http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...n-swansea-become-a-force-in-the-pl_96206.htmlhttp://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/swansea-city/news/can-swansea-become-a-force-in-the-pl_96206.html Can we gatecrash the top 6? Who's in? p.s. sorry if you've seen this already
Excellent read Steve and good possible. I don't see why we can't gatecrash yes we have to play all season to our optimum but if we hadn't tailed off last season we wouldn't of been far off, and we have all said that our squad nevermind the starting X1 are far stronger than last year. Then get Michael to sign a 10 yr contract job done
I have always started our seasons in the PL but believing we can make 13th and would be delighted to finish in the top 10 but given a fair wind we could make top 8 this season.
With Everton needing to adjust to a new system under Martinez it does leave a top 6 spot up for grabs, as a squad we have strengthened more than our direct rival, Liverpool. Whilst they have bought a couple of good players they are also relying on an old player as their midfield engine who quite frankly is a shadow of his former younger self, just this morning he spoke of his fear of retirement and how that day is chasing him down. WBA have lost a huge asset with Lukaku going back to Chelsea and that guy did wonders for them last season, can they replace? Even so they will be a good side, WBA started Lukaku in just 20-odd games so the rest of the squad must have something. But when you look at the summer transfer window it is for sure Swansea that has made the most moves, and moves that were meticulously chosen to plug holes and the players chosen for their suitability. Whilst Rodgers was in charge here lets not forget it was our scouts and coaches who decided if a player was right for the system... Do Liverpool have that? No. That's why we are the most improved team. Sixth is a possibility.
Not sure - players that Liverpool have signed would have been ones we would have been delighted with: Aspas etc. They look like they'll be losing Suarez, but it depends who they get in. Liverpool, whilst only a couple of places ahead of us, were quite a few points ahead and have strengthened. I'm not sure I see us catching them. Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool will all finish above us. We'll be battling Everton, WBA, Norwich and West Ham really for the next few places. That'll be a cluster. We ended up at the top of the cluster last time, but a couple more lost games would have seen us in the bottom half. 7th would be the highest realistic place, and even that is a real real stretch. As Laudrup said, we need to strengthen just to stand still - 8th to 10th I see really. We have to be careful of inflated expectations - it could lead to us getting on the team's back at the wrong time.
I'm a bit worried that we're getting ahead of ourselves to be honest. While we have strengthened and look a totally different animal, we may not be so fortunate with injuries this season. I don't mean to put a dampner on things, but I'm sure that Newcastle would have been saying the same sort of things going into last season...
Regarding Liverpool and their old midfield engine, it's looking more and more likely that they sold a ready made replacement for Gerrard to us for £5m!
Read that yesterday Steve, and in fairness I cannot fault the reasoning, other than the drag effect the Europa will have on us, which will depend on injuries and effective squad rotation, which I think might cost us a couple of places in the table, but having said that, if we had had the squad we have now, last season, then I think we could have easily have got to 6th place, so it's clearly within our reach if all goes well. Just as an after thought, I think we will need to drop the home cups this season and just concentrate on the Europa and Premiership, that way we will not burn out our squad too much!...............
If we didn't have the Europa to contend with, with the squad we have I could see us mounting a strong challenge for 7th place; with a large slice of luck maybe even 6th. I'm assuming that Everton might drop off a little while they get to grips with their new manager's system. Liverpool have bought well but if they lose Suarez they will lose a lot of goals and points that he earned them last season, which will have to be found elsewhere in the team - and if Gerrard struggles in any way, it could be very disruptive. For our part I'm concerned about the number of games we might have to play. The more successful we are, the worse it will get. It looks rosy right now but injuries and suspensions are bound to take their toll and this will cause us problems. Which brings us to the crux of the matter. So far we have breezed our way to a 100% winning start scoring 32 against one conceded. We have dominated every game and done, more or less, precisely what we wanted to do on the field. This is going to change drastically when the Premier League season starts. This is where the stakes are raised; where every single team we play will be battling tooth and nail for every point. They all know how we play. They all know they have to get in our faces to beat us. They will all do that, and more, to grab those precious points for survival. And they will all know that many of our players will have tired legs from the extra games. We won't enjoy the glut of possession we have had so far and I don't just mean against the better teams. So, how are we going to react when the going gets a whole lot tougher than it has been? How will our players cope when they have to fight for possession before they can play? How will they stand up to sustained pressure which undoubtedly will come their way? Will the new guys have the character to dig in for a fight? Will the team as a whole be prepared to battle when the other lot are taking it to us? These and other questions remain to be answered but I have to say I'm quietly confident. Laudrup has bought well. Shelvey will definitely stiffen the midfield and we all know that Canas likes a tackle. Up front, Bony will do his bit. He's a strong, tough character, so I can see him dishing out some grief of his own to the oppo defenders. About time we had some players who will mix it when it comes to the crunch. So, my ambitions for us are quite modest. I want us to do well in Europe because that will enhance our profile even further and I'm looking forward to seeing us a lot more on the box if we have a decent run. Can't get enough of it!! Unfortunately, I think this is bound to impact on our league performance and I can see us dropping points to teams that under ordinary circumstances we would swat aside without a problem. Bearing this in mind, I would be quite happy to finish in the top half with 50 points or more and look to really kick on the season after when we have extra money to bring in even more quality. PS: I think the striker Michael Laudrup is likely to bring in during the next month could be critical. If he has a good pedigree (big name loan perhaps) then we are likely to do really well. Here's hoping.
couldn't it have the opposite effect dragon with us having a good run in Europe the confidence could soar and mean we could very well push on in the league
Yes I agree with that, but four competitions? something will have to give, as we are guaranteed to pick up injuries otherwise, I'd like see us at least drop out of one of the cups, Just my view.....................
Nah well win the lot yeah know what you mean but would like a nice runs as holders in the league cup and in the Europa league
