So are we going to be in the CL next season?

[Dreambeliever]

This isn't a are we good enough or can we make the top 4.

This is a do you think we will? Come May will we be 4th or better?

So far we have not looked good enough to be a top 6 six side nevermind a top 4 side.

Bar Utd every single team that have put it up to us have come away with either a point or all three.

I said we would beat Everton as it's Rafa's style to pull out a big win when needed. However I said the game that worried me was Blackburn away and so it proved to be.

We were dreadful again and showed no signs of improvment. We are simply awful when Torres isn't playing and Gerrard isn't in the hole.

Lucas offers nothing in a crucial position, out wide we have no pace and the only player playing to their potential this season (Yossi) isn't being played where he is most effective.

The sad fact is we can't even blame luck anymore. We were lucky to beat Everton and a draw against Blackburn was nothing more than we deserved.

We have a manager who is completely blind to our shortcommings and who has bought a replacement worth 17M that isn't going to play a meaningful game in 2009.

At this rate cnuting Reading will knock us out of the cup.

I fully expect Arsenal to spank us this weekend and won't be suprised at all and that in itself is a bad sign.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I don't think we will. We are plenty capable but I have the same feeling as I did in 2004-05 (minus the European run...).

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=37728.msg1007835#msg1007835 date=1260144335]
I don't think we will. We are plenty capable but I have the same feeling as I did in 2004-05 (minus the European run...).
[/quote]

Our best 11 in terms of players (not Rafa's which includes Lucas) is but I don't think we will see it enough to make it.

At the moment we are 3 points ahead of Brum

 

[Y1]

No.

From now on, we gonna explode, implode and self destruct.

We will be relegated.

Rafa will walk.

That will satisfy many here.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007853#msg1007853 date=1260149115]
No.

From now on, we gonna explode, implode and self destruct.

We will be relegated.

Rafa will walk.

That will satisfy many here.
[/quote]

It will satisfy nobody here Y1.

 

[Y1]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007854#msg1007854 date=1260149601]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007853#msg1007853 date=1260149115]
No.

From now on, we gonna explode, implode and self destruct.

We will be relegated.

Rafa will walk.

That will satisfy many here.
[/quote]

It will satisfy nobody here Y1.


[/quote]

Oh yes, it will satisfy many who long to see Rafa out.

 

[Squiggles]

Probably not, but one can hope.

Although I can't stop the 'greater good' thoughts penetrating my brain.

 

[eecheerow]

Yes

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007856#msg1007856 date=1260149758]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007854#msg1007854 date=1260149601]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007853#msg1007853 date=1260149115]
No.

From now on, we gonna explode, implode and self destruct.

We will be relegated.

Rafa will walk.

That will satisfy many here.
[/quote]

It will satisfy nobody here Y1.


[/quote]

Oh yes, it will satisfy many who long to see Rafa out.
[/quote]

I think Rafa is going to be gone no matter what unless we see a major shift of his thinking and nothing points to that at the moment.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37728.msg1007857#msg1007857 date=1260149986]
Probably not, but one can hope.

Although I can't stop the 'greater good' thoughts penetrating my brain.
[/quote]

If you mean "the greater good" being Rafa let go, then that could easily still happen and we finish 4th. If we finish 4th and are say 20 points off Chelsea then Rafa's time will be up.

 

[Farkmaster]

I don't think its for the greater good if we don't make the CL, and I can see us making the CL and Rafa still getting sacked, which if we limp into a CL place, on the back of the weakness of other teams, should happen.

If we continue limping for much longer, we'll need to put together a significant run.

Ryan and others have somehow decided that it's inevitable that we can't simply continue this run of form, and that players will return and we'll recover, well, why? I think I believed the same at one point, but it seemed more built on hope than anything else. We aren't *that* different from last year in terms of personnel, but we are different in a fundamental way, and the lack of confidence is a cancer that doesn't simply go away (see Man U).

Torres could well have on and off injury problems, or require surgery. Aquilani could be a total fucking failure, and could well have injury difficulties. He could be a poor fit. He could be all of this and still be a cracking player in another league (Oncy caveat). It's coming up on the xmas fixture congestion, and even if we have match fit players, we will still have to play our second string.

It's not a certain that those two playing will ensure anything either, not if any other team, with far less pressure on them, puts their own run together.

