RobM

I wonder how often he kicks himself for not joining us when he had the chance before?! I think he would be a solid lower-table Prem striker, but I don't think he's the sort we are aiming for. We seem to be aiming for the next level of quality above us, to improve any position we buy for. I'm not sure Hooper is good enough for that.

Great to see us doing our business early this year and strengthening a position we knew needed attention. Lovren + Forren as our new CB pairing? It will certainly push JOs and Fonte to improve if so, giving us great depth in that position for once!

I prefer the one that has 'Confirmed' in the title. It's better.

Mayuka.

The latter, obviously. I don't believe for one second Shaw would leave simply because somebody is challenging him for his place. I believe, as with most footballers (certainly not all though, granted) they will use the competition as motivation to stay on top of their game. THAT's what we need.

Since we're a forward-thinking, progressive, ambitious club with a few quid to spend, the thought of signing somebody who isn't better than we have already doesn't interest me. Neither does the thought of signing somebody who is happy to take their wage to sit on the bench. If they aren't going to improve our first team, now or in the near future, don't sign them IMO.

Steven Davis has done well for himself! Lucky boy.

Back-to-back promotions with largely the same core group of players, our first season back in the Premiership and for many of our players, their first season at all in the Prem and we've finished safely and are competing well against experienced, established Premiership teams and players. We all know that just 'competing' isn't enough, but it's clear to see that we often dominate possession and we play with a creative and attacking flare that other teams strive for, which sets us up nicely for Season 2 in the Premiership. This level of performance for the first season is remarkable for a team that hasn't gone out and bought Premiership journeymen. This season proves we are getting the basics right and have a really solid base to build on. We know we have technically gifted players and we know we have money to spend to improve, so next season will be the next step. It won't be top-5 finishes and European football, that's just not realistic, but everything is in place to make next season better than this one.

Reading this was one of those moments where you laugh like it's a joke, pause to realise it's true and laugh even harder!

Wouldn't it be easier if you just went as Nigel Farage, an opinionated **** who likes the sound of his own voice? Seems a fitting representation.

Signed, good luck getting the support and awareness you need and good luck to Coventry FC!

I'd like to see Forren and Puncheon start. Forren because it's a chance for competitive football without risk or pressure, Puncheon because he looked so good today.

You can only judge things on what actually happened. If you can say 'if Holt had scored' then you could bring any of our near-misses, individual mistakes, or the bad decisions that went against us into it and swing the argument back around. Once you move away from fact it's just fairytale stuff.

I want to see Villa stay up. I like the fact they are building a team of young footballers and are focusing on development, rather than spending money they don't have and treating their fans like mugs, ala QPR. It's exactly what this country needs more of. Sadly that means Wigan go down, but FA Cup success and a very likeable Chairman aside, they aren't a team I care about really.

Three young international-level players? Terrible.

That's never stopped them gambling before. I think the other teams in that list are sensible enough to try and live within their means, whereas WHam will happily take a gamble and spend a decent amount whether it's sensible or not.

'Good Enough' is right. It was good enough to secure our position and good enough to ensure our goal difference has ensured our safety before the season has ended. So yes, the defence is good enough. But if we don't improve it, we won't be any stronger next season so we can expect more of the same. Since we are looking to improve season-by-season, I think it's reasonable to say it has been 'Good Enough' this season, but will not be good enough for next season.

If things stayed as they are now, we'd be competing against those teams for position next season, as we have done this season. But we have the luxury of money to spend on the team, which those teams (WHam aside, perhaps) won't be able to match. Therefore our success or otherwise compared to them will be determined by our transfers, which puts us in a really positive place.

They guy who said with some certainty that we are relegated today (before the game had finished, with one game to play, on the day we secured our place) dares to criticise a speculative thread about next season. Awesome hypocrisy.

10th, but a more comfortable 10th and safe well before the end of the season.

It's the only way Dalek's 'YoYo' club prediction can be right. It's either stick to your guns or eat humble pie.

Sorry, should have added this to the existing thread! Can a Mod merge or delete?

Are we now safe? Have I worked this out correctly? Wigan can finish on a maximum of 41 points, but if they do Villa will finish on 40 and with worse GD. We therefore stay up. Villa can finish on a maximum of 43 points, but if they do Wigan can finish on a maximum of 38. We stay up. Either way, we're safe, unless Villa win both and make up an 11 GD difference between us and them.

Response of a child 'and you all know it'. If you're not trolling and you're posting for debate and discussion, why not debate and discuss? When somebody counters your point, only somebody who knows they are entirely wrong would ignore it.