On one of the comments under a recent WO article, someone asked the interesting question of 'Would you take 17th place now if it was offered?'. I'd take it as that's always been the main target. In the recent podcast, one of the 'From the Rookery End' boys said the headline should read 'Mission Accomplished' if we did stay up, so for me 17th is something I'd take now. Would you?
The problem with finishing 17th after such a good start is that we would need to have imploded to such an extent (say only another 16 points from 23 matches) that morale would be severely damaged as would the likelihood of us attracting the quality of players to improve upon that 17th place next season.
I suppose that conundrum is the main reason for the question. Is the initial target (of survival) still the main target given our start?
I would not take it. I honestly believe we will finish higher than 17th and feel that 17th would not set us up for the future. OK - things could go wrong but to settle for anything less than we could achieve is negative. Not for me.
Bearing in mind what happened to Blackpool after their good start, you'd have to be mad not to take it! I also believe you will easily finish top half!
Blackpool were more akin to yourselves or Bournemouth - we have taken a different path and tried to establish a team not consisting of promoted players. Would Crystal Palace or Stoke take 17th? Those are the clubs we need to target. I think to accept 17th is defeatist. I would rather shoot to win - if we fail then let us go for promotion again - last year was not so bad.
So would I if I were in your position - i.e. remain where you are - that is what I would take now for Watford for sure - half way up. If we get a point a game from here on we will end with 45 points - over the last 5 years that would secure on average 12th place. I'd take that too. Surely we can aspire to get a point per game from here on.
The team is growing in experience , ability and confidence ..we will also see a few quality additions to the squad in January . We are better than 17th place . Given a choice I would not take 17th and just let the season unfold . With good fortune re injuries , I feel a top 10 finishing spot beckons . My guess is Villa , Norwich ( sorry Dave ) and Swansea will go down.
Just imagine how stressful it's going to be on all of us between now and the end of the season if we do actually finish 17th ....also finishing the season that low down would make us one of the favorites to be relegated next season .
Last season when Norwich won promotion people on their site were saying they would be OK because they had seasoned PL players. It was pointed out gently that those same players had them relegated. If we did finish that low, or even went down, how many of our players would be retained to try to get out of the Championship again?
I've always maintained that this squad has been put together with Europe in mind not merely survival. Nothing I've seen suggests anything else, whatever the shortcomings of two or three of our signings. A couple of decent additions next month could add impetus. Don't get me wrong, I do not expect us to qualify this season, but I think we'll be nearer Europe than relegation at the end of the season. Failing that, as Leo suggests, a point per match should be very achievable and a terrific achievement.
Blackpool were an unusual case. Whilst they had 25 points by the end of the calendar year, I see no reason why we should not have more than that. Of course a lot depends on Deeney and Ighalo remaining fit. Things went from bad to worse after our main strikers were injured the last time we stayed up.
Blackpool had to make up games and teams was finding out how to play them . In most years i would not take the 17th place But this year i would ,Because the risk of losing out on the large amount of cash for next years .My target for this year was 23 for the !st half and 20 for the 2ond
