Expectations

[Rout-Ledge]

So, now the season is up and running, what are we expecting to get this year?

Would people be happy with nothing other than top 4? Last year our CL run was enough of a bonus for some to be happy finishing 5th. Would a good run in the Europa (or even winning it) this year be an acceptable consolation prize?

Now that Liverpool are back spending, and have decent looking side and manager, can we genuinely expect to finish above them? If not, is 5th realistic?

Despite Arsenal seemingly in decline, who's to say they won't bring in a couple before next week and have a good season? Don't forget they've been in those top 4 positions since Wenger took charge, so we really can't expect to finish ahead of them either, though it is certainly a possibility.

Would people be happy with a solid 6th if the team is playing good football and we have a couple of decent cup runs?

What do you expect us to do this season, and what are your minimum expectations?

 

[Legend10]

Top 4, we have more quality and better squads than both arse and the bin dippers.

 

[brett.spurs]

Top 10 and to win the Europa.

 

[GoldstarYid]

So long as everyone stays fit and on reasonable form, going with what we have we can come 3rd imo, at least 4th.

However we need another striker and a CM(Diarra/Parker) and a back up winger/competiton for Balennon. Should we get these i will be confident of 4th.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I'd say we can expect to finish top 6, minimum. Anything below would be unacceptable, anything above would be a bonus.

 

[GoldstarYid]

I'd say we can expect to finish top 6, minimum. Anything below would be unacceptable, anything above would be a bonus.

I feel we HAVE to finish 4th or very, very close otherwise we are going to be waiting untill the stadium is built before we have any chance of really challenging again.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I feel we HAVE to finish 4th or very, very close otherwise we are going to be waiting untill the stadium is built before we have any chance of really challenging again.

I'd say 4th is possible, but certainly not probable. I really wouldn't get your hopes up. Since we took fourth, City have improved massively and so have Liverpool. Even with Adebayor, it's going to be a real struggle for us this year.

That's why I really hope we push for the EL. We have a genuine chance of winning it.

 

[brett.spurs]

I'd rather win the Europa than finish 4th.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

So would I, Brett. Without a new owner, we're just not going to be able to compete financially with the big boys. Even if we become a yo-yo CL club. I want to see us win a European trophy.

 

[GoldstarYid]

Unless Europa got us into the CL i don't really care about it.

Europa league = CL for smaller nations.

We would be up there with the elite Shakthar, Sevilla and Zenit. Or we could be playing at the Bernabeu next year, i'd take 4th.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

Unless Europa got us into the CL i don't really care about it.

Europa league = CL for smaller nations.

We would be up there with the elite Shakthar, Sevilla and Zenit. Or we could be playing at the Bernabeu next year, i'd take 4th.

Porto seemed happy enough to win it last year, and they won the bloody CL only a few years ago. We're not above the EL, not by a long shot.

 

[GoldstarYid]

I don't think were above it and i wouldn't be unhappy if we won it.

I am just going with the 4th or Europa league question and for me it's by far 4th.

IMO picking Europa over 4th is very 'shortsightist' if thats a word?

 

[sweyid]

Finishing above Arsenal.

 

[brett.spurs]

Indeed. Winning a trophy to remember this team by will be a far fonder memory to look back on than finishing 4th in the league, playing some games in the CL and pocketing a wad of cash. I'll admit that I'd have had the exact opposite opinion this time a year ago, but I was young and naive back then, I actually thought we were going to use our newly found top level status to buy some great players and really push on but all I got was Steven Pienaar.

 

[GoldstarYid]

Indeed. Winning a trophy to remember this team by will be a far fonder memory to look back on than finishing 4th in the league, playing some games in the CL and pocketing a wad of cash. I'll admit that I'd have had the exact opposite opinion this time a year ago, but I was young and naive back then, I actually thought we were going to use our newly found top level status to buy some great players and really push on but all I got was Steven Pienaar.

Fair point.

It's all ifs and buts anyway, if we got 4th wed have to capitalize on it, which we never last time so from that viewpoint i'd rather win the Europa too.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I don't think were above it and i wouldn't be unhappy if we won it.

I am just going with the 4th or Europa league question and for me it's by far 4th.

IMO picking Europa over 4th is very 'shortsightist' if thats a word?

It's not really shortsighted though is it? We finished top four two seasons ago and that hardly propelled us into the ranks of the elite long term. It gave us a short term cash boost. We'd make more money by selling Modric now than finishing 4th this year.

 

[Montasura]

The Europa:

I see no reason why we couldn't win this competition but I'm not entirely sure it would be worth it tbh. Its a long haul and we would have to play our first 11 in the latter stages which would ultimately affect our league results. So I think we should stick to playing the kids and just hope for a decent run.

Domestic Cups:

In fairness I would really love to see us winning some silverware this season. Obviously the FA Cup is the one to win but the harder. Either way I would EXPECT a very good cup run and would dearly love to see us win one of them.

The League:

This is the interesting one. Like many I believe we missed out on top 4 last season solely because of our forward's inability to score. We have already strengthened with Adebayore and a genuinely expect more signings. More importantly, however, I see our closest rivals struggling imo.
Arsenal appear to be in freefall at the moment, their squad has been significantly weakened but more importantly they appear to have lost some of their appeal (although the CL qualification will help) but the impression I get is that its not all good in their dressing room.
I expected big things from AVB arriving at Chelski. But again they don't appear to have strengthened significantly and their squad is another year older and have looked shaky so far.
Liverpool have started better with their new signings than I expected. Charlie Adam was brilliant today for example. But I still don't see a top side in them yet but the Kenny factor is very important. Unsure about them at the moment.

Overall I think Arsenal and Chelsea are there for the taking this year and with our squad coming through the window relatively unscathed I personally feel we have the potential to grab 3rd behind United and City respectively. Certainly I would be disappointed if we didn't get top 4 this season as I think it will be easier to achieve than last season. All we need is to score a few more goals and stop losing to the Wigans etc!!

 

[Legend10]

I'd say 4th is possible, but certainly not probable. I really wouldn't get your hopes up. Since we took fourth, City have improved massively and so have Liverpool. Even with Adebayor, it's going to be a real struggle for us this year.

That's why I really hope we push for the EL. We have a genuine chance of winning it.

have they?

 

[Rout-Ledge]

This is the interesting one. Like many I believe we missed out on top 4 last season solely because of our forward's inability to score. !

Disagree with this. I'd say we missed out because of our inability to score as a team. Van der Vaart and Bale, in the first half of the season, pitched in as individuals, but I really don't think we can blame the long harsh drought of 2011 on the strikers. In fact, our strikers actually scored much more in the second half of the season than they did in the first.

We've been poor for a while now, and I really hope we rectify that this season. That's said more from hope than expectation though.

 

[Jack2]

Of course I will not be happy if we don't finish top 4. BUT at the moment I can't see us finishing in the top 4, unfortunately I think we will finish 6th at the best.