The9 Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 I think if most of us are honest I think we all expected to slip down to this position eventually? I think as far as the media and pundits will be concerned that's us out if the race for Champions league and probably European football, I think from now on our aim should be just to catch the team in front of us and go from there ! If we win the 6 matches against the bottom 7, beat Stoke at theirs, and Spurs at home, we'll be in the top 4 no matter what happens against Chelsea or City. No foregone conclusion, but certainly possible. No sneaking up on the blindside, we have the easiest run of fixtures remaining. Even if we lose at Chelsea, which I expect us to, we'll still be in a very good position with most of the other sides playing each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Still don't understand how Man Utd are in the top 4 playing so badly. They were every bit as poor as Newcastle in midweek, now followed by hilarious defending for that Arsenal goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 We need to find some momentum from somewhere, Pelle going on another goal scoring run. However it;s like 3/4 points to catch up from 10 games when the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Man Utd all have to play tough games and each other so you never know. Liverpool have FA cup replay now, SPurs still have Europa league I think, Arsenal champions league. Sadly away to Chelsea up next so we most likely could slip 6 or 7 points off the pace, which is too much if others don;t slip up. I think it will be 7th maybe 6th Spurs are out of Europe. Only FA Cup teams (Arsenal/Man U, Liverpool) and the top 2 in Champions League (and City won't be for long) other than Prem games now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 There is point to it because it is a new level, don't think we've ever qualified for a Euro competition (perhaps the Fairs Cup?) other than from Cup success (or failure) Krueger said it was the objective, Koeman says it's the objective so I think we can take it as read that it's the objective don't you. We played in the UEFA Cup in 2003, as well as in the early 80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Still don't understand how Man Utd are in the top 4 playing so badly. They were every bit as poor as Newcastle in midweek, now followed by hilarious defending for that Arsenal goal. We dodged an enormous bullet in Rojo, that's for sure. Still think he's a better LB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 We dodged an enormous bullet in Rojo, that's for sure. Still think he's a better LB. Yep, still don't know whether we viewed him primarily as a LB or CB, whether we would have bought him in lieu of Bertrand or Gardos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleysfc Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Dear god. 7th is top of the League excluding the current biggest and richest teams in the country, more than half of them (actually, 6 of them) are some of the biggest and richest clubs in the world. If finishing 7th us mediocre then you're supporting the wrong team sunshine. This. How anyone could consider a 7th place finish as mediocre is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintLiam Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 I think CL is out of the question, even Koeman has said all focus is on Europa. I think 7th is a guaranteed spot unless we **** up completely, but guaranteed qualification would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Tony Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 I think the pressure has got to us in recent weeks. Maybe we can regain some form as no one expects us to be in the mix for a top 4 spot. I think we need to ignore the sides around us and worry about our own team. Yes, Spurs, Liverpool and co. have picked up, but they won't all win every week. We do really need a point against Chelsea though. It's not over yet, still some twists to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_emu Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Still don't understand how Man Utd are in the top 4 playing so badly. They were every bit as poor as Newcastle in midweek, now followed by hilarious defending for that Arsenal goal. And is slowly self imploding with silly red cards and extended suspensions. Just need De Gea to do something silly ...which sadly he won't. If Man Utd get in top 4 he should get keys to the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 And is slowly self imploding with silly red cards and extended suspensions. Just need De Gea to do something silly ...which sadly he won't. If Man Utd get in top 4 he should get keys to the city. Which he wont need if he lives in Madrid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Let's assume we won't make top 4. Who would you rather see take 4th (with city, Chelsea and arsenal at the top) I think I would rather see United miss out more than most Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabrone Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Arse and Pool looking odds on for champs league now. We just need to work out how to score, defence is as excellent as ever but those goals have seriously dried up. Whatever happens it's been a brilliant season though, to think that we were being talked as serious champs league contenders up to March is amzing. The players have done amazing IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 Let's assume we won't make top 4. Who would you rather see take 4th (with city, Chelsea and arsenal at the top) I think I would rather see United miss out more than most If it isn't us, I'd much rather have United in top 4 over Liverpool and Spurs! Can't stand that smug face of Rodgers, and as for Pochettino, he can go do one. So I disagree with you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellone Posted 9 March, 2015 Share Posted 9 March, 2015 If it isn't us, I'd much rather have United in top 4 over Liverpool and Spurs! Can't stand that smug face of Rodgers, and as for Pochettino, he can go do one. So I disagree with you there. With you on that nta but at the moment mutd are the slower dog of the three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxon Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Let's assume we won't make top 4. Who would you rather see take 4th (with city, Chelsea and arsenal at the top) I think I would rather see United miss out more than most So hard to choose. Just generally don't want it to be Utd because its Utd. But then, loath Rodgers with a passion and there's no way I'd want Poch there. SO I guess on the balance, it would have to be Utd. They spent so much money that if they managed it I wouldn't feel hard done by so much, whereas Liverpool or Spurs would really twist. Cannot stand those teams and don't feel they deserve it at all. Utd kind of have to with the money they've spent, Liverpool have a right d1ckhead of a manager and fans and Spurs have fluked their ay to where they are bow and justice has to be they won't make it all the way surely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 I think we'll go to Man City in with a Chance of top 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Just think if Poch had stayed at Saints he may have already nearly qualified