Can We Clinch Champions League Berth On The Road?
Apr 5th, 2019 by 'holic
We have reached something of a fork in the end of season road. Seven matches to play, and third place is ours to lose, but five of those matches are away, our Achilles heel in the last couple of seasons.
It’s hard to argue with that view. In 2019 our only wins on the road have come at Blackpool and Huddersfield. We have lost 3 Premier League fixtures, but two of those were at Liverpool and Manchester City. We also lost on both our sojourns into Europe but picked up a useful point (and were robbed of all three points) in the North London derby.
Yet still there is a belief in the squad that has been apparent in recent weeks. In our last 8 games in all competitions we have won 6 and drawn 1. That is rock solid form and has coincided with the consistent selection of Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil, or both. Our creative juices restored, we look as good as at anytime this season.
Everton will be a good test, but one we should approach with confidence. The toffees saw off Chelsea in their last home match but the bus stop are very inconsistent right now. They sit 10th in the table, 20 points adrift of us. As long as we don’t suffer from the pressure of expectation and concentrate on Sunday we should secure the points. We have won on 3 of our last 5 visits to Goodison including last season’s 5-2. As Unai Emery observed in his pre-match press conference,
“It’s a long way to go and we need to be positive, but also realistic and the reality is that Sunday is a very big challenge and a very big opportunity now.”
The team news is mixed. Lucas Torreira remains suspended, and neither Laurent Koscielny or Granit Xhaka trained today so are unlikely to return. Thankfully Aaron Ramsey did train today so it is likely the team will look much like the one that beat Newcastle on Monday night. The most likely of any changes could see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recalled, possibly for Alex Iwobi.
The ‘holic pound
This match often generates goals but of late Everton have looked a tad more solid defensively so I am tempted by the 9/1 against Bergkamp the Man’s favourite 1-2 to The Arsenal.
You’ll find this weeks ABW Podcast below in case you missed it (or avoided it because I was in it!). If you are heading for Merseyside on Sunday I hope we justify our confidence in the boys for you. If it’s the small screen for you then hopefully we won’t end up watching from behind the sofa again.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
76 Responses to “Can We Clinch Champions League Berth On The Road?”
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Teeling on ice please, H.
overrated swally
one for the rich needy
.
.
(i’ve two gallon homemade here )
three nods
two farts
an a cough
it’s yours
The ingredients list has put me off, thanks.
Evening Tone, that would be awesome, thank you.
Hello cba, how’s yourself and them what goes moo?
I’ve a half pint put aside for you for 21st April, H. Let me know where you will be.
The last time we beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison, Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci started. Make of that what you will.
I’m Dr. Feelgoodison
don’t mess with me hippies
i’m unhip with big hips
Thanks Dave, I reckon a tight game on Sunday, settle for an old fashioned 1 nil to the Arsenal.
I’ve just watched the Bindippers struggle to a 3-1 win through a mixture of effort and extra class. We should similarly prevail if we defend as a unit and attack with the flair we have. I think 2-1 is probably about fright. I thought Torreira was back – that three game suspension has lasted a very long time!
It would be huge if we could win on Sunday. Momentum is so important at this stage of the season
Freudian slip! I meant right not fright!
I see Ole Ole Ole,is predicting Utd need 15pts from last 6 games to make CL.
On that reckoning he is saying 76pts will be enough.
If true,then we only need 13pts from our last 21.
Our neighbors i think are a shoo in to make it given their fixtures,so down to us to take the other spot.
I would not be too unhappy with a point at Goodison,given they have found some form with 2 good wins,and they will enjoy getting very physical with us ” Southern softies ”
I am concerned defensively if Granit and Kos are absent along with Torreira.
Vital we start on the front foot and play to our attacking strengths,and unlike Chelsea 2 weeks ago,take the chances when they come.
We are in good form with 5 wins and a draw from last 6,fingers crossed we can continue that run.
3 games for Torreira for that foul
was completely unjust.
But anyway 1-0 to The Arsenal
looks about right.
Agree with Goonersince54. Under Wenger the gunners will often wilt under physically imposing teams like the 2 Bs banished to the championship.Invariably they will lose or draw.
Emery seems a different type of manager. He will fight fire with fire
and not add oil thereby embolding the opposition.
