Managing expectations

[Dr Gloom 22536]

keegan's optimism since our mini revival is infectious and i'm already starting to look forward to next season with each post match interview

 

....but what can we really expect from next season? another season of rebuilding or should we be challenging for top 6?

 

after the last couple of years, a top half finish would be a good achievement but with the right investment, i don't see why we shouldn't be challenging the top 5. the gulf between the top 4 and the rest is still massive but there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to compete with the likes of pompey and everton.

 

...what do you expect from next season? more disappointment and consolidation or are you getting drawn in by keegan's optimism too?

[Tom 14021]

I think we can achieve top 8 and have a cheeky cup run.

[Happy Face 29]

If 11th place was enough to get the last bloke sacked, I can't see how finishing a couple of places higher could be viewed as anything but disappointing.

 

Must be pushing top 6.

[Park Life 71]

We could be where Everton are this year.

[Guest alex]

I'll stick my neck and say we could finish as high as 5th imo.

[Howay 12496]

Top 6 place is entirely possible imo, with the way the teams playing and some good buys we'd be up there. Allardyce completely underrated and misused his players he's used to managing cloggers and people who want to stop play not footballers, I think what we're seeing under Keegan is what this bunch are capable of.

I agree about the being up with the likes of Everton and Pompey next season if we're playing to our potential like we are recently.

I still fancy us to make a cheeky late dash up the table and finish above Spurs and West Ham.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Barton7

[Craig 6701]

I think we'll be in the mix with the likes of Pompey, Man City, Blackburn...

 

A real bonus would be to challenge Everton for 5th..

[Happy Face 29]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

[Asprilla 96]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

That's a great graph and normally I don't get excited by graphs.

[The Fish 11080]

I'd be happy with anything from 6th to 9th to be honest. I'm not going to get too carried away as I think there's still a lot of work and I, for one, would prefer lasting success to breif flirtations with the top 4 clubs.

[Happy Face 29]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

That's a great graph and normally I don't get excited by graphs.

 

 

There's only been 2 games in April, but I do love the shape of a good graph.

 

Mackems and West Ham to play, there's no reason we can't retain 2nd place for the month if not kick on for 1st.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Happy Face

[Fop 1]

It depends on how much we spend and how we spend it really.

 

5th down to 12thish (maybe even down to 14th) there isn't really a huge difference in teams quality (if we can't put together a team that can challenge the current Everton squad in a season or two then I don't really see the point of football any more ).

No reason why we couldn't do as well as 5th with the right conditions next season, but I think around 6th to 9th will be more realistic.

[NJS 4446]

As I said in the Pompey match thread - they and Villa must give us hope - though I'm wary of Spurs.

 

I'd be disappointed not to at least challenge for sixth (though just missing out would be fine).

[Tom 14021]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

What is it referring to?

[trophyshy 7095]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

 

What, exactly, does this reprazent?

[Ketsbaia 0]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

 

What, exactly, does this reprazent?

 

I think it's where we lie in the form table.

 

A top half finish would do me next year but considering Everton are the only side who have been anything near consistent this season (Showing how shit the Premiership is) I could see us finishing 6th or 7th.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Ketsbaia

[luckyluke 2]

If Dan's optimistic Keegan must be doing something right. 5th-6th should be our target next season, but Ashley must get his wallet out this summer.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

A Waffa Cup place would be interesting. The most important factor is getting our home form back and making teams scared to come here again. Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

[Happy Face 29]

 

 

Surely it can only go downhill now.

 

What is it referring to?

 

 

Football365 do the league for each month of the season.....

 

http://stats.football365.com/dom/index.html

 

(See "Monthly Record")

 

We came 19th in Jan and Feb, 8th in March, and after 2 games we're currently 2nd in April.

 

Our highest position for any month under Allardyce was 6th in October, Sam's lowest being 15th place for November.

[luckyluke 2]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

[Park Life 71]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

 

 

Don't forget Spuds.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

 

Yes but the universe NUFC are in would see the year we get the semis being drawn against Chelsea, with the winner getting either Man U or Arsenal. You should know this by now. Tsk tsk.

[Fop 1]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

 

Yes but the universe NUFC are in would see the year we get the semis being drawn against Chelsea, with the winner getting either Man U or Arsenal. You should know this by now. Tsk tsk.

 

This season was a freak, might be 20 years before one of the top 4 don't win it again (look at our recent finals, an in form Arsenal and a rampant Man U).

[luckyluke 2]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

 

Yes but the universe NUFC are in would see the year we get the semis being drawn against Chelsea, with the winner getting either Man U or Arsenal. You should know this by now. Tsk tsk.

 

This season was a freak, might be 20 years before one of the top 4 don't win it again (look at our recent finals, an in form Arsenal and a rampant Man U).

 

Barnsely drew Liverpool then Chelsea and beat them both. If they can do it, we can do it.

[Guest alex]

Would be nice to have a cheeky cup run but I never expect us to do anything in the cup so it would all be a bonus to me..

 

Barnsely and Cardiff this season have shown that ANY team can have a chance of winning the cup.

 

Yes but the universe NUFC are in would see the year we get the semis being drawn against Chelsea, with the winner getting either Man U or Arsenal. You should know this by now. Tsk tsk.

 

This season was a freak, might be 20 years before one of the top 4 don't win it again (look at our recent finals, an in form Arsenal and a rampant Man U).

I was just thinking it actually is 20 years since one of the 'usual suspects' (i.e. Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, Man Utd) didn't win it when Wimbledon won but even they it was the Champions v a team that came about 7th or 8th iirc. I can't remember it ever being like this year though.