I didn't ask what you thought we should aim for, I asked where you thought we would finish. For us to win the league, we would need other teams to do poorer than their squads suggest. If all the teams perform as expected, we won't win the league. Therefore, you can dress it up how you like, IF we do win it, its an over achievement. There is a difference between deserving the title (what you are suggesting) and over achieving. Do you not think Newcastle over achieved in 2011-12? They may not have been involved in the title but its still thirty-eight league game. With the same squad they finished in the bottom half the following season (under achieved).
Shut up soft arse The best side in the country wins the league, as the league is a 38 game marathon & is totally equal as everyone has the same fixtures
Now either you are not listening or my explanations are sadly lacking and I can't work out which! I've already said both on here and nationally that I don't know where we will finish. What I do know is that we do have the potential to win the league and we should aim to do so. That's not dressing anything up. I can't help it if you get carried away by the supposed strength of other squads. Only 1 squad has achieved more points than we have so far and they have yet to visit us at Anfield. City look awesome at home but have lost more games than we have so they are not totally dominating the league - despite the hype. In those circumstances if our squad holds together and garners more points then they will have deserved the title and will not have over achieved. What was the difference between the Newcastle of 11/12 and 12/13 - they sold good players and didn't replace them with the same level of quality.
There is only two points in a season when the league is a level playing field; before a game is played and after the final ball is kicked. Sure, we could have all played all the other nineteen teams but we won't have played each at the same ground (ie home or away). As I said, if we win it then we would absolutely deserve it. But, IMO, it would definitely be a over achievement. Surely this should be based on expectation prior to the season starting? Most aims in football are optimistic so if you exceed them you've done very well. I'm pretty sure BR would so it would be earlier than anticipated too. Who did Newcastle sell? I recall Colo, HBA and Cabaye getting injured and them selling Ba to Chelsea midway through last season. I also recall them buying a lot of players too. I don't remember too many leaving.
G, I think you've got your strategic development slightly wrong here. Sure before the season starts your plans are made around a series of expectations - both in the strengths and weaknesses of your own squad and in the strengths and weaknesses that you perceive in your opponents squad. So your opening days strategy is based upon supposition. However, as you see your own team perform and watch the progress of your opponents that strategy is defined and refined. It is in effect an EMERGENT STRATEGY. Therefore as you progress through the season your strategy is informed by more and more fact and understanding. If that is so and you actually win the title or achieve you aims for the season it will certainly not be an over achievement! Perhaps I got my Newcastle seasons mixed-up.
I still think it would be an over achievement but I'll agree to disagree as its getting late and I can't be arsed
At this point in time I'd give us a 10-15% chance of winning the league. Our best chance since Rafa took us to 2nd. I think Arsenal, City, and Chelsea all have a better chance to win than us... but we're not out of the loop yet. If we can beat City and Maureensea our odds improve... I have my doubts for anything better than 3 points from those two matches combined. Even 2 points would be an accomplishment.
We need to get out of the traps early and hit them!!! Go a goal up early and at least we will then be difficult to beat. Them not beating us is a priority I think. Would be over the moon with 2 points from them and then on to the next block!
Don't wish to be picky, guys- but what exactly is a % chance of winning the league? Is there some esoteric mathematical formula involved here, or is it just an estimation of your confidence (or lack of)?
Im not saying anything. Im going to wait and see if other teams fans say it first. (If we remain in the race.) I dont dare to dream, but how fantastic would it be. Whats That Fergie? your retiring? Oh dear looks whose got straight back on its perch......hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahaha
Do you know i had heard that you could make a sensible post, must be Christmas Totally agree btw And tbh really hope the title is between Everton and Liverpool Its very unlikely but not impossible. I still think the top four will be the same as last season but in revised order, and i still think spuds have enough quality to turn it around. 0-0 or 0-1 is nailed on for us against Cardiff :/
Everton have a clear run at the top of the table now, with their next big game not until they play us at the end of January. We have a few more difficult fixtures right now but after December we only play Southampton and Man Utd from the top 10 away from home.
