Why top 4 will be a tough slog

[ranieri99]

I expect man city to win the league easily in the end. Arsenal 2nd. Man United 3rd. 4th place battle between Liverpool, spurs and leicester. Liverpool will come back fighting under klopp, don't rule them out.

Imagine if we got 4th place and then lost to celtic or someone in the qualifier

[Captain...]

I expect man city to win the league easily in the end. Arsenal 2nd. Man United 3rd. 4th place battle between Liverpool, spurs and leicester. Liverpool will come back fighting under klopp, don't rule them out.

Imagine if we got 4th place and then lost to celtic or someone in the qualifier

 

If you lose in the CL qualifier do you go into the Europa League?

[ranieri99]

If you lose in the CL qualifier do you go into the Europa League?

Not sure on that. Whatever happens it's absolutely amazing to even be talking about it.

[yorkie1999]

I thought we were going for 40 points.

[Gerard]

If you lose in the CL qualifier do you go into the Europa League?

 

Yes.

 

Celtic would be a great draw, it's the Spanish, German, Italian teams you don't want.

[Richmondfox]

Huth can recharge his batteries Drinkwater is injured so he will be recuperating. I am hoping that the 2 that come in really step up and show that we can rotate Huth, Morgan and Benny during the Christmas period, or Kante, Inler, King, Drinkwater without a significant drop off.

 

Not having a European distraction will be a massive benefit to us, but it didn't help West Ham, Southampton or Swansea last season, they all fell away and the big 6 reverted to type, I don't see Arsenal going much further in the CL, the Manchesters, Spurs + Liverpool will hopefully be distracted a bit longer.

I agree with this, not having European football like 5 of our 'rivals' have will a huge help.  Teams will be playing midweek/sat over several weeks will hopefully cause them to drop points where we continue as we are.

 

The last 15 mins of the Chelsea game, the team might have looked shattered as they were giving their all battling to keep hold of the 3 points, whilst still attacking Chelsea, unlike last season where we would soak up the pressure towards the end of the game and end up giving the game away.  It's not as if our players are looking overweight, tired, giving lacklustre performances and we are losing.

 

Last season Chelsea only lost 3 games, this season so far 9, Man City lost 7 this season at 16 games they've lost 4.

 

The OP seems like you're looking for a moan or getting in reasons to say I told you so early.  Chill out and enjoy watching our team play great football.

[NotTheMarketLeader]

Breel Embolo please. He can play No 10 and also could replace Vardy if we lost him for a game or two. It's important we get in someone pacey as if Vardy isn't there it just changes the whole dynamics of the team.

Agreed, but Ingalo for me.£15 -£20m?

[Great Boos Up]

Well Chelsea won the league with 87 points last season - after 16 games they had 39 points.

Second place was man city with 79 points - after 16 games they had 36 points (1 more point than us at this stage)

Both teams more than doubled there points tally for remainder of season.

 

A completely different scenario this season. 5th to 13th could all have swapped positions by the end of boxing day.

Everyone is beatable.

[BlueJoe]

Think both those points totals required could be lower this year.

We are top at this time of year with a record low points tally. More points are being dropped than ever.

Don't underestimate Chelsea's influence on the league. They have lost 9 games? They will now fight under a new manager back to their true ability and will take points off everyone around us as well. This will only aid us in our fight for top 4.

Everyone on here would have taken Europa league next year. Champions League would be a blessing not having to play on Thursdays and would set us up for a huge cash injection that will only keep the Thais in love with the club!!!

[Guest Col city fan]

Imo we are the best 'team' in the division. We don't have the best individuals across all positions. With the exception of 3 I think: Mahrez is the best attacking mid at present, Kante the best CM and Vardy the most in - form striker.

Why we are working is because we play as a team. When I think we'll struggle more is if any of those three aforementioned pick up a longer term injury. Mahrez and Vardy spark off each other. The defence is more solid because Kante nullifies threats further forward.

For me, it's imperative we keep those three fit as they are the glue that holds the team together. It's not good we've lost Drinkwater for a spell. But it would be worse if we'd lost Kante. And if we lose Vardy, I can't see any of the other strikers scoring anywhere near as many.

Therefore, I think do need to bolster the squad in Jan. Especially with another very good striker (if available) and also another very good attacking midfielder in case Mahrez gets sidelined.

