We are punching above our weight.

[nicdic]

Our squad is not punching above its weight, but the club as a whole is.

Considering the amount of money the teams around us spend, we have done excellently to even come close to challenging them, and to do so on a regular basis.

But the squad that we've assembled, although maybe not quite as strong as those above and around us, is certainly not far off and should be competing.

Think you've nailed it here TSH. In one sense we are massively over acheiving, but in another, we're right where we should be. As a club, compared to what we're up against we shouldn't get near. United, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and probably Liverpool and maybe even Newcastle take in more money each week than us. The first five in that list will also more than likely pull in bigger sponsorship and global marketing money. City and Chelsea have what seems like unlimited resources, whilst we run one of the tightest ships financially in world football. That's not to say the league is decided solely on money, but it goes a long way to assembling a team.

On the other hand we have a much smaller wage budget, bring in less money, and likely spend less on incoming players than any of them. This is why some give Levy such credit, we really shouldn't be competing for a place in the top four, yet, at the same time we should. We've managed to assemble one of the best teams in the league, have a good manager, and some of the best players.

Looking at things from both perspectives we need to remember that we've done extremely well to get where we are. Chelsea and City are there because of foreign money, which without they'd probably not be in the premier league, and yet we've done things the hard way, and with relative success.

 

[Liquidator]

Well Cazorla was a pretty damn good buy. The sort of player we're clearly missing in our own team.

Agree he's really great on his day, but he isn't consistently so. And you're right, we're missing Modric - who I'd compare him to.

 

[Murder She]

I cannot subscribe to the argument that the league is weaker. I am not saying it is stronger either. It's just that there is no conclusive evidence to support either argument, IMO.

 

[Gbspurs]

I cannot subscribe to the argument that the league is weaker. I am not saying it is stronger either. It's just that there is no conclusive evidence to support either argument, IMO.

Got something for you to sit on here mate!

 

[aliyid]

I don't agree that we're over achieving or punching above our weight. If you look at league finishes over the past three years then we're currently par for the course with 4th - 5th - 4th finishes (and now floating between 3rd and 5th for this season)

So I would actually say that we're exactly where we should be.

 

[CowInAComa]

They have Aguero we have Dempsey
We have Bale they have Milner.

 

[Kendall]

I don't agree that we're over achieving or punching above our weight. If you look at league finishes over the past three years then we're currently par for the course with 4th - 5th - 4th finishes (and now floating between 3rd and 5th for this season)

So I would actually say that we're exactly where we should be.

I would say Chelsea have underperformed and that's why we're anywhere near them, but we SHOULD be well above Arsenal.

So in reality, 4th is right. As a squad, we have the 4th best in the league.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I would say Chelsea have underperformed and that's why we're anywhere near them, but we SHOULD be well above Arsenal.

So in reality, 4th is right. As a squad, we have the 4th best in the league.

Do you think our squad is better than Arsenal's? I think it's quite tight and certainly don't think we should be well above them in terms of squad quality.

 

[michaelden]

That Arsenal sold RVP and will still finish above us is embarrasing.

To be fair, our transfer spending isn't in line with a club that really wants to push on. It's the minimum amount to keep us where we finish every season (4th-5th)

And we sold Modric and VdV and King retired! I don't see your point

 

[Murder She]

Got something for you to sit on here mate!

Haha fair play. I do find it amusing though that popular opinion seems to sway on this issue depending on English teams performances in the CL

 

[Wirral Spurs]

That Arsenal sold RVP and will still finish above us is embarrasing.

To be fair, our transfer spending isn't in line with a club that really wants to push on. It's the minimum amount to keep us where we finish every season (4th-5th)

They spend £1m per week more than us on wages, that's more than a team of Gareth Bales!!! It is embarrasing for them maybe especially as they have spent most of the season below us.

 

[Rogmeister]

When ever I feel down I just look at qpr. Makes me feel slightly better

 

[Spurger King]

I cannot subscribe to the argument that the league is weaker. I am not saying it is stronger either. It's just that there is no conclusive evidence to support either argument, IMO.

I think it's more diluted compared to how it was a few years ago. Back in the days of the classic sky four (United, gooners, chavs, and bin dippers) those teams were generally very strong and monopolised the best players. These days there are more good teams, meaning the best players are spread about more, resulting in slightly weaker 'top teams'.

If that makes any sense

 

[Mullers]

5th is our weight class, so if that is where we finish that is not punching above our weight.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think it's more diluted compared to how it was a few years ago. Back in the days of the classic sky four (United, gooners, chavs, and bin dippers) those teams were generally very strong and monopolised the best players. These days there are more good teams, meaning the best players are spread about more, resulting in slightly weaker 'top teams'.

If that makes any sense

Basically the league isn't weaker. If anything it's stronger because there are more teams that can beat anyone else on their day.

I think it's just arrogance from the traditional top teams to say 'the league is weaker because we don't have as many points'.

 

[14/04/91]

Arsenal & Chelsea are weaker than previous years but we're talking clubs that have won &/or challenged for the title.
We've been on an upward curve and are in our rightful position, fighting for3rd/4th.

You cannot call either of those teams 'weak' with some of the players they've got. We've done very, very well to be competing.

 

[dontcallme]

Arsenal & Chelsea are weaker than previous years but we're talking clubs that have won &/or challenged for the title.
We've been on an upward curve and are in our rightful position, fighting for3rd/4th.

You cannot call either of those teams 'weak' with some of the players they've got. We've done very, very well to be competing.

We have done well to be competing but these teams aren't doing as well in the CL as they did previously.

On paper Chelsea are very strong but it is telling that they finished 6th last season and currently battling for top four. The appalling way they are run is having a negative affect on their team.

Arsenal have been losing their top stars to Barca and the 2 Manchester clubs. I don't believe a lot of the players they have been buying are up to the quality they had 6 seasons ago.

Financially we are punching above our weight but the billionaire clubs aren't as dominant as you'd expect because of the way they are run.

 

[Mullers]

They spend £1m per week more than us on wages, that's more than a team of Gareth Bales!!! It is embarrasing for them maybe especially as they have spent most of the season below us.

It doesn't matter where they spend most of the season it matters where they finish at the end of the season. If they finish in the top four as I expect them to do, there is no embarrassment.

 

[Wirral Spurs]

It doesn't matter where they spend most of the season it matters where they finish at the end of the season. If they finish in the top four as I expect them to do, there is no embarrassment.

that was my point, I think!!

 

[al_pacino]

On paper Chelsea are very strong but it is telling that they finished 6th last season and currently battling for top four. The appalling way they are run is having a negative affect on their team.

Imagine the trophies they win if they had just Jose then Ancellotti managing them during the Abramovich years. They'd have won the CL earlier and probably a couple more times and at least a couple more leagues titles too. The mad way that its run has given other teams a look in.