Does anyone else have real confidence that we can finish 4-6th?

Man City and United are obviously above us. Chelsea also look brilliant. Loads of talent in there, loads of flair, some fantastic passing and movement.

Arsenal have brought some quality in, but they don't look too good in front of goal.

I know it's only the first game gone and all that, but you can tell they are already missing RVP. They look quality when passing the ball, but they lack that bit of bottle. But that may come with time.

Spurs look good, and they may have deserved a result against us, but I think we produced the best moments of quality within the game.

We didn't even play that well for 60 mins of the game, and we managed to beat a Spurs team that still looks very threatening, even without Modric.

Liverpool, I seriously don't understand why, before the start of the season, they were much better odds to finish in the top 4 than we were. Everyone ****s over them for no reason. They haven't really added anyone to the side that makes me believe they'lll be any better than last season. Borini is a good striker, but Suarez is better. Adding more strikers doesn't necessarily mean more goals. Allen is a canny player, but 15m?

 

I think we may have a chance of 4th but think 5th again or 6th a more likely finishing position for us which although it may sound strange to say but i think that would still represent progress for us in that we have shown consistency at the top end rather than being a one off last season. Saturday not a great performance from us but some flashes of brilliance which players the standard of Ba, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote and Anita can give a team and a great end result for us against a team who will be "up there" this season and we only drew with last season.

 

I'm not sure about real confidence, its very early doors. However I do have a lot of faith in our squad, manager and their discipline. I'm hopeful of a position between 4th-7th but I think we have a significant advantage over Spurs and Liverpool. We have a clearly defined tactical set up which has been built over 2 seasons. They have new managers and a bit of bedding in to do. Spurs did look good but much will depend on the business they do between now and September 1st.

Liverpool are a team in transition again. They have decided to make a change and brought in a guy whose philosophy is very different from the previous incumbent. Therefore you have to expect this season to be up and down, rarely do things just click. I can just see problems there to be honest. He needs a season to get things right and they'll need to show patience. I know they have a good set of fans but I'm not convinced they are as patient as they used to be. If you look at the fixtures they have Man City H, Arsenal H, Blunderland A, Man U H in the next 4 league games. It is not inconceivable they could lose all 4. Unlikely of course but Man U, Arsenal and Man City are capable of going anywhere and winning. Blunderland is a very tough place to go and if they've had a couple of decent result sin the meantime the home crowd will be bang up for it. Now if they are 0 and 5, I think the pressure will go through the roof! I think he could be gone by game 10 if they get in a rut.

A wise man betting at this stage would have to think we are more likely a top 6 side than Liverpool. I rate Rodgers and think he has bought some decent players, and Lucas will make a massive difference but there is still a lot of work on.

Arsenal are well set but I think they'll be a slow burner. Mainly because of the changes in forward line which often take the longest to bed in. Obviously Wenger has a clearly defined way of setting up his teams but they still need time.

If we can get off to a quick start again and stick to the principles which took us so far last season, then who knows. The lads who have been observing Ramadan will improve massively as we found last season. Pards reckons Tiote has been **** hot pre season so if he can leave Saturdays passing nightmare behind, he alone can have a massive impact.

And lastly we have Benni! I'm deadly serious here, this lad is something else and could turn into one of the leagues superstars this season.

 

No it's very unlikley but not impossible.

also I disagree that Chelsea looked great I think Wigan were just slow into the game.

 

**** off Mr Tiote.

 

It's very unlikely we'll emulate last season +/- 1 place? The probability, all things considered, is not going to be low what ever formulations one concocts right now... Are you trying not to tempt fate? If so, good job

I would say our team is premier league proven quality, who mixed it all season with the big-boys on merit. Financially, we're being sensible, so if we drop behind the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, then it's no biggie. But we are 2 points up on last season so far, can't be a bad thing.

We'll have to wait and see about some of Chelsea's signings. Hazard doesn't look any better than Ben Arfa to me, he's horribly one footed, and whilst quite quick and alright at dribbling, his passing in general has been pretty **** so far (although his assists were ok). It'll be interesting to see him progress in the league, but I hope Pardew has set out his plan today in training by pinpointing him as someone to force on the other foot. It might be that Cheick has to dog him all game, would love to see how he copes with that!

Oh well, I think it's excellent there's some optimism around the club! Would be happy with top half and a run in something, but I suspect we can get, or maybe should get Europa again this year. Champions league places will depend a lot on what happens in the last few days of the window perhaps.

 

Bit to early to say exactly where we will be challenging, see how the first few league and European games go first.
I think the squad might be a little to light which may have a knock on affect to the league.
Saying that, from what I've heard and seen Pardew intends on playing a lot of youth in Europe and will be happy to mix and match a lot more judging by the teams he fielded for the friendlies.

I'm not saying 4th is insanely out of reach but might be to much for us, can see us finishing around where we were last season. But won't be a disaster if we slip down a couple of places.

 

I would take 5th now, but I maybe would of took 10th last season

 

Not confident at all of a higher than 6th finish ..But I do have a strange, mild, low level sense of optimism that we MIGHT finish higher than 6th. (After having my optimistic streak well and truly tested by NUFC over the years, I prefer to not get too optimistic at all ..then 9 times out of 10 I am right ..and the other time..pleasantly surprised) So I am sticking with 6th - 8th ..... is good.

 

With another striker a 4th placed finish is a very realistic target to have, Pardew has already come out and said top four is the aim this season.

