Expectations next season...........

[Edmonton Saint]

If some of the rumoured signings come off then we have to be looking at comfortably within the top 10 this season, as we are now I still expect between 12th and 15th.

[The Cat]

Interesting thought.

 

That's probably what it costs a promoted team to stay up. What if that £40m was invested in 40 crap players at £1m each?

 

We'd have lots of competition in the squad. If they were all young and hungry there would be huge room for improvement and in a few years we'd no doubt be in Europe.

[Window Cleaner]

I don't know, I'd be pleased with 8th though. After that it's a bit of a lottery; Got a feeling that Man U are going to plummet but then again that's probably because I hate them so much. Got everything to displease me, Nevilles,Scots and well just the fact that they are what they are.

[St Marco]

There are obviously a lot of factors that can/will happen. But say we did get the players mentioned in OP that would make a team of

 

----------Boruc--------

Clyne---Lovren---Forren/Yos----Shaw

--------------------------------------

----------Morgan-Benega----------

Ramirez------------------------Lallana

------------Lambo------------

---------------------Damaio---------

 

With Wagamama to come on when one of the TWO CM's get knackered and Jay Rod to replace either striker.

IF that happens then a top 10 finish has to be the bare minimum. Anything below that would be bad considering the money spent.

 

IF we did get those players in and a couple of decent subs i.e left back then I would think Europe (Europa league) would be attainable. Either by position in league or a cup win/final. Which in itself just goes to show how far we have come and how far we want to go.

However IF we don't get those players and the squad remains as it is then you would have to expect another finish around 14th mark.

[Window Cleaner]

There are obviously a lot of factors that can/will happen. But say we did get the players mentioned in OP that would make a team of

 

----------Boruc--------

Clyne---Lovren---Forren/Yos----Shaw

--------------------------------------

----------Morgan-Benega----------

Ramirez------------------------Lallana

------------Lambo------------

---------------------Damaio---------

 

With Wagamama to come on when one of the TWO CM's get knackered and Jay Rod to replace either striker.

IF that happens then a top 10 finish has to be the bare minimum. Anything below that would be bad considering the money spent.

 

IF we did get those players in and a couple of decent subs i.e left back then I would think Europe (Europa league) would be attainable. Either by position in league or a cup win/final. Which in itself just goes to show how far we have come and how far we want to go.

However IF we don't get those players and the squad remains as it is then you would have to expect another finish around 14th mark.

 

so we're bidding 11.5 million for an impact sub, that will please him. Also JRod will start in front of Lambert. Don't think Lallana will make the starting XI

[Matthew Le God]

This would be nice...

 

                         Artur Boruc


Nathaniel Clyne  Dejan Lovren  Vegard Forren   Luke Shaw


             Victor Wanyama   Morgan Schneiderlin


Gaston Ramirez           Ever Banega           Jay Rodriguez


                      Leandro Damião

 

But its a squad game, so players like Lambert, Lallana, Puncheon, Cork, Yoshida etc will all play a part.

Edited 5 July, 2013 by Matthew Le God

[Orange Peels]

This would be nice...

 

            Boruc

Clyne  Lovren  Forren   Shaw

    Wanyama Schneiderlin

Ramirez    Banega    Rodriguez

           Damião

 

But its a squad game, so players like Lambert, Lallana, Cork, Yoshida etc will all play a part.

 

I don't think Lovren and Forren will play together, will be either one of them + Yoshida imo.

[Ohio Saint]

My head says a season similar to the last, but probably a bit better. My heart, however is the same as the start of any season. Full of unfounded hopes and expectations of a miracle........Maybe this year? Maybe?

[Wes Tender]

Lot of contradictions there. Is there very little reason we couldn't get 4th or lots of reasons as you yourself list? If there is very little reason why we couldn't get 4th, why do you also say it 'seems a bit of fantasy'?

 

I started out by saying that provided we made those marquee signings and kept our star players there was the chance of us getting as high as 4th and that 6th was eminently possible. The other things I listed might legislate in our favour and assist that possibility.

 

It all seems a fantasy because like many on here, I'm not used to us being expected to make the sort of signings that we are connected with, signings which could see us potentially above the likes of Liverpool, Everton, Spurs. But as I say, if we made these signings, that situation is a distinct possibility.

 

Most will say unlikely. I say not beyond the realms of possibility.

[Matthew Le God]

I don't think Lovren and Forren will play together, will be either one of them + Yoshida imo.

