Chewy

No we won't.

And I told you 39 points (in fact I think it was 38 ) would see us safe. I stand by this and can't see us going down. Makes me laugh how people think 5 teams, who are all averaging around a point a game over the season, are all suddenly going to make up deficits of 1, 2, 5 and 7 points. And you can add a further point to most of those because of goal difference. Of course it's mathematically possible - if every result goes against us we can be relegated by 4 points. But the chances of all 30+ games going against us, with wild changes in form by teams who are fundamentally bad (have you actually seen villas defence???) is so remote that you can all relax - its not going to happen.

You're technically and mathematically correct. But in the real world we are safe. Given the goal difference advantage Wigan need to make up 8 points in 4 games. Not likely given their current form, and if they do you'd assume it needs 3 points against villa. Who would then need to make up 6 points in their 3 other games. Again, not exactly likely given their current form. And we'd still also need to be overtaken by Norwich, Sunderland and Newcastle. It was a very bad day, possibly the worst result of the season, but it really isn't the end of the world, just as beating the reigning league champions and european champions were great days but didnt mean we were on the cusp of world domination. There is a middle ground in this world!

Very good. Unlike the op ...

Aroune Kone is top quality IMHO, though I'd imagine someone bigger would go for him.

I hope it's Wigan, but i think it will be decided on the last day and I think Wigan will sneak the win.

Only 24000 at arsenal, home to the European champions (i think). In fact a lot of those attendances look light compared to today

I watched it on grandstand, I was 12 I think and remember the growing sense of despair from the commentator (somebody earlier thought it was Gerald sinstadt but i thought it was Motty. Doesn't matter, it was a horrible afternoon.). This weekends events have brought hooliganism etc to the fore again, but compared to the 80s it's nothing. Bradford (not hooligans I know), heysel, hillsborough ... Something every couple of years. Unbelievable to think now how fraught a trip to a football match could be. I watched Bournemouth a lot in those days and remember stewards rugby tackling pitch invaders almost every week, plus the fences that caged us in. We really have come a long way since then, despite what happened this weekend. It's the one comfort the families of the 96 can take, football is thankfully unrecognisable as a spectator from those dark days. Rip

I said some while ago 38 points will be enough and I stand by this.

Between 11th and 12th? Some sort of Harry potter hogwarts train position?

We can revisit at the end of the season, 38 points will be enough to survive is my definite prediction. You really think it needs 43?

I can't see how all of the teams below us down to qpr will collectively get above 37 points. I think we are pretty much there. Would love to seal it against west ham, though. And for those still worried, do you not remember what it was like for most of the 90s? This is a walk in the park!

I can't think of any games he's cost us this season. Why on earth you'd want rid is beyond me, maybe he's not worthy of a starting spot every game but he's our classiest player, and having the option in the squad is crucial over a season. Alternatively, maybe he will just get better and better and turn out to be one of our greats. Spider, j-rod, boruc, Davis have all been written off at times. Ronaldo took a while to settle at man ure, van Persie wasn't that great at first for arsenal, Henry was a failure on the wing at juventus before becoming the best striker in the world. How many examples do you need to understand that writing him off so completely is moronic? He will probably be more spiders level than Henry or Ronaldo, but give the lad a chance FFs.

Would like to see him back as shaws cover, especially with targett coming through, an older option makes sense. But not likely to happen I'm afraid.

Didn't realise the stat about the youth teams. Quality first team, and quality future. Just need some more quality in the back up areas and we will really be going places.

Got to be happy today. J-rod will rightly take the plaudits but maya was faultless today.

You said j-rod should go ahead of lambert, that if lambert was picked for brazil we might as well not go, and that we needed a progressive England manager who was building for the future. You can admit you were wrong if you like, it is allowed, especially when you are.

So young, in fact, that you'd rather pick him for England ahead of lambert as we are building for the future?

He always fancied we'd be ok??? I know lots of clubs that lose 15 on the spin and are ok ... What a cretin.

Why are you obsessed with 'the future'? What is it in the future you'd want an England manager building for? The World Cup surely?? As it stands I think lambert in 12 months time will still be one of England's top 4 or 5 strikers, which is when the World Cup is, so he should go. It really is simple. Then bin him off because you start building the next 4 year plan which lambert won't be part of. But right now, he's worth a shout and still will be in 12 months. By all means make a case that his style won't suit England, but to ignore him for some ever distant future is utterly ridiculous.

And Sunderland and qpr.

Be it and end all. Lol

I think everyone from 10th is still in the mix so would happily see wins for Chelsea and spurs and two draws. Biggest wish is that Wigan don't win.

Been thinking about this and it's not quite so black and white as that - we actually struggle most against the middling teams. Splitting the league in 3 we've got 9 of our 31 points against the top 7, 13 against the 6 other than us in the bottom 7, but only 7 v the mid-table sides. Obviously can't be judged fully until we've played them all twice, but a strange pattern given the notion of struggling against the poor sides. Where's that mini-league from earlier in the season ...?