Emery is more tactically astute . Under the fm according to one ex gunner the former doesn’t practice defensive drill. Thats why he would lose the big games by wide margin 5-1,6-0,and 8-2etc.etc.
Who could forget after leading 4-0 he could only draw .
RVP left because he was fed up with playing pretty soccer instead of winning games.
Emery hopefully would avoid the temptation to play pass and pass to eternity.He is playing to win by ugly means if possible.
1-0/2-1 will do,
A note of caution. Be wary of the mo. If Cardiff are relegated you can blame the ref.
I know im well off topic here and getting ahead of myself, but i have been thinking about the team line up next season…
Leno
AMN-Holding-Sokratis-Kolasinac
Chambers-Torreira
Nelson-Ozil-Aubamerang
Lacazette
That’s a decent line up, without us making any signings. We would have full back cover (Nacho and Hector) CB cover (Kos and Mavroponas) with the likes of Iwobi, Mhki, Guendouzi and Wellbeck all to come in.
We could sell Elneny, Xhaka and Muatafi and sign a left winger/forward and a creative/box to box midfielder. I think with Emery we have a coach who will give the youth players a chance and I think Chambers has done enough at Fulham to warrant a chance in the DM role. Having him there would prkvide defensive nous and solidity, especially in away games.
I’m sure that my line up won’t excite others, but it does me. It looks solid with enough flair, creativity and attacking potency. Matteo could easily come in for either of the ventral midfielder as well. Oh and if Smith-Rowe does well in Germany, he could well be in that line up sooner rather than later as well! In a year or so anyway.
As a club, we are not going to see 100s of millions spent like at the Manc clubs or scousers, so we will need to look for a combination of clever internal solutions and very astute signings. I don’t think we need a new centre back, despite the endless calls for us to sign one! I think the money would be better spent further forward and look at the likes of Mavroponas and even Medley to come in. With a coach like Emery, I have loads more faith than I did under Wenger that the youth defensive players will be ready when called upon. Young Ainsley has been excellent at right back and we really missed Holding when he got injured.
I’ve no idea who we should sign in terms of names, although that Carrasco we were linked with looked good when he played against us a few seasons back.
And we will definitely beat Everton on Sunday!!
Up the Arse!!
hey ho ‘hol
just about hangin together here as usual
and
thanks for askin
the mooooooooooooooooooooooers are mighty
(i shall inform them of your interest presently)
teeling , eh
someone had an inheritance?
my homemade offer still stands
and if it’s not to your liking
you can run yer lawnmower on it
anyhoo
cheerio
and
UP THE ARSENAL
Dexter: Need also to think about a back-up goalkeeper with Cech retiring at the end of this season. We have Ospina and Martinez out on loan from the first-team squad. Can’t see Ospina agreeing to come back as a No 2 and don’t know how Emery rates Martinez. Behind them in the pecking order would be Matt Macey, also now out on loan, Deyan Iliev (very much an Emery-type keeper) with the Academy sides, and Arthur Okonkwo coming up through the ranks.
The reason for buying a centre back is that Kos turns 34 in September and can’t have that many games left him his legs. It is a question of thinking about a long-term replacement. The Academy hasn’t proved as productive with defenders as it has with attacking midfielders.
Ned
I think Martinez has already been pencilled in as the back up goalie. Then again, I might have read that wrong.
In terms of CBs, I think Kos will be more of a back up, while hopefully Mavroponas gets more opportunities to prove himself. Keeping Chambers and Monreal also adds CB cover. We’ve been linked with Umtiti, whose only 25, but has had serious injury issues. But if Holdings injury has long term implications, then we definitely will need a new CB. It’s a shame as he looked excellent. We have really been unlucky with injuries this season, I think we’d be a few points better off if that weren’t the case.
If money was no object then I’d say let’s buy a back up goalie, a CB, left back, central midfielder, and 2 wingers! 🙂
But finances are constrained and I’d rather we add real quality in areas of need, combined with promoting from within as much as possible.
Fine preview, sir. I suspect that Everton are a tougher outfit to stick goals past than they were last season and I have more memories of disappointing northern slugfests than cakewalks at Goodison. So your prediction of 2-1 to the good guys is on the money for me.
