Not 1 team in this league could get promoted and survive next season without making a few changes to the team. West Ham got relegated last season and since then they have lost Scott Parker and Demba Ba. The potential we have is to get back where Martin O'Neill had us. Top 10, winning the Worthington/Coca-Cola/ Carling Cup and playing in Europe. Stoke have proved its possible like we did before to get there. The the short to medium term we have more potential and then Leeds with the backing we have but in the long term Leeds do have to potential to get back it to top 6 of the prem if they get the right backing. Historically we are a yoyo club between the prem and championship. A bit like West Brom where there up and down and then survive for a bit and then go back down. Leeds have to potential to be what Newcastle are right now. Pushing the top 5 but probably wont break into it because Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool's infrastructure is alot stronger then Leeds now.
Agreed and the FA know that and imagine the knock on effect with Sky if English football became second rate entertainment. Personally I would love FIFA to do something, it would also mean teams like Spurs and Arsenal watching how many youngsters they have on their books going out on loan, these players would then be seen as a drain on the wage budget and allowed to join lower league teams improving their development and filtering money through lower divisions when the bigger teams wish to purchase them back.
Ho Hum .... I suspect you give your missus similar inflated claims ... let's just hope she never reaches for a tape measure
I think Arsenal have the best set up in the country. They always sign players and never spend beyond their means. They have been ran very sensibly and while they get their critics the are going about it the right way. They pay wages they can afford, bring players through the systems and dont break the bank on transfer fees. I think clubs should model themselves to be like Arsenal
We'd probably end up with Premier League teams having reserve sides in the lower divisions, which would save them losing revenue on their young talent.
Actually Iqbal - Pearson is talking some bo**ocks here - Mills is certainly not like every other player at the club - some of them can pass the ball... I therefore apologise unreservedly on behalf of the club, its fans, and the fast food vendors of Leicestershire ... oh and for Engelbert Humperdink who is back in th news, from Leicester, and wanting to disassociate himself from any negative vibes as he embarks on his quest for the Holy Grail of music ...
That will never work here. They do it in Spain but only the other week Andre Villas-Boas said we should do it and the football league basically said no chance in hell. Even prem managers said it would be good for their clubs but would ruin English football and they are against it. I cant remember who said it but they said they want them to be able to play the reserves in the conference, maybe that would work because if you was a conference player you would still love to play against the Man U or Liverpool reserves. Its better then playing Histon or someone like that
But, from where they are, Newcastle could easily break into that "top 6" in exactly the way Spurs did, and in exactly the way it would be possible for us to do. If we build patiently and invest wisely we will be back competing for CL. Remember, Spurs were UEFA cup at best only a few seasons ago.
Newcastle will get 6th place this season. Im just saying that the potential of Leeds. To challenge teams like Newcastle and push for the top 4 or 5.
We have the potential to challenge for the title, pushing for 4th or 5th is the minimum we should be expecting after a few years back in the PL.
Simon - you make some good points. It is also worth pointing out that Liverpool have spent more than Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle over rthe last 2 seasons, yet are in danger of finishing below them as well as below Chelski and Man City - so spending alone is no guarantee.
It's not about who can spend more, it's about who can spend better. I've said before, and it's still my conviction, that we could have done what we did in the Ridsdale era without the ridiculous spending, especially when you see that some of the really big money was being wasted on pointless signings; Fowler, Johnson etc.
Man U and Man City are a million miles ahead of everyone and will be for a long long time. I cant see Leeds challenging for the premiership for at least 20 years unless you get a major investor. You need to remember where you come from before you plan world domination again, you need to make sure you have learnt the lessons of the past. Dont expect too much too soon
Spurs? In 2008 they finished 11th, in 2009 they finished 8th. It's bollocks that the Manchester clubs, Arsenal etc. are too far ahead. If Newcastle hold onto their best players in the summer and add some quality they could be up in the top 4 aswell next season.
Top 4 doesnt mean you challenging for the title. Arsenal are 4th but they are 17 points behind Man City. Are they challenging for the title? Leeds are a big club but still are no where near the size of Man U, only Liverpool get close. Man City's spending power will mean they always will be a force
But Spurs are currently the only other team that can challenge. I wouldn't expect us to be challenging season in season out, but we do have the potential to have the occasional shot at the league.
Spurs are 10 points behind aswell. The gap is too big for them to make up The 2 Manchester clubs are a million miles ahead of everyone. The Chelsea pensioners are in turmoil on and off the pitch, Arsenal arent good enough or consistent enough. Tottenham are very good but arent at the same level. Liverpool are nowhere near good enough and Newcastle are only just starting to get a squad. What they do have at the minute is very very good though I dont think you do have to potential to challenge for the prem, get back in the champs league maybe but if you take the rose tinted specs off you will see you dont have to potential to challenge or win the prem
But I very much doubt the situation will be the same next season or the season after, or the one after that...
