Topic: The Battle for 7th

[Neil]

Surprised some are claiming 7th as pretty much ours just because we're 10 points ahead of 8th. Everton, also with a game in hand, could make it 7 points without us having a say. We've had a fantastic start but anything could happen. Especially considering we're Newcastle United fans ffs.

In fairness, if you can't be optimistic after the first 13 games you've had then I don't know when you can.

No doubt you're more likely to finish above us than vice versa but I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up the other way round.

[wormy]

I'm optimistic about the team's potential and the future, but there seems to be quite a feeling amongst some that we're easily the best of the rest by some distance. While, obviously, the table doesn't lie, we are right now, pretty much saying the same as you, anything can happen.

Hell, I've got a pre-season bet with an Everton supporting mate that he thought we'd finish above you, and I said you'd finish above us.

[gazza ladra]

Surprised some are claiming 7th as pretty much ours just because we're 10 points ahead of 8th. Everton, also with a game in hand, could make it 7 points without us having a say. We've had a fantastic start but anything could happen. Especially considering we're Newcastle United fans ffs.

Hope they do make it 7 without us having a say tbh.  Not that we have a chance in hell of keeping pace with Spurs, but the illusion (delusion) is nice.

So much depends on January. Are we going to sell valuable assets or add to our squad?

Selling Coloccini would be an absolute disaster. Wouldn't put it past Ashley. 

[Dave]

Surprised some are claiming 7th as pretty much ours just because we're 10 points ahead of 8th. Everton, also with a game in hand, could make it 7 points without us having a say. We've had a fantastic start but anything could happen. Especially considering we're Newcastle United fans ffs.

If this is in reference to my post, I certainly don't think it's nailed on or owt like that. But as Neil says, we're now a third of the way into the season AND we've played four of the only six teams who will normally win more often than they lose. I'm therefore reasonably convinced that we're a pretty good team, and capable of beating the majority of sides in the league - particularly at home.

We've had a great start but the main thing for me is that we actually look like maintaining it at present, especially considering the way we came back from the City defeat (a game in which we exceeded my expectations anyway). There's a long way to go but I'll be very disappointed if we don't finish in the top half after this start. In fact I think it would require a pathetic rest of the season, considering we're already about half the way towards the points total we'd need based on previous seasons.

The biggest concern I have at the moment is January.

[wormy]

Fair play. Wasn't just you btw, just noticed a few people recently saying there's the top 6, then us, then the rest.

Top half definitely should be minimum now, no argument there. I certainly think we've got the ability to take 7th, just my negative attitude causing me to look at the teams below and think 'they've got a good chance'. At least it'll be even better if we manage it.

[Tiresias]

Throughout the league things are getting scrappy, so now if we can go back to routinelly beating all the teams we should beat we should do very well. The pressure around us scrapping on the bottom half of the table seems to have gone so right now, bar a massive form collapse, going to just enjoy rest of season, top half is really my only expectation now, would be very silly to drop down like that, anything else is a bonus. This has been a very very fun season so far, and don't want to ruin it by getting desperately eyeing up 5th position etc. Next season, with a better squad expectations can rise etc.

[eliassenfredrik]

Everton is the only team that in anyway are capable of taking the 7th spot in front of us, as I see it. And that is the absolute worst case scenario. We really have to f*** things up quite heavily to finish below 7th. I'm not saying this to look like a prick, but bar Everton, there aren't any teams capable of doing it really (at least not this season). If we get a result against Chelsea, I don't see how people can't see this. Even if Tiote and Ba goes for a month, I'm fairly positive.

*We've been without Tiote for some matches in a row now, and have looked, let's be honest, impressive against the best teams in the league.
*We have the possibility to buy another DM in January, should it be necessary, same goes for a striker and a CB cover.

I'll admit Arsenal and Liverpool MOST LIKELY will go past us, but we have every opportunity to stop that from happening, and I'll say it; finish 5th. It's optimistic, but it's also realistic. Atm, I only see 4 teams clearly better than us, and we have lost to only 1 of them, before taking on Chelsea.

[Optimistic Nut]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

[Neil]

34 points from 25 games to get 60 points seems a more than realistic target.

[Neil]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Absolutely 100% cannot see that unless they really improve, and fast.

[Tiresias]

Maybe, but god McLeish has got me thoroughly depressed whenever they come up on match of the day.

I think Fulham for that 'best of the rest' slot, they are a very odd one, I am never entirely sure if they're good or bad...they just seem to quietly amass points

[Optimistic Nut]

When put like that, 9 wins, 8 draws and 8 defeats seems a realistic target.

[OzzieMandias]

I'm not taking a single thing for granted yet. If we get past the Chelsea game without our heads dropping, then we're right to be optimistic about the rest of the season, but injuries, suspensions and the Africa Cup of Nations could still cost us.

[Gorilla]

Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham, Man City, Man United, we've not played anyone decent yet. 

We didnt get a massive haul from those games but losing only 1 is telling imo, I'm not saying we are top 4 or even top 6, but until we've played barcelona, we havent been proven as a half decent side.

[Sewelly]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Nah. Nee chance.

[Karjala]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Theyve looked horse s*** from what ive seen of them.

Everton must be our main rivals for 7th, but theres a long way to go yet!

[Neil]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Nah. Nee chance.

If Villa finish above both Everton and Newcastle and I'm safe from the Leon Best bet, then I'll instead change my display name for a month to "Jenas' #1 fan", display pic to McLeish and will send brummie a personal letter of apology with £20 included for the charity of his choice.

[Nobody]

Massive that Guthrie has filled in for Tiote as well as he has like. Gives me confidence that we should be able to do well when Tiote is away in January/February.

[Karjala]

You'd like to think that Best and Ben Arfa could work for a month or so too.

[wormy]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Nah. Nee chance.

If Villa finish above both Everton and Newcastle and I'm safe from the Leon Best bet, then I'll instead change my display name for a month to "Jenas' #1 fan", display pic to McLeish and will send brummie a personal letter of apology with £20 included for the charity of his choice.

[Otter]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Really can't see any basis whatsoever for that.

[ChrisJbarnes]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Nah. Nee chance.

If Villa finish above both Everton and Newcastle and I'm safe from the Leon Best bet, then I'll instead change my display name for a month to "Jenas' #1 fan", display pic to McLeish and will send brummie a personal letter of apology with £20 included for the charity of his choice.

 

[gazza ladra]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Really can't see any basis whatsoever for that.

Fire McLeish. Hire someone other than Kinnear. Done.

[Neil]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Really can't see any basis whatsoever for that.

Fire McLeish. Hire someone other than Kinnear. Done.

[Dr Venkman]

I still think Villa will end up best of the rest.

Are we part of 'the rest?' because if they finish above us something will have gone seriously wrong, they're terrible.