 

I'd say it's more likely to be Lovren plus another.

[Dalek2003]

I think we are a little improved on my prediction of last year.

Other teams are strengthening, not just us. I think a commnedable 15th or 16th.

[LGTL]

I'd love a good cup run. That Leeds game really annoyed me last season.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Some on here would do well to pull their collective necks in a tad before they make a fool of themselves.

 

The problem with assuming we are going to do much better this coming season just because we may be about to sign all these good players we've been linked with, is that this theory ignores the inconvenient truth that most of the other teams in the PL with be trying to do exactly the same thing. The truth is we may need to strengthen the squad significantly just in order to maintain a 14th place finish let alone dream about genuinely competing with the aristocracy of the English game.

 

Ask yourself this, are we going to find it easy taking 4 points off Jose Mourinho's Chelsea? For that matter, will Newcastle or Villa be as a poor again this season? I seriously doubt it shipmates. Talk of top 6 finish is gash, I'd be more than happy with a good cup run, a midtable finish, and no relegation scares this season frankly.

 

Now what target the Chairman has set the manager is entirely a different question however ...

[Badger]

Let's see what squad we have available for the start of the season, and then on 31st August before making predictions.

 

Gut feeling though is that we will be somewhere between 10th and 14th.

 

Possibly even a managerial change between Nov and end of January if things look sticky.

[Ziggy]

A good start to the season and tenth place would do me.

[ottery st mary]

Before peeps get all shirty and name calling:D

 

It is only a bit of fun:lol:

 

So I am going for Champions or runners up:rolleyes:

 

 

OK 10th:p

[Badger]

A good start to the season and tenth place would do me.

 

That and a good cup run (win) would do me.

[CB Fry]

If we sign a couple more in the £8-12m bracket I will expect us to finish tenth minimum. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

Highly unlikely we will finish any higher than eighth.

 

Next season I can't see us doing what Allardyce did at Bolton, or Pardew at Newcastle or McClaren at Boro. Don't think we'll be quite that good. But we can try.

[DuncanRG]

Some on here would do well to pull their collective necks in a tad before they make a fool of themselves.

 

The problem with assuming we are going to do much better this coming season just because we may be about to sign all these good players we've been linked with, is that this theory ignores the inconvenient truth that most of the other teams in the PL with be trying to do exactly the same thing. The truth is we may need to strengthen the squad significantly just in order to maintain a 14th place finish let alone dream about genuinely competing with the aristocracy of the English game.

 

Ask yourself this, are we going to find it easy taking 4 points off Jose Mourinho's Chelsea? For that matter, will Newcastle or Villa be as a poor again this season? I seriously doubt it shipmates. Talk of top 6 finish is gash, I'd be more than happy with a good cup run, a midtable finish, and no relegation scares this season frankly.

 

Now what target the Chairman has set the manager is entirely a different question however ...

 

Plenty of sense here - all clubs will be making a marquee signing or two thanks to the new TV deal. However, if we capture a few of our targets we'll be strengthening more than most I think. Newcastle and Villa may not be so poor next season but others could slump instead.

 

Anyway, Europe is dreamland. I think top half is a good target.

[Matthew Le God]

Europe is dreamland.

 

Swansea and Wigan are in Europe next season, and 4th tier Bradford were 1 win away from Europe.

[DuncanRG]

Swansea and Wigan are in Europe next season, and 4th tier Bradford were 1 win away from Europe.

 

I mean from league position, of course.

[The Kraken]

I mean from league position, of course.

That was fairly obvious; but that never stops Captain Pedantic from acting the tw*t.

[sydneysaint]

7TH or is that a bit odd MLT

[Saint J 77]

Let's see what squad we have available for the start of the season, and then on 31st August before making predictions.

 

Gut feeling though is that we will be somewhere between 10th and 14th.

 

Possibly even a managerial change between Nov and end of January if things look sticky.

 

I have the same feeling about the possible managerial change if things aren't going as well as the Don is expecting. Especially if we do spend big this summer. I just hope it doesn't go completely tits up and come down to the last game of the season to stay up!

[Wes Tender]

Some on here would do well to pull their collective necks in a tad before they make a fool of themselves.

