[Albion] Is the top 4 really out of reach?

[Simster]

As a fan for more years than I care to calculate my take is:

This is Brighton and Hove Albion. Of course we won’t, starting with a defeat at Bournemouth

Bournemouth and then Palace.

Our players need to be told that we owe BOTH of them a 5-0.

 

[Silverhatch]

Convinced that we’d get top 4. Had money on it too. Wobbled when GPott was horrendously poached by the Kings Road Wankers. Emboldened by RDZ. Think we’re better than every side except City and maybe Arsenal.

 

[jcdenton08]

Convinced that we’d get top 4. Had money on it too. Wobbled when GPott was horrendously poached by the Kings Road Wankers. Emboldened by RDZ. Think we’re better than every side except City and maybe Arsenal.

Well, I panicked when we lost Potter and slapped on relegation - even after the start we had. I panicked that it would destroy us. Not my finest moment - £25 wasted.

 

[oldboyroy]

Anything is do-able with RDZ in charge! OK, not top 2 and top 4 will be a tall order but this Roberto guy is pretty good at giving players the belief that anything is possible

 

[beorhthelm]

not out of reach, just crowded. teams there aren't giving up points easily and we've a couple of wins to catch up.

nice to be facing this "problem" than the other end of the table.

 

[BRIGHT ON Q]

I still think Europe will be a big ask, but be amazing if we do it.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Trap game on the horizon.

Next 3 games certainly have the potential to either put this thread into the archive or set it on fire...

 

[The Fits]

Until we've proven we can beat low block teams I think it's slightly optimistic. It's going to be a really hard second half of the season. Teams are going to be so defensive against us.

Also, if Mitoma gets injured we are a much less impressive team IMHO. He's that good. We will just revert back to 'good football but not a great deal of end product'.
I'd be absolutely delighted with 7th/8th.

 

[pasty]

Paddy Power have us at 9/1 for top 4 behind Arse, City, Utd, Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs & Chelsea. Next shortest odds after us are Villa @ 150/1

We're 15/8 for top 6

 

[The Grockle]

I think we'll finish 7th with a record points haul. Chelsea and Liverpool will improve and I don't think they'll be space for us in thr top 6 come may (june) unfortunately :-(

 

[AmexRuislip]

We've got nothing to be afraid of, as we've never been here before.
So whatever is thrown at us, I'm guessing the Albion team that is picked, will do their utmost to get a result, that all can be proud of.
It's progression for the club, and another notch added to our history.
All whatever has happened in the clubs journey has been a lesson, whilst still learning as we go forward
One day we can win th PL or CL.

Or we can violently hit reverse gear and end up playing hoof ball

 

[Iggle Piggle]

I make the odds about right (and certainly not the 538 prediction of 22%, which is too high)

- Squad depth looks light now Trossard has gone and we play the extra in Midfield / up top
- Injuries and suspensions will be key. If Mitoma pulls a hamstring for instance that incredible turn of pace from a standing start goes and possibly his influence. Dunk hasn't twatted anyone yet this year either.
- There are stats to show it but we get no bonuses from officials or VAR in this league. That could make all the difference. I don't want to sound like a tin foil hat job but we get nothing against any team in the top 6 and it happens all too frequently to be a coincidence whether it is by design or accident.
- We need Moises to have his head back on. I expect that to happen but who knows how we will react. Harvey Barnes scored Leicester's 2nd whilst he ball watched.

On the flip side, I haven't seen any better performances than our demolition of Liverpool first time round. They can't play that well every week - and we still struggle against park the bus teams - but there is every chance of a top 7 spot. What I do know is that De Zerbi will go for it and not spout some history lesson bullshit if we draw a blank at home to Bournemouth.

 

[Diallo]

As a fan for more years than I care to calculate my take is:

This is Brighton and Hove Albion. Of course we won’t, starting with a defeat at Bournemouth

As a fan for 28 years, I’ve managed to witness the greatest relegation survival battle in our history, 3 league titles, 5 promotions, FA cup semi final, a now European chase and a World Cup winner orchestrating our midfield.

This is our year I tell you!

PS I’ve blatantly jinxed our chances now

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Very unlikely, but there is a slight glimmer of a ghost of an outside possibility that, given a certain amount of luck, we could come close.

 

[Lethargic]

I think the authorities would rather cancel the league this year than let a "small" club like us muscle in on the top 4.

 

[Commander]

No chance. It always amazes me how people seem to forget how the league tables go. At the top, teams around you are usually winning, so 6 points is a massive gap to make up. At the bottom, teams around you are usually losing, so win a couple of games and you climb out easily.

For us to make up 8 points on Man United would mean a catastrophic collapse from them, without Liverpool or Chelsea (with their vastly superior strength in depth) coming good. There are too many variables.

So if Man Utd completely collapse, we keep up the ridiculously good form we've had for the last month and get no injuries, Liverpool and Chelsea's vastly superior squads don't play anywhere near their capabilities, and no other team beneath us puts together a really good run then yes, it's possible. 9/1 is completely wasting your money.

 

[Perkino]

All teams go on runs of results and very few avoid a bad set during the season. If our October blip was the end of ours then we have a great chance. If we add someone into the squad today then maybe we are planning a big push. I think this is the time to try and rally the troops and see what comes of a good season whilst others are having a transitional period

 

[SUIYHP]

I think CL qualifying is getting a bit carried away. Lets focus on Europe and aim to exceed expectations.

 

[WhingForPresident]

It's likely going to take another 11/12 wins from 19. Doesn't feel impossible right now given the way we have been playing lately, but it's going to take something extraordinary. RDZ would need a statue immediately if we did.

I might allow myself to dream of a potential Thursday night trip to Ljubljana if we start grinding out results when we play the weaker sides which we traditionally fluff- this Saturday being a prime example of the kind of game we'd traditionally faulter in.

 

[Stat Brother]

Next 3 games certainly have the potential to either put this thread into the archive or set it on fire...

No matter the circumstance, these are the game(s) we lose 99% of the time (I have to do that in order to block CJ from dragging up 30th Nov 2020 - or whenever).

The team just don't win the game that pushes on a tier.
Whether that be away from bottom 3, top half, top 6, top of the table.

Obviously aside from the last one they do eventually get there but it's always a snickers not a sprint, which I know is exactly how it should be but...




.. bollox to that in a world of instant gratification.