Breaking into the top 4

[oohaahedgar]

I never thought we'd get CL this season (my prediction was 7th)

and at this moment I don't think we'll get CL next season

If we get in good keeper CB and mid, plus maybe a LB depending on Bale's return, then I might change my mind

this assumes we're keeping all our stars BTW - if we sell Berbs or JJ or whoever then we have to replace them too

Whether you are close or not you are still wrong along with anyone else who suggests we are not at least the 5th best team in the league. Everton, Pompey etc are not better teams than us
and it is only trying to be overly good to other teams to suggest otherwise. 90% of pundits and every bookie had us to come in the top 5. About 35% of pundits had us to break into the top 4. We have had a bad season in the league but there are numerous reasons for that. Next year we can aim for a top 4 place with real belief. We will be 5th favourites to win the league with every major bookie. Fact.

 

[stemark44]

I have the utmost respect for our manager and his ability to buy better quality players but I don't see us challenging for fourth next season.

 

[SpurSince57]

Whether you are close or not you are still wrong along with anyone else who suggests we are not at least the 5th best team in the league. Everton, Pompey etc are not better teams than us
and it is only trying to be overly good to other teams to suggest otherwise. 90% of pundits and every bookie had us to come in the top 5. About 35% of pundits had us to break into the top 4. We have had a bad season in the league but there are numerous reasons for that. Next year we can aim for a top 4 place with real belief. We will be 5th favourites to win the league with every major bookie. Fact.

Very possibly. But would you put serious money on us doing it?

 

[Marty]

I'm not sure if we'd be 5th favourites. That will depend on how the summer goes, but at the moment I'd guess Everton would be placed 5th and we'd be 6th at the bookies when next season starts.

Which I'd be happy with, btw. Too early to realistically think we can break into the CL places in Juande's first full season. He really is a magician if he can lead us to that.

 

[fortworthspur]

the reason CL is so important is money. I read somewhere that the lowliest CL group stage team last year (? Sofia) made more from their European tourney than Spurs did after our deep run in the UEFA - it was something like 8 million to 7 million. And they didnt win a game. If you can advance beyond the group stage it will fund your summer acquisitions. And its very important to the best players. so to me, Champions League is the Holy Grail.

 

[deselina]

next year will probably be too soon but i think in time man utd. will go through a few transition seasons when ferguson steps down.

or maybe even next year when quieroz decides to take the sporting or was it benfica job?

ferguson works well with quieroz and c. ronaldo is very fond of him, both will miss him dearly if he decides to work in portugal.

 

[SpurSince57]

That's it. The honest answer. Let's forget about this 'testing ourselves against the best' crap. It's about money. Lots of money.

 

[hellava_tough]

The main reason for this all-fired desperation to break into the top four seems to be CL football, so that we can 'test ourselves against the best'. We already have the opportunity to do that at least eight times in the domestic season. If we were to get into the CL our opponents in the qualifying round would be sides we're quite as likely to meet in the UEFA Cup. Whoopydoop! We can play Slavia or Besiktas again!

It would certainly be nice, but I wouldn't swap fourth place next season for another trophy, even if it's 'only' the Carling Cup again.

I don't wish to offend, but this is certainly a naive way of looking at things.

The Champions League brings with it a certain attraction to potential transfer targets, an enhanced reputation to the club that qualifies and a sunstantial increase in revenue for the club. It is also important to note that this revenue is not limited to the confines of this particular european competition; potential sponsers would also increase their initial offers due to the club's increased world-wide exposure.

 

[C0YS]

I don't wish to offend, but this is certainly a naive way of looking at things.

The Champions League brings with it a certain attraction to potential transfer targets, an enhanced reputation to the club that qualifies and a sunstantial increase in revenue for the club. It is also important to note that this revenue is not limited to the confines of this particular european competition; potential sponsers would also increase their initial offers due to the club's increased world-wide exposure.

certainly but the game is about winning things, not signing more players, or getting more money

 

[SpurSince57]

You're pointing out that it's basically a matter of money. I certainly wouldn't disagree with that. But the 'testing ourselves against the best' bullshit that some come out with? No. Not in the slightest. Old-fashioned? Yes. Terminally cynical? Yes. Most certainly not naive.

