I'm not overthinking it, still half a season to play... But every win is a boost to confidence.
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 1 minute ago
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
----------------------------------------------------------------------
please never go to OT again, you jinxing t!t
I'm sure there is an element of that and ongoing belief, but it's far too soon to be overly concerned with it imo.
It's just so tight at the top - I won't really believe we're actually in the title race unless we're still within touching distance with 5-10 games to go.
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 10 minutes ago
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical isn't it...although it's been our away form that sees up top, not our home form.
What are the chances we go to sh!t again soon we we're allowed back?
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
I'm sure there is an element of that and ongoing belief, but it's far too soon to be overly concerned with it imo.
It's just so tight at the top - I won't really believe we're actually in the title race unless we're still within touching distance with 5-10 games to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even then, a couple of bad results and you're back out of the race.
The good thing is the gap between us and 5th is slowly starting to widen after a tough set of fixtures.
If we can take 3 points from Arsenal, I think we'll be pretty set for top 4 by the end of Feb.
We should avoid reading too much into any individual game. A setback last night wouldn't have put us out of the title race, and grinding out a win isn't a watershed moment either. It's a marathon. However, I think the OP is right in the sense that games *like* last night's are crucial to building that belief, that sense that needs to be instilled in every player that they are part of a relentless winning machine. Ole can work on motivation but the more collective experience of winning battles is invaluable. In that sense, games like last night are just as important to turning the squad into one of potential champions as games like the thrashing of Leeds.
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
We’ve not even hit 20 games played yet ffs 😂
Every win is a big win.
I still think it's an outside chance we have of winning the PL but, the longer we're up there, the better the chance.
It could be a strange end to the season and Covid could play a part so we need to get points on the board as soon as we can. City will probably have a few games in hand towards the end of the season but if they were to get an outbreak then they could be forced to play the kids (that could happen to us too of course). We just need to hang on in there and keep collecting the points.
I've said on another thread that I'm in two minds about whether this run is sustainable or whether it can even be improved upon if we get our attackers firing.
Its nice seeing us consistently beat teams we *should* be beating. If we got that right, we would immediately move up the table.
Unfortunately this has been at the detriment to our half decent record against the top sides. We need to do better in those now, the margins have been going against us.
Martial and Greenwood and Rashford. If they could kick on. We need them to kick on.
I don't think winning by a single goal after going behind is sustainable over the course of a season, but we've done it for the first half and I wouldn't have thought that was possible either
We desperately need our forwards to find some form, even just 1 or 2 of them would be a huge boost. Amazing we're in this position without them having done so already tbh.
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 1 minute ago
I don't think winning by a single goal after going behind is sustainable over the course of a season, but we've done it for the first half and I wouldn't have thought that was possible either
We desperately need our forwards to find some form, even just 1 or 2 of them would be a huge boost. Amazing we're in this position without them having done so already tbh.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Very true. The game we did take the lead in we drew!
Looking at it though Liverpool won 14 games last season by a single goal. Those fine margins can help build up big totals.
If we could get our forwards firing then that would be great. With that in mind I'd try and start Rashford and Greenwood against Liverpool. A goal in a big game would do them wonders I feel.
I’m not sure it’s that big a thing. I think the manner of the way we’re winning games will give them confidence more than it taking them top. I think that’s been seen in how often we’ve come from behind to win, and held on in tight games.
So often under Ole we were pathetic when going behind. And dropped lots of points when holding trying to hold out.
I think a bigger psychological boost for the team would be better, and more comfortable, performances and being able to take this into bigger games.
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
Need to play all of Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Martial, Pogba, VDB, Bruno and James against Sheff U in the hope that 2 or 3 of them score and it gives them a boost to go on and score more.
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 20 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thats not really true at all is it
De Gea
matic
Fred
Pogba
Cavani
all league winners
the likes of mata has won the CL, Fernandes has won trophies on portugal
there is plenty of winning experience in the squad now
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 31 seconds ago
Need to play all of Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Martial, Pogba, VDB, Bruno and James against Sheff U in the hope that 2 or 3 of them score and it gives them a boost to go on and score more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DDG
James
Maguire
Pogba
Shaw
VDB
Bruno
Greenwood
Cavani
Martial
Rashford
Today we're playing 4-2-4!
