Let's face it, unless changes are made to our squad - with the acquisition of at least one decent striker - that is all we can legitimately expect. The trouble is, that if we don't finish in the top 4, we've got to expect that Bale's time at our club will be over. I won't bleat too loudly if he did leave at the end of next season (following a failure by us to secure CL football), as he will have given us some fantastic times; and it won't be as if he hadn't given Levy and the board the opportunity to put their house in order. Plus, we'll be getting decent money for him that, hopefully, will be put to building the squad across all areas. Are our rivals correct, that we are deluding ourselves if we believe that we have what it takes to be playing CL footy every season?
Given that we have no idea what our squad will be like on the first day of next season and Chelsea, Man City and Everton don't even have managers at the moment, it's a little too early to tell.
Bale wouldn't even be considering a new contract with us if he felt we'd be going into next season with no real optimism for a top 4 spot. We should be going into the season with at least one new striker and some quality new signings, if we don't I'll be very disappointed.
Over the course of the last eight seasons we would have qualified for the CL four times if it weren't for very freakish things occurring. It is certainly not delusional to believe we can be CL-regulars.
Optimistic? Yes. Realistic? Possibly. Deluded? No. We've finished 4th twice, only to be denied last season by sheer rotten luck. On reflection, I think AVB excelled considering the squad we had this season, the injuries and the pretty average players we bought by most accounts (Verts and Lloris not included). I expected 6th and we got 5th so can't complain, although losing out by 1 point really does grind my gears. I think we have the right to expect great things of our club because we have the history, a very loyal and high paying fan base, a balance sheet that realistically allows some decent buys this summer and a squad we can build on. If we don't progress, it will be due to decisions at board level, not from the changing room. So in a long drawn out way, my answer is no. We're not deluded. We have every right to expect success at a club like Spurs.
I will never understand the desire of so many people in football to perpetuate the catch 22 of "needing CL football" to attract/keep top players but being unable to get "CL football" without attracting/keeping top players Of course, "needing CL football" is really a term for those clubs capable of winning the competition and there won't be media stories about any other teams in it (which is why we won't ever see something like: NEW RONALDO SIGNS FOR ARSENAL) Another thing to remember is that nowadays players making the move do not further their careers and instead sit on the bench (eg Solskjaer, Sheringham, Carrick, Berbatov and Modric). Oh sure they have their moments but the first team have done the hard work and they come on fresh against tired opponents.
Next season is up in the air for all clubs... United will be without Ferguson for the first time in 26 years and no one knows how Moyes will cope with the pressure/squad/funds at his disposal. City are managerless and it could take the new man some time to settle in/adapt to the league. Chelsea will undoubtedly have a feel good factor about them with Mourinho likely to return, but we have seen this season that his ego can get in the way of success. Arsenal are in a fairly stable condition and their fans are expecting the club to spend big and well this season, neither are guarantees, could be Wenger's last season. Spurs, like Arsenal, will depend on quality of new signings and how well they adapt to the league. Everton are without Moyes and may not be able to attract a manager of his quality as a replacement. Liverpool are actually looking quite decent for the first time in 5 years but need some decent signings to get back in contention. The top 6 is ridden with doubt and variables for next season.
finishing 5th by 1 point in a race that lasted till the final minute of the season, is not deluded. Nor is a 4th place finish where our spot in the CL was taken away from us in extremely unlucky circumstances. However, unless certain areas of the team are addressed correctly in a way which attempts to compete with those around us, the only way for us will be downwards, IMO. The reason I say this, is because like you HIAG, I believe we've got as high as we can with what we've got. it's a borderline 4th/5th place finish squad, which needs that push in order to progress. We've had a real chance to cement as high as 3rd over the last 2 seasons and the tables have been evidence of this. But a season is played over 38 games and that's how you judge your season. Our squad doesn't have the depth and/or quality in certain areas, which is why we end up finishing where we do and it's always nervy. It doesn't need too much adjustment, but the unbalanced areas of the squad have been the downfall as time has taken its toll. Over a campaign it is exposed and we have to learn from this and be prepared correctly. Despite the other clubs having new managers, which could make things a little interesting, it's probably unlikely due to the money available and the talent already at the disposal of the manager. - Gary Megson could go in at city and finish top 4. Mourinho's chelsea squad (presuming he takes over) might not be exactly who he wants, but again, he's hardly going to struggle with the players in that squad. Same goes for Moyes IMO, even if united aren't the winners. Which leaves Arsenal. - Who will strengthen this summer and replace RVP as well as bringing in 1 or 2 others. We have no choice but to push on or next season we could find ourselves battling it out with Everton and Liverpool for a Europa place, with 4th out of the question.
I think if we make good signings in the places we need players E.G. striker,we have as good a chance as the current top4,given that we missed out only by a point with a weaker squad that last season
One advantage that we may have, is that at least 2 of the clubs that finished above us this year are going through management change and with that a possible influx of new players. (Excluding ManUre as there change appears to be more 'evolution' than revolution.) That usually takes a while to bed in - regardless of the money being thrown at it - and if, as expected, we keep the majority of the squad for next season, then we may have the chance to claim some sort of head start. As mentioned elsewhere, we will also have the return of two significant players as almost new signings but without the familiarisation period. All ifs and buts I appreciate, but reasons to be cheerful potentially, as long as we do a) keep our best player and b) get the MF and CF positions sorted early in the transfer window.
It's simple really. IF we buy wisely, and in the areas that need strengthening ( I think we all know what those are) then there's no reason we can't make top 4 - maybe even a sneaky bid for the title, if the others cock-up. Failure to strengthen significantly will see us drop down the table. I'm sure that most of our main rivals, Chelsea, City, Goons, & Mousers will all look to add to their squads and will probably be stronger. We must do the same, or fall behind. It's in our hands. We have the basis of a Championship challenging side. We just need the right additions & some luck with injuries, and we can do it, no doubt.
Bale is likely to leave eventually whether you get Champions League or not, like Persie he's going to want trophies and i dont mean the FA or league cups. Tottenham should be aiming for 3rd/4th but finishing 5th is no disaster
The only trouble with all our analysis is that the margins between success and failure are so small it's very hard to address. For example Bale being booked for diving rather than being awarded penalties could easily have seen us finish 3rd never mind 4th. I just don't accept that we are that much worse than Chelsea or Arsenal but equally we are not much better either. In order to be confident of a top 4 place we have to be significantly better than at least two of the current place holders and that is going to be nigh on impossible given their purchasing power. If we can maintain the status quo then we have a shot at top 4 next season. 1 point adrift 3 seasons in a row would be very unlucky even for us.
It's not just the money. It will come down to who buys the most wisely. Who buys the right missing pieces of the jigsaw.
That's true that's what WE have to do, but Arsenal can buy more pieces and Chelsea can just buy a whole new jigsaw.
Maybe. Chelsea have already tried that one and only ended up 3 points in front of us over 38 games. As I put on their board, and we have seen at Man City too, a collection of great players does not necessarily guarantee a great team.
If AVB brings in a few targets then 4th has to be the absolute minimum. I said this season was a failure but with injuries and change of staff taken into consideration, it was "forgivable" so to speak. Next season we'll be stronger as the players and AVB have had a season together behind them now, with (potentially) a few new players plus Sandro and Kaboul returning, I really can't see how anything less than 4th should be expected. If 4th isn't achieved then quite simply it's a huge failure in my opinion. The consequences will be major too, any chance of keeping Bale will be gone, other top players may want out and it'll just result in a complete re-shuffle where yet again, we'll be in a "transition" period.
