If we assume the league is now down to 6 serious contenders - or at any rate - 5 serious contenders plus Newcastle, how does it look if they were in a league of their own and just played against each other? Here is a quick summary (not guaranteed error free) Apologies in advance for formatting as I can't be bothered to look up the html for tables.

--------p--w--d--l--f--a--pts
1.-Toon-8--4--1--3-17-16---13
2.-Chel-7--3--3--1-12--5---12
3.-Arse-7--2--2--3-11-10----8
4.-Pool-6--2--2--2--8--9----8
5.-Leed-6--1--3--2--8-10----7
6.-Manu-6--1--1--4--9-15----4

WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!
SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE.
(although Chelsea have a game in hand and do have the best record of the top 6 in games against the other 5. They're really falling down in their other games as they trail this pack. Manu is the other surprise. They look in danger of relegation from this bunch(!) but obviously head the league. Clearly, Manu are the Flat Track Bullies of the group.

With so many contenders at this stage the games amongst this group will be important. We should hope for draws almost every time as 2 points each are lost by the 2 rivals. Note that we only have 2 such games left which has to be to our advantage although obviously any of the other 14 teams in the Premier will still have a lot to say on the final run in and none of them will be lying down (unless they play Manu). :-)

Remaining "top 6" games :-
Chel v Leeds
Chel v Manu
Leeds v Ars
Leeds v Pool
Leeds v Manu
Pool v Chel
Pool v Toon
Toon v Arse
Manu v Arse

ITWY? Probably not, although a CL place should be a firm target and on current form we have every chance of finishing ahead of Leeds (hampered by suspensions), Liverpool (fading form) and Chelsea (6 points clear already). Even failing one of those puts us 4th for the CL place.

NOT a prediction - simply an assessment of the task ahead. And the top spot is not absolutely out of the question ....

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Answers

Abridged Premiership

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Correction - Leeds have 6pts NOT 7. Manu vs Pool is the other fixture still to come.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

welcome post

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Another correction. Arse wdl should be 3-2-2 not 2-2-3. This gives them 11 pts but doesn't change the order.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Was it Softie who posted something like this a couple of days back? I think we should post it everyday as a matter of fact, cause we are TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

Nah, it was me who posted an almost identical thread. Not really a member of the clique so it almost went unnoticed. Fine work by Scratchy though.

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002

TJC - don't worry - i'm sure i've seen several versions of this thread...

-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002