For those who think can/will finish higher than 8th this season

[Rasiak-9-]

Who of last seasons top seven do you think we can/will finish above and as such, where do you think that we can/will finish this season?

 

I'm a glass half-empty fella I'm afraid so I don't believe that realistically we will higher than 8th, but I suppose its not impossible that we *could* finish above Everton.

 

I'm afraid I simply can't see us finishing above anyone in the big six once all is said and done/once we've had a tougher fixture list/our fair share of injuries etc.etc.

 

I start this thread because with all this talk about league position and soundbites like 'teams that finish outside the top six don't win matches 8-0' and so on (not just on here, but from optimistic neutrals as well), very rarely has anyone been specific enough to say exactly at who's expense our top-6/5/4 finish will be.

 

So perhaps the optimists amongst us could let us know!

[DuncanRG]

In order from most likely to least: Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man Utd.

 

Any of them could stutter (already are, in fact) and while we would do very well to take full advantage and finish above them in 7th or 6th, it's absolutely possible.

[Deanovski]

IMO maybe liverpoool or united.

[Bearsy]

I heard the club has reclassified a top 4 finish from "Impossible" to "Unlikely" & raised the UEFA alert level to DEFCON 3. This is not a drill!

 

Edit: Soz that ain't really what you was asking! I was just passing on what I've heard tho

[Wrensup]

So you reckon we'll be finishing 8th again isi? What would make you think we do have a 'realistic' chance as opposed to our chances right now then?

[Ohio Saint]

The OP reads like the reverse of someone who has lost his faith.

 

Please, Satan, deliver me from success.

[RinNY]

Liverpool are looking very ordinary so far this season. Lovren has not solved their defensive problems, and they are heavily reliant on Sturridge for goals: a player who is always just a kick or a stretch away from being injured for several weeks. I think we could well finish above them.

 

Spurs have not adapted to MoPo's style of play, and it's doubtful they really have the right players for it. And a team relying on Adebayor and Soldado for goals is always likely to be inconsistent. We could well finish above them.

 

Everton, I think, overachieved a bit last season, and have come back down to earth a bit. I don't see why we could not finish above them.

 

I don't see why 5th to 7th is not very doable.

[Ohio Saint]

It seems to me that we are all too embarrassed to say that the magical 4th place is not entirely impossible.

 

It does exist, and with a quarter of the season gone, it should not be ignored by the team.......... Notice that I said the TEAM. Not the supporters. 4th or higher is what the team should be aiming for. As supporters, it is up to us to, well, support their ambitions.

[SNSUN]

We're currently 6 points behind Chelsea in the live table. We need to buck our ideas up if we're going to challenge for the title.

[igsey]

Realistically Everton are most likely, but if Spurs and Liverpool continue their current forms for the rest of the season then I don't see why we can't seriously worry them. It will depend on how long Sturridge manages to stay fit for, whether Lukaku can get a decent run of form going, and who Spurs replace Pochettino with in January. Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal will almost certainly be well out of reach my March, United will do fine too if they can buy an actual defender/defensive midfielder in January.

 

I still find it a bit worrying though how much of our success depends on Forster not getting injured. One mis-timed jump from somebody and we're stuck with Kelvin or Gazza.

[suewhistle]

It will depend on /SNIP/ who Spurs replace Pochettino with in January. United will do fine too if they can buy an actual defender/defensive midfielder in January.

 

I still find it a bit worrying though how much of our success depends on Forster not getting injured. One mis-timed jump from somebody and we're stuck with Kelvin or Gazza.

 

Edited a) show the bits that really made me chuckle (there's always truth in humour) b)worries me too!

[Saint_Abroad]

I've never really understood this mentality (the OP's). It assumes that season's outcome is predetermined, as if the players shouldn't be trying for wins, just get us to a safe position and coast.

 

I'm not saying we're going to win the league, I'm not saying we'll be relegated, I'm just enjoying the ride.

[Wes Tender]

In order from most likely to least: Everton, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man Utd.

 

Any of them could stutter (already are, in fact) and while we would do very well to take full advantage and finish above them in 7th or 6th, it's absolutely possible.

