It makes me laugh that people are happy for Liverpool to overtake us for 5th. I mean if that is the attitude, then what is the point in being a football fan? if you don't care about winning, then there is no point in taking part.
I struggle to see the logic in this argument. Hate to bring people back down to earth but the outside world do not consider us to be one of Europe's (or even England's) big clubs past or present. One season in the CL unfortunately has not changed this. I too have been living in a dreamland for the past season, I have loved it but the dream was nice when it lasted but lets not lose grip with reality. I don't know where this arrogance comes from and find it embarrassing.
No one is more gutted than I am that we will not be in the CL next season but EL is much better than nothing. It separates us from the also rans, it gives us a chance to win another trophy (and it is not as if they have been flooding through the door in the 30 years).
I mean when did we get so picky? If we had won the CL or the EPL a few times in a row I could understand the argument. But to be where we are to want to finish 6th over 5th, not to want to be in Europe at all. To want Liverpool to finish above us. It is embarrassing. Where will it stop? Mabve we should throw a few matches next season to make the end of the season more exciting with a relegation dogfight? After all its only a few league places, what's the point? It is embarrassing. we should strive to finish as high as possible.
Next season, these words will come back to haunt you, I'm sure of it. Things are only going to get tougher and we need to show to potential players that we are contenders. We need to separate ourselves from Bolton, Everton and Sunderland and be associated with Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U. What ever a few deluded fans may think, this hasn't happened yet and we are a long way off. Finishing 5th will be another step on this journey.
Like it or not, the top 3 will continue to remain constant, things won't change there in a hurry.
Now City have champion's League football, there is nothing going to stop the top players from going there in the future. Champion's League could become that bit more unobtainable.
Liverpool have the worldwide reputation to attract players that we just don't have. Anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. They can also spend more money then we can hope to. It will be tough to finish in the top 5 next season. We could be dreaming of having 5th in touching distance at this stage of the season.
Lets get a bit of spirit going, get 5th, try and keep hold of the players we have got and look to build where possible and knuckle down for the fight of our life next season. The fight that will determine whether we continue our proud run of contenders for CL positions vs Mid table also rans.