midoNdefoe
the member formerly and technically still known as
- Mar 9, 2005
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Think 4th spot needs to be top priority, as qualifying 2 years in a row is touching on establishiing ourselves as regulars there...
Harry's plans for the new season?
- Thread starter Lilbaz
- Start date
League points - I think we can realistically improve on last year. We should be a stronger unit, especially away from home. Fixtures at the likes of Fulham, Bolton & Sunderland should be viewed as 3 pointers whereas last year we'd have probably taken draws.
Obviously we can't influence other teams; Man City will feel they're stronger and won't drop as many points as last year in 'winnable' games.
Domestic Cups - always depends who we draw so don't think we can have expectations.
Champs Lge - can't even contemplate not making group stages!!!!! Once we're there, who knows. I would be very surprised to finish bottom of any group that's for certain.
Obviously we can't influence other teams; Man City will feel they're stronger and won't drop as many points as last year in 'winnable' games.
Domestic Cups - always depends who we draw so don't think we can have expectations.
Champs Lge - can't even contemplate not making group stages!!!!! Once we're there, who knows. I would be very surprised to finish bottom of any group that's for certain.
gregga
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2005
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Yep defo. Group stages of CL and 4th spot would be an excellent season for me as the rest of European football would have to recognise us as one of the top English clubs, allowing us to sign better players and make further progress.
A domestic cup would be nice but if we acheive the above I'd be more than happy.
worcestersauce
"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
- Jan 23, 2006
- 26,996
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Surely the only point of coming 4th is to get into the CL so losing in the qualifier and thererfore not qualifying seems to defeat the object.:-|
I suspect your guess is not far off the truth though.
- Oct 17, 2006
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I agree whole heartedly, but whether or not it is achievable is another matter, a top four finish that is.
brett.spurs
Banned
- May 22, 2007
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Yep.
mil1lion
This is the place to be
- May 7, 2004
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No way. We already did that last season so we'd be doing the same thing again. The point of finishing 4th was so we play Champions League football and gain crucial experience from it. 4th place is nothing without Champions League to follow.
StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
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By the same token, although I agree with you, playing CL for one season, and then failing to qualify for the enxt would be a pretty futile (if enjoyable) jaunt.
Dundalk_Spur
The only Spur in the village
- Jul 17, 2008
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For once winning silverware isnt as important, this year anyway. With the traditional Big 4 strong (even Liverpool can't be as bad as last year) and City spending while they can it is so important to consolidate CL football for next year.
A good showing in the CL group stage this year will be fantastic as a draw for higher calibre players for the next three windows. To be honest no neutral sees us getting any further than group stage, so lets enjoy the ride and see where it takes us.
A good showing in the CL group stage this year will be fantastic as a draw for higher calibre players for the next three windows. To be honest no neutral sees us getting any further than group stage, so lets enjoy the ride and see where it takes us.
ShelfSide18
Well-Known Member
- Aug 23, 2006
- 8,386
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I think it is well within our capabilities to at least stay there or thereabouts with the title contenders for a good long while. We won't win the thing, but I think this season instead of looking over our shoulders at teams behind us we should look forwards and make the top 3 teams worried.
Absolute minimum is that we qualify for europe again, but with this squad that should be a walk in the park.
Absolute minimum is that we qualify for europe again, but with this squad that should be a walk in the park.
brett.spurs
Banned
- May 22, 2007
- 7,388
- 2
Although we'd be disappointed and embarrassed at being knocked out before we got to the CL proper, another season finishing top 4 would go towards establishing us a top 4 side rather than us being a flash in the pan. Would also mean we'd finished above 2 from Utd/Chelsea/Arsenal/City/Liverpool which in itself won't be easy at all this year.
StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
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Don't think there is any evidence that United will be stronger...while quite a lot of evidence that they might be weaker.
Chelsea could be stronger...but they could be weaker.
The Goons ditto to Chelsea.
Think the best Liverpool can hope for this year is consolidation.
Whereas I am fully expecting us to push on again, and quite how much is an unknown. How much is a player like Bale going to come on for being a year older and stronger, with the second half of last season to give him confidence, the security of a new contract, the continuity of having 'Arry as boss for another year, and the same with knowing he is going to be working with players like Modders for the foreseeable? We are also in a better financial position than any of them except Chelsea, and maybe the Goons. There is less dissent between our fans and owners/managers with any of them - except maybe the Chavs (if the Goons get a bad start to the season/fail to challenge again, their fans will start turning on Whinger).
Really, allow yourself the unusual Yid luxury of actually feeling optiistic.
mil1lion
This is the place to be
- May 7, 2004
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Why do we want to finish in the top 4 though? Champions League.
StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
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But Brett is making a fair point. What is the point of qualifying for it once:shrug:
If we finish two years running in CL position, players and clubs will begin to look at us as the type of club who could regularly finish in those places. Something, I suspect, they never did with Everton.
p.s. I did suggest about 2 years ago thatthe days when there were only ever the same 4 teams in the CL positions was probably coming to an end. We should prepare ourselves for the possibility that qualification for CL 3 years in the next 5 (for instance) should be seen as success and not failure - depending on what the tams around us do.
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
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