 

The problem with assuming we are going to do much better this coming season just because we may be about to sign all these good players we've been linked with, is that this theory ignores the inconvenient truth that most of the other teams in the PL with be trying to do exactly the same thing. The truth is we may need to strengthen the squad significantly just in order to maintain a 14th place finish let alone dream about genuinely competing with the aristocracy of the English game.

 

Ask yourself this, are we going to find it easy taking 4 points off Jose Mourinho's Chelsea? For that matter, will Newcastle or Villa be as a poor again this season? I seriously doubt it shipmates. Talk of top 6 finish is gash, I'd be more than happy with a good cup run, a midtable finish, and no relegation scares this season frankly.

 

Now what target the Chairman has set the manager is entirely a different question however ...

 

And the other side of this coin is that equally some might make fools of themselves by their assumptions that there is an untouchable aristocracy in the English game that we will never be worthy of challenging, because their 11 players on the pitch at any given time will always be better than ours. And although we managed to beat Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool (presumably the aristocracy you refer too) last season, we will not be capable of beating Chelsea and City now that they will have improved their squads and their managers this season. We might not finish above them, but the intent signalled by the calibre of these prospective signings is increasingly pointing in the direction of us not being that far behind them. But I take on board that Newcastle and Villa will probably be above us because they couldn't possibly repeat their poor last season's place and these are also debatably two of English football's aristocrats, albeit rather in the past nowadays.

 

We'll have to improve the squad to hope to hold our 14th place? Pah!

[DuncanRG]

!?

 

Not a single Southampton player or transfer target would start for Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United. Damiao *might* for Chelsea but that's it.

Beating a top team does not mean you're anywhere close to achieving what they do over a season. Small teams beat big teams fairly regularly.

It is not an assumption that the 'aristocracy' is untouchable - they are touchable, so to speak, but not by Southampton.

We are miles behind them. Absolute miles.

 

I do struggle to pick out trolls round here.

[Polaroid Saint]

!?

 

Not a single Southampton player or transfer target would start for Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United.. .

... I do struggle to pick out trolls round here.

 

It is quite easy to pick out trolls. Just read their posts. Like this one.

[saint lard]

If we made significant signings,like the ones mentioned.....we could come 3rd,...but otherwise,we could finish anywhere.

but lets be realistic,anything 10 th or above I would be impressed..

 

to stay up and I would be happy.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

And the other side of this coin is that equally some might make fools of themselves by their assumptions that there is an untouchable aristocracy in the English game that we will never be worthy of challenging, because their 11 players on the pitch at any given time will always be better than ours. And although we managed to beat Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool (presumably the aristocracy you refer too) last season, we will not be capable of beating Chelsea and City now that they will have improved their squads and their managers this season. We might not finish above them, but the intent signalled by the calibre of these prospective signings is increasingly pointing in the direction of us not being that far behind them. But I take on board that Newcastle and Villa will probably be above us because they couldn't possibly repeat their poor last season's place and these are also debatably two of English football's aristocrats, albeit rather in the past nowadays.

 

We'll have to improve the squad to hope to hold our 14th place? Pah!

 

 

Well obviously I don't agree with much of the above.

 

This is not to say however that I think it's impossible that we could again this coming season turn over a member of the 'aristocracy' on occasion - this type of thing is a relatively common phenomenon in the PL - but to move on from that level to becoming a true top 6 or 7 club represents a step change in our fortunes. The final league table from last season shows the top 7 positions occupied by the following (very aristocratic) football clubs:

 

Man Utd

Man City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

 

With the possible exception of the perennially over achieving Everton, these hugely wealthy and successful clubs form a unofficial 'division within the division' almost. To finish as high as some think we will next season, then we will obviously have to oust one of the above group and outperform the likes of Newcastle, West Brom, Swansea ... etc. Fans on here who really think that we are on the verge of becoming permanent members of this exclusive group are allowing their hearts to rule their heads if you ask me.

 

But they are no alone in their madness, indeed our chairman's insane dream of doing just that may one day be the ruin of this club. After all, pride does come before a fall doesn't it?

[Barry Sanchez]

If those players sign we should be aiming for Europe.

 

Or put another way could we top Liverpool and Everton with the extra reinforcements? Yes we could.

 

Just look at the team we'd have.

 

- A Brazilian international + England's top goal scorer up front + an exciting young prospect with great potential.

- A very destructive midfield with the creativity of a Benega\Ramirez.

- Champs league quality CB + GK.

- Two of England's most exciting full backs.

 

We'd be a team to be reckoned with IMO.

