Europe chances

We're better than Everton. They've lost their creative spark in Arteta. I'd say Tiote > Feilini (**** Coloccini), Cabaye is better than any midfield they have. Also we have more quality on the wings than them.

Attacking wise, again i'd say we're better, B&B are a great upfront pair.

Defensively, we're better CB area, they've got better fullbacks.

We're better.

 

If we were creating a combined team, the only Everton players i'd want are Baines, Coleman (only cause I haven't seen enough of Santon) and possibly Cahill. Otherwise, we are better in every position. However, they always seem to do well.

 

I thought Situ failed because the paperwork was after the deadline? They tried to do a Spurs with VDV, but the league didn't allow. (different rules for small clubs!) He's french isn't he, so wouldn't require a work permit? Not necessarily him though, just someone of that ilk. True about the wings, I just prefer a natural right winger. I'd say we have an abudance of lefties but must admit I think it would be bottom priority because of the young players.

Obviously we are desperate for competition up top but the club is well aware of that and I'm pretty confident we'll sign a striker in Jan.

 

Situ was born in France and is an EU citizen though, wasn't it just that Swansea were too late putting the paperwork through?

 

No, I think it was cos he's under 21 so needs a permit. Abeid needed one like that I think.

 

FU ALL!!! TITLE BY 10 POINTS!!!! with love a deluded Geordie

 

Haha

Really id be happy with a top 10 and a CC/FA cup run, with a europa league spot at the end of it.

 

Man Utd
Man City
Chelsea
Tottenham
Liverpool
Newcastle
Arsenal

Everton

That's achievable imo. Spurs look strong and have quite some threat. I can't see Liverpool overtaking them in all honesty. On Sunday Spurs had 5 or so players I was really worried about. Who do Liverpool have? Suarez and that's all I can think of by ways of major threats. They just don't have enough "players to watch out for", so to speak.

Arsenal may push up, but we're already 6 points clear. Losing Nasri, Fabregas and Clichy are such major blows. They're quite possibly the only top 10 team who I'd say are weaker now than last season. Every other team has strengthened. They'll do well and recover form, but they're paper thin with injuries already too. Maybe Wilshere will make a difference.

As for Everton, they too, are much weaker compared to last season with the loss of Arteta. They also appear to have very little attacking threat. They're a great little team and a great unit on the field, but when everyone else around them has strengthened like they have, I can't see where Everton will get it from.

If we keep injuries to a minimum and invest in January, then 6th is achievable, perhaps 7th if Arsenal do buck their ideas up, but that's still ****ing superb.

 

A quick scout around the internet suggests Situ was just down to international clearance. I'd imagine he will be joining Swansea because he was even training with them but you never know. For all we know he might just have accepted the delay an stayed with Swansea till Jan of course. I'd like him but its based on very little. I like the idea because he can play defensive midfield.

 

This is key. Its ossible HBA could get another long term injury, Demba's knees could explode and Collo/Saylor could also get a long-term injury, in which case we're ****ed.

 

Wouldnt it be great if us and Liverpool ended up in Europa league. Even better if Liverpool didnt and we did. Bet Jose would be very quiet then

 

Top 10 would be a great season. In terms of attack and defence we don't have enough quality in the squad to push for Europe, even though our starting XI is top 7 standard. Happy to consolidate this year.

 

You're quite good sometimes, you know? Tend to find myself agreeing more and more lol (except when you go all Joe Kinnear )

Also, it's the game we want to work our way towards. Where we could lose players we could gain others. How many have chosen other clubs over us in recent years, due to europe?



(relised I have been neglecting my badgers of late)

 

I'd laugh so much at Enrique if we ended up in the Europa League and they didn't . Just imagine him leaving us for a European bound club only to find that his previous club edges them out of it.

 

In terms of Europa, we don't have the depth to accommodate the schedule and unfortunately I don't see Pardew blooding in too many youngsters either so if we qualified I'd be pretty worried about expectations far outweighing results unless we surprised people by bringing in 5 or 6 extra players at no expense of existing players bar the excess baggage we are carrying.

 

While I don't think we'll get into Europe, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it on the basis of the squad not being ready. I look at the group of youngsters we have, and in a year or two time they'll give us some real depth. A sensible manager would use the competition to blood some young players, but I do doubt Pardew would be so cavalier about it.

 

Arsenal will bounce back, spuds will get above us too. I think the best we could possibly hope for is europa league through coming 7th, up against Villa, Everton, Stoke, Sunderland, Fulham.... all those and us will look to grab 7th down over. Theres a long way to go yet, i would be happy with anywhere in the top ten. No chance for champions league.

 

Realistically the top 6 will be the same 6 teams again, but after that I think we have as good a chance of be next as anyone, though don't rule out Everton, Fulham, Villa or Stoke.

 

Is 7th a Europa League place?
Does losing a Carling Cup final to say Man U get us into Europe? If yes, to either of those I reckon we COULD if we're lucky be back in Europe next year.

During ACoN Play Ben Arfa off Best with Guthrie covering Tiote and pray for no injuries... maybe even Abeid for Tiote if he's developed well.

 

7th will get Europa Cup if the League Cup in won by a top 6 team and the FA Cup Final is between two top 6 teams. Also what about Gosling.