My thoughts on the points raised in the thread:
I think we would have finished 3rd if Taylor had been fit all season. We had Mike Williamson playing for most of the season, and he is horrific, easily cost us at least 5 points that Taylor wouldn't have. However, we all know football is a squad game not a team game, and if you're cover isn't up to scratch, you finish where you deserve. Doesn't mean we wouldn't have finished 3rd if Steven had been fit all season though.
Ba's lack of goals is worrying. He doesn't seem to be able to play left wing very well, or link up with Cisse well, which is a problem. However, with the extra games this season, there should be plenty of chances for him to play in the striker role without Cisse, as we rotate our squad, so he still has a key part to play in the season.
We weren't lucky last season, not one bit. HOWEVER, what we benefited from were Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea teams that under performed dramatically. We have improved from last season with the signing of Anita, but the above mentioned teams have improved more and I see us struggling to match them this year. Liverpool and us will be very close to each other imo. Although a point in our favour is that either Tiote or Ba + Cisse will not be leaving for the ACoN this year.
Sir Bobby Robson. I have to admit, I'm not saying I wanted him gone, but I wasn't averse to his sacking. Even the great men eventually have to step aside, and imo it was time for him to go and in hindsight I still agree with the decision. Most NUFC fans I knew wanted him to stay like, but I'll be honest, I was well more annoyed when Keegan went the second time around.
As for my league table, I'm going to make the assumption that you sign a central midfielder, a left back and Steven Fletcher, and no clubs make any real ground breaking transfers:
1)Man City
2)Chelsea
3)Arsenal
4)Man U
5)Liverpool
6)Spurs
7)Newcastle
8)Everton
9)QPR
10)West Ham
11)Sunderland
12)Wigan
13)Fulham
14)Norwich
15)Southampton
16)Villa
17)Reading
18)Stoke
19)Swansea
20)West Brom