Paullow

Yeah, possibly, although while almost certainly will, and can't remember the last time a team finishing 6th wouldn't have had European football, 6th doesn't necessarily guarantee it. But even going back to the mid 90s, Everton beating Man Utd in the FA Cup final meant our 6th place finish wasn't enough for Europe, but that finish feels a lot better than the 7th place finish in the 00s (Bramble vs Chelsea) which did get us into Europe via the backdoor. Doesn't seem much difference to finishing 5th like we have twice in the PL to 6th, whereas 6th to 7th does. I'd often highlight our 8 PL top 6 finishes, even with one of them not getting Europe, whereas I wouldn't say 9 top 7 finishes if that makes sense. Also really surprising that with no Intertoto or Fair Play these days, there's sometimes less teams in Europe in 2023 than there was in the late 90's. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997–98_FA_Premier_League

Does top 6 generally sound more significant to others, and if so, why do you think that is?

It's just a competitive league in general. Everton beating Arsenal, Wolves hammering Liverpool, Southampton winning away yesterday, Leeds drawing at Old Trafford. Even Bournemouth winning away yesterday at in form Wolves was a shock. City don't look as invincible now and dropped points yesterday as well, and much more than they normally would have at this stage. Top 6 always has sounded significant, not sure why, but it does feel a lot different to 7th despite being only one place better and neither guaranteed Europe at the start of the season. Possibly something to do with the 'big 6', but it always felt bigger to me even before that. I'd probably take 6th now if offered because I can see Spurs and Liverpool passing us, and just takes one of Brighton in particular, Fulham or Brentford stringing a few wins together. Chelsea do look too far behind, and too many hard matches that it will be hard for them to overturn a 4 game disadvantage, although they do of course play us at Stamford Bridge.

Looked well off, guess they can draw the lines how they want to suit certain teams.

I think after Longstaff's second goal against Southampton when the final looked largely set, and perhaps once Man Utd had gone from 99% to 100% confirmed the following evening (although Bruno's red in between was a big blow) I was thinking it was a 45/55 type tie, but the past few weeks with our respective form, the unbeaten run against PL opposition abruptly ending, the obvious lack of depth, and of course losing Pope, I am now thinking 30/70 at best, possibly slightly lower. Less confident now, but obviously far from a foregone conclusion, but while we're obviously all desperate to win something, the fist trophy in most people's lives, certainly domestically, and hopefully it happens, but if not, then you'd think another opportunity wouldn't be too far away, possibly just around the corner, and you certainly wouldn't expect it to be another 24 years for the next final, but while obviously nobody knows what the future holds, that mindset does relieve the pressure a bit (from me), whereas if it was say a Crystal Palace, Brentford, Leeds etc. who made a rare final instead, then it might have felt a bit different (like it would have for us pre takeover if Bruce somehow further fluked that rare League Cup run).

Had a look at the PL fixtures next week saw there were only 8 matches and had to have a quick think of which other teams weren't playing, and took a good minute for me to realise Brighton and Brentford are the two teams with the weekend off, so I guess that does limit the chances of some teams closing in a bit, but aye, chances for others to put a bit of pressure on

I thought we'd have been in a 7-9 battle with both West Ham and Leicester this season as they do have quality players, so it is a bit strange to see them where they are. Leicester look like they have picked right up since Maddison has come back in, and you'd still think West Ham would have more than enough, and they are on a mini unbeaten run, but there was a nightmare set of results for them yesterday and they're now back in the bottom 3.

Two decent looking matches today, although both would have been better for the neutral (and us) if the respective venues were reversed. Not really too fussed about Man Utd's results at the moment to be honest. It's true that if they dropped point today and we won our game in hand and the big game at SJP we'd be back above them, but it will be extremely tough to finish above them now, and not really expecting it - more focussed on the likes of Spurs, Liverpool, and Brighton. If given the choice, I'd personally rather Man U won today but Rashford picked up a minor 10 day niggle and Fernandes was sent off than them losing but coming through completely unscathed on the selection front.

