Are We Now in the Box Seat?

[ElectroClaret]

Everton's next three fixtures.... Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester...... daunting.
Fair enough, we're still a point behind, but that win can only boost confidence.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

They've got a game in hand don't forget, but it sounds like our lads have found that fighting spirit again.
We can only do our best in regards to picking up points.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Let’s forget Everton and win some more bloody games. How good does that feel. We shouldn’t be in the relegation zone when we can play like that..!

[BurnleyFC]

Not yet, and Richarlison could single handedly keep them up.

I still can’t believe they nabbed an equaliser at the death last night. We’d be above them otherwise.

[Devils_Advocate]

No, but we're getting closer

[fanzone]

Leeds are in trouble

[Neil]

You can pick and choose moments over the season but the 95th minute winner against Newcastle was massive. If we can repeat tonight against Wolves I'd say we're in the box seat.

[bf2k]

Leeds are in trouble

Good

[Buxtonclaret]

We're not in any Box Seat.
Still playing catch up.
Tonights given us a chance though.
We need a result v Wolves next.

[Burnley1989]

not at all, I hope nobody is thinking like that.

I'd ignore Everton and focus on getting 9-10 points from the next 18

[boatshed bill]

Just let's win some games and see where we get.
Brilliant tonight.

[Tricky Trevor]

No. They will pick up unexpected points and hopefully so will we. All to play for and Leeds are back in it.

[Hibsclaret]

Definitely not in the box seat but definitely might be after the next 3 games. I think Leeds have City, Arsenal and Chelsea after Palace away. It is feasible that they could pick up hardly any points there. If we beat Wolves we have a great chance.

[thelaughingclaret]

We need to beat Wolves first. 6 games left and I feel we need 4 wins or at least 3 wins and a couple of draws. Some of the teams Everton and Leeds play will be on the beach, they will both pick up points. That is why I feel 39-40 points could be needed. A win on Sunday is a must. We are fast running out of chances and this feels like our final one.

[Pearcey]

We’ve given ourselves a chance that’s all. A lot of work to be done.

[tiger76]

No but we have growing momentum, which in a situation like this can be key.

Everton a must win game we won it.

Southampton a must win game we won it.

And that's back-to-back home victories now, which we haven't recorded for a long while.

[JR1882]

I don’t think Everton’s run is as bad as everyone is making out.

Chelsea in poor form
Leicester can go either way
Palace & Brentford will be on the beach
Wouldn’t say it’s impossible they beat Arsenal if it comes down to it.

Leeds are in trouble if we win on Sunday and/or Thursday.

[NewClaret]

Not in the box seat at all. The exact opposite.

We have Villa, Spurs, Villa when they have Watford, Brentford, Palace. We’re a long long long way from being anywhere near the box seat.

[EarbyClaret]

With ourselves, Everton and Leeds all picking up points here and there anybody think Villa could get dragged into this

Four straight defeats - we have to play them twice - which based on the current form of both teams could yield us 4 points

[Spijed]

Leeds next two - Palace away, man city home.

[RVclaret]

Leeds next two - Palace away, man city home.

Arsenal away and Chelsea home after those 2 as well.

[NewClaret]

With ourselves, Everton and Leeds all picking up points here and there anybody think Villa could get dragged into this

Four straight defeats - we have to play them twice - which based on the current form of both teams could yield us 4 points

I’m petrified of Villa. The football they played in the first half vs Spurs was unbelievable. We’ve got a decent record against them but I do fear it’s zero points from them this year. One of those teams who are much better than their league position suggests, I think.

[Goody1975]

The next three weekends.

We play before both Everton & Leeds.

We get positive results and we create pressure on the other two, so in theory it's in our hands, exactly as Everton did to us by beating Manchester United before we played Norwich.

One game a time but the positive mindset will give us a chance of winning games rather than just not losing them.

[Yeovil1951]

With Tarkowski on 9 yellows is Mee coming back any time soon

[distortiondave]

If we were in Everton's place, would you want to be playing a potentially title winning Blackburn Rovers next?
I wouldn't.

[DCWat]

Today was the last round for accrued yellow cards leading to a ban, I think.

[BabylonClaret]

No but we have growing momentum, which in a situation like this can be key.

Everton a must win game we won it.

Southampton a must win game we won it.

And that's back-to-back home victories now, which we haven't recorded for a long while.

Our home form is decent though. We have now won 5 and 4 of those at home. Apart from a dismal display against Watford we've been decent at home. Even in the defeats we've done OK (other than the mad 15-20 mins against Chelsea) especially since Jan. Our final 4 or 5 at home have always been winnable.

