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  • My point was definitely not about Liverpool.
    If we can actually have a defining point of the season being 12 games and closest to 30 points, then maybe we can get closer to the sid Lowe described phenomenon of previous la liga seasons where the whole season could be settled in one match.
    #stopfootball

    In seriousness, I'm sure it might also be interesting to compare those 12 matches and determine the relative strengths of the teams played.

    @cliveo unfortunately I was only just alive in 75. I don't think I was aware of my existence. My earliest memory is of desperately trying to open the gate of our house in Belfast before I shat myself.

  • My point was definitely not about Liverpool. If we can actually have a
    defining point of the season being 12 games and closest to 30 points,
    then maybe we can get closer to the sid Lowe described phenomenon of
    previous la liga seasons where the whole season could be settled in
    one match.
    #stopfootball

    In seriousness, I'm sure it might also be interesting to compare those
    12 matches and determine the relative strengths of the teams played.

    @cliveo unfortunately I was only just alive in 75. I don't think I was
    aware of my existence. My earliest memory is of desperately trying to
    open the gate of our house in Belfast before I shat myself.

    The reason for choosing 12 games is not because this is a season defining moment. In truth, 38 games is the only real measure of a season because at that stage everything evens out and everyone has played the same teams home and away. It was because 12 games is precisely the number of games that have been played so far this season. The same table could be run after 13, 14 and probably most reliably 19 games and give a better indication of how things are going.

    As to the strengths of the teams played, it is true that we have not yet played Tottenham and Southampton. We haven't played Newcastle and Sunderland. Hull and Stoke are yet to come. Let's also not forget West Ham.

    We have, however, played Man U, Man City and Liverpool all away and Arsenal at home. Our first half of the season is tougher than our second half.

    The other point to be made is that, until last weekend, Chelsea have not been playing as well as they might. The first 25 minutes of the WBA game showed what they could do. Yesterday's match showed that it could be sustained for 90 minutes.

    I am looking forward to the challenge that is Derby.

    How curious that your first memory should be scatological.

  • I'm not rubbishing the achievement here, I'm interested in the bigger picture. If you can have a predictor of "winning the league after x games" that would be on a par with "if you're bottom at christmas you're going down" type thing. And also "wet tuesday in stoke".
    A shorthand we could all throw about.

    As you say, the point that you've not been playing as well as you should and yet your point total is still your highest at this point than ever before indicates the dryness of numbers.

    Perhaps you could start rating matches out of 10? Much like commutes on the thread that Andy loves so much.

    How many points did Newcastle have after 12 games the year they royally fucked it up?

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