I know you people are going to call for my head,but I am going to call a spade a spade.Currently we are not playing as someone who desreves to finish in the top four of the table especially our record at home. I am not talking only about Bolton game, but also our own record at home. Arsenal is playing today and if they are able to beat Manchester United we may as well forget finishing in the top four. Good thing is that the manager himself is not keeping quiet any longer.
Without being a wum I think Liverpool will find it hard for a top 4 finish, I cant see the Chavs/Spuds giving up 4th spot. 5th or 6th is best.
We should be lucky in a way that financially not making the top4 won't kill us. At the same time, with fair play coming in, we need that CL revenue v badly to fund transfers and wages as a major income stream, as we won't be able to rely on our owners pockets beyond this summer. I know we make a lot commercially and from sponsorships but is that enough? Also the other major issue being will players want to come to us after yet another season of no CL - worse still, will players like Reina and Suarez look to move?? So I think we should be chasing fourth all the way and the players should pull their ****ing fingers out
It all depends on the buisness done in January. If a couple of astute signings are made then there is every chance you could. However the same can be said for Arsenal and Chelsea. He who dares wins this season in my opinion.
We should just look at each game as it comes, when we start performing like we expect them to then I will be happy no matter where we finish.
Spurs will finish second in my opinion. I stopped including them in the battle for 4th months ago. Arsenal and Chelsea are the rivals. Newcastle are a rival for Europa League.
I'd definitely take 6th + Carling Cup from where we are now. Silverware would be a huge step forward, even if it is the Mickey Mouse Cup.
Top four isn't impossible, its in our hands - That's what I'm most worried about I'd say Top 5 at best to be honest, we need improvements and KK isn't making them.
Chelsea & Arsenal have been just as inconsistent as us this season, only difference is in those tight games at home they have managed to get that important goal which gives them the extra 2 points where as we haven't. I know it's ifs and buts, but another goal against Blackburn and Swansea and we would be 4 points better off and right behind Chelsea. If we can turn a few more of those draws into wins, and there is no reason why we can't, and Chelsea & Arsenal continue to drop points then I'd never say we will be out of it. If by the last 5 or 6 games we are still only 4 or 5 points behind then I'd still fancy us to challenge.
The table can change very quickly so we're not out of the race, but being realistic I don't think Chelsea will let go of it. Would be great for confidence to win a trophy which we have good shout of doing.
Thing is, I can see them giving it up. It's just that we won't take it off their hands. In fact, Chelsea have been trying to give it away for weeks, but ourselves and Arsenal don't look like we want it!
If we can keep within 6/7 points of chelsea before Suarez comes back I think we could do it. Liverpool have to think outside the box, forget this money ball bull$h/t & try our arses off to get a few quality loan's or permanent signings in, Is it not ironic that the one of the top performers signed is 32, has a knee problem & has zero resale value ! There HAS to be a few players out there available that can improve the 1st team, A defensive midfielder & a striker are essential if we were to get 4th. We really could do with a right winger but not at the expense of the 2 mentioned, so Johnson could fill in, cant be worse than either downing on the right or kuyt anyway. League should be the main priority.
I won't give up on fourth until it's mathematically impossible, but at the moment I wouldn't put too much on it.
we could have got 4th give n how bad some sides are but thats just circumstance. We were never good enough yet (based on normal performances by top 4) to get there. I'll now be happy to beat newcastle to 6th. I just wish our players would realise the job they are given is what they should be doing and leave the showy stuff (40 yard balls, running diagonally in front of opposition, driblling in bad areas, etc etc) to the likes of nasri and bale and stick to what their talents allow. In short.... adam ought to be taking corners two hours a day, downing should be out on a left wing pumping balls across and carroll ought to be tied to a stake by a penalty spot like the donkey he is with just enough rope to graze and head the ball goalwards.... johnson should be made up up and down the right side of the pitch in training and told every back pas he makes is one shot of a taser.... enrique should be told never to ever dribble in his own half or a sniper will take him out... the list goes on.
If we sign a prolific goalscorer before the window closes it's still on. If not, then it's highly unlikely. But it's far too early to throw in the towel regardless. We've got six pointers still to come against all the sides in our way.
We need a lot more than one player. we need to get the whole team shape back, discipline midfield positioning, more quality service to said front men and generally a lot more effort.
I'd be suprised if we sign anyone. I think we'll see a lot of business done in the summer. I'm glad Kenny said what he said as if he hadn't then doubts would have crept in. we have the quality but they are just not performing. Someone needs to have a word
I think we need to drop someone but don't have the quality to drop anyone. I mean seriosuly dirk doens't deserve a run does he? thats one guy odwn. Maxi comes in and god nkows why he's not played more and sometimes looks good and then looks tosh. spearing gets himself sent off then does a hammy.... I mean we simply can't drop very many players can we? I'd like to see kelly told to bloody hurry up with the throw ins, watch his positioning more then throw him in and drop glen jonhson just beacuse his level has dropped off.... We need to see adam dropped but can't, downing was dropped... we need suarez abck... all in all we're knid of stuck so a signing would be good if the right long term guy is available.