If we can take 6-9 from the last 3 and an odd point away it could be enough

[Spijed]

I’m petrified of Villa. The football they played in the first half vs Spurs was unbelievable. We’ve got a decent record against them but I do fear it’s zero points from them this year. One of those teams who are much better than their league position suggests, I think.

We played far better against Liverpool in the first half than Villa did against Spurs. A very hit and miss side.

[Elizabeth]

Newspaper headline

‘Confidence grows among the Clarets Faithful’

[NewClaret]

We played far better against Liverpool in the first half than Villa did against Spurs. A very hit and miss side.

I wouldn’t say that. I’ve never seen such a one sided half as Villa v Spurs. Dropped off second half though.

Thing I worry about is the amount of goalscorers they have - Ings, Watkins’s Ramsey, Coutinho, Buendia. Cash and McGinn handy too. Leave one of them and we’re in trouble. Accepting they aren’t the best in defence.

Loved the free flowing stuff today but don’t fancy going toe to toe with them.

[claretandy]

They've got a game in hand don't forget, but it sounds like our lads have found that fighting spirit again.
We can only do our best in regards to picking up points.

Their game in hand is Watford away.

[Steve1956]

Not in the box seat yet...but getting closer...I can't remember the last time we played so well,the picture will be clearer if we beat Wolves...because one thing is certain Everton ain't getting nothing off Liverpool...can't believe after the season we have had we can still survive..UTC....and a shout out for the crowd last night you where magnificent...keep it going " WE AIN'T DEAD YET"

[tiger76]

Our home form is decent though. We have now won 5 and 4 of those at home. Apart from a dismal display against Watford we've been decent at home. Even in the defeats we've done OK (other than the mad 15-20 mins against Chelsea) especially since Jan. Our final 4 or 5 at home have always been winnable.

If we can take 6-9 from the last 3 and an odd point away it could be enough

3 home wins this calendar year already, which is more than we manged in the whole of 2021, so the signs are hopeful we can continue in this vein.

And of the 6 games we've lost at home 3 were against the current top 3, Arsenal, Brighton & Leicester were our other TM reverses, and really we should have got something out of those latter games, what's been holding us back is the 4 draws from winnable games.

Leeds when we threw 2 points away late on.

Norwich certainly a game you'd expect 3 points from especially given their dire form prior to visiting TM.

Palace when we could have nicked it at the death.

Watford need we say more, the only winner that night was the weather.

You'd probably class the points against Man U and West Ham as decent enough, but even in those games we could have taken more.

Villa and Wolves are eminently winnable at the turf, and if we can win those 2, and pick up a victory at Watford, another couple of points from the other 3 could well be enough.

We've certainly brought ourselves back into the reckoning now anyway.

[Lancasterclaret]

I think we'd be in the box seat if we win on Sunday

But we need a spectacular run of results to stay up, and I think we need 12 points from the the last six to be sure

Less might be enough, but I think we'd need 40 to be sure (unless Everton completely implode)

[claretandy]

I think we'd be in the box seat if we win on Sunday

But we need a spectacular run of results to stay up, and I think we need 12 points from the the last six to be sure

Less might be enough, but I think we'd need 40 to be sure (unless Everton completely implode)

Our goal difference is worth an extra point over Leeds, and i think we will finish with a better goal difference than Everton, 37 would probably be enough.

[CrosspoolClarets]

We’re far from the box seat but in my tea break I’ve just browsed the NSNO Everton forum and it is more relaxing than any cup of tea ever is

They really are papping it.

They are worried about our easiest run in of all time, worried about Gerrard throwing one in twice, worried about their “bottle jobs” and bemoaning what we know which is that all recent points for them have come from penalties or lucky deflections.

We know it is still really hard for us of course, but its nice to hope for a bit.

[TheFish]

As a Newcastle fan, can I just apologise on behalf of the team for not holding on for a few more seconds to deny them that win.

I want Everton gone for a few reasons;
1. The right manager would have them midtable and that's surely where we're aiming next season.
2. It would stop them having that "Never been relegated" line as a thing to be proud of
3. I do not like their fanbase (generally)

For what it's worth I think you'll survive. On paper I think they have the tougher run. You're experienced in this kind of dog fight, and they're not. I might get a bollocking for this from other Newcastle fans, but I'd take missing out on a place or two by losing to you on the final day, if it meant they went down.

