The 4 (or 5) who will finish above us.

[Blue Toy]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

[mr_nool]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

I just tried to make this point in another thread where people were talking about having to change half the squad...

I agree with your assessment, even though I think Everton should be included. Their horrible start of the season apart, they've been better than scouse 1.

[Arjan Van Schotte]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

I just tried to make this point in another thread where people were talking about having to change half the squad...

I agree with your assessment, even though I think Everton should be included. Their horrible start of the season apart, they've been better than scouse 1.

very true nooly.

and the proposition is pure speculation anyway. the rags could be sold - far from the realms of impossibility.

So could liverpool - i'd say more likely.

Tottenham don't necessarily have any cash to spend.

Arsenal might be about to come out of the stadium financial blip.

And as for everton - if anyone is ripe for some foreign investment - it's them.

[Arjan Van Schotte]

however. It's been the best PL season, both for the PL and us - for a long time.

[Beefymcfc]

If the current side had been together for a full season prior to this, I think they would've been going for the top spot anyway, it was just a matter of time. Add a couple of top class players and a few squad players, then I think we can really challenge next season. Hopefully we won't change the first team too much and we don't lose any of the bigger players to the Chamions League, because we all know that it's a draw for them. I'd hate to see the likes of Carlos or Bellers playing for Chelsea or Tottenham, that's the flip side!

[Arjan Van Schotte]

If the current side had been together for a full season prior to this, I think they would've been going for the top spot anyway, it was just a matter of time. Add a couple of top class players and a few squad players, then I think we can really challenge next season. Hopefully we won't change the first team too much and we don't lose any of the bigger players to the Chamions League, because we all know that it's a draw for them. I'd hate to see the likes of Carlos or Bellers playing for Chelsea or Tottenham, that's the flip side!

very good point about the better players fucking off. if you sign mercenaries - you can't moan if they fuck off for summat better!

[Blue Since 76]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

I just tried to make this point in another thread where people were talking about having to change half the squad...

I agree with your assessment, even though I think Everton should be included. Their horrible start of the season apart, they've been better than scouse 1.

To continue our discussion here...

Ignoring any current players, there are things in the squad we are clearly missing - commanding centre half, box to box midfielder and a leader (who could be one of those 2). Get those and we'd be a lot closer, although that wouldn't make us anywhere near title winning

[mr_nool]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

I just tried to make this point in another thread where people were talking about having to change half the squad...

I agree with your assessment, even though I think Everton should be included. Their horrible start of the season apart, they've been better than scouse 1.

To continue our discussion here...

Ignoring any current players, there are things in the squad we are clearly missing - commanding centre half, box to box midfielder and a leader (who could be one of those 2). Get those and we'd be a lot closer, although that wouldn't make us anywhere near title winning

I see what you're saying, but I agree more with Beefy:

If the current side had been together for a full season prior to this, I think they would've been going for the top spot anyway, it was just a matter of time. Add a couple of top class players and a few squad players, then I think we can really challenge next season. Hopefully we won't change the first team too much and we don't lose any of the bigger players to the Chamions League, because we all know that it's a draw for them. I'd hate to see the likes of Carlos or Bellers playing for Chelsea or Tottenham, that's the flip side!

That's of course provided that we can keep big parts of the squad, which of course is not a given.

[Dingus McDouchey]

of the 4 or 5, how much will City's presence force them to overpay for players (like the scum with berbatov)?

[Arjan Van Schotte]

of the 4 or 5, how much will City's presence force them to overpay for players (like the scum with berbatov)?

according to alco redknapp - all of 'em!
good point mate.

[Nick]

Let's look at the worst case scenario, and we finish 6th.

Of the 5 teams finishing above us, plus Liverpool, how many of them will be able to strengthen their teams as effectively as us in the close season?

Chelsea - Yes, they can.
Rags - They may make 1 big signing, but I can't see any more than this
Arsenal - I see them treading water, possibly a half-decent signing or two, but no marquees and also a big possibility of losing one or two of their big name players
Tottenham - They will I'm sure make 2 big signings and on paper will improve significantly
Villa - Unlikely to make any significant purchases, more likely to make tweaks here and there. Plus may also lose Young.
Liverpool - Probably the team who will weaken the most if their situation in the boardroom remains.


The point I'm making here is that if we make some big signings as expected - albeit not as major as if we had finished 4th - we WILL make ground on at least 3 of the 5 finishing above us, as well as putting more daylight between us and Liverpool. This time next year I can only see us rejoicing and May 2010 will be but a distant memory.

I just tried to make this point in another thread where people were talking about having to change half the squad...

I agree with your assessment, even though I think Everton should be included. Their horrible start of the season apart, they've been better than scouse 1.

To continue our discussion here...

Ignoring any current players, there are things in the squad we are clearly missing - commanding centre half, box to box midfielder and a leader (who could be one of those 2). Get those and we'd be a lot closer, although that wouldn't make us anywhere near title winning

I agree with this, I like to think im a realistic in between the fans that think we can win the league now (deluded IMO) and the fans that think were shit) On OUR DAY we are amazing and beat anyone, but too many days we have been dire. And alot of them under mancini. TBH we didnt look like socring against United, Arsenal or Spurs! 3 big games against our rivals. Bridge is gash, Toure is suspect and its obvious that we need an immense central midfeilder. Not sure who as people say we need a box to boxer AND a creative midfielder, which would surely render either barry or NDJ out of action = whole new midfield.

[Twobob]

Added to who we need to get in, we also have had injuries to improving and key players at bad times in the season (Given Lescott - who was forming a very good partnership with Vinnie, better than Toure. To name two.)

But additionally we've been lucky, managing to keep Bellers fit and playing him sometimes twice weekly for important matches.

I also struggle to remember when we've had a consitent 11 out on the pitch for more than 2 games on the trot.

On talkshite they were saying that Spuds had 40Mil to spend next season so they'll only get a couple in with real class or a few averag players, unless twitchy makes a little more with sales. It would be very interesting to see how they do in the Qualifiers as I cant see the Spurs owners stretching thier neck out too far a'la Leeds (or Pompey) I cant see the rags getting much apart from unknowns - but can never write them off getting a peach...

The Scouse are screwed and Villa need to sell first IMO.

Everton was mentioned, they allways have a sticky patch in the season, they dont have ready money to splash out and cant maintain a large squad so injuries hit them hard as we saw this season.