Qwiss Pool have been running hot. They have a series of tough games. Will take a mental toll. And they’re under more pressure as the leaders.

    Burnwinter Glass half empty view: if we don't beat them at Anfield, we're not getting anything from this season

    this is the view I've come to (and had only previously shared with Jo and someone at work): win at Anfield, we win the league.

    Although, the way Liverpool are going, we might not even need to do that...

        RocktheCasbah without sounding like Haaland, let’s be humble. We are fortunate we still have a glimmer of hope to be honest.

        Liverpool game is way into the horizon. Let’s take it game by game. As mentioned, end of Feb (ie next Wed) we will have a much better understanding.

        In March us and Liverpool only play 2 and 1 game respectively.

            Sicario2 - Tier 1 oh look at you, being the voice of moderation all of a sudden! 🤣

            I was joking about Liverpool, obviously. But I do believe that game at Anfield has serious winner takes all potential. It's something I've felt for a while.

            And Sicario, you have to admit, I've been very consistent about saying this wasn't over - so I'm not just reacting to last night.

              There's a long way to go before Anfield can be a title decider. We basically need to not fuck up until then and we still won't have Saka for the next month or so. Didn't manage to avoid fuck ups even when Saka was fit so colour me highly sceptical.

              • Tam replied to this.
              • Tam likes this.

                Don Pacifico I wasn't aware until Sicario's post above how few games there in the next month or so. Albeit the two in March are Man United away and Chelsea at home, which regardless of either their current form are potential banana skins at the best of times. The FA Cup showed there's nothing like an Arsenal game to give an underperforming Man United team a helping hand.

                It's fortunate we have so few games in the next 6 weeks given the injury situation. We won't overload the team too much, especially Nwaneri. We do have a run of games every few days coming back in April though.

                    I won't start believing unless we can get through the next 4 games (West Ham, Forest, United, Chelsea) with max points, with Liverpool dropping another 2-3 points. Then we get Saka and Martinelli back and if it's a 2-3 point gap going into the final 9 games with us also going to Anfield... game on at that point.

                    I would be absolutely shaking with nerves if we came out of Anfield with the advantage and then had to face Newcastle again... But I'd rather have that problem than not.

                    Tam yeah, but even that's an optimistic take that Saka will be ready to go come April 1st. Likelihood is that he'll take a bit of time to get match sharp/will need to have his minutes managed to avoid aggravating the injury he's recovered from.

                        RocktheCasbah I don't think you're wrong really. If we win the games we should win, get draws in the hard ones and win at Anfield then we'd certainly take the title.

                          Don Pacifico same with Martinelli. We'll still need loads of minutes from Trossard and Nwaneri but hopefully we can minimise using Sterling and whatever square pegs we need to slot in.

                            Don Pacifico oh yeah don’t get me wrong I’m not expecting Saka starting April 1st, but even just having him available and easing that pressure on the few we do have will do wonders for fitness and confidence.

                              We have to concentrate on West Ham BUT Forest play Newcastle away on Sunday so will have one days less rest than us when we face them next Wed.

                              As for the Man Utd and Chelsea games, luckily they are both in Europe so both will be playing on the Thur night before facing us. Man Utd should also be playing away on the Thur before facing us as I believe their second leg is at home since they got top 8 in EL.

                              In first half of the season Chelsea used two complete different teams for Europe v Prem but they have sold a few in Jan and have some injury woes so will have to play some of the same players. Chelsea’s opponent may not be great as they are playing in an inferior contest but it’s still a knockout European game and Maresca is a bit under pressure so they will go for it.

                              And honestly Man Utd and Chelsea look horrendous right now. Also for the former they literally have the same number of attackers as us : 3. Chelsea have no striker either as Jackson is out.

                              One game at a time but important to know what’s on the horizon is not as daunting as it is on paper imo.