with the squad he had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 ADear god. 7th is top of the League excluding the current biggest and richest teams in the country, more than half of them (actually, 6 of them) are some of the biggest and richest clubs in the world. If finishing 7th us mediocre then you're supporting the wrong team sunshine. Not to mention the fact that his argument is based on us spending £60m on players without mentioning the £90m of players we lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Just think if Poch had stayed at Saints he may have already nearly qualified with the squad he had Really? Poch was a busted flush with us last season. If he had stayed we would have different players in the team - not necessarily better than those we have at present. As for CL football. It would be awesome to qualify but it would put huge pressure on the squad for next season. Perhaps baby steps are better. Build up to it via Europa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Really? Poch was a busted flush with us last season. If he had stayed we would have different players in the team - not necessarily better than those we have at present. As for CL football. It would be awesome to qualify but it would put huge pressure on the squad for next season. Perhaps baby steps are better. Build up to it via Europa. how was he a busted flush. we finished 8th for god sake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 If we finish 7th which now seems likely will the board see this as a crucial re-building season achievement ready for a real onslaught for a CL place next year or a diabolical failure on the part of Koeman and his team. The re-building plea didn't save Pardew did it despite winning the Paint Tin trophy? Everyone expects van Gaal to get the chop for missing his targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleysfc Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 If we finish 7th which now seems likely will the board see this as a crucial re-building season achievement ready for a real onslaught for a CL place next year or a diabolical failure on the part of Koeman and his team. The re-building plea didn't save Pardew did it despite winning the Paint Tin trophy? Everyone expects van Gaal to get the chop for missing his targets. Diabolical failure?? Give your head a wobble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 10 March, 2015 Author Share Posted 10 March, 2015 If we finish 7th which now seems likely will the board see this as a crucial re-building season achievement ready for a real onslaught for a CL place next year or a diabolical failure on the part of Koeman and his team. The re-building plea didn't save Pardew did it despite winning the Paint Tin trophy? Everyone expects van Gaal to get the chop for missing his targets. What were the targets the Board had for Ron!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 If we finish 7th which now seems likely will the board see this as a crucial re-building season achievement ready for a real onslaught for a CL place next year or a diabolical failure on the part of Koeman and his team. The re-building plea didn't save Pardew did it despite winning the Paint Tin trophy? Everyone expects van Gaal to get the chop for missing his targets. You can be a bit mental sometimes. If you truly believe that Koemans targets at the start of the season was a Top 4 onslaught and challenge, then you are a bit of a silly man. The target, as well publicized throughout the club in the summer, was if possible....to keep the same level as last year and maybe even do a bit better. I'd say he's smack bang on target and actually probably ahead of where the club believed he'd be and where many fans believed he'd be. So shove your diabolical failure remark back up your arse where it came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlaine1979 Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 As others have said, since we started the season with a playing staff that was notionally worth about £30m less than the previous season, I doubt the board were expecting anything much this year beyond consolidation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 As others have said, since we started the season with a playing staff that was notionally worth about £30m less than the previous season, I doubt the board were expecting anything much this year beyond consolidation. Sure I have heard Ralph mention that the aim was to finish in the top 10...(or we budgeted for that)..?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Sure I have heard Ralph mention that the aim was to finish in the top 10...(or we budgeted for that)..?????? Talking of Ralph, what's his contract situation nowadays, initially he was tied down until the end of this season, anyone heard of any new arrangements on that score ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Sure I have heard Ralph mention that the aim was to finish in the top 10...(or we budgeted for that)..?????? Yes its exactly that slow sustianable growth - we have a 7 year plan that want to see us qualifying regularly for Europe. We will not go gung ho and put ourselves in the same situation we had 5 or 6 years ago. The aim and ideal is still about 50% academy players in the first team - we have 'blooded' 7 players under Ron so far this year.We do have contingency for players, coaches and managers if they leave - we cannot compete with Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool salary wise - still from our Championship/League One salaries still having some effect as you can only grow that so much under new rules that benefit bigger clubs - 5% or our wage bill is far less than 5% of the top sides like Chelsea, City etc. so they get better deal again. We are punching above our weight but going to give it a real go anyway. Source: Horses Mouth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 The target for Ron as I recall was to finish as high as possible and to play entertaining football. Getting Ron was more about someone signing up to the philosophy of the club. We are targeting Europe. Maybe this year, maybe next. The key is that with players such as Reed, McCarthy, Slatterly et al coming through we are no longer afraid of losing players. Ron is expecting to lose two or three this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torsaint Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Man U have a tough run-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 10 March, 2015 Author Share Posted 10 March, 2015 Man U have a tough run-in. Spurs, Liverpool , Villa ,City , Chelsea then away to Everton are their next 6 games ! That's a tough run in anyone's book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsarum Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 I'd be watchful of Stoke they are now only 7 pts behind us ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 10 March, 2015 Share Posted 10 March, 2015 I'd be watchful of Stoke they are now only 7 pts behind us ! But to make up such a gap in 10 games they'd probably have to do us a favour by beating Spurs and Liverpool, oh and us as well. If they make up 7 points and some GD from those games then they probably deserve 7th place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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