The Leicester defeat and the League table

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:22 pm

Just looking at the table sees us in 14th place and Leicester up in 7th, (the best of the "rest"), and yet we're only 8 points apart. Had we won that game that's a 6 point change, they'd be 10th and we'd be joint 11th. Just goes to show how tight it is this season once you get below the big 6.
Just a couple of wins in the early part of the season, (when we generally poor), and we could have been fighting for 7th place again.

lanky22222 · Post by **lanky22222** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:27 pm

If we had beaten Leicester and had those 6 points added on that we were robbed of by officials (Watford, United, Saints) we would be on 48 - 7th place...to say how bad a season we had up until Christmas, there is no reason to believe that we can't push for Europe next year

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:31 pm

lanky22222 wrote:there is no reason to believe that we can't push for Europe next year

Be careful what you wish for

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:35 pm

Not sure it's a case of "had we won that game".

The first half of the season is why we're in the bottom half. However, credit due, he did try things they just didn't work out.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:41 pm

FactualFrank wrote:Not sure it's a case of "had we won that game".

I only singled out that game because Leicester are 7th, and playing against 10 men for 90 minutes was a real opportunity missed.
The fact that a donkey like Morgan scored made it all the worse.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:46 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:I only singled out that game because Leicester are 7th, and playing against 10 men for 90 minutes was a real opportunity missed.
The fact that a donkey like Morgan scored made it all the worse.

Fair enough. It does make you think though when you see we finished 7th last season and our form this year is top 6.

Decisions and games that don't go our way I do feel even themselves out over enough games.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:47 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Be careful what you wish for

For me, seeing Burnley play in a stadium such as the San Siro in a competitive match, would be like winning the league. We were one game away from the group stages and a chance to play some bigger teams.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:48 pm

Spijed wrote:For me, seeing Burnley play in a stadium such as the San Siro in a competitive match, would be like winning the league. We were one game away from the group stages and a chance to play some bigger teams.

And that can still happen. Baby steps.

Claret Till I Die · Post by **Claret Till I Die** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:53 pm

If my grandma had of had ballocks then she would have been my grandad

Goobs · Post by **Goobs** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:56 pm

Claret Till I Die wrote:If my grandma had of had ballocks then she would have been my grandad

No because the bloodline would have ended with your two gay grandads

Goobs · Post by **Goobs** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:58 pm

Also finishing 7th May not provide a European spot this year as Watford could still win the FA Cup.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:05 pm

Claret Till I Die wrote:If my grandma had of had ballocks then she would have been my grandad

Is that true these days - transgender etc.?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:26 pm

Spijed wrote:For me, seeing Burnley play in a stadium such as the San Siro in a competitive match, would be like winning the league. We were one game away from the group stages and a chance to play some bigger teams.

I’d agree to some extent. The trip for the Olympiacos game is one I’ll never forget but Europe was definitely a major contribution to our poor start.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:52 pm

the downturn in league form happens to pretty much every team outside the top 6 that qualifies for Europe, our squad in particular was never going to able to cope with it. We were 2-3 signings short.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:56 pm

Vegas Claret wrote:the downturn in league form happens to pretty much every team outside the top 6 that qualifies for Europe, our squad in particular was never going to able to cope with it. We were 2-3 signings short.

I seem to remember Everton in Europe and their record of games following Thursday was bloody awful.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:00 pm

Claret Till I Die wrote:If my grandma had of had ballocks then she would have been my grandad

Great contribution to the thread.
If we're not going to allow speculation (ifs and buts) on a football forum, then it becomes semi-redundant.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:04 pm

Vegas Claret wrote:the downturn in league form happens to pretty much every team outside the top 6 that qualifies for Europe, our squad in particular was never going to able to cope with it. We were 2-3 signings short.

