Premier League 2013/14 Our chance to shine?

[Glenn R]

Next season Man Ure, Citeh, Chelski, Woolwich Wanderers and the Scousers are all going to be shelling out cash like its going out of fashion and unless we spend around £50 million on 3 or 4 quality players will will be going backwards no matter if AVB, 'Arry or SAF is in charge.
As it is I can't see us challenging the top 4 after the summer activity expected at the 4 already in those spots because we needed to do it this year when we had a chance to really close the gap but Levy chose to change the manager and start over again just as we were on the brink of breaking into the top 4 on a permanent basis.
 
It's time Levy listened and understood the clubs motto "Audere est Facere" and for those of you that don't know what it means "To dare is to do !!!!!!!!!!"...... How about it Mr Levy ?
 
 

I agree with you that Levy needs to splash out to compete for one of the top 4 spots. And I agree with you with the teams you mentioned, apart from one. I don't think Liverpool are good enough at the moment to compete for top 4th spot. No matter how much money they spent.

[Paul Finch]

 Quote from Voice  [Why not both? If you are suggesting that we are or should be good enough to go for the League title then we are good enough to go for Europa league. Chelsea didn't see the Europa league as second class and they went on to win it and finished 3rd.

All I am saying is if we are good enough to win the League then we are good enough to take all the Cup competitions seriously.]
 
     Voice, I agree with you in part, but only if we have the Depth in the Squad to do it, and as was proved in season 2012-2013, at this time we don't have anywhere near the depth that Manure, Citeh or The scum have. The Scum could quite reasonably put out 2 full teams and they would both finish in the Top 6 in the PL as could Manure and Citeh. Until such time that we do have the depth, then I think that AVB should use the Europa League to blood some of our younger up and coming players, because after all they are the future of the Club are they not?
 
 

[baldbloke]

Quote from Voice  [Why not both? If you are suggesting that we are or should be good enough to go for the League title then we are good enough to go for Europa league. Chelsea didn't see the Europa league as second class and they went on to win it and finished 3rd.

All I am saying is if we are good enough to win the League then we are good enough to take all the Cup competitions seriously.]
 
     Voice, I agree with you in part, but only if we have the Depth in the Squad to do it, and as was proved in season 2012-2013, at this time we don't have anywhere near the depth that Manure, Citeh or The scum have. The Scum could quite reasonably put out 2 full teams and they would both finish in the Top 6 in the PL as could Manure and Citeh. Until such time that we do have the depth, then I think that AVB should use the Europa League to blood some of our younger up and coming players, because after all they are the future of the Club are they not?
 
 

So is it to much to ask the overpaid prima donnos to play two games a week ?

[Metalanimal]

At this point we simply do not have the squad depth to do that, you mentions Chelsea look at their Sqaud compared to ours, if we rotate certain positions (LB, RB, CB, CDM) for example its for players that are just about good enough for players that are football championship grade!  a big difference form what Chelsea and Man City can put out when the rotate.

If we go for it on all fronts again next season again it will be our downfall.

[Paul Finch]

Quote from Baldbloke ["So is it to much to ask the overpaid prima donnos to play two games a week ?"]
 
        No it isn't, as you put it" too much to ask the overpaid prima donnas to play 2 games a week" but it is too much to expect the same players to perform at their optimum consistently twice a week and be successful and succeed in winning every time that they play, even your Dog could see that Baldy, or are you just trying to be controversial again?
 
 

[Glenn R]

     Voice, I agree with you in part, but only if we have the Depth in the Squad to do it, and as was proved in season 2012-2013, at this time we don't have anywhere near the depth that Manure, Citeh or The scum have. The Scum could quite reasonably put out 2 full teams and they would both finish in the Top 6 in the PL as could Manure and Citeh. Until such time that we do have the depth, then I think that AVB should use the Europa League to blood some of our younger up and coming players, because after all they are the future of the Club are they not?
 
 

I agree with what you say here. Nevertheless, somebody said he wants us to win the league, and if we can win the league then we have the players to also win other cup competitions. But yes, we do need the depth otherwise it will be very hard.

[Glenn R]

Quote from Baldbloke ["So is it to much to ask the overpaid prima donnos to play two games a week ?"]
 
        No it isn't, as you put it" too much to ask the overpaid prima donnas to play 2 games a week" but it is too much to expect the same players to perform at their optimum consistently twice a week and be successful and succeed in winning every time that they play, even your Dog could see that Baldy, or are you just trying to be controversial again?
 
 

You both have a point. I also agree with your other post that we need the depth. But if we are good enough to win the league then we can win other competitions as well; including the Europa league. Which I said in my previous post to you.

[dimexi]

If we had a side that were good enough to win the league, we would also have to have a squad good enough to compete on other fronts simultaneously. No premiership will be won by a team  having only 11 quality first team players, they have to have players that can come and and do an equal or different job for the side.

Everyone agrees we need more depth in our squad, but if that depth is one of quality also then it would not matter if we were chasing multiple competitions. No depth? - then we will be scrambling around and having fingers crossed on the last day of the season.

