We Are The Reds

I think a draw against Sydney and a win over City could be enough.

Obviously Western United are the big threat with their 3 games in hand, but the last 2 of those are against Sydney and City, after all the other games have been played. It will depend on how SFC and MC approach those matches - resting players for the finals or trying to go in with good form. If we can still be 3 or 4 points in front before those games we would have to be a decent chance to hold them off.

Perth are level on points with us and only have 1 game in hand but they also have the less scary WSW and Victory still to play. But the way their defence played against us they are no gimmies either.

Brisbane are 4 points ahead but may have picked up their last points as their 2 remaining matches are versus The Nix and Sydney. AU winning both remaining games is probably the minimum requirement to overhaul Brizzy though as our goal difference is 6 behind them (thanks Gertjan).

We are still a chance, however our fate depends on others slipping and as such not entirely in our hands.

Still, it would be nice to roll both Sydney and City.

The Jets did us a favour last night beating WUFC 1-0. That's one of their games in hand out of the way.
Of course it brings Newy back within 3 points, but they only have one game left and their goal difference is even worse than ours. So they'll only pass us if we lose both games and I'm pretty sure Western United would too in that case.

At dire risk of jinxing us, I can see us winning both our remaining matches. Sadney for me have gone right off the boil and I can see them losing every match from now on - no, really. The two most exciting and dynamic teams in the competition right now are us and Wellington. Sadney's (former) V8 is firing on maybe 3 cylinders, City can never win away finals, the Meow are hot and cold (usually cold) and Perth's defence is so utterly woeful that they don't deserve to be in the top 8, let alone the top 6. (As one of the best defenders that this country ever produced, Popovic must be livid after week's miserable display).

Plus I had a very vivid dream last night in which we thumped Sadney 5 - 0 - which would be our best ever away win, plus our best ever win against Sadney and it would eliminate our negative goal difference.

Now THAT would be a dream come true ....

So with one game left now the finals propositions look a little bit clearer.

If we beat City: Western United would have to get 8 points from 4 games (3 wins or 2 wins 2 draws)

If we draw with City: Western United would have to get 6 points from 4 games (2 wins or 1 win 3 draws)

If we lose to City: Western United would need just five points from 4 games

WU have a tough run in, play WSW tomorrow so we will know that result but they will still have Perth, Sydney and City to play at KO on Tuesday.

Also if Perth lose both their games (unlikely considering they play Victory and WU) and we win we could leapfrog them

I think last nights result means we are done for.

I think last nights result means we are done for.

Yeah, the Sydney result looks like 2 points lost now. With the form they've been in lately and the fact that we took the lead means it was probably our best chance of a win out of the last two matches against the top 2.

The City game is basically must win now. If we can do it and Perth can take a point against WUFC that would leave them needing at least a win and a draw against Sydney and City in their last two games and they might just get the wobbles.

Regardless of whether we make it or not, Carl and the boys have done a top job.

I am less interested in the toilet seat than I am in seeing more of our boys in action. It has been great to watch thus far and I can't help but hope Pacifique gets a start against City.

What's the world coming to, that I'm hoping for a Melbourne Victory win today? (Although it's very nice that they are rubbish at the moment - except Rojas.)

Victory leading 0-2 at the 69min mark but that means nothing the way they have been playing this season.

Excellent. If we beat City we're in the finals. If we lose or draw then Perth have no reason to have to beat Western United.

Excellent. If we beat City we're in the finals. If we lose or draw then Perth have no reason to have to beat Western United.

Not quite right unfortunately. Even if we beat City if Perth draw with WU they will go above us on goal difference. Then WU will need four points (a win and a draw) to overhaul us, also on goal difference. Those tonkings we copped before the lockdown could really come back to haunt us.

A win gives us a fighting chance but not an assured spot.

Yep. Spoke too soon.
Even so, it would take a particular set of results for us to miss out, which would be pretty long odds.
However, we need to beat City to give ourselves any real chance.

Its a long shot. Tonight is massive.

Interesting that Carl has come out and said "I've done enough" before this game.
Everything from him up to now has been the old "one game at a time" cliché type response, and that he will worry about getting the job fulltime after the season's done.
Betraying a lack of confidence in our chances to keep the unbeaten run going perhaps ?