I would be happy with 7th or 8th, that's a good final target. If we reach higher i would be ecstatic and season after next I expect us to be pushing top 6. Would love a cup run. Here's a thought what would your early cup team be, assuming no new signing? Best team possible without impacting on 1st team...
Kelv, Chambers, Fonte, Stephens/Turnbull, Targett, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon, Davis, Isgrove, JRod. Or something along those lines, would obviously depend who we were playing but that's the kind of team I'd field against a Championship and below team.
Bit difficiult LL without knowing how many more players we will sign but Gazza Turnbull Jos Stephens Targett Davis JWP Isgrove Guly Mayuka Sinclair
I think it all depends on what additional players we sign yet. Currently I would be expecting us to break into the top 10. No one really though we would get promoted in ou first season in the championship so anything is possible!
I just want to say please everyone don't freak out if we don't make the top half next season. Villa, Swansea, Norwich and Sunderland are all showing a lot of ambition as well and it's going to be tough no matter how much we spend. We can't simply buy our way up the table.
Exactly. It doesn't matter what we're doing, it matters what we're doing in relation to other teams - at the moment we're not exactly progressing that much faster than them so to think we'd immediately shoot ahead of them is too optimistic.
It's clearly easier to be optimistic before a ball has been kicked, but yes, Swansea no doubt have loftier ambitions, and with the foundation of having a good last season. I like Swansea. And as Joe has said, Norwich have shown ambition by making some seemingly shrewd signings too. I wouldn't begrudge either of those two clubs any success, but I feel we will be able to match them at the moment even without any more signings. We were very close to turning draws into wins in a number of games last season, and if our signings make the desired difference, we could be in for an exciting season.
Can't say that Saints finishing top 4 is anything more than wishful thinking. But if the new signings settle in well (and quickly) top 8 has to be a real possibility. Will be a stepping stone to gate crash Europe the season after next.
