http://www.paddypower.com/football/uk-football/premier-league?ev_oc_grp_ids=281776 I know it's early doors but the bookies rarely get it wrong, and according to the above I'd be more than happy with this predicted finish.
Interesting, I expect the midlands to have a hard time next season with West Brom, Stoke and Villa all in the mix. I'd place us better than Villa and Stoke in that list..
13th seems like a fair shout for me looking at the teams involved, I'd take that now. It's also nice to see us grouped in with the solid mid-table teams rather than the relegation fodder! Hopefully we can achieve this, would be good sign of progress. Also a solid league finish coupled with moving to the new training ground next summer would see us in an even better position to attract better talent and continue building the club! The future's bright...
It's going to be a tough old scrap. As it stands there's no team you'd say is nailed on to go down but I think if any of Wigan, Norwich or Swansea lose their managers it will be very tough. All the promoted teams will spend a few quid and compete without a doubt. If West Brom don't appoint the right man it could be a difficult season for them, Stoke could well get dragged down and even Sunderland.
That's key. Its a bloody tough division. The three sides that have come up are all good strong Clubs and will compete - as long as they strengthen during the summer.
This gives a better picture as it has all the odds. http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/relegation
Has nobody been listening to DT/Frank/Hoppster? He's absolutely right - the points difference between just above relegation to top 6 is very small. If you say 13 th is a good target this could well end up as 8th or 17th, depending on a couple of results. Liverpool in 8th were 37 points off the top 2, but only 16 off relegation. Let's aim high!
It would be fantastic to be safe a few games before the end so we can just enjoy the footie without the pressure.
Early safety is nirvana; sit back and watch the drowning men fight for the last place on the lifeboat, bliss!!
In your profession I am assuming you are pretty fit Nines. Another finish like last week might be the end of me.
To be honest, and possibly greedy and unreasonable too, I'd be pretty disappointed with that. Thirteenth might be realistic, but I don't think it's wrong to hope for better. Looking at the table for the season just ended, it would make us Sunderland and a mere 8 points better than the Rs have just managed. Top-half would be great, please.
I think we need to walk before we run. Looking at the table, the top eight will probably be the same as it was this season. From 9th to 13th we have Fulham, West Brom, Swansea, Norwich and Sunderland. I'd like to think we can surpass Norwich and Swansea this coming season but it's by no means a given. I still think it'll take another year to progress to the point of being up with established sides like Fulham, West Brom and Sunderland, all of whom were a cut above in our matches this season. Of the rest, Stoke will always be a horrible but effective side with a knack for getting to 40 points and dying on their collective arse. Villa will surely not **** it up to the extent that the woeful last couple of managers have done. The promoted clubs will all compete. I expect us to be stronger than all three but there's normally one surprise package at least. In summary, I'd be delighted with 13th. It would show real progress. I'd take 17th too for another year though I wouldn't be overly happy with it.
We wont have a problem next season, infact i reckon we will do well. Ones coming up will struggle and maybe 2-3 others like Norwich, Wigan, Villa.
I would love to miss that kind of excitement, not good for my heart... much better to have excitement at the other end of the table, fighting for euro places