 

I agree. I don't see why finishing above any of those teams is out of the question.

 

There are those who have been consistent in their lack of faith in the abilities of our players and manager to the extent that it is a step too far for them to have any belief that we can somehow finish higher than this mythical top six, whose position in the Premier League is something carved in stone and given to them by divine right. Many of these same people are the ones who thought that we couldn't get out of the third division so quickly, couldn't get out of the Championship so quickly, coudn't get into the Premier League so quickly. Pardew coudn't be bettered by the virtually unknown Adkins and he couldn't be improved upon by the relatively unknown Pochettino. Although Koeman couldn't really be better known, he would struggle to adapt to English Premier League football, especially as the best players followed Pochettino out of the door. Anybody who thought that we might actually commence the new season with a better team that we ended it with, was a deluded fantasist.

 

I'm optimistic enough to forecast 6th place above Spurs and Everton, with a decent chance of beating Liverpool and Man Utd. I know that even thinking that in the past was tantamount to heresy, but neither of them is yet what they used to be.

[Ohio Saint]

I've never really understood this mentality (the OP's). It assumes that season's outcome is predetermined, as if the players shouldn't be trying for wins, just get us to a safe position and coast.

 

I'm not saying we're going to win the league, I'm not saying we'll be relegated, I'm just enjoying the ride.

 

I'm amazed at the number of people on this forum that lack the ability to dream, when the dream is not actually impossible. Sure, it may be close to impossible, but that's why they are dreams!

 

Either way, this is the most fun I've ever had as a Saints fan of 50 years. Screw Batman, Dalek, Alpine, whatever.......This is the time of my life as a Saints fan. If it gets any better, I fear my heart may fail.

[Saint Without a Halo]

we will finish higher than 8th

[SNSUN]

We're currently 6 points behind Chelsea in the live table. We need to buck our ideas up if we're going to challenge for the title.

 

Only 4 now. Koeman survives for another week. Gotta thank United for that.

[Bucks Saint]

Better than last season is perfectly possible. 2nd, better and deeper squad. Other teams stuttering. Get with it OP!

[Saxon]

City clawed their way in to the elite, well bought their way. Who's to say that a club built on strong principles, and long term guidance and decision making based on those principles, couldn't do the same? I like to think of ours as a slower moving vessel, but one that has the weight of our principles and because of that, changes course slowly and subtly. But once on course... its very bloody hard to stop!

 

We have a sh it hot team at the moment. With good depth considering we're only playing league and cups. I'm not ruling out what we can achieve at the moment based on two simple things: 1) I'm young and optimistic 2) all these other games, the hard games, whatever, haven't been played yet. They say football is played on the pitch and not on paper. Well, we haven't played any of the other games yet. In the games we've played so far we have done very well and we now sit second.That's all there is to it! Why can't we finish in the top four?

 

Game on b itches, game on.

 

[Saint Charlie]

Shame Utd got that late equaliser, but they have City next week so hopefully will lose that.

[Plastic]

City clawed their way in to the elite, well bought their way. Who's to say that a club built on strong principles, and long term guidance and decision making based on those principles, couldn't do the same? I like to think of ours as a slower moving vessel, but one that has the weight of our principles and because of that, changes course slowly and subtly. But once on course... its very bloody hard to stop!

 

 

Amen to that!

Injuries would be a major problem, but if we can managed to keep the team fit, I don't see that top 6 is unrealistic.

[Ohio Saint]

City clawed their way in to the elite, well bought their way. Who's to say that a club built on strong principles, and long term guidance and decision making based on those principles, couldn't do the same? I like to think of ours as a slower moving vessel, but one that has the weight of our principles and because of that, changes course slowly and subtly. But once on course... its very bloody hard to stop!

 

We have a sh it hot team at the moment. With good depth considering we're only playing league and cups. I'm not ruling out what we can achieve at the moment based on two simple things: 1) I'm young and optimistic 2) all these other games, the hard games, whatever, haven't been played yet. They say football is played on the pitch and not on paper. Well, we haven't played any of the other games yet. In the games we've played so far we have done very well and we now sit second.That's all there is to it! Why can't we finish in the top four?