Everton
Swansea
Stoke
Southampton
Bolton

etc etc, Europa League is a poisoned chalice to anyone outside of the big 6. Someone like Wolves could cope with it because they'll go out and sign another 8 players for 200 million

Longside4evr · Post by **Longside4evr** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:19 pm

Fulham did OK in it i thought we could have got through past the group stages but glad i went on the European adventure best away trip ever in Piraeus.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:20 pm

Spijed wrote:For me, seeing Burnley play in a stadium such as the San Siro in a competitive match, would be like winning the league.

It wouldn't even come close to us winning the 4th Division never mind the Premier League.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:24 pm

To think we had people who genuinely would have taken relegation if it meant we played a team like AC Milan.

simonclaret · Post by **simonclaret** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:27 pm

Goobs wrote:Also finishing 7th May not provide a European spot this year as Watford could still win the FA Cup.

They won’t

AndrewJB · Post by **AndrewJB** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:30 pm

We reached seventh last season without being awarded a single penalty. That's the open ended kind of what if I've said to friends who support other teams.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:15 pm

FactualFrank wrote:To think we had people who genuinely would have taken relegation if it meant we played a team like AC Milan.

who were only in the competition because very expensive lawyers got their ban postponed - funnily enough they have failed UEFA FFP again this season

lanky22222 · Post by **lanky22222** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 5:32 pm

ClaretTony wrote:Be careful what you wish for

Are you saying you wouldn't want us to get into the Europa League? What's the point playing for the season if you don't even want to enjoy what the end goal is?

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:05 pm

The problem with the Europa League is that we can't afford to play in it and have a side capable of competing in the English Premier league.

We need to avoid finishing in a Europa league spot at all cost. It is OK for teams like Aberdeen who compete in a poor league and the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal who spend billions. For the likes of Burnley the Europa league can prove a complete financial liability , if it means we are putting our Premier league position at jepordy like we have this season

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:09 pm

lanky22222 wrote:Are you saying you wouldn't want us to get into the Europa League? What's the point playing for the season if you don't even want to enjoy what the end goal is?

That's not the end goal.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:17 pm

Whilst on with ifs and maybes-if Cardiff had got that penalty equalised and then won that match we would be on 36pts 5 points ahead of Cardiff who would have a game in hand and I among with quite a few other would be bricking it and the Dyche out vulture brigade would be preening ready to fly again.
We had a crap first 19 games then a good run for 8, blipped for 4 followed by another 3 game run and about to enter the toughest collection of games as we end the season. 39points minimum has been brilliant and I couldn't give a flying whatever where Leicester or any body else is as we will stay ahead of Cardiff

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:18 pm

Just out of interest, how would it look if we combined the first half of last season with the second half of this?

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:20 pm

scouseclaret wrote:Just out of interest, how would it look if we combined the first half of last season with the second half of this?

Champions.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:25 pm

scouseclaret wrote:Just out of interest, how would it look if we combined the first half of last season with the second half of this?

Last of last and first of this gave us 34pts and no doubt relegation. Your way 59 and still in 7th slot but still 4 games to play

Stan Tastic · Post by **Stan Tastic** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:27 pm

FactualFrank wrote:Fair enough. It does make you think though when you see we finished 7th last season and our form this year is top 6.

Decisions and games that don't go our way I do feel even themselves out over enough games.

There's a magical entity that ensures everything equals itself out EXACTLY over a full season.

There's no way a howler of a decision in the last game can send you down without time to redress the balance.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:42 pm

lanky22222 wrote:Are you saying you wouldn't want us to get into the Europa League? What's the point playing for the season if you don't even want to enjoy what the end goal is?

I'm saying it cost us horribly this season

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 8:59 pm

I am - unfortunately - inclined to agree.

The club infrastructure, the playing squad, and the manager, were totally unprepared for such an eventuality.

ten bellies · Post by **ten bellies** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:27 pm

dougcollins wrote:I am - unfortunately - inclined to agree.

The club infrastructure, the playing squad, and the manager, were totally unprepared for such an eventuality.

I wouldn't have missed my trip to Istanbul for anything, even relegation. It meant that much.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:06 pm

scouseclaret wrote:Just out of interest, how would it look if we combined the first half of last season with the second half of this?

