ART Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 A realistic assessment on the next 5 years http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/05/12/11672572/-
CB Fry Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 The chances are we are never, ever going to finish top four. The circumstances that would bring it about are just so unlikely. If we did it, it would be tremendous but relies on at least two major clubs having a nightmare season as well as the consistency across an entire season we would need to deliver. A miniscule chance. I'm losing zero sleep on it. Win a cup or two and some Europa action? Bring it on.
Bearsy Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 I think top four is realistic, probably, over the next five years because we are at a distinct disadvantage compared to the current top four on a number of fronts. that's a thinker
S-Clarke Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 It's exactly right what he's saying, it's not massively likely...but the best chance a club of our stature has of getting there is to constantly plug away, season after season, get your structure right and your long-term plan right and you never know - one season the glass may smash and you get through. But having a consistent top 6 club is more realistic for us. And it's something I never thought I'd ever see 6 years ago.
SaintLiam Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Of course not. Consolidate our top 6 spots, finish above spuds and scousers a few times, start sneaking into the top 4 spot.
Saint Fan CaM Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Aspiration suddenly replaced with hard cold reality? Look as someone once said, there is only one way to climb a mountain...you've got to want it and you've got to make the first step, then the second and so on until you cannot go on. Have we reached the final step? Should we give up and turn around now we've come this far? There's a much bigger question looming though...how do we MAINTAIN this seasons performance so we're battling once again for 5th with the confidence of achieving it. And do that alongside Europa league games. That's a big ask in itself for a club of our means.
CB Fry Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Aspiration suddenly replaced with hard cold reality? Look as someone once said, there is only one way to climb a mountain...you've got to want it and you've got to make the first step, then the second and so on until you cannot go on. Have we reached the final step? Should we give up and turn around now we've come this far? There's a much bigger question looming though...how do we MAINTAIN this seasons performance so we're battling once again for 5th with the confidence of achieving it. And do that alongside Europa league games. That's a big ask in itself for a club of our means. Nothing has been "suddenly replaced" with anything. Reed has been saying exactly the same thing as this in every interview he's ever given since we were promoted and probably before.
lickierambert Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 This is why I'm excited about playing in the Europa League. So what if it means we finish 10th instead of 7th for a season?
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 This is why I'm excited about playing in the Europa League. So what if it means we finish 10th instead of 7th for a season? And we might actually win it. Yeah, as much chance as finishing 4th I suppose.
CB Fry Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 And we might actually win it. Yeah, as much chance as finishing 4th I suppose. Having seen Celtic, Rangers, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the final over the last 15 years or so, I'd say it was more likely to be honest. Not hugely likely, but more likely.
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Having seen Celtic, Rangers, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the final over the last 15 years or so, I'd say it was more likely to be honest. Not hugely likely, but more likely. You're right, you have a better chance of winning a cup than a league.
Convict Colony Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Don't care, we are southampton who've been **** for over 30yrs of my life, I will happily settle for top half of the table as I used to loath results on Saturday and another gut wrenching loss and what does it mean for us in the table. Mid table mediocrity with upper table aspirations works for me all day and every day.
S-Clarke Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 (edited) I think our best chance of getting in the CL is probably through winning the Europa league if I'm honest, not as many eventualities need to fall our way as a top 4 finish would require. And correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't winning the EL get you straight into the CL group stage? So the equivalent of finishing in the PL top 3. Edited 12 May, 2015 by S-Clarke
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 (edited) I think our best chance of getting in the CL is probably through winning the Europa league if I'm honest, not as many eventualities need to fall our way as a top 4 finish would require. And correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't winning the EL get you straight into the CL group stage? So the equivalent of finishing in the PL top 3. Not necessarily. Straight into the group stage if the slot reserved for the Champions League winners is not taken because that team qualifies by means of its league position. Or something. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2137611.html I'm not a little swot, I've just been looking up the date of this year's final. Edited 12 May, 2015 by Whitey Grandad
S-Clarke Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Not necessarily. Straight into the group stage if the slot reserved for the Champions League winners is not taken broke cause that team qualifies by means of its league position. Or something. Ah one of those rules. But pretty likely i'd have thought.
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Ah one of those rules. But pretty likely i'd have thought. Sorry, I've just done an edit with a link. iPad and all that.
Dalek2003 Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Don't care, we are southampton who've been **** for over 30yrs of my life, I will happily settle for top half of the table as I used to loath results on Saturday and another gut wrenching loss and what does it mean for us in the table. Mid table mediocrity with upper table aspirations works for me all day and every day. Totally agree.
Horley CTFC Saint Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 A realistic assessment on the next 5 years http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/05/12/11672572/- Depends on Sky really....
Jack Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Having seen Celtic, Rangers, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the final over the last 15 years or so, I'd say it was more likely to be honest. Not hugely likely, but more likely. That said, considering the last 5 winners were Atletico (x2), Chelsea, Porto and Sevilla, it would be a hell of a feat. All of those clubs would give the top PL teams lots of problems.
Whitey Grandad Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 That said, considering the last 5 winners were Atletico (x2), Chelsea, Porto and Sevilla, it would be a hell of a feat. All of those clubs would give the top PL teams lots of problems. Having half the Champions League entrants dropping in as a consolation doesn't help either.
Bucks Saint Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 Having half the Champions League entrants dropping in as a consolation doesn't help either. Agreed. Was there not a rumour that UEFA / Platini were going to look at the format of the Europa, apparently in recognition that they had managed to seriously devalue it (from its days as the UEFA cup and CWC)? The balance has swung way too much in favour of CL, hence why the winners of the last 5 years are the big powerful clubs they are
CB Fry Posted 12 May, 2015 Posted 12 May, 2015 That said, considering the last 5 winners were Atletico (x2), Chelsea, Porto and Sevilla, it would be a hell of a feat. All of those clubs would give the top PL teams lots of problems. Absolutely. Neither route into the CL is likely. Through winning the Europa League is a marginally more possible miracle.
Saint_Tony Posted 13 May, 2015 Posted 13 May, 2015 If we want to compete at the highest European level, then we need to learn in the Europa first. This club is nowhere near ready for the CL.The players need to get used to playing all the extra games. I'd be happy to do what Everton have done this season. They put out a strong team every round and had some decent results along the way. 10th place is fine with me if we go all out to try and progress in Europe.
washsaint Posted 13 May, 2015 Posted 13 May, 2015 Right now, it looks like we will fail to qualify for Europe. Our form is abysmal and we have had so many chances to finish above Spurs and Liverpool and failed to grasp those opportunities. Suddenly Swansea are 1 point behind us and I think we will be lucky to get 1 point from our remaining 2 games as we are total s***e right now. Really disappointing end to the season and shows how far away we are, realistically, from CL. Just don't ever see it happening
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