 

[ShelfSide18]

People automatically assume that being in the champions league would mean all the worlds top players would suddenly flock to Spurs. Not true, otherwise they'd be flocking to Besiktas, Slavia Prague etc. These players want to WIN the champs league and that privilige is open only to an exclusive few. It would be great to get there but remember as one of our own greats said, 'the game is about glory'. Winning trophies is the be all and end all of football.

 

[stemark44]

At the end of the day football is all about money and how wisely we spend it.If the club manages to reach the targets we all want - Champions league - then the bonus is that quality players want to play for us!
Very similar in many ways to lots of business!
We spent over £30 million on 4 players last summer that have barely featured in the first team under Ramos - Kaboul,Taraabt,Bent and Boatang - from that, we can certainly draw the conclusion that it was money badly invested and we will do really well to recoup the majority of it!
We can't afford to make that kind of mistake again!

 

[AirTito]

you have to crawl before you can walk... i can agree with everyone saying that spurs need to get the winning mentality before you can get to the next step. spurs are the 11th biggest club in the world in terms of gross income. spurs have the money they just need to invest it in players and juande can best help the team. once the mentality changes, spurs can start moving forward.

 

[JKD76]

Even though i wasnt overly optimistic about us finishing in the top 4 this season,i never saw us having the poor league position we have.
Next season though i honestly believe we have a real chance of doing it,much much better chance than we did this season.Two reasons,one we bought some real quality in January and im convinced it will be real quality in the summer as well.Two we have a much better tatical manager in Juande.
Next seasons gonna be a good one...

 

[fortworthspur]

certainly but the game is about winning things, not signing more players, or getting more money

more money means signing better players which allows you to win more things.

 

[Pedro]

Next season prediction:

Man U
Arse
Chelski
The mighty Spurs
Liverpool

Im optimistic we will get 4th, even if we lose berbs. Some of our best performances this season have actually been when berbs hasn't played that well. This hinges on us getting a good replacement for berbs and buying a new midfield (well 2-3 new first teams mids)

 

[hellava_tough]

You're pointing out that it's basically a matter of money. I certainly wouldn't disagree with that. But the 'testing ourselves against the best' bullshit that some come out with? No. Not in the slightest. Old-fashioned? Yes. Terminally cynical? Yes. Most certainly not naive.

I think we got our lines (arguments) crossed.

If people think that the Champions League is an opportunity to test ourselves against the best then, yes, I have to generally agree with your sentiments. In actual fact, by playing in the Premiership we are already testing ourselves against the best teams in Europe.

However, I've never heard anyone desire a Champions League position because it is the ultimate proving ground. I'm not saying this argument doesn't exist, I just haven't heard of it.

I was always led to believe that Champions League = cash, and cash = winning trophies (broadly speaking).

 

[hellava_tough]

more money means signing better players which allows you to win more things.

Exactly.

This was the point I was trying to make.

 

[idlepete]

However, I've never heard anyone desire a Champions League position because it is the ultimate proving ground. I'm not saying this argument doesn't exist, I just haven't heard of it.

Ask any professional footballer in the world if they'd like to play in the CL and why that is, and then I reckon you'll hear it.

One of the main reasons I want to see Spurs play in the CL, aside from the money and the fact we'll be able to attract better players, is so I can see us taking part in the big boys' competition. I don't care if anyone else thinks that's shit. It really does mean something.

 

[Liquidator]

So we can lose away to ManUtd, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bolton. A few draws sprinkled in and we win the League.

;-)

Don't think we'll be playing Bolton, mate. I know the season's been a disappointment, but we're not gonna get relegated.

But I like your style.