With Cardiff, Crystal Palace and Hull joining the Premier League and QPR, Reading and Wigan dropping out, we are starting the new season 3 places lower than we started last year. Would 13th be an acceptable place to finish? I'm hoping for top half this time out.
Really think this could be a good year for us Cardinal and I think our base target should be 11th - but by that I mean a comfortable 11th and not the scratchy end we had last year which was nigh on disastrous. From there 8th / 9th is reasonably easily achievable and my hope is for top ten. There, that's buggered it well and truly!
I'd take 13th as long as the football is more watchable. Of course I'll be hoping for top half but, with in all probability a number of new players with possibly little experience of the PL and a new more offensive style for everyone to adapt to (Well hopefully!) it could be another tough season especially to start.
survive and get the ground sorted during next summer. that's all i want! i'm happy to re-assess our ambitions after that
What is the most number of years we've ever been consecutively in the top flight. It's a while since we were there for 3 years. I'm guessing staying up and getting a 4th consecutive year would be pretty good as long as we relax and play a bit.
I agree with that for the main part, but I want to see some progress with the team and playing style too. With out that progress the good will and optimism bourn of the last 2 games and survival, will soon evapourate and the crowd could turn on CH if we go defensive again. Bah! p.s. Not trying to open up old arguments just saying building and improving on the pitch is at least as important as off it!
Very happy especially if the gap to the bottom is bigger I think our placing this year has been fortunate in some regards as the bottom half was so congested. If we're 13th and a comfortable distance to some floundering teams at the bottom that is a better step towards establishing ourselves in the mid table group than our 11th this year when many teams were poor.
I feel more optimistic than that, especially if we can get a good start. Last season we had a new manager, Bassong wasn't even signed when the season started, Turner, Tettey and Snodgrass were all new to the team. Now they all have a year's experience with RvW coming in as the new option up front. We have an experienced manager and a decent starting line-up already with further players to come over the summer. More opportunities than threats, IMO.
Kent, I think you mean "more entertaining tactics"? I thought the tactics last season were immensely interesting even if not always entertaining. Since I get my entertainment by being interested, I'm not complaining.