 

Can we pull these players in though?

 

Liverpool are looking to spend £40 Million this transfer window and already have a better 1st team and squad than ours so we have to at least spend more than them to compete, Everton finished above them, come on please, we dont know as the payers we sign are not household ones so its a gamble.

Top half is realistic if the players play well.

[CB Fry]

Well obviously I don't agree with much of the above.

 

This is not to say however that I think it's impossible that we could again this coming season turn over a member of the 'aristocracy' on occasion - this type of thing is a relatively common phenomenon in the PL - but to move on from that level to becoming a true top 6 or 7 club represents a step change in our fortunes. The final league table from last season shows the top 7 positions occupied by the following (very aristocratic) football clubs:

 

Man Utd

Man City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

 

With the possible exception of the perennially over achieving Everton, these hugely wealthy and successful clubs form a unofficial 'division within the division' almost. To finish as high as some think we will next season, then we will obviously have to oust one of the above group and outperform the likes of Newcastle, West Brom, Swansea ... etc. Fans on here who really think that we are on the verge of becoming permanent members of this exclusive group are allowing their hearts to rule their heads if you ask me.

 

But they are no alone in their madness, indeed our chairman's insane dream of doing just that may one day be the ruin of this club. After all, pride does come before a fall doesn't it?

 

 

 

And the other side of this coin equally is that we can do it we can do it Cortese said it and he's never wrong we can do it we beat City last season and everything we can do it we can do it we are signing some new players we can do it and pathetic old midtable? Pah.

[Barry Sanchez]

Well obviously I don't agree with much of the above.

 

This is not to say however that I think it's impossible that we could again this coming season turn over a member of the 'aristocracy' on occasion - this type of thing is a relatively common phenomenon in the PL - but to move on from that level to becoming a true top 6 or 7 club represents a step change in our fortunes. The final league table from last season shows the top 7 positions occupied by the following (very aristocratic) football clubs:

 

Man Utd

Man City

Chelsea

Arsenal

Spurs

Everton

Liverpool

 

With the possible exception of the perennially over achieving Everton, these hugely wealthy and successful clubs form a unofficial 'division within the division' almost. To finish as high as some think we will next season, then we will obviously have to oust one of the above group and outperform the likes of Newcastle, West Brom, Swansea ... etc. Fans on here who really think that we are on the verge of becoming permanent members of this exclusive group are allowing their hearts to rule their heads if you ask me.

 

But they are no alone in their madness, indeed our chairman's insane dream of doing just that may one day be the ruin of this club. After all, pride does come before a fall doesn't it?

 

No fans who think we shall breach that elite know nothing of football and are basing it on nothing at all. The cult of Cortese.

[Avenue Saint]

No fans who think we shall breach that elite know nothing of football and are basing it on nothing at all. The cult of Cortese.

 

Don't you just love what Cortese is doing @ Southampton Football Club Barry???

[Saint86]

Is is MU, MC, Chelsea or Arsenal we finish above?

 

Quite some achievement, when all but the Champions look likely to be much improved.

 

Are they? I would leave a question mark over city and united. Arsenal will be the same, and Chelsea should finish top 2 or run away in my view (and on present form)

 

Since poch came in I felt we outplayed everyone. But we threw points away with poor defending and not being cynical. A few squad improvements will cut that out, let alone the quality we are linked with. I think with that improvement it will push us to top 8 in an injury free season.

 

But NC is going far beyond bringing the weakest parts of our squad in line with the average standard. Instead we replaced jos with a champions league CB. If we sign the players we are linked with it will for a quality team with great squad depth. In an injury free season I honestly think we can push for 5th as our top goal (doubtless the down wants 4th but I can't quite believe it yet). So for me, worst case with injuries is 10-11th to a best case of 5th and a cup run. 8th as a worst case finish in an injury free season.

 

Some may say that 5th to 8th is being very optimistic. But consider that porch has had us outplaying everyone. We dismantled liverpool/, Chelsea and city and despite a dire first half at old Trafford, we hung in there at then did at man United's fortress what Barcelona did to them at Wembley... If we become more clinical and cut out the mistakes then the future is indeed very bright... The future is red and.....

[Batman]

The thought that we can finish 4th next season is utterly laughable

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The thought that we can finish 4th next season is utterly laughable

 

Of course it is.

