Fourth Place

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Chief

Chief

Northern Simpleton
Forum Moderator
May 17, 2011
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Cote d'Atlantique
Realistically, we are not getting it.

It's possible of course and it's something to aim for but the current top four look set fair with Liverpool looking strong. City and Chelsea won't **** up which leaves only Arsenal and I really don't see it happening.

So, do we really want fifth, with the Europa league to have to deal with? Or is sixth better and a clear run at getting back at top four, which has clearly done no harm to Liverpool?

Future player recruitment needs to be considered also. Better get some in now with the idea of them chasing fourth rather than wait till summer and dangle the tasty carrot of no European football at potential recruits!!

(T)hou(g)hts.
 
It's true Man Utd have been, for the most part this season, utter pants.
But, even without SAF, they still have a squad that is capable of going on a decent run, especially if Rooney and RVP get fit and with the acquisition of Mata.
Their defence sucks, but that forward 3 is pretty darn decent.
 
I think it boils down to who can keep their first team squad fit and available.

I can't see city messing up and even if they have a few key players out their squad is big enough.

Only thin squads are Liverpool and Chelsea. Can't see Chelsea messing up. So it leaves Liverpool to mess up. They're playing decent stuff and have coped well with a few players missing.

As to having Europa league next season. It can be looked at as a hindrance. Though could give opportunities to fringe players if we don't take it seriously much as any other cup competition.
 
returnofthesweatband said:
I think it boils down to who can keep their first team squad fit and available.

I can't see city messing up and even if they have a few key players out their squad is big enough.

Only thin squads are Liverpool and Chelsea. Can't see Chelsea messing up. So it leaves Liverpool to mess up. They're playing decent stuff and have coped well with a few players missing.

As to having Europa league next season. It can be looked at as a hindrance. Though could give opportunities to fringe players if we don't take it seriously much as any other cup competition.
Click to expand...

One of the main reasons Liverpool have looked good is because they haven't played European football for four years and Suarez can focus on the prem.

Would he be that good Saturday Wednesday Saturday
 
returnofthesweatband said:
I think it boils down to who can keep their first team squad fit and available.

I can't see city messing up and even if they have a few key players out their squad is big enough.

Only thin squads are Liverpool and Chelsea. Can't see Chelsea messing up. So it leaves Liverpool to mess up. They're playing decent stuff and have coped well with a few players missing.

As to having Europa league next season. It can be looked at as a hindrance. Though could give opportunities to fringe players if we don't take it seriously much as any other cup competition.
Click to expand...

In a weird sort of way I am glad that the need for a complete rebuilding has become apparent so quickly. None of the clinging to the past and slow drift into the wilderness thinking we could still do a good job with the old squad.

But there is still the need in the modern game to be at the top and clubs and managers do not get much time. So fourth is important. I would still purchase some short term players if we do not get our targets this window and go all out to get them in the summer. We just do not want the drifting into mediocrity experienced by the deluded ones.

We are still in a shout for 4th as we could catch some of the clubs in front of us <ok>That would be an achievement if we did that.
 
Bodanki said:
It's true Man Utd have been, for the most part this season, utter pants.
But, even without SAF, they still have a squad that is capable of going on a decent run, especially if Rooney and RVP get fit and with the acquisition of Mata.
Their defence sucks, but that forward 3 is pretty darn decent.
Click to expand...

The squad is pants if the team is utterly **** without the few key players we have <ok>

This squad is short of 4-5 players to be at the top. At the moment it is around 6-7th best.
 
returnofthesweatband said:
I think it boils down to who can keep their first team squad fit and available.

I can't see city messing up and even if they have a few key players out their squad is big enough.

Only thin squads are Liverpool and Chelsea. Can't see Chelsea messing up. So it leaves Liverpool to mess up. They're playing decent stuff and have coped well with a few players missing.

As to having Europa league next season. It can be looked at as a hindrance. Though could give opportunities to fringe players if we don't take it seriously much as any other cup competition.
Click to expand...

I think Arsenal's squad is very strong in midfield but injury at centre half of centre forward and they look vulnerable so it's only really City have a fully stocked squad.

It's not just the playing of the Europa league games, it's the effect it has on the league fixtures. It throws the fixture list all over the place and it has clearly had an effect on other clubs previously.
 
Christiansmith said:
The squad is pants if the team is utterly **** without the few key players we have <ok>

This squad is short of 4-5 players to be at the top. At the moment it is around 6-7th best.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
But your aim isnt to get to the top, its to get to 4th, and then build on it next season.
Still completely possible for United imo. Will they do it, I have doubts.....but its entirely possible.
 
Chief said:
Realistically, we are not getting it.

It's possible of course and it's something to aim for but the current top four look set fair with Liverpool looking strong. City and Chelsea won't **** up which leaves only Arsenal and I really don't see it happening.

So, do we really want fifth, with the Europa league to have to deal with? Or is sixth better and a clear run at getting back at top four, which has clearly done no harm to Liverpool?

Future player recruitment needs to be considered also. Better get some in now with the idea of them chasing fourth rather than wait till summer and dangle the tasty carrot of no European football at potential recruits!!

(T)hou(g)hts.
Click to expand...

You seriously believe its done us no harm...? <doh>
 
Gerrez said:
You seriously believe its done us no harm...? <doh>
Click to expand...

In terms of your performances no, it hasnt.
Financially yes, but this season, without the distraction of Europe, you are playing much better.
 
I can see only Pool and Arse falling flat, as ££££ and Chav will get the 1st and 2nd place.

4th is doable, but will not be easy
 
Bodanki said:
In terms of your performances no, it hasnt.
Financially yes, but this season, without the distraction of Europe, you are playing much better.
Click to expand...

Having checked back, I realise I mis-read what he was saying. thought he meant dropping down to Europa League didn't cause any harm. Dropping out of the CL had a massive effect on.

However, he obviously meant not having to concentrate on too many competitions. There is a knock-on effect to that though, we may be doing well this year be we are struggling with injuries. How will we cope next year if we get back into Europe?
 
I'm still hopeful we can catch Liverpool. There are still 15 games to go, and we are 6 points behind, with a home game against them to come. The Mata signing will give the place a lift, and if we can get RVP and Rooney out on the pitch every week we are gonna win a lot of games between now and the season:biggrin:
 
Chief said:
Do you seriously believe you'd be in the position you are if you were in the Europa league?
Click to expand...

If Liverpool were in the Europa, they'd probably be a good fair few points worse off. Their squad has coped well with the domestic comps but Europa is brutal for thin squads. Not qualifying has been a blessing for them this year.
 
chelsea - over 100 years of history said:
If Liverpool were in the Europa, they'd probably be a good fair few points worse off. Their squad has coped well with the domestic comps but Europa is brutal for thin squads. Not qualifying has been a blessing for them this year.
Click to expand...

Exactly, they miss out on a couple million through having no european competition to play in, but they will more than make that up by finishing 3 places higher in the league and qualifying for the CL.
 
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