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This season we have definitely made an impact on the premier league and the world that we are no longer a joke and should be taken seriously. Players now think when are we gonna get to the top rather than if. They all know it's not gonna be long either. My point is simple will this be enough to attract the big players this year without champions league football? I mean sure some might want to be in champions league football but with big players like Torres etc.. not being in there this year they will probably be looking elsewhere this window.

These players know fine well we will be in the champions league very soon and may well want to be part of the revolution and get a nice fat pay cheque to go along with it. I mean what's missing out on 1 year of champions league to make history? Some players might go for it.. It's what Hughes tried to sell and did pretty well last year however back then we didn't really have enough to show. This season we showed the world we almost did it and with a couple more great players we can finally cross that finish line so to speak.

So you think coming 5th even though we have no champions league is really a bad thing?? The impact we made could just be well enough for us to get the players we need even without champions league I think as I reckon we won't be out of it next year and I seriously think footballers will think the same.

What's your views?

The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 months down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Here, here

Dronny wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Here, here

Totally agree, top 4 will be a fall back.

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Blue Since 76 wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Why change the whole damn squad? We were an inch from fourth spot this season with he players we have! Yes, we can improve in all team parts, but a complete overhaul is both unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction in my opinion. Let's slowly build on what we have,; replacing the whole first eleven means string from the top, just like you say.

mr_nool wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Why change the whole damn squad? We were an inch from fourth spot this season with he players we have! Yes, we can improve in all team parts, but a complete overhaul is both unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction in my opinion. Let's slowly build on what we have,; replacing the whole first eleven means string from the top, just like you say.

So which of Adebayor, Toure, Garrido, Ireland, Vieira, SWP and RSC do you think is good enough for a team trying to win the league?

Blue Since 76 wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Why change the whole damn squad? We were an inch from fourth spot this season with he players we have! Yes, we can improve in all team parts, but a complete overhaul is both unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction in my opinion. Let's slowly build on what we have,; replacing the whole first eleven means string from the top, just like you say.

So which of Adebayor, Toure, Garrido, Ireland, Vieira, SWP and RSC do you think is good enough for a team trying to win the league?

OK, didn't read you post too well, but don't you think that Liverpool will have to replace half of their starting eleven as well? Or Villa?
Our main squad this year was obviously better than theirs (Everton is tougher to say since they had that unexplainable meltdown at the start of the season).

Back to your question, though:
Ade. Toure, given time and a stable partnership - or as a back up. Garrido as a back up. Ireland as a back-up (or, if he against all odds finds his form from lasts season, as a starter), SWP as a back-up/impact player, RSC and Vieira ... it's probably time to move on (or in RSC's case get fit) ...

mr_nool wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Why change the whole damn squad? We were an inch from fourth spot this season with he players we have! Yes, we can improve in all team parts, but a complete overhaul is both unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction in my opinion. Let's slowly build on what we have,; replacing the whole first eleven means string from the top, just like you say.

So which of Adebayor, Toure, Garrido, Ireland, Vieira, SWP and RSC do you think is good enough for a team trying to win the league?

OK, didn't read you post too well, but don't you think that Liverpool will have to replace half of their starting eleven as well? Or Villa?
Our main squad this year was obviously better than theirs (Everton is tougher to say since they had that unexplainable meltdown at the start of the season).

Back to your question, though:
Ade. Toure, given time and a stable partnership - or as a back up. Garrido as a back up. Ireland as a back-up (or, if he against all odds finds his form from lasts season, as a starter), SWP as a back-up/impact player, RSC and Vieira ... it's probably time to move on (or in RSC's case get fit) ...

Depends what we're trying to achieve. If we want 5th again, a couple of additions would do it, but every squad should improve a bit. If we want a serious tilt at the top, we need a lot more players. happy to keep the above as back up, but don't think they'd be too happy

mr_nool wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.

I think we'll be back to square one by August, having replaced half the squad again. We need 2 new fullbacks, a decent centre half, a box to box midfielder, a midfielder who can pass, a left or right winger and at least one forward.

The above is assuming Toure, RSC, Richards, Garrido, Vieira, Ireland & SWP go. If others go - Adebayor (please), Bellamy, Onuoha we're adding more incoming players.

I think we'll do well just to stay in the top 6, considering Everton will be stronger and Liverpool might have a decent manager

Why change the whole damn squad? We were an inch from fourth spot this season with he players we have! Yes, we can improve in all team parts, but a complete overhaul is both unnecessary and a knee-jerk reaction in my opinion. Let's slowly build on what we have,; replacing the whole first eleven means string from the top, just like you say.

I agree we only need to replace about 3-4 positions or maybe just strengthen them.