However I was very impressed with how good we looked going forward against Newcastle (I know!) and believe that a 4-0 win, the ref’s disallowed goals notwithstanding, was within a whisker or two. If we start the same team and play to the same standard then a few more goals may be in our locker provided we get a bit of luck and lose the travel-sickness.
Ned / Dexter
A lot of good points but isn’t Kos
on record saying he wants to
return to France?
Matt
Has he? Well, he won’t be allowed to leave!
Everton’s World Cup winning left back is capable of causing us a lot of problems with crosses. A big defensive challenge for AMN and our other players on the right side. Chris Coleman is not to be allowed free range either. COYG
Well, according to some reports, Nacho is off and so is Martinez!
Dexter
I have been told by someone with reasonable connections that we are looking to shed as much as we can from the wage bill. Cech, Welbeck and Ramsey will aid that process and Ospina is going to Napoli for a small fee. We will get bugger all for Asano but Bennacer will be sold giving us about £4 million as a sell on fee. I think we will definitely unload Mustafi and Elneny but I’m not sure if we want to unload Chambers and Jenko as they are homegrown. I think Martinez will be sold too. I’d also sell Xhaka.
My punts are that we will sign Pope in goal, Tierney at left back, Barella and Fraser in midfield and this kid Martinelli upfront . I don’t think we will sign a Centre back with Holding and Mavropanos hopefully fit. I do hope we keep Nacho but as he hasn’t been given a contract I’m dubious on that one.
Nelson will probably return, ESR stay at Leipzig and Eddie will go on loan too.
That will probably mean we will probably not increase the wage bill and will spend net £70 million . We will of course be in the Champions League!
Dexter,
Agree. We’ve looked better defensively
since Kos came back. If we could get
one more season out of him and
Nacho it may be useful. Though
there’s a case for biting the bullet,
letting them go and getting started
on a new defence. On balance I’d
probably keep one of them.
Whatever we do it’s going to be a
busy summer.
With Xhaka and Torreira out it will
probably be Ramsey/Guen as CMs.
If so, I guess UE will go with 3 CBs
and AMN / Kola as wing backs.
Cheers, Holic – 2-1 win would be excellent, bon chance, monsieur !
All bullets bitten here, OMatt, although a few well chewed toffees would be nicer.
A good aggressive Spuds-away type performance will be necessary today to quieten all those shouty scousers and get on top of a much improved Everton. Why do all teams seem to hit form just before we play them ?
So TTG wants to get the Pope in goal ? He’ll be trying to prize Jesus out of Man City next with that £70 million.
All we need then is God back from Ajax to come and coach them ?
Come on you Reeddsss !
TTG/Matt
Thanks for the replies…
I hope we keep Danny (fitness permitting), Nacho (I could’ve sworn he had another year left on his deal?) And Martinez is given a chance at number 2.
I think the away performances have been improving and we’d have beaten the spuds but for Aubas shocking pen! Another shift like that and we will win.
No chances taken with our three doubts but Ramsey on bench . Midfield looks weak and we need Mesut and Guendouzi to step up and Mustafi to concentrate. I’d love us to win but a point wouldn’t be a disaster
Auba, Iwobi and Ramsey benched. Kos and Xhaka still not recovered fully.
Leno, AMN, Mustafi, Sokratis,Monreal,Kolasinac, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Elneny (surprise, squad rotation), Guendouzi and Laca.
A fairly defensive line-up although
we have plenty of options off the
bench.
I hope we will push on 2nd half.
COYGS!!!
We are already a goal down off afoul throw.
bollocks
but let’s stay calm
Not auguring well for us. Injuries suspension looming for Sokratis and a suspicion that again Unai got his initial line- up wrong. We have to stay in it and augment the team with Ramsey , Auba and possibly Iwobi in the second half
This selection is clearly not working. Early changes, hopefully before the HT, anyone?
The bias against Arsenal from the refs and the commentators is palpable. Everton can’t do any right and fouls against Arsenal are not seen by the ref.
I thought we’d have gone for the double barreled strike pair. This isn’t working.
But am counting on a 1-3 away win.
COYGs!
We are also playing like shit.
It has to be said the refs are very biased and everything is going against us!