This just peaked my interest so I looked it up.

If we combined up until Boxing Day last season - with results after Boxing Day this season.

We’d be on 59 points so far this season - it shows just how much of a gulf there is between the top 6 as those 2 good runs for us combined would have us in ...... 7th place this season, 4 points off Arsenal in 6th.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:09 pm

mdd2 wrote:Last of last and first of this gave us 34pts and no doubt relegation. Your way 59 and still in 7th slot but still 4 games to play

No doubt? I would say there is a doubt that Cardiff will reach 34.

paulatky · Post by **paulatky** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:27 am

The signing of Hart cost us more dearly than the Europa League adventure.
Hart not a bad keeper but he didnt suit our style of play/players.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:19 am

lanky22222 wrote:If we had beaten Leicester and had those 6 points added on that we were robbed of by officials (Watford, United, Saints) we would be on 48 - 7th place...to say how bad a season we had up until Christmas, there is no reason to believe that we can't push for Europe next year

Exactly!

Now we have to win our remaining matches to get back to Europe!

Just takes a little longer!

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:45 am

lanky22222 wrote:If we had beaten Leicester and had those 6 points added on that we were robbed of by officials (Watford, United, Saints) we would be on 48 - 7th place...to say how bad a season we had up until Christmas, there is no reason to believe that we can't push for Europe next year

We were definitely robbed at Watford and United but the Saints game can't really be added to that list as the decision was made far too early in the game to say it cost us. Robbery only really occurs in the latter stages of a game as any earlier anything can happen. Having said that the 4 points robbed there and the 'win' we should have had against 10 man Leicester would be 7 points more and have us looking more than healthy. Still it's all ifs, buts and maybes I suppose. If you look at the games we have got things from and didn't deserve (Cardiff away comes to mind) and even the amazing reult at home to Bournemouth (outplayed and still wining 4-0 bizarrely) then I suppose as they say a season generally evens itself out - you tend to finish where you deserve.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:20 pm

Very happy to have got over the line this season to be honest as it wasn't looking good in February. A fourth successive Premier League season now beckons, we've money in the bank, a developing stadium and a team thats been built through belief in hard work. Were looking good from recent form and our performances. We didn't handle European competition well and it showed in our first half of the season League performances. It affected us, no doubt. But we've learned from it, not dwelled on it and moved on thats been down to Sean Dyche and the squad of players we've got. UTC

buzzclarets79 · Post by **buzzclarets79** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:16 pm

Top Claret wrote:The problem with the Europa League is that we can't afford to play in it and have a side capable of competing in the English Premier league.

We need to avoid finishing in a Europa league spot at all cost.

The issue is where we entered the competition....In the first rounds, having to play 4 two legged ties just to get to the group stage is where the issued lied. It played havoc with the pre season, made worse by it also being a WC year

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:43 pm

I agree Buzzy. That's why we need to avoid it, not just Burnley every club. The Europa league is a crap competition for English clubs

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:51 pm

I like Europe and think we will finish 7th, as no one else wants it!

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:16 pm

It certainly looks like the current incumbents are trying their best to avoid 7th place.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 3:33 pm

I enjoyed my trips. It caught our imagination. We were unlucky. We are wiser. 2 seasons running would encourage new blood, for sure.

Allez Les Clarets!

box_of_frogs · Post by **box_of_frogs** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 3:52 pm

IanMcL wrote:I like Europe and think we will finish 7th, as no one else wants it!

Not a chance we’ll get 7th this year!

claretcarrot93 · Post by **claretcarrot93** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:06 pm

I loved the Europa league and find it really weird that fans would not want us there again. Give me Athens over Arsenal any day.

Im_not_Robbie_Blake · Post by **Im_not_Robbie_Blake** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:39 pm

Football is all about ifs and buts.

And yes, I loved the European matches too. The atmosphere at home v Aberdeen was particularly memorable!