[dibraidio]

I think we'd be in the box seat if we win on Sunday

But we need a spectacular run of results to stay up, and I think we need 12 points from the the last six to be sure

Less might be enough, but I think we'd need 40 to be sure (unless Everton completely implode)

After reading your first line I was thinking of liking your post. I agree if we win on Sunday we go two points above Everton even if they have a game in hand. That would put massive pressure on them. 40 points though? I can't see us or Everton getting that many points.

We've had chance after chance to get out of the bottom 3 and we haven't taken any of them. All of our wins have come when we were more than 3 points adrift. Time has come for us to get out of the bottom 3 even if it's only for a few hours.

Everton's points per game this season so far suggests that they could finish on 36 points. The absolute minimum we need is two wins and two draws to match that total. Everton will already have to raise their game because of the quality of teams they have to play.

If we win against Wolves then I hope that we don't bother bringing anyone in for the rest of the season. If the players group really are pulling together with MJ then we should let them finish the job.

[Andreshotboots]

Everton's luck will run out don't worry. A scabby deflection to get the win against United, and a scabby defection for a point against Leicester.

An Everton fan mate of mine is really panicking as they thought after Dyche was sacked it was all over.

He's described us an an unflushable turd that keeps coming back!

I suppose that's a backhanded compliment

[Silkyskills1]

An Everton fan mate of mine is really panicking as they thought after Dyche was sacked it was all over.

He's described us an an unflushable turd that keeps coming back!

I suppose that's a backhanded compliment

The Macc.lads did a brilliant song about that happening when meeting the parents of a new girlfriend at her house.

[Spijed]

Wolves is going to be tricky based on their defensive set up as only Man City, Liverpool & Chelsea have conceded less.

Edit: Soccerstats is good for looking at that type of info:
https://www.soccerstats.com/latest.asp?league=england

[RVclaret]

Wolves is going to be tricky based on their defensive set up as only Man City, Liverpool & Chelsea have conceded less.

Edit: Soccerstats is good for looking at that type of info:
https://www.soccerstats.com/latest.asp?league=england

Will definitely be a much tougher test. Not expecting chances as free flowing as they were last night. Also to add they’ve not played a game for 2 weeks while we’ve played 2 in that period. Same as the situation when we faced Leicester at home and lost our sharpness completely.

[dandeclaret]

40% chance of relegation for Everton, 60% for Burnley.

[Spijed]

Will definitely be a much tougher test. Not expecting chances as free flowing as they were last night. Also to add they’ve not played a game for 2 weeks while we’ve played 2 in that period. Same as the situation when we faced Leicester at home and lost our sharpness completely.

I suppose the flip to that is the players will be full of confidence after last night going into Sundays game.

[Burnley Ace]

40% chance of relegation for Everton, 60% for Burnley.

Different stats in the link from the Guardian “10 things to…”

Projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predictions/premier-league

40% chance of us finishing 18th and 39% chance of or Everton.

I think they have us tied on 35pts but our gd is better by 6!

[BleedingClaret]

Even if we win Sunday and they lose, we’d be 2 points ahead but they’d have a game in hand

Looking at fixtures like when we had Norwich and they had Man U it doesn’t always go to plan

So No

[EarbyClaret]

Would take match sharpness over an extended break every time - especially as we have put in back-to-back very good performances

Wolves a different proposition to Southampton and will not be as open - could well be a one goal game - Wolves have a tendency to concede late

Very impressed with Jackson's in-game management last night. Using the width of the pitch to attack in the first half with McNeil and Cornet and then securing the lead by using Lennon and Roberts to protect the full backs and the lead

[Elizabeth]

Even if we win Sunday and they lose, we’d be 2 points ahead but they’d have a game in hand

Looking at fixtures like when we had Norwich and they had Man U it doesn’t always go to plan

So No

Absolutely.

I do believe though that based on reading comments and catching a bit of last night's home game and watching the whole of the West Ham away game that we are in a better box seat position than Everton who are picking up no points away.

Of course that is based on us continuing the form of the last two games but I bet this is the most confident any of us have felt this season about staying up

[Firthy]

Wolves will be a tough game but I think we can nick it with our confidence gaining after the two previous results. Watford away is the banana skin, we don't have a good record this season against bottom teams. I doubt Everton will get anything at Anfield but Chelsea are hit and miss at present. I think we'll have an idea if we cn stay up after the next two matches.

[Dark Cloud]

No we're not in the box seat (yet) and if we manage to beat Wolves we still won't be (yet), but we'd definitely be getting bloody close.