Absolutely. We're a year ahead of schedule, whether we win the league or not. I feel next season we must keep Suarez and build the quality and quantity of our squad to prove we're not one-season-wonders. Assuming City and Chelsea will take two of the four berths available, we must also be prepared that the next two places will be a fight between five clubs (and possibly a breakout club such as Soton or Villa?) including a growing Everton, a re-focussed Arsenal, a strengthened United - with a new manager?-, and a stabilised Spurs. Would be best that we're in a position to join Chelsea and City in a top three and leave the others to fight for fourth, obviously, and we could do this depending on our activities this summer. Hope we don't splurge our money on WC flash-in-the-pans as we've done in the past with players like Diouf, for example.
Stabalised borespurzz? Another sacking, new ideas and team changes. It will take them another year to grow in my opinion. Forgot about the world cup, could inflate prices...
I agree with donga. 1. this year is this year, its one off in many ways, next year lfc must go again and improve a lot. 2. i think i see too much writing off of clubs. utd will be back, we cant assume they wont. same for spurs 3. yes must keep suarez 4. i agree forget world cup scouting. we should already know our targets
One thing you have to consider is that 50% of the top 4 will always be Chelsea/Man City. This leaves 2 places with Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham & Everton to battle for 3rd & 4th Arsenal have money to spend (proof - Ozil purchase) and a young team - (4th youngest in the prem - 25 years and 110 days). When they replace Wenger, you can guarantee they will not take the Man Utd route and give him a say who takes over. I very much doubt we'll see Francis Gillot take over from Wenger (probably the closest I could get to a French David Moyes). If they were to go French again I could see Rémi Garde going for the job or they'll probably take on board the effect Martinez & Rodgers have had on their clubs and look to a young manager with a vision (perfect for a young team) and because of this, they will also have a very good chance of getting top 4 season in season out in future which leaves 1 place for the other 4 clubs Liverpool have the 5th youngest squad (25 years and 160 days), a fantastic premier league proven manager with the fans well behind him (at the start of the season Rodgers - after finishing 7th the year before had the longest odds in the sack race) and even though we do not have a huge amount of funds FSG allow us to keep anything we make, our current wage bill is quite low compared to the others around us (£119m) Tottenham also have a very young squad (3rd youngest in the Prem - 25 years and 33 days). They haven't got much in funds and are paying for stadium upgrades (as are Liverpool) but they have a decent sized squad which if partnered with a decent manager could see them do very well in future seasons Man Utd (Oh Man Utd!) 15th oldest squad this season (avg. Age 27 yeas 112 days) and this was before United shipped out Zaha for Mata (although he is 25 so is yet to see his prime). Their squad has holes in it which need filling (Midfield) and their fans hate their manager. United make a **** load of money but their owners like to keep the club in debt while taking massive payments themselves. United have one bright prospect in Januzaj but I think they'll cash in on him within the next 4 years - especially if they struggle to make the CL. The wage bill at united is very high - £182m a year (Higher than Chelsea's!!!), Wayne Rooney will be on 300k a week until he is 33 years old. Man United need to sign players for the 1st team but they do not have the players on the fringe to cover the losses. It really wouldn't suprise me if Moyes goes within the next 18 months and they look to a young manager (Martinez may have to pick up Moyes' mess again) Everton have a balanced squad when it comes to age but they have very little funds and while they could sell to buy they could only really sell a couple of players to really add strength in depth (Barkley, Baines & Coleman are probably the only players who could bring in significant funds). Everton will always be about the top 4 but they will not get a strangle hold on it due to Money. I think Kenwright should do everything he can to keep hold of Martinez because I think his work is key to their future success. With the rule change happening in the Europa League very soon I can see domestic cups (and Europa) becoming very important to teams. Clubs will try to use the League Cup & The FA Cup as a back door in to the champions league by winning the Europa League. The only problem with this plan is that the Europa League becomes a dump for knocked out Champions League teams in the latter stages and if one of those teams are not performing in the league they will become very difficult to beat over 2 legs
Like **** it will be. Chelsea have on a number of occasions nearly missed out on top 4 since being taken over and City are the new comers to the top 4. They have been impressive once since 2009. the only certainty is oil barons dont equal titles and no 4 teams are certainties for top 4 every year now.
Lets pull it back four or five years. Wasn't that statement applied similarly to Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal always being the top four? Sure the two you said had masses of cash but who saw Man Utd dropping out? At that time, is was just as unlikely that us or Arsenal would too although there were a few close calls. Plus, Chelsea finished outside the top four a couple of seasons back too.
Doesn't mean its not true, you've based most of your comments this season on Utd in a different era under the leadership of a different manager with a different ethos.
There's a lot of talk about United spunking maybe as much £200m this summer. But surely they'd immediately fall foul of FFP ?
No way in hell is moyes getting £2 more to spend. He doesnt need it nor does he deserve it. Half it and thats still excessive. Some of our fans are idiots and think we need 8 players at 200million but want us to be paying 50million per player. Clearly maths was something they failed. New manager, good transfer kitty £100million spent minus any sales.
how old are you uir 12? utd went 26 years of doing **** all, well compared to what we done and won in just under that time frame any way. you not seen utd through your ****e period then, and this is your first taste of your team being ****?
With or without Moyes, United will be back next season. They have holes- but they also have a lot of money. United will take the 4th spot away from Everton next year... We can't rest on our laurels either. We've done very well this year, but I imagine Chelsea, City, United all to be near the top- we'll have to fend off Everton, Spurs, and Arsenal. If we can stay up again next year then I can see "Chelsea, City, United and us becoming the new established top 4. I don't see United permanently dropping out. I could see Arsenal tumble though. City and Chelsea have shown that money can't guarantee you a title- but given enough time and enough money it can certainly push you in the right direction. United probably third richest in the league.
I fail to see what relevance it has on today. Does anything from the 70's and 80's have any impact on today? Poll tax maybe but beyond that?
Ahh but we didnt come of the back of dominating 2 decades last time round. So it simply doesnt compare. We had won 7 titles in our history.... now weve just won 13 in 21.
We older ones also know what it's like to be at the top for many years, and how it can come to an end, and that it's a long way back. So don't get too complacent.
