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]

[Arjan Van Schotte]

[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]

[Blue Since 76]

[mr_nool]

[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]

[Nick]

[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.