Last season 60 points would have got us 9th and the year before it would have got us 6th. If we're now thinking about a top half finish after a dreadful season, he have to think beyond 8th, and top 6 is the minimum.
So you expect us to do better than West Ham and Wolves? It's possible, but we shouldn't assume that just because we've went on a good run recently that that should indicate our form next season. If you want to go that far than why not 2nd? We're 2nd based on 2022 form... It's silly that 5 months ago we were looking likely to get relegated, now we're already talking about Europa league.... For gods sake. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the fact that some people will be angry if we don't achieve that this season is ridiculous. Our aim really is to finish as high as possible, but I'd be happy with top 8
At the moment there's a noticeable gap (8 points) between 8th and 9th, which separates the teams looking up to the teams looking down. I would say as a minimum we need to be in that group next season. However considering the form we are currently in, and with new signings expected in the summer, higher than 8th is an obvious target. I'm saying that if we are 10th level right now after THAT diabolical first half of the season, then just 8th next season doesn't seem much of a challenge.
Forget about current form and using that to determine our next season finish, because if we're going to do it that way, then why not predict finishing 2nd as we're doing better than anyone besides Liverpool? It's silly to assume where we'll finish next season. I've seen plenty of teams go on good runs due to changes of management where everyone is on a high. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. 8th would be a fantastic finish. Don't let your expectations punish you. I'm not saying higher isn't achievable, but if your heart is set on europa and it doesn't happen, and you end up hurting, then that's not the clubs fault that people like you had high expectations.
We have a different concept of the word "fantastic". So we'll probably finish 11th or 12th this season, and 8th really isn't significant progress from that. What happens the season after that - we try to go from 8th to 6th? Im not for one second saying we'll maintain our current form for the whole of next season, just that slightly above mid table isn't significant progress, especially if as predicted why get some key signings in.
It's a bit non-sensical in my opinion. Sometimes 49pts or so gets you 8th - is that an improvement, as I don't think so. On other occasions it takes 60pts to finish 8th. Next season's sensible target, should be to gather as many as possible from day one. The league position is always subject to how other clubs are doing in any case.
How is 8th not significant progress from 11/12th? You're only looking at the result here, you're still not factoring in that we were looking likely for relegation merely months ago. If we finish 8th, we should absolutely grateful that within a year we've gone from relegation candidates to 8th place! Amanda herself said initially this is going to be a slow, steady process. But regardless, if you're disappointed with 8th place next season, that's your fault because of your expectations. Our run of form could just be because of the high we're on after such a massive change of ownership and management. Like I said, if we're going on off current form, why not predict champions league for us next season? As based on our results since January we're beating Man City! You cannot expect us to keep this level of performance throughout next season. If we're going from being worried about being relegated to being unimpressed at the prospect of finishing 8th within about 4 months, then there's no wonder why we've at times been called delusional by other fan bases.
As said above, places in the table don't necessarily correlate to a certain amount of points every year. Progress can be seen as a marked improvement on the points we finish on this season. Without necessarily putting a league position on it, we will see progression as a good improvement in points total, a marked improvement in the quality of the team, signings being significantly better than under Ashley, and improvements in the club infrastructure and youth academy.
Our run of form is because of what EH and the team is doing, and they'll be here next season. We have reason to expect to our progress to continue, especially with a decent summer recruitment. Our form in 2022 is indeed 2nd only to Liverpool, but we're not asking/ demanding / that we match this for 38 games next season. I don't think that we're all going to be disappointed at not achieving a particular place in the league, presuming we won't suddenly go back to relegation football that is.
