The Challenge
30 points minimum by January 1st.
12 games.
6 at home.
6 away.
36 possible points.
The Forecast
Here's the Dirty Dozen:
(H) Bolton
(A) Arsenal
(H) Liverpool
(A) Man City
(A) Fulham
(H) Blackburn
(H) Everton
(A) West Ham
(H) Man Utd
(A) Newcastle
(H) Fulham
(A) WBA
30 points is such a massive task for one simple reason. We've picked up 2 from 8 games, so form wise - taken into account the last few performances - we are unlikely to win any of them. But something has to give, right? Something has to give. So, we may as well humour the hypothetical. Its nigh impossible to predict results ahead of the next one for the simple reason that as shit as we are, if we do get something out of the Bolton game then our form might progress to the point where we start winning games and playing well. Confidence can do wonders.
So, let's pretend Spurs will take charge of their destiny and attempt to be realistic with the predictions:
Game 01 - (H) Bolton ---------------- W 3 points
Game 02 - (A) Arsenal --------------- L
Game 03 - (H) Liverpool ------------- D 1 point
Game 04 - (A) Man City ------------- D 1 point
Game 05 - (A) Fulham --------------- W 3 points
Game 06 - (H) Blackburn ------------ W 3 points
Game 07 - (H) Everton -------------- W 3 points
Game 08 - (A) West Ham ------------ D 1 point
Game 09 - (H) Man Utd ------------- L
Game 10 - (A) Newcastle ------------ D 1 point
Game 11 - (H) Fulham -------------- W 3 point
Game 12 - (A) WBA ----------------- W 3 point
That gives us a measly 22 points. Which means at Christmas we'll have a grand total of 22 points. That's 8 short of 30, which means Spurs will simply not be able to afford any slip ups into January through to May, and that might still not be enough. Maybe we need to be tapping up Santa Claus.
In the above predicted results I've given us the following proud stats:
- 4 home wins from 6
- 2 away wins from 6
- 4 draws
- 2 defeats
Realistic enough? Obviously again, all dependent on the Bolton game/result the game directly after that one (Arsenal - gulp). Two straight defeats, then we'll be lucky to pick up 5 points before Boxing Day.
Turning the draws into victories will be the difference. Any of those turning into defeats and we'll be down before we visit the JJB.
After Xmas, comes 2009. Which brings us onto the following games:
(A) Wigan
(H) Portsmouth
(H) Stoke
(A) Bolton
(H) Arsenal
All of which will be of no consequence, depending on what happens now till Xmas.
Ideal (fantasy) Scenario?
6 home wins (18 points)
3 away wins (9 points)
2 away draw (2 points)
1 defeat (not ideal, but I'm already deep in imagination land with the rest of this scenario)
= 29 points + 2 we have already = 31 points
Mission Accomplished. Either way, 22 or 31, the points ratio has to pick up from game to game.
So, the aim of Challenge Spurs™ is simply for the team to achieve the points tally as outlined under 'The Forecast' or better it.
Excited? I'm shitting bagels.