Despite what some have said, and it gives me not even a modicum of solace, our getting a couple clean sheets together is the only positive sign of any turn around, and is absolutely neccesary.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37728.msg1007865#msg1007865 date=1260150787]
I don't think its for the greater good if we don't make the CL, and I can see us making the CL and Rafa still getting sacked, which if we limp into a CL place, on the back of the weakness of other teams, should happen.

If we continue limping for much longer, we'll need to put together a significant run.

Ryan and others have somehow decided that it's inevitable that we can't simply continue this run of form, and that players will return and we'll recover, well, why?

Torres could well have on and off injury problems, or require surgery. Aquilani could be a total fucking failure, and could well have injury difficulties. He could be a poor fit. He could be all of this and still be a cracking player in another league (Oncy caveat). It's coming up on the xmas fixture congestion, and even if we have match fit players, we will still have to play our second string.

It's not a certain that those two playing will ensure anything either, not if any other team, with far less pressure on them, puts their own run together.

Despite what some have said, and it gives me not even a modicum of solace, our getting a couple clean sheets together is the only positive sign of any turn around, and is absolutely neccesary.
[/quote]

I agree with all of that, especially the highlighted bit. But there's no doubt that not making the CL makes the decision a lot easier for the owners - there's more soundbites available and less excuses for Rafa to wriggle free on.

Missing out on the CL will make it almost impossible to build a base on which to improve, simply because of the lack of funds.

Hopefully this storming run does materialise, and an objective decision will be made in the summer.

 

[Red Mullet]

yep

 

[Ryan]

Easily.

 

[Mistadobalina]

This season we will just about get 4th IMO but City have surpassed us in terms of the quality of the squads. They just have not quite got their act together yet.

Next season I expect us to fail to achive champions league unless there is change of ownership.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37728.msg1007887#msg1007887 date=1260157200]
Easily.
[/quote]

Easily?

So you think none of Spurs Villa or City could keep pace with us and we will "easily" coast into 4th?

Jesus and you same I'm blind. Where is this belief coming from?

We are 2 points ahead of Fulhum and 3 ahead of Brum. And its not like we are only a few games in. We are 4 off the half way stage.

 

[Y1]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007861#msg1007861 date=1260150420]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007856#msg1007856 date=1260149758]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007854#msg1007854 date=1260149601]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37728.msg1007853#msg1007853 date=1260149115]
No.

From now on, we gonna explode, implode and self destruct.

We will be relegated.

Rafa will walk.

That will satisfy many here.
[/quote]

It will satisfy nobody here Y1.


[/quote]

Oh yes, it will satisfy many who long to see Rafa out.
[/quote]

I think Rafa is going to be gone no matter what unless we see a major shift of his thinking and nothing points to that at the moment.
[/quote]

He will not change his thinking.

That is Rafa.

 

[Wizardry]

I certainly don't think we'll coast into 4th and I don't actually think Ryan does either. However, I still do think we will get there - the main threat being Spurs IMO.


I don't actually think City know what it takes to get to 4th and I'm not convinced that they have a manager who can get them there when we hit the middle of March onwards. Not that I think he's poor but I don't think he has the nous or experience to be able to negotiate that period - not this season.


I don't see a whole lot of improvement in Villa from last year and think they'll suffer again at the back end of the season.

Spurs?? They've been in the position before a couple of seasons ago and just missed out on the last day. They look better to me this season - something is clicking with them in midfield and up front and they look likely to score goals and lots of them. The only thing that stands against them is their defence - its not as bad as previous seasons but it does have a fragility that makes them really suspect under pressure. Our defence is not that great TBH but we've had several seasons of defensive excellence and I think we'll respond better in this area when under pressure.


But it is still going to be tight IMO and a lot will rest on Stevie and Torres getting some games together - ideally through the Christmas period though I can't see it happening.

 

[LarryHagman]

If Gerrard hits form and Torres comes back and stays fit, we'll walk it. But that in itself is an indictment of where we are and who we're still dependent on.
If Gerrard & Torres struggle for fitness, form & goals then we will struggle full stop.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007896#msg1007896 date=1260160353]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37728.msg1007887#msg1007887 date=1260157200]
Easily.
[/quote]

Easily?

