Lake Bells tits

I think Mike yet again is hoping us to be within a shout of the top-6 going into the january window and then sniff about for basement bargains. There's no chance of fifth this year, not as it stands. Too many of our rivals have strengthened whilst we've scratched our arse. Anyway, Pards' press conference today should be interesting.

I understand that point of view, the "problem" is that the season went too well if you can say such a thing. The cat is out of the bag, and the spine who made that possible are unlikely to be content with going back to building "brick by brick". They dont have time for that, professional careers can end at any time. We have attracted too much attention and interest for us to just settle at 8-10th again, if we do that there will be an exodus of players looking for another CL-push, if not with us then with another club, since they know they are good enough to do it. Its all or nothing really.

The fact that its true makes it more depressing if anything. "Wow we finish fifth! Settle down guys, back to your seats. We wont build on this since it was completely out of the blue" While us fans will accept this, I doubt our players will. There is a reason we finished 5th and it isnt danny simpson and Williamson. If we fail to build on this season I can see things turning sour quite fast as Cabaye, Tiote, Ben arfa and Cisse wont be pleased with us not building on such a monumental season. They want to see progress, like any other fotballer. Otherwise they will be off. Someone on here were spot on when they said The CL-push has put us in an awkward position. With things going so well we would be forced to compete for a CL next season too or players would be off. Can definately understand that point of view. If you think players are happy with going back to crawling after having learnt to walk, you are sorely mistaken. Failure to capitalize on this season will result in unsettled players.

From an isolated point of view, true. Comparably, unfortunately we do. While your point about Liverpool rings true, today sees a vastly different game - way more money and professionalism these days. Clause Lundekvam of Southampton was a fucking alcoholic 8-9 years ago and claimed loads of fotballers went out 3-4 times a week getting pissed. Doubt you could get away with that today. The 2012 climate requires clubs to invest in players and spend money in order to compete. You can do well over shorter periods of time without joining the carousel but eventually you will be left behind when others are spending and spending and spending. City and Chelsea being the prime proof of this.

We cant if we dont spend any money when everyone around us is. You can quote me on this, our current back-four is not good enough for an attack on the top-4, and we are deluded if we think we can pose a challenge with the current one. ALOT of our competitors had a shit season last year for various reasons. Everton, Liverpool, do I need to mention chelsea, Tottenham are all looking stronger this year than last. Arsenal havent finished outside the top-4 for 10 years so write them off at your own peril. Its all well and good claiming we are punching well above our weightclass, but we wont for long if we keep gambling on squad players and unproven youngsters to deliver the goods for us.

So since we finished 5th, its time to put our feet up then? Squad cant possibly get any better, time to lean back and enjoy another 65 point season.. There is no time to rest on your laurels in football. We came 5th, great. New season, clean sheets. Do you think players will stay because we finish 5th? If we dont strengthen, we will be left for dead. Anyone can have a good season and finish 5th, look at Villa and Everton. If you want to take a permanent leap you have to build on it, Tottenham were in the shitter 4 years ago - look at them now. Aside from Coloccini, none of our defenders are top-5 quality. Steven Taylor could be but he will be crocked for the 6th consequtive season within a month or two. There is nothing wrong with not being able to replicate last season, but lets not pretend our Back-4 is solid. It isnt. Not even close.

Dembele is way better imo

Dembele vs Man United. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8A6foHHdgJc#at=76

Dembele would be exactly what we need, he could fill cabayes role , drive forward and then hand it to ben arfa or the strikers 15 million absolute bargain..

Because he is still a prospect in the making. Better than Simpson going forward but no better defensibly. My question wasnt whether we did did it last year, my question is whether you believe we can replicate that position without strengthening our back 4.

You think players in a team finishing 5th will be content with the fact that we have bought absolutely fucking nobody? Players have ambitions you know, they want to go places. If the team is standing still, they will want away to more ambitions teams spending money.

Do you fancy our chances of replicating that season with a back 4 consisting of Simpson Williamson and Ryan Taylor/Santon?

A club who has gone from Championship to Champions league are bound to swap out a few faces to deal with elevated ambitions and expectations. Or are we going to keep players on previous merits? Whether a fotballer is good enough is a continuous assessment.

If you are standing still, you are going backwards. If you dont invest in the squad, players can smell it and they will want away. Massive lack of intent not adressing our defense this summer. With our current defense and EL as well as cups in addition to the league, I Can see a few injuries seriously affecting our team. A top-10 finish is looking more and more likely since we decided not to build on last seasons success. Everyone else have been strengthening.

Not good enough

squeeze past

Maybe we should make a thread for OOT`ers with other perspectives, so that the 10 locals can all circle-jerk eachother with identical views without being interrupted

There is a very strong historical background as to why every american feel the need to have a gun, afaik its even in their constitution - the right to have one. Americans ( and especially the south) fear the government turning on them more than external enemies - countries within a country really.

Calm down kids

Dembele to Tottenham, 15 million. Total bargain.

Agreed, This game is perfect for trying out our new unproven aquisitions. Tav was fucking dire against a league 2 quality side, might as well etch a NOT READY tattoo on his shoulder. Howler after howler after howler. Simpson is a young Paolo Maldini defensively in comparison. And starting Taylor against a greek nobody side 2 days before a PL game STRETCHER!!?!

Latest incident in denmark, following a gang fight in a rural area, a lynch mob (80+ people) stormed a local hospital to kill a guy currently undergoing surgery following the wounds of the fight. Turned the hospital upside down, storming through every room and threatening sick people about his whereabouts, but luckily they didnt locate the operating room. Police arrived and managed to arrest 11 of the offenders storming the hospital. This is in a muslim part of that area. Following the arrests, a SPOKESPERSON for the area went on television and threatened that if the arrested individuals were not released by 1800 the same day there would be a violent response. Gotta love our new countrymen.