For me a new striker is key, we can't expect Demba and Cisse to play every league game, Shola is a decent sub and good for europe/cup games. It's a known fact that teams that have achieved a top four finish over recent season have had 3 strikers of top pedigree. An example of needing 3 quality strikers is Liverpool, they relied heavily on Gerrard and Torres in previous seasons, but Gerrard has now been injury plagued for a few years and Torres was out of sorts during in his last 18 months at them. As their cover wasn't of equal quality they just couldn't sustain any sort of top four finish.

If we don't lose any players but also don't bring anyone else in, I would say anything from 5th-8th.

 

I really think finishing outside the Europa spots would be a disappointing finish.

I personally think that if we get another CB and full back in, we can really be in for a great chance of 5th. 4th seems like a long shot, but It's definitely not out of the question.

But we played average and beat a fantastic team 2-1, and won through moments of quality. If we can beat a team like Spurs without playing that well, then I think we can count ourselves with a fantastic chance.

I wouldn't say Spurs are in a position to claim they're stronger than us. Only one available striker, Modric leaving, and VDV not really doing it anymore.

I'd say with another CB and a fullback, we'd be in the same level as Spuds. The top 3 seems to be settled to me. Arsenal look the most likely for 4th, but they might take time to fit their new players in, and who knows what will happen.

Remember that the other 6 of the "top 7" have European burdens, and Everton usually make a slow start.

 

I kind of agree with you , but still hanging fire calling it too quickly .. Top 3 sorted, Arse 4th, personally think Everton might get off to a quicker start than usual and definatley be there or there abouts come May. So Everton or Spuds, Us, A Dark Horse, Dippers (in order) battling for the rest. My biggest concern is squad depth, Our first XI ..can give anyone a run for their money, its when the inevtiable injuries/suspensions ACON happen, thats where i think we will come unstuck and lose points (Norwich last year etc)

IF, we get a FB/CB and striker in (which i dont think we will) one yes (Debuchy)... 3, I doubt it. Then I might get carried away and allow myself to be slightly optimistic ......But not till then ..Dammit

 

We were terribly unlucky last season though. To lose Saylor and Colo in the same game, and also having Willo out. You can't prepare for that.

I think the only place our depth is critical, is CB. A fullback is also needed. Another striker would be desirable. We're only a couple of players away from having a great squad.

It's not as if anyone below the top 4 has great depth everywhere. Spurs lack depth in striker position, and after Walker and Ekotto they need Bale to cover fullback or Danny Rose... Not amazing.

Liverpool don't have that much quality outside their best team either.

You need a bit of luck, regardless of who you are. Man Utd dont **** depth in their defense, but 3-4 injuries at the same time in the same position! No team in the world is prepared for that sort of thing.

 

Assuming status quo going past the transfer window, I am confident we will at least be 7th. There is a true quality in the team that is really not present in the past seasons, and everybody is playing settled football... There is competition among most positions, and we've got above average backups all over the team comparing in terms of the entire league... But to achieve 4th or above, we would probably need to add another quality player to the team..

 

Sure..re massive injury lists it does happen.

Spuds will have £23? million (post modric) burning a hole in their pockets and they know they need a striker or two and will resolve that before the window closes. Agree about everyone else having Euro commitments too, (except Everton ..my tip for 5th, BUT hopefully they will have thier traditional slooooow start)

I'm significantly more positive about our squad depth this year than last ..with the youngsters coming along very well (judging by preseason) but i still feel we are short depth wise in the quality of back ups Willo should be 4th CB not 3rd, Simpson and Santon need competion/be copmpeting for their position (yep Raylor and Jonas can do it IF necc but thats not the point re depth).

Confident about the midfield, and the Kids coming thru now we have Anita/Jonas (A Back up midfield destroyer would be nice..but think mini-chiek is in line for that). Attacking/Creative Midfield looks pretty sound atm. (If Marv hasnt gone walkabout/injured)

Definatley need another quality 3rd striker.

For me ..the squad is close to being VERY good, but the CB FB and Striker ALL need to be filled with equivelent/ better than we have. Then I think we will be able to battle confidently with the best of the also rans and we could finish anywhere from 3rd to 6th. At the moment I feel we are just a little short of that atm.

 

not a chance.

 

Care to elaborate big Al?

 

What's good about our squad is that we have different types of CB's. There are no determined 3rd and 4th choices.

We have 2 big CB's, good in the air, Saylor and Willo. We have 3 nippy, quickish CB's that are comfortable on the ball and can partner a bigger CB, Colo, Perch and Tav.

We would replace Saylor with Willo, and Colo with Perch. We can make partnerships that compliment each other, which is why we're often solid at the back. Playing Perch and Colo together would be weak and we'd be bullied around. Playing Saylor and Willo together would lead to us being run ragged by nippy players, and not being able to move sharp enough. Perch + Willo/Perch + Saylor/Colo + Saylor/Colo + Willo

We could just do with another powerful, Saylor like CB (Douglas type), and we'd be set.

 

Agreed ..Perch did a stand up job on saturday, a Saylor esque CB is needed ..or a quality LB/CB ..

I think Debuchy will arrive on closing day ...

Striker still needed tho for me ..either a small nippy one or a Mandy type.. laugh: the two extremes)

Edit: Perch seems to be taking over the A Hughes role...Mr versatile..which is always a good thing to have in the squad

 

what is your issue gob****e? What I've said is bang on and the fact Chelsea are now buying Cavani and Arsenal will be spending suggests the top 4 has been bought again this year.

Now don't get all agro with me like you do with others because you have met your match sunshine