I’m just enjoying it, gonna kick back tonight and watch the Burnley game, see how the race for 4th is going
comment by TENƎꓕ (U17162)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That game put us clear by quite a few points at the top and we’d played unreal football all season, though.
I think people overplay the grinding out wins stuff with regard to a team being title winning material. Title winning teams usually win games a lot more comfortably.
comment by Donny The King van de Beek (U10026)
posted 28 seconds ago
comment by TENƎꓕ (U17162)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That game put us clear by quite a few points at the top and we’d played unreal football all season, though.
I think people overplay the grinding out wins stuff with regard to a team being title winning material. Title winning teams usually win games a lot more comfortably.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Winning 1 game comfortably would be lovely.
Yeah the grinding out of touch wins are usually the exception.
We'll beat Liverpool comfortably on Sunday then struggle over the line v Sheff Utd in midweek!
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 46 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed your mind on Ole yet?
comment by rosso - it’s not good enough to be right; you also have to be effective (U17054)
posted 36 seconds ago
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 46 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed your mind on Ole yet?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oles fault for putting these players in a situation they're not used to, if we crumble because they aren't used to being top then that's on him!
Sign in if you want to comment
Regaining top spot straight away
Page 1 of 2
posted on 21/1/21
I'm not overthinking it, still half a season to play... But every win is a boost to confidence.
posted on 21/1/21
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 1 minute ago
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
----------------------------------------------------------------------
please never go to OT again, you jinxing t!t
posted on 21/1/21
I'm sure there is an element of that and ongoing belief, but it's far too soon to be overly concerned with it imo.
It's just so tight at the top - I won't really believe we're actually in the title race unless we're still within touching distance with 5-10 games to go.
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 10 minutes ago
Most disappointing thing for me this season that I try not to think about too much is that it's the first season post SAF I've not regularly been to games and it's the best position we've been in
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical isn't it...although it's been our away form that sees up top, not our home form.
What are the chances we go to sh!t again soon we we're allowed back?
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
I'm sure there is an element of that and ongoing belief, but it's far too soon to be overly concerned with it imo.
It's just so tight at the top - I won't really believe we're actually in the title race unless we're still within touching distance with 5-10 games to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even then, a couple of bad results and you're back out of the race.
The good thing is the gap between us and 5th is slowly starting to widen after a tough set of fixtures.
If we can take 3 points from Arsenal, I think we'll be pretty set for top 4 by the end of Feb.
posted on 21/1/21
We should avoid reading too much into any individual game. A setback last night wouldn't have put us out of the title race, and grinding out a win isn't a watershed moment either. It's a marathon. However, I think the OP is right in the sense that games *like* last night's are crucial to building that belief, that sense that needs to be instilled in every player that they are part of a relentless winning machine. Ole can work on motivation but the more collective experience of winning battles is invaluable. In that sense, games like last night are just as important to turning the squad into one of potential champions as games like the thrashing of Leeds.
posted on 21/1/21
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
posted on 21/1/21
We’ve not even hit 20 games played yet ffs 😂
posted on 21/1/21
Every win is a big win.
I still think it's an outside chance we have of winning the PL but, the longer we're up there, the better the chance.
It could be a strange end to the season and Covid could play a part so we need to get points on the board as soon as we can. City will probably have a few games in hand towards the end of the season but if they were to get an outbreak then they could be forced to play the kids (that could happen to us too of course). We just need to hang on in there and keep collecting the points.
I've said on another thread that I'm in two minds about whether this run is sustainable or whether it can even be improved upon if we get our attackers firing.
posted on 21/1/21
Its nice seeing us consistently beat teams we *should* be beating. If we got that right, we would immediately move up the table.
Unfortunately this has been at the detriment to our half decent record against the top sides. We need to do better in those now, the margins have been going against us.
posted on 21/1/21
Martial and Greenwood and Rashford. If they could kick on. We need them to kick on.
posted on 21/1/21
I don't think winning by a single goal after going behind is sustainable over the course of a season, but we've done it for the first half and I wouldn't have thought that was possible either
We desperately need our forwards to find some form, even just 1 or 2 of them would be a huge boost. Amazing we're in this position without them having done so already tbh.
