Do we expect too much??

[kev776]

Mancs and Chelsea are way ahead of us in the £££££ stakes (not trophies) and the Arse are pulling away from us. I cant see a new turnstyle being built let alone a new stadium in the forseeable future.

Should we continue to believe that Rafa will produce the miracle CL form and maintain it for 38 games and win the title, or should we accept we are the best of the next group, the 45 000 fans a week group, with Spurs, Villa and Blue****e.

If Platinni gets his way and drops a CL spot, do we scrap for UEFA or carry on believing we are as big as the Mancs and will realistically challenge for the title.

[Craig_H]

During the Premier League era, our spending and that of Man Utd, are more or less the same.

So no, we dont expect too much.

[kev776]

During the Premier League era, our spending and that of Man Utd, are more or less the same.

So no, we dont expect too much.

Maybe, but in the last 5 years, they have spent far more than us.

[Craig_H]

Maybe, but in the last 5 years, they have spent far more than us.

I'm not sure that they actually have.

In any case, during the PL era, there's not much difference in the spending. Except they've spent well and we havent.

We blame it on not having had enough to spend, but that's a fallacy.

[Guest]

I'm not sure that they actually have.

In any case, during the PL era, there's not much difference in the spending. Except they've spent well and we havent.

We blame it on not having had enough to spend, but that's a fallacy.

Well, that's not a fallacy. During the Abramovich era, Chelsea have outspent us each season, maybe last year being an exception. As for United, well I'm pretty certain they've spent more than us too.

You have to take into account the money we've recouped (under Rafa) and take it as a net spent! This doesn't add up if you aren't taking this into consideration.

[Rich]

Since the start of the Premiership though we've had 3 "revolutions" which means lots of changes, lots of players, and lots of money. United have had the stability (which has occurred due to their level of success) over the same period to purchase higher value players.

In my opinion, there is a big difference in spending "habits" even if the gross/net amounts are similar

[Guest]

Since the start of the Premiership though we've had 3 "revolutions" which means lots of changes, lots of players, and lots of money. United have had the stability (which has occurred due to their level of success) over the same period to purchase higher value players.

In my opinion, there is a big difference in spending "habits" even if the gross/net amounts are similar

I think there was a figure from somewhere a couple of weeks ago detailing the net spent under Rafa since he's been here. I think it's close to £80m in total, making it roughly £20m for each season.

That's a lot less than anything Chelsea and United do. As they can splash out enormous amounts of money on one player alone, which apart from Torres (which we got for a bargain price), we just never do.

[Imy]

We do expect to much, a lot of this expectation is due to the previous success we've had, in fact it is used as a rod to beat the unsuccessful teams that have played in front of us since the dawn of the Premiership.

We as fans are dreamers and our saying of 'next season we'll...' sums us up, the fact is the Mancs are so far ahead of us it's unbelievable (thanks to Parry and Moores). Unfortunately to be successful in this era you need money the Chavs have a sugar daddy, Arsenal have their new stadium and both have the very strong lure of London also.

Realistically to challenge we need a steady building process which Rafa has started and slowly overtime add more world class players who will enable us to challenge once again for the Premiership.

[kev776]

The above are valid reasons, but what are our expectations??

[Imy]

The above are valid reasons, but what are our expectations??

Our expectation as always is silverware and at least to challenge for the Premiership, realistically we are still a few years away from the Premiership - I actually wonder whether in my lifetime we will see us win the League again

[kev776]

Our expectation as always is silverware and at least to challenge for the Premiership, realistically we are still a few years away from the Premiership - I actually wonder whether in my lifetime we will see us win the League again

Harsh, realistically harsh.

[einar]

Our expectation as always is silverware and at least to challenge for the Premiership, realistically we are still a few years away from the Premiership - I actually wonder whether in my lifetime we will see us win the League again

How old are you?

[Tee]

Our expectation as always is silverware and at least to challenge for the Premiership, realistically we are still a few years away from the Premiership - I actually wonder whether in my lifetime we will see us win the League again

Insha-Allah.

[Imy]

How old are you?

30

[einar]

30

You are being a little to pessimistic IMO.