And I don't see why we couldn't do this? We are an attractive proposition for many players now and we can't be short of a few bob. If we don't go out and recruit quality, my feeling is that the team would suffer (in terms of how we play and we'd see a dip in form of some players) if we lost any of these three.

[leicesterseddon]

Smart money would still be on us to fall away, but as others have said - why not dream? No one else has made a very convincing case for it so far.

 

Thing is though, if we're going to give ourselves any chance we need to strengthen in January. And that brings a different set of problems - i.e. overstretching ourselves, lumbering ourselves with big wage players, disrupting the squad, etc.

 

Bit of a gamble really, but wouldn't be surprised if the owners decide to roll the dice.

[Freesolo]

The thing with me is I never cared where we finished 40 points was the goal until all these shit pundits started to say things like we will never last its just luck etc, etc. This has pissed me off and I  want to prove the wrong, I don't know who made Paul Merson our expert he seems to have alot to say but contradicts himself week in week out.

 

Yes we know Arsenal ar a better team but he has his penis rammed up their anus so much being a ex player its just annoying and Charlie Nicholas is is even worse with his predictions.

listening to them just winds me up all they care about is the big teams I miss Neville he talked sense and was a excellent pundit and Carragher is OK too

[Jacnah]

Over the last 10 premier league seasons, the average number of points needed to finish in 4th place is 67.

32 more points needed for average number.

Now this might sound okay as we have just achieved 35 points in 16 games - but due to the way we play and playing the same group of players week in week out, tiredness will definitely kick in.

I noticed against Chelsea - the last 15 mins the players looked absolutely shattered. That is a worry for me.

This is the reason top teams usually always come out in top, as they have massive squads.

Can we achieve 32 more points?

As an aside - for all those who believe we can win the title. The average number of points needed over the last 10 seasons has been 84.

(these numbers are to have 1 more point than 2nd place or 1 more point than 5th place for the top 4 averages)

Even if we Double the number of points we have currently we wouldn't win the league. It's bonkers to even think we will win the league unfortunately. But as claudio says we can dream.

 

Always like a bit of data to give insights. One point though - Averages are on average wrong and at the least indicate a 50/50 chance the points tally wont be enough, or conversely will be more than what is required.. so its not correct to say, absolutely, that we wouldn't win it......maybe a reason to dream a little more??

[AyewJoking]

Our players burning out over the course of the season is a myth.

 

they are required to bust a gut for 90 minutes once or twice a week.

 

they are trained for this.

 

they get paid well for this.

 

not to mention we have excellent fitness and sports science set up.

 

the mental fatigue may get to us but seeing as there is still little pressure and expectation on us to finish so high it may not be that big a problem.

 

Add to that the supposed great morale and ambition/confidence amongst the squad.

 

 

 

I'm not gloating and suggesting it will be a walk in the park but id be more worried about injuries to key players, the ones that have made the difference so many times already this season.

[AyewJoking]

Over the last 10 premier league seasons, the average number of points needed to finish in 4th place is 67.

32 more points needed for average number.

Now this might sound okay as we have just achieved 35 points in 16 games - but due to the way we play and playing the same group of players week in week out, tiredness will definitely kick in.

I noticed against Chelsea - the last 15 mins the players looked absolutely shattered. That is a worry for me.

This is the reason top teams usually always come out in top, as they have massive squads.

Can we achieve 32 more points?

As an aside - for all those who believe we can win the title. The average number of points needed over the last 10 seasons has been 84.

(these numbers are to have 1 more point than 2nd place or 1 more point than 5th place for the top 4 averages)

Even if we Double the number of points we have currently we wouldn't win the league. It's bonkers to even think we will win the league unfortunately. But as claudio says we can dream.

 

 

that applies to everyone one else in the league at this moment in time.

 

even more is required of the others seeing as we currently have the most points.

 

was it 19 points we had last season that we needed to double in a shorter period of time?

[fuchsntf]

Too many heading for corony problems.

I dont expect,.....I dont analyse, I am not looking at statistics,.... I am definitly not predicting.

I just know, I am enjoying others confusion, experts proved wrong, pundits with silly

expressions, and wry unknowing smiles on their faces....

I am not looking too far forward,

More importantly I am really really enjoying the ride.

Oh I do like reading, all the STUFF, and thanks to all for research and wonderous statistics and possibilities.

In another life, it might light a spark, but to be honest, the now, the single moment, the enjoyment of the small time era, and again the ride ...if we stay on , fall off, get knocked off,

get up again, is for the next game.

