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I'd be satisfied with 3rd, though I do believe we can take 2nd if we sort ourselves out.
Saying that has anybody seen our Feb/March Schedule...it's brutal and this is when I expect our season to collapse....
Feb 8 LiverpoolA
Feb 13 ManUnitedH
Feb 19 BayernH
Mar 12 BayernA
Mar 15 TotenhamA
Mar 22 ChelseaA
Mar 29 ManCityH
Apr 5 EvertonA
I think I'd be upset with 3rd or lower after how we've started. We haven't finished in the top 2 since 2004/05. Before 2005/06, we were in the top 2 for like 9 seasons in a row. Even if we didn't dominate like United did then, we were clearly always up there, there was never any doubt that we were one of the two best sides in this country. Subsequent to that, the best we've done is 3rd, but mostly it's been characterized by fights for 4th place and scraping into the Champions League.
Even if we don't actually win the title, coming in the top 2 would mean we're back where we belong :)
Yeah that's a tough schedule, can't see this team coming through that in one piece, I expect us to collapse as well based on this, that's unless we somehow signed someone prolific up front (which I can't see us doing).Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
I was wondering where the CL games would land. I knew that run of games was a joke but we’ve done ourselves no favours with Bayern. The tie won’t be over in one leg. We’ll need to buy a striker in January if we want the title. I can’t see Giroud scoring over 15 goals in the Prem. Ramsey looks to be slowing down on the goals and we’ll need Theo and someone else to go on a scoring run. Cazorla needs to step it up and I hope Pod hits the ground running when he returns.Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
Chelsea hasnt impressed me much tbh. I'd put Liverpool up there with them. It's just that Mourinho has Wenger tied up by the balls, that makes us think Chelsea is among the top sides.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters To Santa
Says it all for me, I'm afraid. We have the greatest stability of any team in the league. Our major competitors are all in flux. We have finally managed to keep all our players together, and have spent 42M on a player who is universally rated as one of the best. Yes, before the season began 3rd might have seemed a reasonable aspiration, but the fact that people are lauding 3rd when we are more or less top at Xmas, in the weakest season most of our competitors will have speaks volumes.
I don't get it either. I think this is our shot and should be taking advantage of this moment. I fear for our chances once Mourinho and Pellegrini get to grips with their teams. Chelsea are in the running even though they're playing badly! It's a worry and the opportunity may not be so clear come next season. I hope we buy in January.Quote:
Originally Posted by IBK
With the change of Manager, City strengthened considerably.
Our team is now emerging from a period of chronic underinvestment in the squad. There would have been team stability had we not even made the last minute enhancements to the team because there was no one interested in anyone that was left after the Van Persie transfer.
It is hardly surprising that expectations were not high. At the start of the season, many people's aspirations did not even include a place in the top 4.
I don't think we did underinvest in squad. We have always had 3rd or 4th highest wage bill. Last season we were paying 1m a week more than spurs. So where we have finished is where we should finish.
This season 2nd would be good. 3rd about par. 4th fine. Can't see us win it now. Especially looking at Feb and March run.
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve French
I do see where IBK and P'n'G are coming from but I don't yet have enough faith in the team.