 

We finished last season a mere 5 points above the relegation zone, and yet I'm now being told on here that 3 or 4 good - but essentially middle ranking in international terms - players will propel us above the likes of Arsenal and Spurs into the elite of the European game.

 

If you really want to do that then you better forget about signing Damiao and start talking to his mate Neymar ...

[Barry Sanchez]

If we made those signings and kept our other star players, there is very little reason that we couldn't get 4th at best and 6th eminently possible. Apart from the caveat about us signing those players and them bedding in well, factors that might affect other teams at the top could come into play. Amongst them will be how Man Utd fare under Moyse, how Everton fare without him, whether Spurs lose Bale, Liverpool lose Suarez, new managers at Chelsea and Man City, etc. Naturally, one wouldn't expect the likes of Mourinho to flounder at Chelsea, nor the new bloke at City, but who knows? I'd like to think that at our top strength after this level of signings, we could potentially go ahead of Liverpool, perhaps Spurs and Everton.

 

That seems a bit of a fantasy, but it isn't totally beyond the realms of possibility.

 

Wes your optimism would cheer a man whilst walking to the gallows, it wouldn't mean you were talking ****e but the man would die laughing none the less......................

[Barry Sanchez]

Don't you just love what Cortese is doing @ Southampton Football Club Barry???

 

Giving us a ****e kit twice, creating a regime that does not talk its customers, not prepared to actually spend money for us to progress where he has stated he wants us to go, buying ****, he could improve.

[Wes Tender]

Wes your optimism would cheer a man whilst walking to the gallows, it wouldn't mean you were talking ****e but the man would die laughing none the less......................

 

You would die laughing, but I expect that you'd probably deserve to be hung. Fry would die being sarcastic to the hangman about his dress sense.

 

The trouble with some people is that they lack the imagination to accept that although some things might seem extremely improbable, that nonetheless they are possible.

 

As I've already said, my position depends on us signing the likes of those players. Beyond that, those other factors I mentioned could alter the prospects of those so called untouchable elite aristocrats whose teams seemingly comprise players of superhuman powers, so that whenever they are beaten by a club outside of this elite little club, it must have been a fluke. The other team will never have been better on the day, it will have to be the case that the elite team played badly.

[Wes Tender]

Giving us a ****e kit twice, creating a regime that does not talk its customers, not prepared to actually spend money for us to progress where he has stated he wants us to go, buying ****, he could improve.

 

What an idiotic statement. It's quite up there with some of your very best.

[Turkish]

You would die laughing, but I expect that you'd probably deserve to be hung. Fry would die being sarcastic to the hangman about his dress sense.

 

The trouble with some people is that they lack the imagination to accept that although some things might seem extremely improbable, that nonetheless they are possible.

 

As I've already said, my position depends on us signing the likes of those players. Beyond that, those other factors I mentioned could alter the prospects of those so called untouchable elite aristocrats whose teams seemingly comprise players of superhuman powers, so that whenever they are beaten by a club outside of this elite little club, it must have been a fluke. The other team will never have been better on the day, it will have to be the case that the elite team played badly.

 

Quite right Les. Didn't they once say man would never climb Evrest?

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

Higher than 14th...

[Wiggles31]

Giving us a ****e kit twice, creating a regime that does not talk its customers, not prepared to actually spend money for us to progress where he has stated he wants us to go, buying ****, he could improve.

 

You amaze me. You actually hate Saints don't you.

[CB Fry]

You would die laughing, but I expect that you'd probably deserve to be hung. Fry would die being sarcastic to the hangman about his dress sense.

 

The trouble with some people is that they lack the imagination to accept that although some things might seem extremely improbable, that nonetheless they are possible.

 

As I've already said, my position depends on us signing the likes of those players. Beyond that, those other factors I mentioned could alter the prospects of those so called untouchable elite aristocrats whose teams seemingly comprise players of superhuman powers, so that whenever they are beaten by a club outside of this elite little club, it must have been a fluke. The other team will never have been better on the day, it will have to be the case that the elite team played badly.

 

 

Yawn. Of course it is possible.

 

And also pathetically easy to imagine with pretty much zero creative thought whatsoever.

 

But congratulations on your breathtaking leap of imagination that the team you support could finish in sixth place in a league table. Quite astonishing.

[DuncanRG]

It is quite easy to pick out trolls. Just read their posts. Like this one.

 

Hmm, on review perhaps one of Banega/Wanyama/Schneiderlin would get a game at United considering a partner for Carrick is their (relative) weak spot. Other than that, who do you have in mind?

