Top four - is it too late?

[Captain]

The question has been raised; is the change of manager too late for us to make the top four? This is the current table:

 

1 Man Utd 20 24 44

2 Man City 22 17 42

3 Arsenal 21 20 40

4 Tottenham 21 6 36

5 Chelsea 21 17 35

6 Sunderland 22 3 33

7 Bolton 22 5 30

8 Newcastle 21 3 28

9 Blackburn 22 -6 28

10 Stoke 21 0 27

11 Everton 21 -2 25

12 Liverpool 20 -3 25

[Guest LFD]

11 points behind, 8 if we win our game in hand, over 50 points to play for after that.

 

HELL NO!

[redsoxs]

i think so, if KK gets us back into the Europa comp i would consider that a success.

[Guest TesticleOReilly]

All the teams around us and up to that 5th spot will take points off each other, it's a balls up, this year's league. If we quietly get on with the job in hand it can turn around very quickly. Winning some away games always helps.

[Ziggy Stardust]

11 points behind, 8 if we win our game in hand, over 50 points to play for after that.

 

HELL NO!

 

Agreed.

[Code]

I think the loss to Blackburn can prove to be the one game too late unfortunatly.

 

We should have made the change before that game.

 

As it is now I`m 100% sure we will get 6th and if we can get above that it will be a bonus for me, but its not impossible.

[dennis tooth]

yep, its the king, if we'd have done it 2 or 3 games ago I'd double my money on it. In fact, with Kenny in charge, I beleive we will win the European cup, even though we are not in it, it's Kenny so we have a chance, come on.

[Pidge]

Believe!

[JaminKibbler]

I'd still be over the moon with 5/6th considering our season. Anymore and that would be a wonder, still very possible.

 

Look at Everton last season rising from relegation to 8th or 6th?

[Lex Anderfield]

Just voted No to make it 10 all.

 

There are alot of points to play for and the league has been so inconsistent it is feasible. A good run of attacking performances could see us climb the table and fast.

 

Perhaps it could be perceived as wildly optimistic, sure. But in the days just after Kenny has returned to our manager's position, well this is the perfect time to be in such a frame of mind!

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

It's a tough ask, but I think it's possible.

[clone number 3]

Unfortunately, yes it is. If Kenny had got the job a month ago I'd be very confident, but I think we've dropped too many points against shite teams recently to make it up.

[Paul]

Depends on what business we do in this transfer window. With three or four new players who hit the ground running, anything's possible (although still tough). However, if we don't do anything serious in this window there's absolutely no chance. We desperately need goals, pace, width and aerial dominance (in that order) and without them no amount of improvement from the current rag bag squad of crocks, cackers and a smattering of quality will get us ahead of two out of City, Spurs and Chelsea.

[MLB]

Clearly it is possible, but I'm not sure it's realistic. The one positive thing is that none of the teams are that consistent and Chelsea are in freefall. We would need to turn things around very quickly though, and to do that we will need to sign a couple of good players during this transfer window. I really don't see it happening, but hope springs eternal...

[rebel23]

we need to go on a run, if we do then we can see where we are

 

the win one, lose one shite that Hodgson served up for months has really fucked us, with just 2 more wins we would be well in contention

 

I can't believe it took so long to sack him.

[Monster Masch]

If we beat Blackpool that will bring the gap down to 8 points. If we beat Everton that will bring the gap down to 5 points with the Mancs playing Spurs after. All in all, I think it's just a bit too late. I reckon Chelsea will push Spurs out very soon anyway and us and Spurs finish 5th and 6th.

[Jim MM]

Too late. I have complete faith in the manager but we have too many weak links in the squad and their confidence is shot. Kenny has spoken about the confidence factor over the weekend, he wasn't using it as a ready made excuse but it took months to make them this bad and they aren't going to get back to their best overnight. We'd also need two of the current top five to fuck up the rest of their seasons as badly as we've fucked up the start of ours.

I expect us to start playing proper football again and finish this season looking like a team that will challenge for the top one next season.

[Joso]

From the beginning of the season I knew it would be a tough one and all I expected was one position higher than the past. With the new owners I found new belief for at least 5th now with all thats happened I'll be happy with 6th.

[Pidge]

I'm not dealing in pessimism this season anymore. That went with Roy.

 

"Aim for the sky"

[dave]

Not a realistic expectation at all. Top 6 is what I would possibly expect though.

[Captain]

It's a tough ask, but I think it's possible.

 

I too think it's possible, I just don't think it will happen. Had they sacked him a month ago, things would have been so different.

 

Imo they took action too late.

Edited January 10, 2011 by Captain

[gaz181]

Because of the nature of the league this season with most of the top teams dropping a lot of points, I'd say it's not too late.

 

It's a huge ask though. We just need to put a run of wins together and see where it gets us.

[Jonny83]

I think so. 6th is very, very achievable and 5th at a push (if Spurs or City implode, or if Chelsea don't sort themselves out), but top four might be pushing it. Almost goes without saying I'd love to be proved wrong like. I just can't help feeling the top five is locked out, I felt that at the start of the season too before the Roy pessimism set in.

 

We'll finish much higher than 12th though.

[Jose Jones]

6th looks like the best we can hope for to me. Carra’s injured and Gerrard suspended which will make it tricky for Kenny to get going on a bit of a run early.

If we beat Blackpool and Everton though I may be persuaded to change my mind.

[Strontium]

We are 14/1 on Betfair to finish in the top 4. Nuff said.

 

Top 6 will be an achievement, and even there we are still 13/8. Good odds if you fancy it.