Fourth place

[Neil Young]

So basically, we don't know because the future is unpredictable and time will tell.

[red g]

I don't know if I want fourth.

Yes, I know all the reasons why it would be great for us to be back in the Champions League, but hear me out.

We have half a season of Kenny implementing his ideas in training and we carry on in this vein of form. The summer arrives and we acquire all the players we need early doors. We get a full pre-season underneath Kenny and we hit the ground running - taking our end of season form from this season, in to next.

Without the hassle of a Wednesday game, we steal a march on all the other teams around us and remain fresh and injury free. Winning the title and qualifying for the Champions League and having another two transfer windows to bolster the squad further for challenging on all fronts.

It's whether we can afford to miss out on the Champions League money and whether our summer transfer targets would be willing to miss out on Champions League football.

2 things

a) if we got chamions legue the momentum would be awesome and we would go into the season on a right high

b) if we qualify that means one of spurs,chelsea or city will be out of the CL making it hard for them to attract top players and keep the ones they have happy to

[Muddled]

We're well on track to qualify for Europa, so we'd just have Thursday games instead. Guess we could field the reserves, but it still takes up the coaching staff's time.

Meh, if we win it this year, then just toss it off next year.

I know what you're saying, but it won't affect the core first-teamers.

[dom9]

I don't know if I want fourth.

Yes, I know all the reasons why it would be great for us to be back in the Champions League, but hear me out.

We have half a season of Kenny implementing his ideas in training and we carry on in this vein of form. The summer arrives and we acquire all the players we need early doors. We get a full pre-season underneath Kenny and we hit the ground running - taking our end of season form from this season, in to next.

Without the hassle of a Wednesday game, we steal a march on all the other teams around us and remain fresh and injury free. Winning the title and qualifying for the Champions League and having another two transfer windows to bolster the squad further for challenging on all fronts.

It's whether we can afford to miss out on the Champions League money and whether our summer transfer targets would be willing to miss out on Champions League football.

I think you're living up to your user name.

[Fernandinho]

If Chelsea miss out on the CL they will be ****ed. Their squad needs some serious overhauling and they would only be able to entice players based on money, which would probably be enough anyway now that I think about it.

[Muddled]

2 things

a) if we got chamions legue the momentum would be awesome and we would go into the season on a right high

b) if we qualify that means one of spurs,chelsea or city will be out of the CL making it hard for them to attract top players and keep the ones they have happy to

We'd be on a high, but then come December we'd be knackered too.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City will still attract players regardless of who we keep out of the CL positions. Spurs will just continue to buy or attempt to buy players from other teams shopping lists - likewise, the only player who may leave will be Bale - and if he does go, it will be irrelevant as to whether they're in the Champions League.

[Muddled]

I think you're living up to your user name.

I never tire of hearing that.

Does my original post not make any sense?

[dom9]

I never tire of hearing that.

Does my original post not make any sense?

It's neat.

[Muddled]

If Chelsea miss out on the CL they will be ****ed. Their squad needs some serious overhauling and they would only be able to entice players based on money, which would probably be enough anyway now that I think about it.

Have you answered your own post there?

[Muddled]

It's neat.

Aces.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Fernandinho]

Have you answered your own post there?

I think so?

[IJM]

As I said before, let's just worry about winning our own games.

We had two games in which we had direct influence over the teams immediately above us and we've already won one of those; pegging Chelsea back in the process. The other game is second to last in May (i.e. Tottenham), but that's a long time off yet.

I'll say it again, we can do no more than win our own games and see where it takes us.

also have to play..... arsenal, city and united.

I was referring to the two teams that are immediately above us. Teams who we can directly influence by taking points off them in order to achieve a possible top four place.

Whilst we do also need points from the games against Arsenal, City and United, we are extremely unlikely to catch them. So it is of more importance to us to win points from those games than it is for them to drop points; if you know what I mean.

Unless, of course, you want to start talking about a top three place, but I think at this stage, that'd be taking it a bit far.

[red g]

I was referring to the two teams that are immediately above us. Teams who we can directly influence by taking points off them in order to achieve a possible top four place.

Whilst we do also need points from the games against Arsenal, City and United, we are extremely unlikely to catch them. So it is of more importance to us to win points from those games than it is for them to drop points; if you know what I mean.

Unless, of course, you want to start talking about a top three place, but I think at this stage, that'd be taking it a bit far.

i see. Still think we would have to beat at least 1 of them to get a top 4 spot, lets just hope Chelsea implode, would be sickening hoping the mancs beat them so we get 4th,

[Muddled]

I think so?

Me too.

If Chelsea miss out on the CL they will be ****ed. Their squad needs some serious overhauling and they would only be able to entice players based on money, which would probably be enough anyway now that I think about it.

Chelsea won't be ****ed if they don't qualify for the Champions League, as they will overhaul their squad with money.

[Exiled_red]

I think its almost an impossible task. winnign 10 and drawing 2 would still only put us on 70pts and not sure that will be enough for 4th.

I think we'd be unlucky if we got 70 points but didn't finish in the top 4, only 3 times in the 9 years that there have been 4 CL places have the teams in 4th got more than 70 points. The highest points total never to get a CL spot (5th place) is 67.