Moving on from the Ambition v Realism thread it seems we all agree, except backcatsteve, that top 6 is hard but a maybe, one day but top 4 is a no-no, so.. I think its fair to say that Sunderland are as near to a fans club as you can get these days in the prem, still have a local club identity, I know we will hear many variations on this but bear with me. Can we agree that Man City are far from the stereotypical fans club, Foreign owners, manager and most players. Player brought in to make next step then discarded so very much there for the money first and any success that comes with it. OTT but would a club of mercenaries be fair, not for us is it. Mind that said their fans get to watch top world class players week in week out, I know I enjoy watching them. Their fans have Europe to look forward to. Their fans have realistic hopes of good cup runs. Their fans have realistic hopes of number 1 spot and certainly a top 4 finish. If some oil rich owners came along and said, well you would lose Short,Quinn and Bruce and certainly have a turn over in players but, would see top players, exciting games and trophies, would you say yes or no. I have always said I like tradition, Quinn and feeling a small part of the club but TBH that small part is getting smaller and watching world class winners every week sound tempting.
Wel I didnt agree. 6th 60 points average over the last 10 years, pretty sure we could get that, we were well on our way last year before injuries and Bent leaving. 4th is 68 points, I even believe we could get that, with a little bit of luck 2nd and 1st is a big leap though 80 and 88 points. Its definately not impossible, it also wont be a walk in the park either.
Financial Fair Play rules coming in kinda make this irrelevant.... I'd keep Quinn and Short though, stability is the best policy imo and multi-billionaire owners never (or rarely) provide that.
HA HA! but just looking at the tables over the past few years, if you can win more than you loose even if its 15 wins 14 losses, you get 6-7th (sometimes 8th) 9th and below are nearly always a reverse of that, so if we can turn some defeats into draws, and some draws into wins (which is probably self explanatory) then I cant see why 6th is so hard to get.
Not so long ago we were relegated, with the least points ever, until Derby relieved us of that dubious honour, the bit where you say that you cant see why sixth is so hard to get, following Sunderland for over fifty years, I used to think the same way. but sixth place puts you in the serious money bracket, and very team outside the top four need that position, can we accieve that position, I believe so,,,,,,,,,,,,,,some day.
