Wow, I'm usually one of the glass half empty contributors but it would seem most of you are far less optimistic about our chances than I thought. Before our spectacular entry into the transfer market many on here were saying that there surely must be 3 teams worse than us among the likes of Swansea, Norwich, Wigan, Wolves, Blackburn, etc. With our influx of players you surely have to hope the bar has been raised at least a bit further.
If we can get to January in the middle of the bottom-half at worst we should be able to strengthen the key positions of centreback and striker which should see us safe, so I reckon at present we are 1/2.
Any club coming up will always be in the first category, right up until / if the maths dictate otherwise. Even if we had baqsically gone and bought Man City's squad, I'd be saying the same. Over the season, we will need to ride our luck at times, we'll need to make sure that we convert posession into chances and chances into goals, we'll need the defence (whoever it is week in, week out) to be tighter than a very tight duck's arse, and even assuming all of this happens, if you hand me 17th on goal difference now, I'll gladly bite your hand off and declare the season over. But if we start shipping goals (especially like against Bolton, where we didn't look like losing right up to the point they scored their second) and if we end up on the wrong end of too many tonkings, then it's gonna be down to the way the lads react - and in that case I can only hope that Neil instills some pride in the shirt and the badge pretty quickly. Cos we'll need them to start fighting for pride and points.
It's hard not to feel we are still in category 1. We have significantly improved our squad; however, now this team has to play together and carry out on-the-pitch tactics to win (or not lose) the games ahead. I am feeling much better about the team (and bench) that we can now put out to do that. The coming few weeks will show whether NW can now pull it off. There's no excuses now, he tells us he's got the players he wanted all along - now we have to walk the talk!! All of that said - I am pleasantly optimistic at our improved chances to finish above the 'R' positions!
Must say, very impressively reasoned thread following a well decent OP from AAAAAGH. I reckon if, as fans, our expectations don't rise much beyond 16th or 17th, we'll end up pretty chuffed come next May. Also reckon that with this mob we'll take a few points off the big guys to make up for a few dropped against the likes of Wigan. Weakness for me is down our left flank. Taarabt's not much of a tracker and Traore and Faurlin are a bit lightweight defensively... That could draw Ferdinand left and creates gaps down the middle. Anyway, all good for January (least there may be some further spending options now) and there's still every chance the left sided players will have shaped up by then.
You are still one of the weaker teams left in the PL and probably still amongst the favourites for the drop but you've given yourselves a great chance with the signings you've made, I'd say you are a more solid outfit than a few others i.e Blackburn, Swansea, Norwich and Wigan so I think survival for you is certainly realistic. I wouldn't go as far as European qualification, there are still some good sides in this division bar the usual. Spurs, Villa, Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland will almost certainly be in contention for those spots, and Fulham and maybe Wolves will be knocking on the door as well. My guess is you'd do well to finish 15th, which is survival, and to be honest that is all that matters in your first season
I'm quite surprised as well. I thought there'd be a good few putting us in Category 3, the rest in 2 and none in 1. Maybe with the winter weather starting to arrive, the optimists are getting a little depressed!
Also able to play further forward and unlike Bradley Orr, great on the overlap. From what I've read the main criticism of Armand is in his defensive work, particularly positioning. 8-2 say it but apart from the ManU game, haven't actually see him play!
1 Manchester United* 80 2 Chelsea 71 3 Manchester City 71 4 Arsenal 68 5 Tottenham Hotspur 62 6 Liverpool 58 7 Everton 54 8 Fulham 49 9 Aston Villa 48 10 Sunderland 47 11 West Bromwich Albion 47 12 Newcastle United 46 13 Stoke City 46 14 Bolton Wanderers 46 15 Blackburn Rovers 43 16 Wigan Athletic 42 17 Wolverhampton 40 18 Birmingham City 39 19 Blackpool* 39 20 West Ham United* 33 I predict another tight year from last season above just shows exactly how tight it is getting Many on here have favoured 17th so best we get ready then for just the one game against Man City away on the last day ... I think most will agree we may need to be safe before that game. My point? Why can't we imagine ourselves as good as Fulham three games better than Wolves. Maybe after the Magpie game then the belief can start.
If the team gel quickly, we could be a safe 2, but all the new signings have their work cut out for that. Anything 17th and up is a result for all of us, but there are defo more than 3 sides who are in a worse off situation than us, just think it's gonna take a bit of time. Just hope everyone stays behind the whole team - management included - during the stormy times that are to come, cos I believe we will survive, but there will be a few fingernails bitten before the end of May
i might just be being optimistic but i like to think we are 2 but creeping closer to 3. we do have more experience than we had 1 month ago.... i guess well see where were heading by january
With no Premiership form, 17th is the aim. My heart says higher but, like a few on here, I'd take staying up on goal difference in a second. We need to target the games where we can get something and try to accumulate 40pts ASAP because March onwards is looking tough. If and when we get those points (hopefully sooner rather that later) then we can try to surprise a few of the big teams at the tail end of the season when we aren't under pressure and see what we can do.