As far as I can remember you've never got into Europe for losing the League Cup final, regardless of who beats you, and the FA Cup runners up haven't either for a good few years now. Basically: 5th get's Europa League FA Cup winners get Europa League League Cup winners get Europa Conference 6th guarantees you nothing (prior to the cups being sorted) If League Cup is won by a side who goes on to qualify for Europe in the league then 6th gets Europa Conference (if FA Cup is won by a side not in Europe) If FA Cup is also won by a side who goes on to qualify for Europe in the league then 6th would become Europa League, and 7th would be Europa Conference With Man Utd virtually assured of a top 6 finish, if we were to finish 6th (and lose the final) then that would definitely secure some form of European football - Europa if a top team wins the FA Cup, Conference League if a lesser side wins it. Complicated stuff, but two ways to (effectively) guarantee European football - win the League cup or finish in the top 6 (taking Man Utd's likely league finish into account), or if we finish 7th and lose the final, hope Man U, Man C, or Spurs win the FA Cup.

I did have a chuckle at some of the top replies

Top 4 is looking increasingly difficult now, but I was always happy with a top 6 finish (which obviously isn't a given with only 8 points from the last 7 games, and many 'easier' matches passed up). 6th place would be Europa League if either Man Utd, Man City, or Spurs win the FA Cup and finish above us, but it would be Europa Conference if a Leicester, Brighton, Fulham type won it and finished below us. It's easier to think this way when on a tough run, but a lot of our players are just not top 4, or even top 6 standard. We've got about 7 or 8 very good players (who we miss badly when out), and another 4 or 5 who are adequate, who ideally would be on the bench, but it will take another 3 or so transfer windows to get a squad that should be in and around the top 4/5, and won't happen overnight. We've done amazing to be in the position we are, but it was always going to be difficult for players to keep playing out of their skin, and we were bound to feel the consequences of injuries and suspensions more than all the other established clubs. The likes of Liverpool bringing Jota and Firmino on, while we're taking off Elliot Anderson and later bringing on Murphy and Matt Ritchie. The 2024/25 season should have 5 teams from England in the Champions League, and while this was a good opportunity with many of the better sides not being at their usual standard, going forward, if it does generally become a 'big 7' then 5/7 is a lot more favourable than 4/6.

If we scored there, VAR would have probably brought it back for a foul on Nunez

I'd probably rather Joelinton got booked here to be honest. Not sure when the next cut off is, but if it's not for say 9 or 10 more matches then he's almost certainly going to be picking up another booking, and probably better if one of his two matches is against Man City away.

Reds aren;t competition specific.

Absolute disaster.

I disagree. I shouted get in when they scored. They were level on points at the start of the day, but Brighton had 2 games in hand. True there would have only 2 points dished out rather than 3, but Brighton's top 6 odds were much shorter, so I'm considering that a good result for us.

Much more worried about Brighton, so happy enough with that. They are having a great season though.

Lol Sunderland.

Brighton, Chelsea, and even Brentford all losing (all at home) - great results so far, even if a couple of them get an equaliser.

Missing my usual Friday morning 30+ minute Eddie press conference. Snippets from Sky Sports, but surprised it's not on the clubs YT channel yet.

Gerrin, marra.

Results generally going for Sunderland at the moment. Luton held today, Watford letting in a 95th minute equaliser yesterday. Blackburn equalising late vs WBA tonight. Millwall losing yesterday. It's mad that after 27 games Blackburn had won 14 and lost 13, drawing none at all, but they've now drawn their last 4 leagues games.

Arsenal starting to concede a few more since the World Cup. They had similar figures to us back then, but Newcastle have now conceded 7 less than the next team.

Burnley never know when they're beaten. 95th minute equaliser today, so Watford drop below Sunderland into 6th.

Started last season. No away goals rule in ET either I don't think. I do like ET and pens and not applying obviously helps with that. It keeps the tie more interesting for the neutral as well.