beaten us, managing two consecutive draws against the mighty Cardiff and the high-flying Tottenham Hotspur (I'm being sarcastic, if you can't tell).
To rule us out of the title race completely after Christmas is showing a total lack of faith in the team, in my opinion. One thing is for sure - whether we'll still be top of the league or not, we will almost certainly be there or thereabouts by 2014, irrespective of our results against City and Chelsea. Like I said, we do need to perform in the bigger games, but it is more important we beat the lesser sides.
posted on 2/12/13
Sheriff's just is just sticking up for his teams though, can't really blame him. He clearly thinks Arsenal are a threat this season and fears us. Good signs.
posted on 2/12/13
pretty much agree with everything you said Samir
posted on 2/12/13
You don't even need to go back to 08/09, last season United lost at home to Spurs, Chelsea and City, lost away to Everton and drew at the Emirates. Arsenal were the only team in the top 6 they didn't lose to.
We don't need to beat any of the top teams, although I think it would help massively considering how tight the league is at the moment, beating either of Chelsea or City in December would be massive. Even taking 2 points would be massive.
posted on 2/12/13
Batmanu, you're right. We're in a position where if we don't win, it's not the end of our title hopes and if we do, then fantastic. And although 2 points would be a big boost, it's what I mean about not needing to win. A point from each of those matches will suffice.