Can we challenge for a top four finish???

Just interested to see if people believe a top four finish is a realistic target this season...

I personally believe it is, as long as we field a starting 11 of all younger/fringe players for all of our league cup games and for at least every group game in europe (should we make it through the qualifier). We also still need a centre half and a full back, not to add depth to the squad but to improve the first 11, we have enough squad players IMO and now need a couple of players that are likely to feature in the majority of our league games (our main priority).

Looking at chelsea, arsenal, liverpool and spurs I reckon the squads are all relatively similar in terms of ability (provided we get above mentioned signings), with maybe chelsea having the best squad depth. For me the two teams most likely to finish 3rd & 4th will simply be the team that suffers the fewest injuries.

I obviously haven't included the two manchester teams, as for me they are almost certain to be battling it out for the title again.

Queue shouts of delusion...

 

Not really but we'd have said the same last year so anything is possible.

 

With the current squad no, but if we bought well then who knows.

 

No. We had one very good season against clubs who are spending far more than us.

Many teams who have finished in Europa places before have struggled the following season and slipped down the league. Top 7 - 8 would still be good in my opinion - anything higher would be a bonus. Ideally with a good cup - oh, and finishing higher than the Mackems, of course.

 

Agreed, other teams are spending sums of money that we simply can't afford. However, when I think of Krul, Colo, Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cisse & Ba we've got 7 players there that would get in to most of the prem's top teams. Hence my raised expectations should injuries be avoided.

 

Aye, I'm not doubting we have a strong nucleus of a squad. It's the demands of the extra games that could hamper us, assuming we get past the initial qualifying for Europa. Just a few injuries / suspensions and we'll be relying on 'fringe' players a lot. As Ba of Cisse says, it may well depend on any further comings + goings in the transfer window.

IF we could do top 4 I would be totally ecstatic, because my expectations are lower. Top half would still be OK and I think 6th is a realistic 'target' for us, if we have a nother good season. I think we're likely to be about 7th / 8th. I'll be more than happy to be proven wrong if it's in the right direction!

 

To be fair I was probably getting slightly ahead of myself by saying I have "raised expectations" this season. I'm trying to say I'd be far from surprised if we did finish in the top four, where as last season a 5th placed finish was beyond anything I could have hoped for.

 

Easily done!

Last season my expectations were fairly low and so I was very pleasantly surprised. As a result, I now I have greater hopes for next season. But I try to keep 'hope' and 'expectation' slightly separate, so as not to be too disappointed.

I just can't wait for the season to start.


HOWAY THE LADS!!

 

No

 

Hey Clubin. Where do you think both NUFC and SAFC will finish this season?

 

NUFC=7TH
SAFC=9th

 

Anything can happen. And a lot depends on how the transfer window finally shakes out. But realistically no.

 

You could get remy and we could get Doumbia

 

I think we can. I don't think we've got a cats chance in hell of finishing in the top 3, but Arsenal, despite being stronger on paper, aren't out of reach IMO.

5th would be the spot I reckon we could really push for. Spurs will be without Modric, but still be strong, but with AVB, who knows what will happen?

5-6th I see us finishing.

Liverpool aren't scaring me, Everton are losing key players.

 

A lot of fans from other clubs will be looking to see how we perform this coming season, so many people were waiting for us to slip up last season, and will take delight in telling us it was a fluke that we did so well.

We've got a lot more on our plate this season, but I'm expecting us to be around top six.

 

For me a 6-8th finish will be good, anything better ..great

Currently I just dont think we have the squad depth as yet for a CL push plus EC etc this season....assuming we get a minimum of 3 solid signings in this summer, I still think the season 13/14 might be the one for CL push, the kids that are going to make it will be there in the squad, havign had LC and EC experience, plus another 3 signings next summer and any leaving first eleven players being replaced like for like..then we should begin to have the depth of squad needed for a realistic CL push.

I know every other team will be strenghtenign too..but at an abstract level you need bodies and effectively an 'A' and very close in talent/quality 'B' team ..at the moment we have one and a bit teams.

 

I just don't understand anyone who thinks finishing below a Europa League spot would be a good finish. I really don't. If we don't, we can say goodbye to most of our best players.

Unless we qualify for Europe some other way, but with our record in cups, and the fact that we have Europa League already on us, I'm not too hopeful on that.

 

Haven't looked forward to a season as much as this one for a long time, got that buzz of knowing we're entering the season as a team that should be challenging the top 6 plus the return of europe. Although for me europe should be used to bring the kids on another level and keep players like perch, shola, obertan etc match fit. At least for the group stages, and then gradually bring in more first team players the further we progress (should we get through our qualifier)!

 

Not neccassarily, look at the quality we got in when we earmarked for possible relegation last season ..if the 'NUFC organisation' is as good as it seems from the outside, targetting players for quality in both football and character etc, and the whole arc of the squad is upward towards CL participation, I dont see a mass exodus is on the cards ..a few maybe but replace like for like quality wise etc.
That all said ..I prefer to down play expectations and be pleasently surprised if we exceed them.

 

It would not be impossible but it is also not likely. If we can manage 5 - 6 again, we will have done well and may be able to try to build from that