Where could we be by the end of the season?

Man Utd
Man City
Chelsea
Spurs
Liverpool
Arsenal

They'll be top 6 in one way or another I suspect, which leaves 7th and 8th in the hands of, in my view:

Newcastle
Sunderland
Villa
Fulham
Stoke
Everton

Fulham and Stoke both have extra Europa League pressure, and Stoke still haven't solved their away form difficulties, so I doubt they're going to make it. One thrashing of QPR by Fulham sure is nice, but ultimately I doubt it will help them in the long run.

Sunderland, I can't see them doing it either, as they're already 9 points behind us, which means they'd not only have to turn around their poor performances, but also outclass us by at least 3 wins over the course of the season just to draw even. They might do it, but it'll be some feat.

That, to me, leaves Villa and Everton. Everton are weaker than last season, but they still manage to pull thesemlves together, mostly with the quality of their defence. Villa aren't looking hugely impressive, but they're still unbeaten and have some really high quality players on paper.

If we keep injuries to a minimum and keep performing well with a strong momentum, we may be able to go ahead of Everton due to our superior midfield and attack. As for Villa, I just don't know. They have the potential to finish ahead of us, but if they don't, I think McLeish will be largely responsible due to his overly defensive tactics and playing players like N'Zogbia on the wrong side.

So, in my view, 8th is a good target, or maybe even 7th.

 

Top Ten still, for me. Keep our squad fit and hopefully we can push higher, but if we finish 10th come May, I'll be a happy chap.

 

Where do you specifically think though? Don't beat about the bush son. Name your number.

 

I think it'll be difficult to say though. I reckon there will be very little in it between those 6 teams you mentioned there. Maybe only 5 or 6 points between 7th and 12th. Like the end of last season, 3-0 up to 3-3 at full time dropped us from 9th to 12th it was that close. It'll be like that again I reckon. So hard to predict!

 

Does it matter? I don't really care if we finish eighth as opposed to finishing tenth. The history books will record that we finished top ten, and that's the top and bottom of it.

If I'm gonna be pushed though, I'd love us to finish . . . .

in single digits

 

Personally I think 7th is possible but we'd do absolutely incredible to get it.

 

I dared to say 7th in a previous thread and got shot down in flames by a Bristolian poster.

 

definitely in the top 1

 

The delusion criers will pick this apart.

Top ten, 8th is probably the target. Can see us finishing tenth or ninth though.

 

I think we'll finish above Arsenal but below Everton and maybe Stoke or Villa

 

You'll definitely get shot down in flames by the Bristolian glory hunting poster.

 

Anywhere from 1st to 20th. I love fences.

 

6th or 7th. I don't know where we can finish to be honset... as high as possible!!

 

12th

 

I know exactly where we'll be at the end of the season - Goodison Park

 

TBH I don't see Arsenal in the Top 6 ... they've already have 2 important players, Wilshere and Sagna out injured for 4 months and haven't been convincing against the weaker teams...

 

I think it all depends who we sign in January. If our players are playing in the African cup of nations (Tiote and Ba) then we need to get replacements for them. We also need some more defensive cover as it could all go wrong if we end up with Perch at the back. If we sign a few players I think we have a good chance of 7th or 8th. I do not think that Arsenal will be top 6 though.

 

This. I think we should expect to finish in the top 12. Realistically finish in the top 10. Hope to finish in the Top 8. Pray to finish above.

 

I am going with 9th and winning one of the cups...... there i have said it.

 

Hugely impressed with Fulham myself. Have tight unit and well organised. Think them and Everton will be the two we have to beat to 7th. Everton always come good towards the end of the season and MOyes admits he knows why they start slowly, its fairly deliberate for me even if they won't say it. They obviously hammer them in pre season to get a strong base fitness which benefits them later on, but not to begin with. Stoke are obviously a handful but I feel their first experience of Europa league will hurt them later. I'd go Everton 7th Fulham 8th, Newcastle 9th, Stoke 10th, Villa 11th.