 

Game on b itches, game on.

 

 

I won't be arguing against your sentiments. It takes a lot of optimism to argue for them, but equal amounts to be pessimistic, so I choose the lighter side. I have no evidence to go negative, so I prefer to stay in the happy camp for my own sanity!

[lickierambert]

For geeks like me:

 

Combined points after 9 games for Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man Utd:

 

2013-14: 129

2014-15: 104

 

Suggesting that the number of points to break that top 7 might be fewer this year

[Mr X]

after our start expectations have risen

 

if we finish lower than eighth will that be acceptable to fans?

will it be acceptable to the board?

[It's There]

I really believe that this season we will be right up there - not blind faith, but confidence that winners are in the squad. Forster has won the league, albeit in Scotland. Mane is a winner.. others have played in Champions league... and Koeman has loads of winners medals! THAT is the difference this season- we have genuine winners with experience. I recon the so called big 4 are very nervous of us, and our +ve goal difference and I see nothing in Liverpool or Spurs that should mean we enter matches as underdogs. ..Can't wait to play the big boys, especially if we see off Leicester etc.

[Micky]

We have played two of the big boys this season, and lost. Some of you need to get some perspective - we are a mid table side, so long as we win that league, all is well.

[Whitey Grandad]

I really believe that this season we will be right up there - not blind faith' date=' but confidence that winners are in the squad. Forster has won the league, albeit in Scotland. Mane is a winner.. others have played in Champions league... and Koeman has loads of winners medals! THAT is the difference this season- we have genuine winners with experience. I recon the so called big 4 are very nervous of us, and our +ve goal difference and I see nothing in Liverpool or Spurs that should mean we enter matches as underdogs. ..Can't wait to play the big boys, especially if we see off Leicester etc.[/quote']

 

There's a big difference now. The longer we stay near the top the greater the team's confidence grows. Right now I don't think they'd be scared of anybody. Did I hear right that Toby has league winners medals for each of the last four seasons?

[Kingsland Red]

By the laws of probability sometime in the next, say, 20 years a club outside the usual top seven will finish in the top four.

Maybe it could be Saints during Koeman's watch.

[aintforever]

Finishing above Everton, Spurs and Liverpool looks achievable. I doubt we will be anywhere near Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd though.

 

We will have a clearer idea once we have had a few hard games, the fixture list has been kind. The good thing is we have the points on the board so can go into those games high on confidence and without any pressure.

[simo]

Hope for 4th expect 6th!

[Batman]

if anyone new is going to do it, this is the season

 

chelsea will win the league

city will be 2nd due to the sheer quality of their squad

arsenal will stutter to top 4

but united, everton, liverpool and spurs stuttering big time...

 

perhaps someone new

 

saying that, not to long ago it will the top 4 and everyone else...it now appears to be the top 6/7 and everyone else

be good if we can break away from the 'rest' and make it the top 8 and everyone else...???

[doddisalegend]

We have played two of the big boys this season, and lost. Some of you need to get some perspective - we are a mid table side, so long as we win that league, all is well.

 

We seem to be the only team not to get a result off those two excuses for a PL team.

[Lighthouse]

Don't see any reason why we can't beat Spuds and both Merseyside clubs. I think Arsenal and Man Utd will get us eventually but we can run the latter close for 4th place.

 

Who would rather have Balotelli than Pelle? Johnson than Clyne? Gerrard than Morgan? Lallana than Tadic? Henderson than Wanyama?

[igsey]

Calling it now: we will finish well enough to keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin.

[VectisSaint]

Chelsea and Man City are far and away the best teams, we may be above Man City right now, but their squad and experience will tell and they will leave us far behind. Everyone else is beatable, we should be able to finish above Everton and Spuds, and probably Liverpool. Arsenal and Manure would be tough to beat, our weakness is our very thin squad. As last year, a few injuries and suspensions and we have little strength in depth. If these injuries coincide with our run of harder games (as last year) then we may well fall away. If we can avoid injury crisis this season (unlikely) then we could beat Arsenal and/or Manure. Key with both is to open the gap in the next couple of weeks. Manure's next 2 away are City and Arsenal with Palace in between, Arsenal have Burnley and Swansea. A 10 point gap after our next 3 games would be very good and set us up well to have a fighting chance of top 4.