So you think none of Spurs Villa or City could keep pace with us and we will "easily" coast into 4th?

Jesus and you same I'm blind. Where is this belief coming from?

We are 2 points ahead of Fulhum and 3 ahead of Brum. And its not like we are only a few games in. We are 4 off the half way stage.
[/quote]

We're also only 3pts off 4th.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=37728.msg1007957#msg1007957 date=1260169846]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007896#msg1007896 date=1260160353]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37728.msg1007887#msg1007887 date=1260157200]
Easily.
[/quote]

Easily?

So you think none of Spurs Villa or City could keep pace with us and we will "easily" coast into 4th?

Jesus and you same I'm blind. Where is this belief coming from?

We are 2 points ahead of Fulhum and 3 ahead of Brum. And its not like we are only a few games in. We are 4 off the half way stage.
[/quote]

We're also only 3pts off 4th.
[/quote]

WE'RE ONLY 3 POINTS OFF BRUM KEN AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE IT'S JUST SHIT FUCKING CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=37728.msg1007957#msg1007957 date=1260169846]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007896#msg1007896 date=1260160353]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37728.msg1007887#msg1007887 date=1260157200]
Easily.
[/quote]

Easily?

So you think none of Spurs Villa or City could keep pace with us and we will "easily" coast into 4th?

Jesus and you same I'm blind. Where is this belief coming from?

We are 2 points ahead of Fulhum and 3 ahead of Brum. And its not like we are only a few games in. We are 4 off the half way stage.
[/quote]

We're also only 3pts off 4th.
[/quote]

Can we please enjoy another bit of doom-mongering and negativity without having posters throwing in dry facts like that? The last thing this thread needs is a bit of perspective.

It's well overrated.

 

[Buddha]

Of course we will finish top four. I'd imagine we'll finish closer to the top three than we are now.

 

[manwithnoname]

WE'RE ONLY 3 POINTS OFF BRUM KEN AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE IT'S JUST SHIT FUCKING CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

How ould you describe it?

"Great"?
"Good enough"?

We're seventh. We're out of Europe. We're out of the title race. We're three points ahead of fucking Birmingham. We've lost 8 games already and it's December.

 

[spider-Neil]

we gave gh another season when he failed to make top 4, will be interesting to see if rafa is given another season if we fail to make top four.

 

[Wizardry]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=37728.msg1008206#msg1008206 date=1260191087]
we gave gh another season when he failed to make top 4, will be interesting to see if rafa is given another season if we fail to make top four.
[/quote]

If he fails to get fourth I don't think he'll be gone; It would take something very unusual for him to be removed and I can't see it happening. Besdies that what would be the point - I haven't seen anyone out there who is going to be available and an improvement. I don't see the point - no matter how frustrating some of his decisions - in paying out 10m + for no improvement.

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37728.msg1008230#msg1008230 date=1260191848]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=37728.msg1008206#msg1008206 date=1260191087]
we gave gh another season when he failed to make top 4, will be interesting to see if rafa is given another season if we fail to make top four.
[/quote]

If he fails to get fourth I don't think he'll be gone; It would take something very unusual for him to be removed and I can't see it happening. Besdies that what would be the point - I haven't seen anyone out there who is going to be available and an improvement. I don't see the point - no matter how frustrating some of his decisions - in paying out 10m + for no improvement.
[/quote]

That's exacterly hows I see it.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=37728.msg1008202#msg1008202 date=1260190908]

WE'RE ONLY 3 POINTS OFF BRUM KEN AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE IT'S JUST SHIT FUCKING CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

How ould you describe it?

"Great"?
"Good enough"?

We're seventh. We're out of Europe. We're out of the title race. We're three points ahead of fucking Birmingham. We've lost 8 games already and it's December.
[/quote]

I'm responding to the question posed in the thread title Bren.

Will we qualify for the CL? Yes.

 

[Juanito]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=37728.msg1007850#msg1007850 date=1260146843]

Our best 11 in terms of players (not Rafa's which includes Lucas) is but I don't think we will see it enough to make it.

[/quote]

You think Rafa prefers Lucas to either Mascherano or Aquilani??

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Yes i think we'll make the top 4 this season.

It looks like we should pretty much have a fully fit squad for the the Christmas period, then hopefully a couple of decent signings in January will act as an extra boost.