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 1 minute ago
I don't think winning by a single goal after going behind is sustainable over the course of a season, but we've done it for the first half and I wouldn't have thought that was possible either
We desperately need our forwards to find some form, even just 1 or 2 of them would be a huge boost. Amazing we're in this position without them having done so already tbh.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Very true. The game we did take the lead in we drew!
Looking at it though Liverpool won 14 games last season by a single goal. Those fine margins can help build up big totals.
If we could get our forwards firing then that would be great. With that in mind I'd try and start Rashford and Greenwood against Liverpool. A goal in a big game would do them wonders I feel.
posted on 21/1/21
I’m not sure it’s that big a thing. I think the manner of the way we’re winning games will give them confidence more than it taking them top. I think that’s been seen in how often we’ve come from behind to win, and held on in tight games.
So often under Ole we were pathetic when going behind. And dropped lots of points when holding trying to hold out.
I think a bigger psychological boost for the team would be better, and more comfortable, performances and being able to take this into bigger games.
posted on 21/1/21
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
posted on 21/1/21
Need to play all of Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Martial, Pogba, VDB, Bruno and James against Sheff U in the hope that 2 or 3 of them score and it gives them a boost to go on and score more.
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 20 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thats not really true at all is it
De Gea
matic
Fred
Pogba
Cavani
all league winners
the likes of mata has won the CL, Fernandes has won trophies on portugal
there is plenty of winning experience in the squad now
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Mike. (U1170)
posted 31 seconds ago
Need to play all of Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood, Martial, Pogba, VDB, Bruno and James against Sheff U in the hope that 2 or 3 of them score and it gives them a boost to go on and score more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DDG
James
Maguire
Pogba
Shaw
VDB
Bruno
Greenwood
Cavani
Martial
Rashford
Today we're playing 4-2-4!
posted on 21/1/21
I’m just enjoying it, gonna kick back tonight and watch the Burnley game, see how the race for 4th is going
posted on 21/1/21
comment by TENƎꓕ (U17162)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That game put us clear by quite a few points at the top and we’d played unreal football all season, though.
I think people overplay the grinding out wins stuff with regard to a team being title winning material. Title winning teams usually win games a lot more comfortably.
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Donny The King van de Beek (U10026)
posted 28 seconds ago
comment by TENƎꓕ (U17162)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's results against the Fulham's of the world that show whose title potential and who isn't. I remember back in the beginning of 07 (I think it was march time) where we came back and won 2-1 at Fulham that made me believe again after 2 seasons of Chelsea domination that we were going to win the PL again. That hasn't changed today. If we're still grinding results march /April time against these so called lesser teams then I'll start to believe again
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That game put us clear by quite a few points at the top and we’d played unreal football all season, though.
I think people overplay the grinding out wins stuff with regard to a team being title winning material. Title winning teams usually win games a lot more comfortably.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Winning 1 game comfortably would be lovely.
Yeah the grinding out of touch wins are usually the exception.
posted on 21/1/21
We'll beat Liverpool comfortably on Sunday then struggle over the line v Sheff Utd in midweek!
posted on 21/1/21
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 46 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed your mind on Ole yet?
posted on 21/1/21
comment by rosso - it’s not good enough to be right; you also have to be effective (U17054)
posted 36 seconds ago
comment by Car Van knee (U5318)
posted 46 minutes ago
I think an issue with this squad is that they haven't been in this position before and although we won a couple of trophies with Jose, most are not experienced with getting things over the line and winning trophies, or title battles.
Having said that, we have got a handful of players who's personalities are big enough to push the entire squad, in Bruno, Cavani, Matic and Pogba (who now give a sht). DDG also has winning experience but he doesn't seem to have the personality the others can feed off.
Also, Mata, while not playing will likely be having a big impact in the dressing room and training ground. No doubt why he was kept around.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed your mind on Ole yet?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oles fault for putting these players in a situation they're not used to, if we crumble because they aren't used to being top then that's on him!
Page 1 of 2