 

Its achievable with some luck, but my head says we will finish 6th or 7th.

Edited 26 October, 2014 by VectisSaint

[NickG]

We have played two of the big boys this season, and lost. Some of you need to get some perspective - we are a mid table side, so long as we win that league, all is well.

 

Some people need to understand this is a league not a cup! How we do against a particular club isn't that relevant on its own.

 

Over whole of last season spurs were 13 points better, Everton 16, man u 8, Liverpool 28.

 

We have one more point than we did after 9 games, the others all down on their 9 game totals from last season (spurs 7, Everton 6, mam united 1, Liverpool 6)

 

I think we have pretty decent chance of improving our points total - last season our start was amazing but we now have a stronger squad, it was later in the season I expected an improvement.

I think the teams above us are significantly down on points from corresponding fixtures, from memory of results think Man U about 9 down already. Spurs and Everton prob similar.

 

If we all match the rest of last season (and I think we are improved, spurs, Everton, and Liverpool are all worse) we could well overtake some of them.

 

 

Maybe when you have finished advising people to get perspective you could look at last seasons results.....

Everton lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

Man united lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

 

Guess as they lost to those two big boys they were mid table sides last season?

[CB Fry]

Some people need to understand this is a league not a cup! How we do against a particular club isn't that relevant on its own.

 

Over whole of last season spurs were 13 points better, Everton 16, man u 8, Liverpool 28.

 

We have one more point than we did after 9 games, the others all down on their 9 game totals from last season (spurs 7, Everton 6, mam united 1, Liverpool 6)

 

I think we have pretty decent chance of improving our points total - last season our start was amazing but we now have a stronger squad, it was later in the season I expected an improvement.

I think the teams above us are significantly down on points from corresponding fixtures, from memory of results think Man U about 9 down already. Spurs and Everton prob similar.

 

If we all match the rest of last season (and I think we are improved, spurs, Everton, and Liverpool are all worse) we could well overtake some of them.

 

 

Maybe when you have finished advising people to get perspective you could look at last seasons results.....

Everton lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

Man united lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

 

Guess as they lost to those two big boys they were mid table sides last season?

So, just so we're clear, you can start threads creating some convoluted "alternative" table with a fabricated "real" points total. That's fine for you to do that.

 

But someone pointing out we haven't played many "big" teams, and when we have we've lost, is someone who doesn't understand how leagues work and has no perspective. Okay then.

[croydonsaint]

Who of last seasons top seven do you think we can/will finish above and as such, where do you think that we can/will finish this season?

 

I'm a glass half-empty fella I'm afraid so I don't believe that realistically we will higher than 8th, but I suppose its not impossible that we *could* finish above Everton.

 

I'm afraid I simply can't see us finishing above anyone in the big six once all is said and done/once we've had a tougher fixture list/our fair share of injuries etc.etc.

 

I start this thread because with all this talk about league position and soundbites like 'teams that finish outside the top six don't win matches 8-0' and so on (not just on here, but from optimistic neutrals as well), very rarely has anyone been specific enough to say exactly at who's expense our top-6/5/4 finish will be.

 

So perhaps the optimists amongst us could let us know!

 

Ok Here goes...........

Liverpool are 6 points behind same period last season and Spurs 8 points less. Liverpool had an exceptional run towards end of last season, I really do not think they will be that close to repeating that and can see them around 18 points less than end of season points haul of 84 points so would see them maybe around 65 to 68 points.

Spurs not looking great, they finished on 69 points and do not see them matching this. [They just could come good, but as the weeks go by....]

Everton ended up on 72 points and suspect they will end up on similar [they are currently 6 points less than same period last season.

Man U finished on 64 points last season but will certainly end up over 70, likely mid 70s or above.

Forgetting Arsenal, Chelsea and Man city as these are 100% ending above us.

