Coffee_Johnny

You just wanted to tell us you know what it is to be a stylish man on the Riveria didn’t you.

You and me both, fellow Cheshire brother/resident. I’m not doing anything different to last year. It’s admirable that we’re still shooting, even if we’re not hitting the back of the net.

?

Me and a lad from The Malting House, Felling, amidst much early morning drinking, made that up before an away game. Blackpool away in the cup, I think.

It’s lovely coming across stuff like that. Memorabilia and reflections of what somebody meant to fans and what we meant to them. I came across an interview with Mirandinha (first Brazillian to play in English leagues) and when the interviewer asked him if he could recall his song, with an embarrassed look towards his child, he relayed it back; with a touch of pride. ‘Twas delightful.

I’m rooting for PSG, just so we can ‘do a Scotland’ (after ‘66 World Cup) and claim to be champions of Europe as we thrashed the winners.

Without a dodgy referring decision in Paris, we might have been the only English team in the semis! Imagine, that… no doubt with three keepers and three academy players on the bench, Paully D doing his funky thang, and Matt’s magic hat being revived at the sharp end of the Champions League!

The eight games that month, given how stretched the squad were, took a big bite out of our ambitions for this season. Lost to Forest, Luton, and Everton 0 points when we could have reasonably expected 7 points. Not to mention getting knocked out of Champions league in home reverse to Milan and heartbreak of injury time equaliser at Chelsea and subsequent loss on pens to miss out on a successive LC SF.

What a beautiful goal. Timing of it and a Bruno yellow like icing on a beautiful cake!

62 points is pretty much the average for 6th in the PL era (inc Premiership, corrected to 38 games). 7th is a few points lower, 58 from memory.

PSG… so the team we beat 5-2 (should have been 6-1) beats Barcelona 6-4, over two legs, and reaches the CL SF. So Newcastle United.

Uncomfortable with that like.

Gameweek 34 Luton 1-2 Brentford Sheff United 2-1 Burnley Wolves 0-1 Arsenal Everton 1-1 Forest Villa 1-2 Bournemouth Palace 2-0 West Ham Fulham 1-2 Liverpool Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea Wolves 1-2 Bournemouth Palace 1-2 Newcastle Everton 1-1 Liverpool Man United 3-2 Sheff United Brighton 0-2 Man City

What a pisser. I had 6-0 as well ? (2-0 actually but never mind).

Doubt we’ll need that many points for 7th. I reckon 60 might be enough for 6th this season.

My thinking too. Wilson and Almiron likely to be touted, even if not proactively scouted, this summer.

Odd observation, despite the disappointments of this season, our points per game (ppg) at the moment, 1.47, is the same as when we finished 5th under Robson (2003-04). Though Pardew’s 5th (2011-12) and Keegan’s 6th place finish (1994-95) were both at 1.71ppg. If we stay at 1.47ppg or better, then Eddie’s first two full seasons would both be in our top 8 finishing positions/performances in the PL era. Also, his first full ‘half season’ (last 19 games of 2021-22) returned a ppg of 2.00; we’ve only bettered that once 2.05ppg, Keegan 1995-96. Not too shabby, Eddie!

I’d be supportive of that. I really wanted Gallagher and Palmer (no chance of either now) as well as Philips (but we’ll gloss over that one). A centre back and a striker (who can play wide forward) should be our priorities for the summer. But picking up MGW if at all possible, would be an amazing addition and improve us as a team.

Just had a look at remaining fixtures. In short, I think we’re likely to pick-up 60 points which I also think might be enough this season for 6th.

Thanks, in no small part, to Grealish/Villa.

If we win our next two games we’ll be back on track for my preseason prediction of how many points we’d need to pick by each month end (56 points by end of April) for the average 6th place finish, over last 31 PL seasons.

Yep, but 18 of the 29 shots and 5 of the 7 shots on target. Tactical master class, with a cobbled together side, from Eddie and co.

That would do nicely.

Werner’s had a shocker