Our Final League Position

Another one by request of a lady......

Where do you think we will finish up then chaps?....

 

I'm going for 6th...

 

Same. I think we might have a bit of a shakey start, but we'll get ourselves together soon enough, once new faces come in and a few players get settled.

 

Iv'e gone for 8th. I think if all goes well in Europe (fingerscrossed) league postition could suffer.

 

I also went for 8th before I saw your post.

 

Wise man Obi <smile>

 

I don't think people are being totally realistic about our league form and stuff.

Liverpool and Spurs also have the same European burden as we do. Why should they not suffer also?

It will even itself out.

 

We had a great season last time around Tash, but I just think 8th is realistic this time. We might not get more than 2 games in the Europa Cup, but regardless of cup runs, I genuinelythink top 8 is about what we can 'expect' given the players and cash some other clubs have.

 

Tiredness over the season will be a big factor and yes we know Pards will have to rotate the squad, but need a couple of new faces for the league and European campaign.

 

Sorry, but I just don't agree.

Manure, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs would be all be strong definitely able to finish above us, but after that who's going to push us down to 8th?

You might say Liverpool, but I don't see them being that great under Rodgers. Plus they have European concerns as well. They have cash, but it's how you spend it. And right now, if Borini and Allen are going to be their best signings, I'm extremely confident of finishing above them. Everton? They have even less cash to spend than us, and they always have a slow start.

I don't think people are thinking this through.

6th place is very achievable.

 

Everton will do what they alway's do start slow and come good after January.

 

I think it's best to say 6-8th place because there's a a lot on the line for each place.

We need to be in Europe again next season, or else it's bye bye Tiote, and very likely Cabaye and Cisse.

 

Once you get the taste for Europe you want more.
Pards and lads will love it.

 

Oh ye of little faith.

 

Voted 6th and i actually agree with Tash, everyone has to deal with Europe. I can see it becoming a battle between us Liverpool and Spurs for 5/6/7th places and hope no one outside the top 7 makes it to the final/wins a cup.

 

I agree that 6th is 'achieveable', but that doesn't mean that's where I think we'll finish. Top 8 will still be great in my opinion.

As well as Mun U, City, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal + Liverpool all 'likely' to do well, we are one of a cluster of teams who 'could' all do well in a good season. A string of injuries, suspensions and/or run of poor form could make us struggle. So over the course of te season, 8th is both achieveable and a realistic target. But plenty of other teams will think likewise for them, including Everton, Villa, Sunderland and then there is often at least one surprise package from the promoted teams who do well in year 1.

With some good footballing teams coming up, I think this will be an entertaining season with lots of unpredictable / unexpected results.

I'd love to be top 6. I just think it will be harder for us this season.

 

It boggles the mind how any toon fan could think that any finishing position that doesn't get us Europe is great...

Liverpool likely to do well? Please tell me what you base this on.

If we're unlucky with injuries and suspensions or w/e it will hurt us, but these are all just random things that may or may not happen to us, or any other team in the league.

I know 6th being very achievable doesn't mean we'll finish there, but If we get another CB in before the transfer window, then we have the tools to do it.

Plus It seems we just keep on getting more and more talent from the youth system improving and shining, plus fringe players getting their chance and performing. Which means more depth and a stronger squad.

8th place seems like a position we could finish in, but no one has really given a valid reason, in my opinion, as to why we'll struggle significantly, and who will push us down so many places and why they will.

Manure, City, Chelsea, Arsenal all look very strong. Spurs are a strong outfit, and still have a lot of quality without Modric.

But after them, people just go on about Liverpool's cash, and for some reason don't think that Europe will have the same Impact on them, as It might do us.

After that you say a surprise package. Obviously Everton are likely to have a good run at the end of the season. But Sunderland and Villa? Really?

All I hear from Sunderland is worrying, and the Sunderland fans getting pissed off for being linked to **** players and also key players are injured. Villa? I assume you're high. The Mcleish excuse is bollocks, they were on the decline long before he came.

I argee it will be difficult, but people just seem to be a bit negative.

I could see why you think 8th is a possible finishing position, but it's not going to be a good finish, because we need to get into Europe. We have players around the age where they want to win things, or at least be in a club in Europe with ambition to win things. We are that sort of club now, but we need to make sure we remain so.

 

5th

 

If by the end of the transfer season, the below is our squad, then I think we can feel confident and that finishing in a top 6 plus having a decent Europa run is very possible -

GK -

Krul
Harper
Elliot

Fullbacks -

Santon
Simpson
Perch
Raylor/Anita/Tav cover + Play in less significant games.

CB -

Colo
Saylor
New CB (Douglas would be fantastic)
Willo
Perch
Good
Tav

Wingers/Wide mids -

Ben Arfa
Marv
Jonas
Raylor
Obertan
Ferguson

CM/CDM/CAM

Cabaye
Tiote
Gosling
Amalfitano
Bigi
Anita
Perch (Defensive mid cover)
Jonas (As holding mid)

Forwards/Strikers

Cisse
Ba
Shola
Ben Arfa (Support striker)
Sammy

We could do with an extra striker, but I think we can manage without one.

We need more depth at fullback, which we'll get from Anita. The most important thing is a new, reliable CB.

If we get those in, then we can do it. I know we have a few wobbly injuries worries at the moment, but they don't sound long term things. Colo sounds like he just has a knock, and I think that will most likely stop him playing for Argentina, which will only benefit us.

Tiote could likely miss Spurs, but he was absent or off form most last season, we can manage without him for parts of this season, but hopefully he'll play at least 20 games this season, as we're more solid with him.

 

Have voted for 8th for a couple of reasons. Firstly i agree that the extra games in europe will have an effect and we (at the mo) havent done much signing to spark the excitement that we can do better. Secondly, last season i said 8th (in hope) and we got 5th so i would rather predict realistically and be surprised and delighted than get carried away a bit then be disappointed.
Agree that we really need to qualify for europe again tho to keep our top players and sign other gems although we wernt in europe when we signed Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Afa, Collo, Ba, Guti, Cisse etc. so if we do lose some hopefully it will be for big fees and Mr Carr can find us the cheaper Gems to replace them.
As for competition to be honest i cant see us finishing ahead of Citeh, Manure, The Arse or Chelski leaving us in a battle with Liverpool, Spuds and Everton, so there is some hope of getting higher than 8th.
Think we will need to revisit this thread when the window closes and we have played a few times.