I’m forever popping bubbles verdict thread

[Norman Deeley]

Big result for us today - the Blades must have been counting on 4 points from the games against Villa and NUFC

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Absolutely huge. I think it is now us and United chasing Chelsea.

 

[Premier Quality]

Disappointed they will be missing Egan and Henderson against utd

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

They were always missing Henderson for that one

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Disappointed they will be missing Egan and Henderson against utd

Nah. Get the first job done first. Competitors for a Europa League spot getting wiped out is better for us at this stage than anyone above us. As such it's good that we've outperformed all of Sheff Utd, Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton this weekend.

In fact you may as well forget Everton now, we're effectively nine points clear of them with eight games to go.

 

[Premier Quality]

I see utd as the big rivals for a champs league spot, and the arrogant arseholes annoy me.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I think we need to calm down a bit on that. We've just beaten an abject West Ham team - in decent style it must be said - a team so bad that they've now played four games against us in under two years and had about two clear cut chances across six hours of football. As such, it doesn't change a great deal. United have a better run in than us and a bigger squad, plus we have no opportunity to directly take points off them. Fifth isn't even guaranteed anything yet regarding the CL and we're quite a way behind Chelsea. Leicester are as good as out of sight.

Securing European football of any kind is absolutely the priority at the moment, though there's nothing wrong with dreaming about being in the premier competition.

 

[Tony Towner]

I think this week will tell us a lot. We don't normally put 3 poor teams away in the space of 8 days if that were to happen then I think it's fair to have hopes of the CL. I still think 6th is a more realistic target and predicted 7th before the restart

If we are in the CL next season it's more likely it's because we won the EL than finished 4th/5th imo

 

[BGreenWolf]

I still maintain that our best chance of securing CL football next year is through the Europa League, personally.

 

[Jinky]

I think we need to calm down a bit on that. We've just beaten an abject West Ham team - in decent style it must be said - a team so bad that they've now played four games against us in under two years and had about two clear cut chances across six hours of football. As such, it doesn't change a great deal. United have a better run in than us and a bigger squad, plus we have no opportunity to directly take points off them. Fifth isn't even guaranteed anything yet regarding the CL and we're quite a way behind Chelsea. Leicester are as good as out of sight.

Securing European football of any kind is absolutely the priority at the moment, though there's nothing wrong with dreaming about being in the premier competition.

Agree with every word here. Far too many people getting carried away or focusing purely on a top 4 finish. It’s absolutely amazing that we’re in the conversation for the CL (what a time to be alive!), but qualifying for the Europa league again, and then potentially having a semi final/final of the Europa league this season - that would be beyond anything any of us could have dreamed of in terms of recent history.

I don’t think consistency can be overlooked here. Look at how many sides have had a good season, finished in a Europa league spot and then faded away or struggled the next year. To start hitting those European places regularly will be some achievement.

 

[Premier Quality]

It’s just a possibility - I’m very happy with Europa again next year, but we have two shots at the champs league which would be game changing for the club. Our run in is good, we’re well prepared, it’s a definite possibility. The fact we don’t have to play europa games until afterwards means our focus isn’t split.

If we miss out on the CL I’ll still be proud of the season, it’s been fantastic - but it’s really exciting times and I’m enjoying it - having a champions league push is amazing, personally, I couldn’t be happier with the club.

 

[The Weasel]

I think we need to calm down a bit on that. We've just beaten an abject West Ham team - in decent style it must be said - a team so bad that they've now played four games against us in under two years and had about two clear cut chances across six hours of football. As such, it doesn't change a great deal. United have a better run in than us and a bigger squad, plus we have no opportunity to directly take points off them. Fifth isn't even guaranteed anything yet regarding the CL and we're quite a way behind Chelsea. Leicester are as good as out of sight.

Securing European football of any kind is absolutely the priority at the moment, though there's nothing wrong with dreaming about being in the premier competition.

Nail on the head. lets secure 6th place first if we can, then see if others falter...

 

[Del Woppio]

4th is unlikely - if you offered me being 2 points behind Chelsea by the time we play them right now, I'd snap your cock off.

At this point though, I proper fancy us for 5th. We've got a better eleven than United, a better manager than United, and a more motivated group. Don't get me wrong, 6th is brilliant, and whatever happens now you can say its been a great season, especially as the summer window didn't strengthen us...but I really do fancy us for 5th. Whether that's champion's league or not is in the hands of the lawyers, but I think we'll do our bit

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

The summer window DID strengthen us, Neto is objectively better than Costa and Cav combined at this level.

 

[Del Woppio]

Yeah true enough. Cba to amend, but the removal of that line wouldn't alter the gist of the point. Tbh I'd completely forgotten he joined in the summer, feels like he's been here for ages :icon_lol: ftaod, happy to again concede that I got it phenomenally wrong on that boy. What a talent.

 

[AndyWolves]

One thing I noticed in this game, and then with hindsight for other games is how much better Neves is at the defensive part of his game. He didn't used to be that good but it's clearly been a part of his game that's been worked on and improved

 

[t3ch]

rewatched the goals this morning, love the reaction from the team around neto after scoring.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

rewatched the goals this morning, love the reaction from the team around neto after scoring.

Yeah i doubt Moutinho looked that happy on his wedding day!

 

[sycophantia]

One thing I noticed in this game, and then with hindsight for other games is how much better Neves is at the defensive part of his game. He didn't used to be that good but it's clearly been a part of his game that's been worked on and improved

Interesting, I've always thought Neves pretty good in the defensive dept, but agree he has stepped it up a notch this season, timing of his tackles has been superb for the most part

 

[Kenny]

It was also good to see Moutinho is still a little shit house