Old cliche..1 step at a time, with no more than a couple of shuffles.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Think we are probably one of the fittest teams in the league and have been since Np first came back. I just think we put in so much effort against Chelsea what are still quality players we are up against.

[Guest Sharpe's Fox]

No pressure atm but if there is a gap of say 6 points to fifth in March or April the team will start feeling it. For me the most important thing Claudio should be focusing on is not geting beat by Everton and Liverpool up next and Tottenham in a few weeks. Then peoples ears will really start to pr1ck up

[fuchsntf]

No pressure atm but if there is a gap of say 6 points to fifth in March or April the team will start feeling it. For me the most important thing Claudio should be focusing on is not geting beat by Everton and Liverpool up next and Tottenham in a few weeks. Then peoples ears will really start to pr1ck up

Claudio will do what he does...why try and force the natural, tactics, and ethos.

I dont believe he should do anything...other than whats working, even if points

are dropped....

[Thracian]

When I look at Leicester's fixtures I see everyone as difficult for different reasons. Indeed when we collected a point against Bournemouth away I thought it a point won rather than two dropped as many considered  because I saw Bournemouth as a threat to anyone and so it's proved.

 

What's changed is when I look at the fixture lists of most established top clubs in The Premiership I see almost all their games as tough too and that reflects the new mood of the division where more and more erstwhile minnows are starting to put real pressure on their opponents rather than just parking the proverbial bus and hoping to get a lucky break.

 

There was always going to be pressure for Leicester because our first task was to fight for our survival in the League. We've not quite achieved that yet but having a two point lead at the top of the table won't make winning the title harder...but will more likely motivate us to keep setting the standards we've set already and working tirelessly to improve them still further.

 

The worst pressure is on those playing catch-up. The great Manchester United are six points in arrears and the pressure on them not to fall nine points behind is enormous as I'm sure Chelsea fans would willingly acknowledge as they've seen even their top four dreams gradually whittled away to almost nothing.

 

Ranieri's got it right - focus on the next match and performing as best we're able. Then treat the same match in exactly the same way. Each game is a battle in its own right and every positive result can take us one game closer to our target. It's that simple.                

[Izzy]

Ranieri's got it right - focus on the next match and performing as best we're able. Then treat the same match in exactly the same way. Each game is a battle in its own right and every positive result can take us one game closer to our target. It's that simple.

This bit, spot on. I compare it to professional golfers. They have to be present and focus 100% on each shot at a time. If they get ahead of themselves and start thinking about the next hole etc. then it all goes tits up. At the end of the round, they've scored what they've scored. Some don't even look at leaderboards as they can start forcing it and then it goes wrong. The old adage of 'one game at time' and 'we can only influence what we do' are true. All Leicester players can do is play to the very best of their ability every game and that's all we can ask of them. If that's not good enough for top 4 or Europe after 38 games then so be it.

[WesMorganGod]

Before the season started I would have taken 17th, if it was offered I would have taken it for sure. But the way its gone it would feel disappointing to not finish in top 4 and be in champions league for next season. It will be tough, very tough and I'm not deluded.. I do think there will be a period where we lose some games,its natural and normal.. but lets hope we can do enough to get into top 4. 

[foxinsox]

We are nine points clear of 5th place. Even if we slow down a bit to 1.5 points per game it would take a pretty amazing run for Liverpool to nick 4th place.

We went to Newcastle and prevented them from getting a shot on goal. Liverpool went there a fortnight later and shipped two goals. They are better under Klopp but fragile, as are Everton.

One thing we have though is consistency. This is a well drilled team that can grind out results.

Its not about money or history. Who would you rather have Mahrez or Sterling? Vardy or Rooney? (Hell, I would have Ulloa over Rooney!). In life it does not matter where you come from. It is where you are going.

[Wortho]

I remember hearing what Collymore said about 4 weeks ago.

He said that Leicester couldn't win the premier,because they let in too many goals, and that when they reached 40 points they would give up!!!!!

Well we'll see about that

[Guest bss9401]

CR is tweaking the team, getting his message across and we are conceding fewer goals. I will not be disappointed if we miss the top 4 as mid table would easily exceed expectations. Once we pass 40 we can adjust the target accordingly and if we get top 6 it would still be one of the greatest seasons in our history. Top 4 is currently in reach and if we get there it would be an historic achievement that would be talked about forever. I am seriously loving it!