Winning the League 2010-11

[john@staustell]

I haven't been so full of real optimism before a new season - as opposed to mindless false hope and denial of reality - since the late 70s. Probably even more now than then. Bobby seems to have a mean streak that he intends to win it, end of story. Our undoubted progress, to be followed up by new signings - whatever it takes according to the chairman - means that

As a matter of interest, before any signings:

Club.................Chelski..........Scum........CITY.........Arse.......Dippers.......Spuds

Skybet...............15/8..............9/4........9/2........5/1.........12/1..........66/1
Paddy Power.........7/4..............2/1.........6/1........6/1.........10/1..........66/1
betfootballodds......7/4..............2/1.........5/1........13/2........10/1.........66/1
betfred................7/4..............2/1.........6/1........6/1.........11/1.........50/1

etc etc

Consistently 3rd favourites. Bet now before we sign anyone folks. The bookies may know sod-all about elections, but they're pretty good with sport.

[Goaters 103]

Lets see if we can win a Carling, FA or Europa League trophy first before we get too far ahead of ourselves.

Top 4 is a realistic aim but we have another 15-20 points to make up for the title - 2011/12 is more realistic.

[Im_Spartacus]

[colonel_muck]

liverpool will get new owners this summer. i am sure of that. rafa will get £60m to spend and will spend it well. You'll have United, Chelsea and Liverpool vying for the title, with Arsenal obviously picking up lots of points but never really looking like challenging for it. I haven't really seen any evidence of a title winning mentality in our side just yet. On our day we destroy teams but on our bad days we're still pretty wank. For title winners they pick up points on both such occasions.

[MaineRoadMemories]

Both Chelsea and United will finish at least 12 points ahead of us next season.

Arsenal and third place is a realistic taret to aim for.

[Im_Spartacus]

[john@staustell]

I think some of you guys are underselling us. "Get a cup before we start looking at the league" is silly pundit talk.

Due to the decline of all the big 4 we are not a million miles away this season, a season in which we have constantly evolved and changed much for the better. When we play a big team it looks like a contest of equal now. Our final place reflects our whole season efforts, not the abilities of the team that finished the league, let alone whoever we may sign.

We will improve and the others will fade more. Bobby will aim for the league from day 1. The owner will give him the dosh. Winning the league is about winning against all the lower teams consistently, and we are getting their. Then throw in the odd 4-1 at Chelsea etc.

Believe. We are 9/4 FFS. Spuds are 66/1.

[colonel_muck]

[john@staustell]

[Im_Spartacus]

[john68]

[Slim]

[john68]

[brite blu sky]

my thoughts on this are that we will be there in the mix.. for most of the season similar to this year there may well be quiet a lot of movement up and down the top 6 or 7 places. Points will be taken off each other by the top lot and it will stay unclear right up to the end.. could well be tighter than it was this year for the top5 places.

That said i would tend to think that City even with the bulk of this years team in place will need the experience of another tight run-in to get to real title challenge level. I would be happy with another 'quiet' year.. improving as a team and gaining the right attitude.
Having said that, we are all jumping the gun before we know what signings come in.. if the key signings are exactly what we need to strengthen the slight weaknesses we know of, then it is anyones guess. We are seriously dangerous and i beleive we would have easily grabbed 3rd this year if we had had one manager instead of 2 and the forward mid role had been sorted.

We have looked seriously dangerous up front, and we have become seriously difficult to beat towards the end of the season. We dont need very much to be even better than the rags or Chelsea on the day, so with a proper run at it, it is all to play for.. and that isn't wishful thinking for once as StAustell pointed out.

[john68]

[brite blu sky]

[rick1894citizen]

Depending on who we buy we have an outside chance imo, but i'm really confident that we will win it in the next 3 seasons, had a 5 ton bet with a rag in the build up to the derby that we would.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

[john@staustell]

Interesting - me and John 68 backing Mancini. NQDP doesn't think he's up to it!!

:-)

[Niall Quinns Discopants]