[spursjoolz]

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If we had a side that were good enough to win the league, we would also have to have a squad good enough to compete on other fronts simultaneously. No premiership will be won by a team  having only 11 quality first team players, they have to have players that can come and and do an equal or different job for the side.

Everyone agrees we need more depth in our squad, but if that depth is one of quality also then it would not matter if we were chasing multiple competitions. No depth? - then we will be scrambling around and having fingers crossed on the last day of the season.

Without pointing out Johnny Obvious, our weak points have been up front, in midfield and in defense. Everywhere really! So if we want to shine this year, reinforcements in all areas are needed.

The first one being 2 strikers and David Villa and Damiao are still linked to us. I know this is just paper talk at this point, but they have appeared often . So, this would sort out our front line with Defoe remaining and I would hope Adebayor moving on.

The great big gap left by Modric was never filled and we need to sort this out as well + one more DF. Huddlestone is a doubt and I believe that without him the rest of the midfield (including Townsend. Did OK at QPR) may well suffice when Sandro returns, assuming that Real stop pestering us for Bale and Levy does not fall for the huge price offered. It is obvious that no-one is interested in Lennon and although he hasn't been consistent, I hope that would change if we buy the above mentioned front men.

Syg, Holtby, Dembele and Dempsey have not broken any record and need another year to prove their worth. IMO, they have been good enough to justify their staying at the club.

There is always room for additional defenders. A couple of youngsters in the making can fill the gaps, but BAE departure is a strong possibility. Talk of Coentrao (spelling!) has been rife for some weeks and he would be a good replacement. Danny Rose could be returning to us after a good spell at Sunderland and Kaboul should be fit and rearing to go by August. I think Gallas is on his way out.

So that would be 5 players coming in and 5 going out. An opportunity for Levy to spend some money and get some back.

Talking about winning or even challenging for the League is still too far away. I think if Levy spends in the right areas, we could be good for CL 3rd place, a good run in Europa and maybe the FA cup. Looking back at our history, this would be improvement enough to take it further the following season.  Our main competitors will still be the Arse, Man U, City and at the top Chelsea. The gap between 5th and 6th will remain.

 

[RSS61]

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If we had a side that were good enough to win the league, we would also have to have a squad good enough to compete on other fronts simultaneously. No premiership will be won by a team  having only 11 quality first team players, they have to have players that can come and and do an equal or different job for the side.

Everyone agrees we need more depth in our squad, but if that depth is one of quality also then it would not matter if we were chasing multiple competitions. No depth? - then we will be scrambling around and having fingers crossed on the last day of the season.

Without pointing out Johnny Obvious, our weak points have been up front, in midfield and in defense. Everywhere really! So if we want to shine this year, reinforcements in all areas are needed.

The first one being 2 strikers and David Villa and Damiao are still linked to us. I know this is just paper talk at this point, but they have appeared often . So, this would sort out our front line with Defoe remaining and I would hope Adebayor moving on.

The great big gap left by Modric was never filled and we need to sort this out as well + one more DF. Huddlestone is a doubt and I believe that without him the rest of the midfield (including Townsend. Did OK at QPR) may well suffice when Sandro returns, assuming that Real stop pestering us for Bale and Levy does not fall for the huge price offered. It is obvious that no-one is interested in Lennon and although he hasn't been consistent, I hope that would change if we buy the above mentioned front men.

Syg, Holtby, Dembele and Dempsey have not broken any record and need another year to prove their worth. IMO, they have been good enough to justify their staying at the club.

There is always room for additional defenders. A couple of youngsters in the making can fill the gaps, but BAE departure is a strong possibility. Talk of Coentrao (spelling!) has been rife for some weeks and he would be a good replacement. Danny Rose could be returning to us after a good spell at Sunderland and Kaboul should be fit and rearing to go by August. I think Gallas is on his way out.

So that would be 5 players coming in and 5 going out. An opportunity for Levy to spend some money and get some back.

Talking about winning or even challenging for the League is still too far away. I think if Levy spends in the right areas, we could be good for CL 3rd place, a good run in Europa and maybe the FA cup. Looking back at our history, this would be improvement enough to take it further the following season.  Our main competitors will still be the Arse, Man U, City and at the top Chelsea. The gap between 5th and 6th will remain.

 

Pretty much agree with all your comments, except I dont really think Danny Rose is the LB we need. He seems in his comfort zone at Sunderland, another BAE in the making. Maybe I'm being hasty but just not that impressed with him yet.

[spursjoolz]

I agree with the Rose comment, but he is still a young player and would be useful in Europa matches.

[RSS61]

I agree with the Rose comment, but he is still a young player and would be useful in Europa matches.

Yeah we should certainly get him back and give him a go.

[Glenn R]

If we had a side that were good enough to win the league, we would also have to have a squad good enough to compete on other fronts simultaneously. No premiership will be won by a team  having only 11 quality first team players, they have to have players that can come and and do an equal or different job for the side.

Everyone agrees we need more depth in our squad, but if that depth is one of quality also then it would not matter if we were chasing multiple competitions. No depth? - then we will be scrambling around and having fingers crossed on the last day of the season.

Agreed.