Would put us just 4 points off 4th... Not bad having suffered our worst start in 100 years and having a wafer thin squad with new management.
This is an important game for us especially after yesterdays mostly favourable results. Its still early on in the season but if we can get the three points today it will move us into the top half and in touching distance of that fourth place position. As you say Sir Red,not bad all things considered.
I said this on another thread, that if we can keep on the coat-tails of our rivals until January and then sign a 1 or 2 strikers, we've got a massive chance of getting 4th.
I still say 4th this year is very ambitious. I'm not saying it's impossible, but highly unlikely. A win today for us is absolutely vital because, as others have said, we can keep within a respectable distance of the top of the table despite having had a woeful start to the season. Unfortunately, and, again, people on other threads have said this, in recent seasons when we've had good opportunities (like this) to close down teams above us we have failed to capitalize. I really hope we do win today, but I feel it may be a draw or a loss. If we win today, I'll be ecstatic. It means we have a great opportunity to kick on and keep our small 'undefeated' streak going. Like most things, success is about momentum.
Yeah I agree with most of this. We need to gather momentum and we need to get results. We may also have to limit our ambitions for this season too, although top four is not out of the question when realistically it should be. The likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle have not got better squads, but better options in attack than we do. We're a weaker side in the forward areas than we were last season.
We need to win today because we are at home and need to put on a performance that the team can be proud of and we as supporters can take encouragement from. We need to win today because Newcastle are a side that we need to beat if we are to start to change the general perception of the quality of our side. The season has not settled down and will probably not do so until February. There are no truly stand-out sides and therefore every match has to be treated as a one-off.
I totally agree. On paper, Arsenal would be a shoe-in for 4th. They are the best side outside the top 3 and there is little or no denying that. Football isn't played on paper though, I still think we can be a match for them over the course of the season. If we can stay hot on the heels of the sides challenging for 4th until January and then reinvest in the squad, we've got a massive chance of taking that 4th spot. Should we get 4th, it will open loads of doors to us. Its back to signing CL standard players, paying CL wages with a CL transfer budget.
Can't see a win today tbh. Draw today at best imo and then next week the chavs, who I actually think we are more likely to beat.
Yeah, our home record has not been that good this season, and that needs to change post-haste, really. I'd say our 'team' is pretty good, although a bit limited in attacking players. Our 'squad' as BR keeps reiterating is very 'thin', to use his description. We just need to add more options for our positions, especially in the final third. Essentially, we need 2-3 (I'd say 3) goal-scoring forwards. A solid left back would be good, too, and another DM. Get those 4-5 players and our 'squad' and 'team' would be massively improved IMO.
Usually, they haven't beat us in the league for a while now, but our record against the top teams this season isn't that great.
I read they haven't got a result at Anfield for 17-18 years. Not sure if that is true, but stat's like that mean very little, anyway. There's always an exception that proves the rule. I think if you look at it, historically, we should get something today. But, with our current form, I think a draw would be the most likely outcome today.
A win will put us 4 points off fourth? Great, we'll lose then. Story of the last few years, we bottle it when the other games go our way. BUT, lets hope BR can rally us together finally and get a performance out of this team which, potentially, is strong.
realms of fantasy'ther are about 7 teams with better ,stronger squad's than you,you won't get near top 4.
Assuming you are a Tottenham fan, I think our squads are equal. We have better center backs, but your team has more goals in it atm. We both lack strikers.
Right on both counts, but have you the fund's for a "big" name striker,and for his wages and you need two,we are short but we only need one,and the funds are there.we do need a creative midfielder though.on you having better C/B'S i'm not so sure, Caulker gets better each game,he will soon be England's new C/B Kaboul is good,but injured at the moment,and Vertongen is also good,he is playing L/B at the moment till Benny recovers.
If we are playing the we have better than you then let's stay with the defence. In terms of experienced defenders then I'll put up Agger, Skertl, Johnson and Enrique against anything that Spurs have to offer. Add to that the potential of Kelly, Coates, Wisdom and Robinson and we confirm our superiority in that area. As for funds you appear to forget that our funding formula is self-imposed and capable of interpretation.
When it comes to transfer budgets, our owners free up cash or dont free up cash for each individual case.
