Top 4 Next Year?

[Pablo]

This year is as good as over.

Yeah we've got the Europa League, but I'm already thinking of what we have to look forward to next year. To be honest the prospects are looking pretty grim!

Would anyone back us to finish Top 4 next year?

I'm not sure I would. Let's look at the teams I would now place ahead of us in the pecking order:

Chelsea - Obvious reasons.

City - Their wealth is starting to really kick in now. I could see them having a good crack at the title next year. I think they might finish ahead of Arsenal and United if they spend well.

Man United - Although I see them as in decline they still have more financial clout that us (they just spent almost £20m on squaddies). I see them still a cert for top 4, but not necessarily a cert for the title, without money being spent.

Arsenal - Had a good season. Could lose Fabregas. Could go either way for them, but I'd still back them to finish ahead of us right now.

Us - hard to judge us seeing as there is so much uncertainty at the club. But it seems certain we are skint. Rafa has as good as admitted a top player may have to leave to fund transfers. Let's be honest things aren't looking good.

Spurs - They will be up there again I'm sure. I think they have overachieved this year still, and rode a bit of a wave of confidence when Harry came in. They can still outspend us though.

All of the teams above have more money than us, and in terms of money you could probably add, Sunderland and Birmingham to that list.

Utterly depressing. Am I being a big sulk, or is this realistic? How has it all gone so wrong in under 12 months!!! Someone cheer me up FFS!!

[Mike]

If we have a change of manager then our chances of finishing fourth will be higher, imo.

It depends on this summer of who goes in and out, we need more creativity in the side - turan?

Our attacking has let us down this year more than our defending, we need to buy someone who can score fairly often apart from torres. its about having the money this summer to buy that kind of player.

We must improve, probably more so than city if we want fourth next year.

[Craig_H]

Too early to say, too much depends on what happens over the summer.

Under the same regime and same manager, i dont think we'd have a hope in hell of finishing in the top 5 even.

[Kenneth]

Almost certain it will be Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City again. Unless Arsenal **** it up, but I can't see it.

[Taxi]

I don't see us getting in the top 4 next season at all. City are a bigger attraction to players now with the money and cl football so I think they'll only get stronger.

However, I do feel that Arsenal are punching above their weight at the moment (much as we were last season) so if we do manage to break in, it'll be at their expense.

[Exiled_red]

I think regardless of who the manager is we're in trouble, the key factor for me is how much money we have to spend. The reason we are in the position we find ourselves in is because of a lack of sustained investment. How can we realistically be expected to improve the squad with a net spend of zero? We've been standing still whilst other teams have been moving forward. Our lack of strength in depth and the injury problems have allowed the other clubs to catch up. Without investment in the playing squad we will only fall further behind whoever the manager is!

[-V-]

Alot can change in a matter of months. I don't think anybody can possibly answer that question until mid-august

p.s Spurs are ****ing ****e and always will be

[Guest]

I think regardless of who the manager is we're in trouble, the key factor for me is how much money we have to spend. The reason we are in the position we find ourselves in is because of a lack of sustained investment. How can we realistically be expected to improve the squad with a net spend of zero? We've been standing still whilst other teams have been moving forward. Our lack of strength in depth and the injury problems have allowed the other clubs to catch up. Without investment in the playing squad we will only fall further behind whoever the manager is!

Investment, rather than wheeling and dealing and playing russian roulette with buying players who are 'not quite up there'.

[vlahka]

**** top 4. Next year we're winning the title!

[Taxi]

**** top 4. Next year we're winning the title!

removed

[-V-]

removed

Where's his goatee gone?

[Craig_H]

[PTP]

massive summer for us, especially now it looks like city will finish 4th and with their money and the prospect of champions league they could do some damage in the transfer market.

I think if we manage to keep onto our main stars we will give ourselves some hope..........add a new manager, might give us slightly more that they might get the team playing better, and if we somehow manage to do both those and then add at least two maybe three players (left back, good striker, winger) without no major losses from the squad, then I think we will have a great chance of getting 4th or better.


Worst case scenario, no money, we lose two or three top players, replace with mediocre, go into next season even weaker, and fall so far behind that we limp into 7th fighting it out with birmingham sunderland and everton

[RichC]

I for one will start the season with my usual optimisim and look for us to be winning or competing for the title.

Whether that happens I don't want to think about until the season is well underway - can't get depressed about next season until it's at least started!

[Rich]

So difficult to tell.

Chelsea, Man U, and us are definitely weaker this year than last. City, Arsenal, and Spurs stronger. It could switch around next season.

Who knows what's going to happen in the transfer market.

There their own way each of the big clubs will have difficult summers.

Us - where to start! Ownership problems, lack of money, and a pragmatic manager all need some kind of positive resolution for us to improve next year.

Chelsea - Rapidly aging squad, can they keep them all, and will the usual suspects of Drogba and Lampard score them enough goals? Abramovich may unleash more of his wealth although I'd suggest that the days of Chelsea spending vast sums on multiple players in one window is over. I can see one major signing (probably Pato) and that's your lot.

United - Similar problems to Chelsea in some respects, Van Der Sar is a year older, as is Neville, Giggs and Scholes. We've been saying it for years but time will catch up on them even if they're only playing in 50% of the games. Ferguson's talent at buying well is also questionable, with several big, fat turkeys in his wardrobe. They certainly have more cash available than us but they're unlikely to spend £20m+ on a player IMO. Plus is Smalling a replacement for Vidic?

Arsenal - Great talent but finally Arsene Wenger must realise that he needs to blend all that young talent with some proper experience down the spine of his team. Good opportunity to get rid of Gallas and buy an experienced, dominant centre half. They also need a top quality striker, and arguably an experienced central midfielder to allow Diaby and Song to learn from.

City - Look like they could throw another £200m at the market, but they're still in United shadow and looking at the Robinho situation it could work against them in attracting the very best. Also likely to over pay on the players they do attract. But I guess its a nice situation for Mancini to be in. I'd expect City to have the biggest and "best" squad of players next season, whether the eleven on the pitch are the best in the league is unlikely.