So now the mighty Saints.

Well we have a better team and manager and depth of squad than last season [i think we can all agree on that now] We have Rodrigues coming back also and last season we did have a poor run when players got injured and inadequate replacements were played.

I could see us perhaps gaining 15 points v last season if nothing dramatic happens to the team and we maintain our form so could end up around 71 points.

Obviously all speculation and through Saints tinted glasses, but we just could end up a few points away from, or even above Liverpool, Spurs and Everton. Now if that happened well it just doesn't bare thinking about..................................

[Kokakole]

Some people need to understand this is a league not a cup! How we do against a particular club isn't that relevant on its own.

 

Over whole of last season spurs were 13 points better, Everton 16, man u 8, Liverpool 28.

 

We have one more point than we did after 9 games, the others all down on their 9 game totals from last season (spurs 7, Everton 6, mam united 1, Liverpool 6)

 

I think we have pretty decent chance of improving our points total - last season our start was amazing but we now have a stronger squad, it was later in the season I expected an improvement.

I think the teams above us are significantly down on points from corresponding fixtures, from memory of results think Man U about 9 down already. Spurs and Everton prob similar.

 

If we all match the rest of last season (and I think we are improved, spurs, Everton, and Liverpool are all worse) we could well overtake some of them.

 

 

Maybe when you have finished advising people to get perspective you could look at last seasons results.....

Everton lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

Man united lost away to spurs and Liverpool.

 

Guess as they lost to those two big boys they were mid table sides last season?

 

You make a fair point - it is a league, not a cup, and results vs no one particular team will determine our fate. On the other hand, it stands to reason that however well we do against the teams that were below us, we have to make some inroads against the better sides in order to improve upon our points total and position from last season. In that sense, the two defeats against Liverpool and Spurs are not a good sign.

 

I think we'll know only after we've played everyone at least once (by New Year's).

 

But, that being said, I'm an optimist! We get J-Rod back, we have more depth at every position, some of the top teams are struggling...why shouldn't we finish 5th or 6th? As someone else said, it's not like these things are set in stone!

[Whitey Grandad]

Somehow I see us finishing above Arsenal this year. Our two games against them will obviously be good indicators of how we stand.

[CanadaSaint]

We were undone last year by our first level of depth - the guys who come in as soon as we have our first or second injury. Losing Boruc or Lovren or Schneiderlin or Wanyama (never mind two or three of them at the same time) created a huge drop-off. We're far better off this year - not just with better players but with players who can dovetail-in much better to a team that can play several ways.

 

We're still light years behind Man City and Chelsea when it comes to the second level of depth, but so are everyone else.

 

So, Top 2 is unattainable for me, but we are much more competitive in the 3-8 group than we were last year. I'm confident we can finish above Spurs - Pochettino's an excellent coach but he needs a certain kind of player and he doesn't have enough of them, or (probably) a big enough budget to buy them. Liverpool need consistent goals from someone other than Sturridge. Arsenal need a Schneiderlin but hopefully won't get one. United need to drastically strengthen their central D. But I think Everton will get better as the season progresses.

[Patrick Bateman]

Calling it now: we will finish well enough to keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin.

 

You know what, I agree with you, unless he gets an offer from a very big European club of course.

[westofshannonsaint]

Newcastle finished 5th in 2012. Aston Villa finished 6th in 2008, 2009 & 2010.

The top 6 is achievable and is 'the next level'.

 

Who will we replace?

Spurs fans don't seem overly confident if you read this thread.

Looking at the tables over the last few years Everton/Liverpool miss out quite often.

 

TBH, I'm relieved that were not discussing relegation battles. Three months ago I was very worried.

[scotty]

A lot will depend on january, and how hard the "big" clubs try to poach players from us. The harder they try, the more worried they are; I am convinced that plenty of signings in this division are made in order to deprive a supposed rival of a player, regardless of whether or not the buying club intend to use the player. If we get offers of silly money from the big 4 in january and manage to resist them, we're in for one hell of a season.

[CB Fry]

Newcastle finished 5th in 2012. Aston Villa finished 6th in 2008, 2009 & 2010.