 

As I've already said, my position depends on us signing the likes of those players. Beyond that, those other factors I mentioned could alter the prospects of those so called untouchable elite aristocrats whose teams seemingly comprise players of superhuman powers, so that whenever they are beaten by a club outside of this elite little club, it must have been a fluke. The other team will never have been better on the day, it will have to be the case that the elite team played badly.

 

We'll beat some top teams next season, but as I said that is worlds away from finishing amongst them in the final table.

[Sour Mash]

Are they? I would leave a question mark over city and united. Arsenal will be the same, and Chelsea should finish top 2 or run away in my view (and on present form)

 

Since poch came in I felt we outplayed everyone. But we threw points away with poor defending and not being cynical. A few squad improvements will cut that out, let alone the quality we are linked with. I think with that improvement it will push us to top 8 in an injury free season.

 

But NC is going far beyond bringing the weakest parts of our squad in line with the average standard. Instead we replaced jos with a champions league CB. If we sign the players we are linked with it will for a quality team with great squad depth. In an injury free season I honestly think we can push for 5th as our top goal (doubtless the down wants 4th but I can't quite believe it yet). So for me, worst case with injuries is 10-11th to a best case of 5th and a cup run. 8th as a worst case finish in an injury free season.

 

Some may say that 5th to 8th is being very optimistic. But consider that porch has had us outplaying everyone. We dismantled liverpool/, Chelsea and city and despite a dire first half at old Trafford, we hung in there at then did at man United's fortress what Barcelona did to them at Wembley... If we become more clinical and cut out the mistakes then the future is indeed very bright... The future is red and.....

What do you mean "with injuries"/"injury free season"?

[RobM]

If we don't add any further signings, we should expect high end of the bottom half. We will be a better 'team' and we will be stronger defensively, hopefully without the horrendous start that cost us points. 11th - 13th.

 

However, if the three main names we're looking at do sign for us, I would expect that to improve to 9th - 11th. We're not suddenly going to be pushing for Euro places, we won't suddenly get the very, very best out of every player, especially those in their first season with us. We must also remember that we're not the only club spending money, so while we're improving, so are those around us. To move further up the table, we need to improve more than other teams are improving.

[Berudenot2]

I don't really care where we finish. I'll enjoy some games, I'll be frustrated at others, I'll be over the moon at some results and frustrated and angry at others.

But I'll continue supporting the club that I chose as a boy because I was drug up Soton and they are my local team mush.

I'll keep popping the delusional pills and believe at the start of the season that the treble is a realistic target only to revise that opinion after losing the opening game.

I don't pretend to have in depth knowledge of the game, I enjoyed playing it at a pretty crap level so have a vague inkling about skills,technique,tactics and mental attitude.

So I offer an opinion which I don't care if no-one else agrees or disagrees with :

 

The TREBLE !!

 

 

Ok nurse I know it's time for my medication but just a bit longer please.

 

 

 

and

[Dig Dig]

If we don't add any further signings, we should expect high end of the bottom half. We will be a better 'team' and we will be stronger defensively, hopefully without the horrendous start that cost us points. 11th - 13th.

 

However, if the three main names we're looking at do sign for us, I would expect that to improve to 9th - 11th. We're not suddenly going to be pushing for Euro places, we won't suddenly get the very, very best out of every player, especially those in their first season with us. We must also remember that we're not the only club spending money, so while we're improving, so are those around us. To move further up the table, we need to improve more than other teams are improving.

 

This is what I don't get.... no signings, finish max place of 11th. With all the signngs we are linked with, people expect that we could improve by only two places? Hardly worth shelling out 40M. If the club get their targets, they will be aiming for Europe. Anyway, the model SW answer is 8th.

[110_Persaint]

This is what I don't get.... no signings, finish max place of 11th. With all the signngs we are linked with, people expect that we could improve by only two places? Hardly worth shelling out 40M. If the club get their targets, they will be aiming for Europe. Anyway, the model SW answer is 8th.

Absolute bare minimum IMO. Would still be considered a bit of a disappointment even if we do finish eighth and go nowhere in either cup. Must overtake one of (or all three) of Everton, Liverpool and/or Spurs to really prove we are progressing and going places.

 

Mind you if all the recent transfer rumours turn out to be rubbish and we make no new signings I'd bite your hand off for 17th.