The facts there for all to see, well all who want to see. Week in week out I would post we would win and place my bet, poor Brucie got the blame but we know, yes we know it was me and those bloody bets. I then stopped placing bets and the run started, I was happy for Bruce to carry the can but cant see why MON should take the credit. On a serious note, we are 3, maybe 4 games away from a Wembley win and it is not beyond the realms of possibility we could finish 6th or 7th. Of course we could lose on Saturday and hit a bad run, maybe finish 12th or 13th, would we be disappointed at that outcome, probably yes but do we have a right to be disappointed with a quarter final place in the cup and strong mid table finish? Looking at where we were in October, who could have predicted it. The big test comes next season, MON and Short have got us all excited now so what do we expect next season?
I'm worried that some will have totally unrealistic expectations. First, on who we buy in the summer, how much Ellis will spend, getting a 20 goal a season striker etc; second, how we will automatically be 5th-7th before a ball is kicked. Then the frustration will kick in...
That's the danger but why not, why cant we compete with the top 8?In my years its always been we can with a bit of luck but now, we have the owner and manager, both are saying all the right things so why not.
If we don't win the league by 14 points next season, I will burn an effigy of Ellis & MON..... ... seriously though, I think next season will see a genuine, concerted push towards 7th and Europe, a lot will depend on getting in the correct partner for Campbell, and Whickhams development. I'm delighted with the midfield, assuming Sess stays, and aside from that, left back (as always) and a commanding CB and I think we're a smashing side. Hopefully Bridge gets close to his old self, then we only need 2 players IMO, which is pretty ****ing good.
If you'd asked most supporters at the beginning of the season what their expectations were, most would have said mid table or above and a decent cup run. To get this far in the cup is IMo pretty decent although i firmly beleive we can go further. Top 10? it will happen. You can put money on it Syd.
a decent striker[not Bendy] Bridge if he comes good and i would like to see how the Greek does with a run of games, if they work out ok then we only need to splash the cash on a top notch striker, there are plenty in the Dutch leagues.
I would be happy with a comfortable season in the top 10, but a really good go at BOTH cups next season. Hopefully defending the FA cup
Our season will not be determined by the Cup run, but by how we finish in the league. We finished so poorly last season, it just continued on into this one. Win, lose or draw on Saturday, Mon is absolutely the man to take us forward. Quarter finalists and a top 8 place would be fantastic, especially after where we were in December.
With a good new striker and a bit of tinkering next season we should be chasing a euro spot for sure.
Just a thought. The cup run could change our season - imagine if we were losing semifinalists to either Spurs or Chelsea, they both qual for the ECL and we are above Stoke or Bolton in the league so qual for the Europaleague via the back door. This is identical to Newcastle qualifying some years ago when Sheff U were the other losing semi-finalists.