So Friend is as shit as other Prem refs
Unai has a massive job at half time. The team is fractious, body language is poor. They are getting outfought in midfield and we can’t hold onto the ball . Really missing Torreira and even Xhaka in midfield but too many early subs may leave us vulnerable if Sokratis is on a yellow. Ramsey will change the game. Guendouzi needs to be reminded we are playing in red
Poor first half. Second best all over the pitch. The marking for their goal was non existent. Guendouzi and Elneny offer us very little in midfield. Mkhitaryan has offered very and Laca is ploughing a lonely furrow. We need to wake up massively in the second half and make the keeper work. Not one shot on target so far.
All the fault of the officials of course. Their bias makes it look like we are playing against 14.
Just wish we would play to the whistle and stop appealing for fouls every time a blue shirt gets within two feet of us. We’re at our worst when we are feeling hard done by and we’re certainly acting like utter jessies today
On the nail, TTG, Guendouzi’s worst ever display. Cannot blame Emery for the team as he has to rotate but we are playing lethargically and the ref is allowing Everton to bully us. He even smiled when Laca was kicked by Zouma. Having said all that we were never in the game and it is the first time I have seen Everton outplay us. Wake up time.
I’m with you TTG, this midfield won’t win us the game . if we get away with a point we will need to step up in the second half. Will be surprised if we still have 11 players on the pitch at 90mins. Expecting HT changes.
COYR
We may not be playing against 14, Steve, but definitely against12. Maybe we are not playing at all and need to get on the field again and fight.
We cannot lose this game today. It’s more about confidence going into the other away games than the points at stake today, for me.
Also it might stop the media making an issue of the away form!!
Up the Arse!!!
Guendouzi is only 19 and such has been his impact it is easy to forget how raw and inexperienced he is. We are completely out of it in midfield. This may be the moment to see what Suarez can achieve but I think I named our three subs in a previous post . Need creativity but need the ball first .
Just seen Auba and Ramsey coming on . Mkhi is lucky to stay on I think Iwobi will take his shirt
I’m sure we would be playing against 15 if the 4th official has been involved more. The bias against us is truly remarkable and clearly responsible for all our shortcomings. If only those in power could see that?????
At least Emery has rung in the changes right off.
Steve
I think I’ve read your stuff on Untold Arse! 🙂
Dexter. I don’t even know what that is????
Rambo has had more attempts at goal in 6 minutes than the whole of the side had in the entire first half????
It’s a blog where conspiracy theories abound.
Come on Araenal!!
SteveT
They are the conspiracy theorists who believe there is actual bias against Arsenal. They dissect EVERY decision. Nutters! Recognising your justifiable sarcasm I agree that the ref is not the reason we are losing this.
WTF are they doing!
Both young guns are ty awful today
Kind of glad I am unable to watch based on what the patrons are posting today ?
AMN really not having his day
Fu.k it, would take a draw now
Why don’t we put in Auba ??
Do you think all the media guff about how shit we are away from home (22 game unbeaten run notwithstanding) has seeped into the players and coaches psyche?
Simply not good enough
We can be bad on the road, but this by this much??
No show!! Worst performance I have seen all season. Where is the fight??
Our full backs including Guendouzi are having a mare
Mustafi saved our arses today on more than one occasion today, sorry but the offence is pants today!
Not fancied this all day have we. Been bitching almost from the start about every challenge and really haven’t looked like we’ve wanted to compete at all.
Defensive frailties and striking inefficiencies…same old.
🙁
Each of their substitutions has taken a minute
Toothless teams at times but I’m use to that these days
Europa again if we’re lucky it seems.
Pissed off here big time need to settle down before I can write something sensible…
Refs are cunts as well!
Everton were much the better team. We were very poor. We got the initial team wrong even though we had missing players . We gave an awful goal away , got overrun and outfought and weren’t anywhere near dangerous enough. Champions League will be impossible unless we can improve on the road ( Europa or league placing )
BB
I think you will find Europe is already assured
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Our remaining away fixtures do not inspire confidence.
We’ll have to depend on the others to drop more points than us if we are to get into CL spots, which is unlikely.
On another note, whatever happened to Torreira? Is he injured?
Could have used him in midfield today.
We played better second half but Everton were better organised and wanted it more.
That we are no good away from home is clearly borne out from our performance today. Europa again next season unless wolves and Everton go ahead of us.