Very upset at yesterday’s loss and the performances of the ‘squad’ players but I can live with it. If that had been the first eleven then that would have been a case of alarm bells ringing but we have all known the ‘second’ eleven weren’t up to it at PL level but some yesterday showed they’re not even up to Division 1 level a la Lewis, Murphy and Wood. Don’t think it will impact on our plans including January plans as I would be more than surprised if Howe & Co weren’t already aware as to who needed to be replaced and have plans in place as and when they would look to do so. Shooting wise Murphy reminds me of Pingel sometimes known as Jigsaw as he always fell to pieces in the box. With Murphy he surpasses Pingel as Murphy goes to pieces before he gets to the box.
Our form so far this season has been fantastic and well above my expectations befor the season started. It will be hard to maintain through to May, especially with the current personnel. Even if we reinforce in this window, we don't have anything like the squad depth of the 'big 6'. Top 7 this season would still be a great achievement from where we were a year ago and a great step forward. It's going to be a long haul.
7th is a huge success, though would be tinged with a bit of disappointment - but that’s purely down to the phenomenal job Howe has done, and some of the first rate recruitment, Botman & Bruno in particular. I reckon you could argue that one purchase - specifically James Maddison - would be enough to have a real go at top 4. And whilst Maddison is pricey, he’s only 25, isn’t getting worse and would be worth the same or more in 3-4 years time. If I was Howe and the board watching that **** yesterday, I’d just find the money and pay it. He can play RCM, RW, would mean we can relegate Longstaff and with Isak/ASM returning to fitness won’t have to rely on Murphy or Wood. That would be my take. Yes we could do with 3 players but if it were me and my choice was 3 decent shots or 1 Maddison, I’d take Maddison.
I'd go full out for Maddison too. He is quality seems potentially keen and would fit in well. I think we ideally need 2 or 3 that are capable of starting in the 1st team. Realistically we might get 1 in Jan. It's no good buying squad players we've got enough of them, we need competition.
^This and this. We'll be lucky if we finish in the top 6 and we're not ready for Europe yet,can't win an FA cup game with a second string so what chance have we got in Europe?The games are coming thick and fast and it only takes a few injuries/suspensions to weaken us but I'm happy with our progress and my predictions for the season have been achieved albeit earlier that I thought,well bar safe by Christmas so I can enjoy rest of season and anything from here on in is a bonus
Need CL to draw the players in so I'm hoping for 3rd/4th place (still would be happy with top 10 and a QF so we've surpassed my expectations for the year already) but imperative we get that top 4 to bringing in the quality needed. If its Europa places it makes it tougher but not impossible to draw the quality in but you could look at younger players with more room from improvement in the future so 7-5th wouldn't be a disaster. Said it the other day but I think 6 players are needed: CM and Wingers biggest priority for me atm. Pope, Trippier, CB, Botman, LB, CM, Bruno, Joelinton, RW, ASM, Isak Dubz, RB, Schar, Burn, Targett, Longstaff, Shelvey, Willock, Almiron, LW, Wilson. Plus replacements for any that left - say Shelvey out of contract - but those 2 XI's (or mixes of) should be strong enough to compete on several fronts. and still have 3 places left in the squad for other options.
We can close this thread. We won't be finishing top 4. Our back up players just got humbled by a League 1 side! Imagine Chris Wood at the Bernabeau!!? They'd be offended!
Your form over 18 games is about 4th spot level. Normally 2ppg gets you into top 4 and unless Fulham and Brighton continue their form all season which seems unlikely, but could happen, you’re closest 3 challenges are us, who look an absolutely shambles from midfield backwards and are relying on just scoring 4 goals to win games. chelsea who can’t score to save their life and hired a manager who took 3 seasons before finally got Brighton to score goals. and spurs who are consistently inconsistent and massively relying on Kane to win then games. When he has a poor game they lose. If anything you need to stop drawing games though. 1 defeat is great, but it’s better to lose 1 and win 1 than draw 2. And might come back to haunt you like it did for us in 09 (I think?) when we finished second under Rafa with a stupid number of draws.
We aren't finishing 4th mate. We will probably get 6th, which is way better than I expected. Chelsea won't catch us but yourselves and Spurs will up you games and overtake us. Do you know how long VVD is out for? His absence might give us a glimmer of hope but if it is only for a few weeks then probably not.
Form since Jan 2022 - 2023 has given us 72 points over the calendar year (if only that's how the EPL worked!) which would have been enough over the last 5 years to qualify for CL. Last 4th place team to make CL with more was Liverpool in 17/18 (75) 8 draws is a league record atm but taking points off Man U, Man C and Arsenal (+ Brighton) are important points - the 4 other draws (Leeds Palace Bournemouth and Wolves) weren't great and highlight our need for a few additions. If we get a CM and a winger this window we have every chance of making top 4 in my view (through very rose tinted glasses). Signings this window and the next 4 league games will show us where we are heading - Fulham, Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth - 10+ points from those would leave us on 45 after 22 and we'd need 20-25 points from 16 games to (on average) be in with a really good shout.
Why the certainly they'll overtake us, halfway through the season, and we're in 3rd, and we've done it without Isak and are going to get more players in now. Why is it given they'll overtake us. Everyone was so hard-line we wouldn't finish in the top 7 at the start of the season (see Tash's numerous rants), but now finishing 7th would be a disappointment. We just need to keep going, there's no rule of how high we can or can't finish.
The others will strengthen too though. And for us, FFP might start to bite and it may limit what business we can do. Time will tell. I am a pessimistic person in general but I have a feeling that we will be overhauled by Spurs and Liverpool. I hope I am wrong!
At least a month. Tbf the defence isn’t the biggest issue. No real issues with Konate Matip and Gomez. The main problem is midfiekd so unless we sign 1 or 2 this jan who come in and make huge difference, will still be the same issues. Teams play through our midfield too easily so relying on defence and Ali to save us. Can’t see us getting 4th
Chelsea and Liverpool look dross right now, and unless something miraculous happens, I don't see anything to change that, and I don't see them overtaking us. Spurs can beat anyone on their day, but are extremely erratic, we look more consistent than them right now. Man U are the biggest threat, who have started seriously picking up the points after their **** start, they're most likely to finish above us for me. 3rd - optimistic but realistic right now. 4th - more realistic 5th - not bad, but let down from being in strong 3rd place 6th - would be quite a disappointment from being in 3rd halfway through.
Where do you think you'll finish realistically then? 6th? You're out of form, but better than Chelsea right now for sure.
The marker isn't just last year now though, it's also the fact we're in 3rd halfway through the season. 5th would be a decent finish now, but 7th at this stage would be a let down.
Top 6 with this current squad would be one hell of an achievement. Regardless of our current position. We are a few injuries away from being a Steve Bruce team again (ala Sheff Wed!)