A left back, an attacking midfielder and we are sorted.

dazby wrote:A left back, an attacking midfielder and we are sorted.

I wouldnt be surprised if Joe Hart came back as number 1, maybe a couple of full backs one for each side,2 midfielders to really control the game and attack ,quite probably a quality wide player plus at least 1 top striker.

The promise of some type of European football plus the chance of building a successful club will be extremely tempting to certain sorts of player. We are far more attractive right now than we were a season ago, even without Chump's League footie.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

dazby wrote:A left back, an attacking midfielder and we are sorted.

I wouldnt be surprised if Joe Hart came back as number 1, maybe a couple of full backs one for each side,2 midfielders to really control the game and attack ,quite probably a quality wide player plus at least 1 top striker.

We have about 5 players coming back from loan, 3 of them strikers. I'm sure they will be assessed before we make any moves for a striker. Mancio appears to be a big Zabba fan so I expect no movement on that side. Bridgey needs some quality competition though.

Firstly get Joe Hart back as our first choice keeper. If Given doesn't like it and wants first team football, move him on. If he's happy to play 2nd fiddle, keep him. Hopefully next season we'll be luckier with injuries and suspensions so will have a more settled defence and no African nations or world cup distractions. The full back and attacking midfield positions need strengthening and I'd also like a striker who'll put a shift in and does his best work in the box. I'd keep Adebayor but use him as we do RSC at the moment. Off the bench or starting against crap teams. Not first choice for me.

I also don't think we should put our eggs in one basket and just concentrate on the league. We need a squad to challenge on all fronts. As we've shown this season, we're not a million miles off in the cups and if drawn at home, playing with the right attitude, we're a match for anybody. The Europa league is also a realistic target and we've got to start our trophy haul somewhere so lets win it and get that f***ing banner down.

Blue Since 76 wrote:
Not sure that 60 minutes of Adam Johnson make that much of a difference.



So which of Adebayor, Toure, Garrido, Ireland, Vieira, SWP and RSC do you think is good enough for a team trying to win the league?

It's the drilling of the team that made the difference, like beating Wigan, Brum, Burnley, Fulham even Chelsea comfortably. Pre-Xmas that would've been another set of draws at best.

And of the players you name only Adebayor is really 'first team' isn't he, as Toure was dropped when Lescott was fit?

But I do agree that we are light in many areas, especially with a WAFFA League campaign. Short of decent strikers - no-one will be 'assessing' those loan players Daz! - and 2 full backs, midfield etc. But what I am saying is if you ran this season again, with the way we play now, with the players we currently have, we would easily make top 4.

But as I said we need to push on and challenge for the league.

I don't think that our present squad needs major surgey. The eradication of a couple of the more ridiculous results this season and maybe a little more cocentration in a few games and this ppresent squad would have been playing tomoorow with a chance of being Champions. This squad is not that far away. In fact major surgery could well be detrimental to our development and push us backwards enough to at the beginning to weaken any assault on the league.
There are certain areas we do need to strengthen and certain players that will be moved on and need to be replaced. Teams win trophies and it is not always the case that better players make better teams. Real Madrid have fallen over with that mindset and there a few rags players I would swap for City players, yet they are about 13pts ahead of us. Who expected the barca superstars to fail in the CL to Mourinho?
I am still convinced that had Barry not been injured, we would have been in the mix for 4th tomorrow...I think it was that close.

I think we will strengthen sufficiently for next season and our misfits will suprise a few on here.

Dronny wrote:

john@staustell wrote:The period of umpteen draws on the run, when we lost out on a title challenge, would never happen to the squad we have right now, only 5 moths down the line. No good doing 'what if?' etc but we are, despite our short-comings, going into next season in a very strong position, which can only be enhanced by signings.

Mancini will be starting August fully expecting a title challenge, nothing less.

Here, here

oh dear. This season isn't over yet and people already have crazy expectations for next season.

Breaking into top four and solidifying our place there should be next step. Like owners said, this was second season in five season plan to win the title.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

dazby wrote:A left back, an attacking midfielder and we are sorted.

I wouldnt be surprised if Joe Hart came back as number 1, maybe a couple of full backs one for each side,2 midfielders to really control the game and attack ,quite probably a quality wide player plus at least 1 top striker.

nice shopping list that. I'd also consider quality centerback.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

dazby wrote:A left back, an attacking midfielder and we are sorted.

I wouldnt be surprised if Joe Hart came back as number 1, maybe a couple of full backs one for each side,2 midfielders to really control the game and attack ,quite probably a quality wide player plus at least 1 top striker.

nice shopping list that. I'd also consider quality centerback.

Lescott coming back and Boetang already agreed to sign....how many do you want?