Macgregor, Davies, Chester, Livermore, Thudd, Aluko and potentially Jelavic and Long are all good enough to take a team into the top 10. There's 7 we're never going to reach but absolutely no reason that those players mentioned with quality additions can't do 60pts in a season.
You're like a ray of sunshine in a the black hole of Calcutta incredihull. Welcome to the board and try to stay positive while all around you are slashing their wrists. As regards Europe a run of good form and good luck with injuries / suspensions and it could happen. However Europe isn't in our best interests next season. We need at least one more season without the burden of extra games to start to establish ourselves in the BPL.
McGregor Right Back - Centre Back - Davies - Left Back Elmo - Livermore - Huddlestone - Brady Jelavic - Long Sign two fullbacks and a partner for Davies and yes, that team could get into Europe. Unlikely to do it consistently as our league simply has vast depth right now but look at Wigan, Swansea and Southampton - a good cup run in a year top clubs skip it or slight boost to league form from a mid-table team and you're there or thereabouts. Stay in our position this year, add a few more signings next season and the occasional trip overseas could occur. And yes, with some extra depth I do think Elmo and Brady could perform. Brady depends on a good comeback from injury niggles but Elmo I think shines when he has good players playing well around him, particularly a strong fullback behind as it gives him the confidence to add some flair.
I think we would need massive investment to prevent the "curse of Europa".Newcastle had enough to avoid relegation.Unless Swansea spend a lot they may be sucked into the drop zone. Would love to go to matches abroad but not at the expense of relegation
Only through cups. Back when it was 'the big 4' i'd have given us an outside chance, but given the rise of man city and tottenham its more like the top 6 are decided before the season starts. And you've always got a team like everton or newcastle punching a bit above their weight.
Middlesboro,Newcastle,Fulham,Swansea and now Southhampton have all suffered by going into Europe.We would never be ready until we have TWO virtual full first team squads like the top four or five in the prem. It's a nice thought but not in my lifetime.
We shouldn't let ambition and excitement build unrealistic expectations, so no, Europa would only be something fluked through a 'Roy of the Rovers' cup run of some 'B Team' players who will be eligible - but never say never. As for the league, I think 17th is going the opposite way in expectations; we would all settle for 17th now (wouldn't we?), but in truth we should expect better after spending on two quality strikers to enhance a team that has us sat at 10th after 21games.
i dont think we can look at a cup run until we either have the depth in the squad or have the luxury of being able to take an eye off the prem relegation battle - there are only 8 teams that can do the latter most seasons
That wont be coming anytime soon. Allam will not put his hand in pocket to finance it and he wont want anything to do with getting the council involved.
If Bruce stays maybe. On the other hand Reading when they first went up looked very strong and then they went down in their second season.
Come August Jelavic will be 29, and in 2015 will be 30 you will struggle to get much more for someone who hasn't scored many in the past 12 months. Not that i am saying he is a bad signing but no way will we get more than 7.5m for him. I think realistically we have a good side, but we are a 10-15th side still there is no way we are a better team than anyone currently sat above us. There are a couple below us who on paper have very similar squads if not slightly better. We still need more depth as Meyler, Quinn and Koren are not good enough for a side chasing Europa League realistically, but for where we are now they are good enough.
I'm torn. As a wingback I don't think he fits but as a left back with a winger in front of him he looks much better. We need a second left back in any case as we're in trouble if he's injured so time would tell if Figgy stays first with a backup or rotates/has real competition for the spot. 1 Arsenal 21 15 3 3 41 19 +22 48 W W W W D 2 Manchester City 21 15 2 4 59 23 +36 47 W W W W W 3 Chelsea 21 14 4 3 40 19 +21 46 W W W W D 4 Liverpool 21 13 3 5 51 26 +25 42 W W L L W 5 Everton 21 11 8 2 34 19 +15 41 W D W L W 6 Tottenham Hotspur 21 12 4 5 26 25 +1 40 W W W D W 7 Manchester United 21 11 4 6 35 24 +11 37 This season we have a top 7 a long way ahead so a cup win is the only chance. That's a pattern that is likely to remain, and you still have Newcastle/Southampton behind that group. Top 10 is already a massive achievement. Looking at that top 7 though if one season Everton and Tottenham have a bad run (or any combo of 2 teams) then you have a top 5 so there's always a chance of a team from the pack behind having a good year and a top 6 finish. If we can stabilise for the yext couple of years, make good long-term signings and settle into the "chasing pack" with the likes of Newcastle and Southampton then any team in that pack would hope for a shot occasionally. Not often, but now and then.
I've said relegation scrap all along, so far we've been above it but things can change very quickly and this team needs to grab a dirty win or two. That means picking Meyler and get him breaking up the opposition play. Was good to see Bruce Jnr shouting at the troops, we need that too. Palace is a test, they've picked up a lot of 1-0s at selhurst and have the fighting mentality already instilled by Pulis. We need to go there and stand up to them
