Can we challenge for a top four finish???

Completely agree! For me this is our biggest season for years, purely because we have the strongest team we've had in about the last decade. From here we have to kick on, win the odd cup over the next few years and be challenging for a champions league spot. With the minimum we achieve being a europa league spot.

If we don't then cabaye, tiote, cisse & co will be signed by a team in the champions league and we will have to build from scratch again. We've accumulated a strong core of players, with a very good blend of youth and experience for a fairly moderate amount of money, not something that could be easily achieved again and in order to keep this squad in tact and happy qualifying for europe again this season is a must IMO.

 

Maybe not win the odd cup, that was too strong, but we should be looking to contest semi finals etc.

 

It is a very competitive league and its pretty arrogant to suggest that anything below a Europa League spot is poor. Personally I think we are well capable of mixing it again but you have to have a shot of realism about the league, the finances some clubs have, and if spent wisely the impact that can have. We have had one cracking season, hardly the basis for us to suddenly expect Europe year on year. Its gone now and the hard work starts all over again.

 

It's not that I would think it's poor, for example if we finished 7th/8th I wouldn't view that as a poor league finish. However I don't think some of our best players would be satisfied with that, meaning they'd be more likely to leave. You only have to look at spurs and modric to see what happens when you miss out on the champions league/europa league.

 

No doubt. You have to press on to keep the guys at the club. You would hope we will but like I say there are no guarantees where the PL is concerned. Well bar having Citeh type cash to spread around. If we ended up 10th I'd be slightly disappointed but I certainly wouldn't think there is something wrong or that it was a poor season. You have to be respectful of the other clubs. Liverpool could be a threat, Sunderland could be under O'Neill, Everton probably will be, Fulham have made good progress under Jol, Chelsea will be a different animal, Spurs have quality, then there is Arsenal and the Manchester clubs too. They are all capable of occupying top 9 spots just like us.

 

I think everyone would be happy with europa again. As for CL, I definately think we'll finish below Man C, Man U and Chelsea. Arsenal could be a powerhouse or could fall to pieces. I'd like to think we can finish above Liverpool, and Spurs will be there or about where we are.

The dark horses are Everton imho, they could have that fabled strong first half of the season this time...

If anything we may squeak 4th, I hope so but I don't think it is too likely at the moment! Of course Cisse could score 200 goals and I win that bet I have on Newcastle winning the PL this season