The top 6 is achievable and is 'the next level'.

 

Who will we replace?

Spurs fans don't seem overly confident if you read this thread.

Looking at the tables over the last few years Everton/Liverpool miss out quite often.

 

TBH, I'm relieved that were not discussing relegation battles. Three months ago I was very worried.

It's perfectly possible, 6th certainly although it gets exponentially more difficult to move up to 5th and then 4th.

 

In the same way that it takes two teams to make an 8-0 scoreline - one to be great, the other to be appalling - we will likely need a meltdown or two elsewhere for us to sneak into fourth. Newcastle finishing fifth was helped in no small measure by the worst Chelsea league campaign in the Abramovic era.

 

To finish sixth we just need a wobbly season from someone else and Spurs, Liverpool and Everton all look capable of obliging.

[NickG]

So, just so we're clear, you can start threads creating some convoluted "alternative" table with a fabricated "real" points total. That's fine for you to do that.

 

But someone pointing out we haven't played many "big" teams, and when we have we've lost, is someone who doesn't understand how leagues work and has no perspective. Okay then.

No, mine was tongue in cheek, sorry if wasn't clear. Appreciate your default style is to be unpleasant on here, but wasn't how mine was intended. Was purely pointing out, that whatever opinions there are, losing to those teams on its own clearly isn't a reason to say every other poster on here who thinks we are potentially finishing abput of table is wrong & needs to get perspective.

 

I appreciate the stats and logic was beyond you of the other thread, not a problem, follow the main table - by far the most important and likely to end up close to same place.

[Smirking_Saint]

Think this is our season in all reality, we have a good squad and pretty much all of the established top six bar chelsea are stuttering.

 

Theres a good chance everton, liverpool and spurs at least could finish below us, all having tough times.

 

I said to the old man today that December time is our acid test, luckily its pre ACON and touch wood we dont look in any injury trouble so far. Hit that period in good form and with a stock of good players then I think we can have some good results of which could see us concrete in a good finish.

[CWD]

I still think top 10, after the summer we had, would be a success.

 

However, after the start we've made I seriously think we could finish above Everton and Tottenham. Who knows about Liverpool and Utd? You have to assume they'll reach a level of consistency that we can't match, but maybe they'll continue to struggle?

 

Chelsea

City

Arsenal

Utd

Liverpool

Southampton

Everton

Tottenham

 

Seems unlikely when you list it like that but who knows? People forget that Everton finished 17th not all that long ago. And Newcastle finished 5th of course.

[scotty]

I still think top 10, after the summer we had, would be a success.

 

However, after the start we've made I seriously think we could finish above Everton and Tottenham. Who knows about Liverpool and Utd? You have to assume they'll reach a level of consistency that we can't match, but maybe they'll continue to struggle?

 

Chelsea

City

Arsenal

Utd

Liverpool

Southampton

Everton

Tottenham

 

Seems unlikely when you list it like that but who knows? People forget that Everton finished 17th not all that long ago. And Newcastle finished 5th of course.

 

Dalek would snap your hand off for that.

[St_Tel49]

We have played two of the big boys this season, and lost. Some of you need to get some perspective - we are a mid table side, so long as we win that league, all is well.

In games that could have gone either way. In our turn we have beaten teams that they have lost or only drawn. That is how a league works.

[CB Fry]

No, mine was tongue in cheek, sorry if wasn't clear. Appreciate your default style is to be unpleasant on here, but wasn't how mine was intended. Was purely pointing out, that whatever opinions there are, losing to those teams on its own clearly isn't a reason to say every other poster on here who thinks we are potentially finishing abput of table is wrong & needs to get perspective.

 

I appreciate the stats and logic was beyond you of the other thread, not a problem, follow the main table - by far the most important and likely to end up close to same place.

 

 

Yeah, your "stats and logic" are beyond me. This coming from the man who spent all of last season desperately trying to make out he didn't say something even when people requoted the exact quote back to him.

 

What do you think our "realistic aim" is this season? Tell me what it is today and don't worry you can pretend you never said it tomorrow.