Target

[Paddy]

Yesterday got me thinking. What is the genuine target for this season? Is it back in the top 4?
The way City outmuscled our team, and the commentators saying how "sorry" they felt for Liverpool really fucking annoyed me.

I just have a bad feeling and can see us matching last season.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

My target before last night was 4th place.

Judging how poor our team is, and how it relies heavily on a (nowhere near fit) Torres and Gerrard, I sadly think 6th place should now be a target. At least then we can have a chance to play in Europe.

 

[Terrier]

No money, little expectations.

Top 4 would be nice, but I still think we'll finish 5-7th.

Good luck Roy, I genuinely hope he does well.

 

[Paddy]

I see a trend developing here. Do people think that Hodgson was told 4th was a minimum?

 

[Terrier]

No chance he was given a 4th place target.

Knowing our tendency to pamper our managers, rather than treat them as employees - even when it's clear they've lost the plot (Houllier, Benitez) - he will still be given

another season even if we finished 14th.

It's the Liverpool Way.

 

[Ossi]

5-7.
Top 4 would be a miracle.

 

[SummerOnions]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41570.msg1160946#msg1160946 date=1282656645]
My target before last night was 4th place.

Judging how poor our team is, and how it relies heavily on a (nowhere near fit) Torres and Gerrard, I sadly think 6th place should now be a target. At least then we can have a chance to play in Europe.
[/quote]

Ditto.

Unless we improve our squad within the next week.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=41570.msg1160952#msg1160952 date=1282657115]
No chance he was given a 4th place target.

Knowing our tendency to pamper our managers, rather than treat them as employees - even when it's clear they've lost the plot (Houllier, Benitez) - he will still be given

another season even if we finished 14th.

It's the Liverpool Way.


[/quote]

Possibly (though if we get new owners I reckon all bets are off regarding the manager's job) but, even if Roy does get that extra season, I'd still bet a reasonable sum that he WAS given a target of getting back into the CL.

Also, I don't agree with what seems to be a developing view on here that we can't do it. IMO it's waaay too soon to say.

 

[Asbo]

Fucking hell, we are Liverpool.

THIS Sqad got us 2nd

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
30 Charles Itandje Goalkeeper
40 David Martin Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
17 Ãlvaro Arbeloa Defender
12 Fábio Aurélio Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Andrea Dossena Defender
3 Steve Finnan Defender
4 Sami Hyypia Defender
22 Emiliano Insúa Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
14 Xabi Alonso Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
15 Yossi Benayoun Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
16 Jermaine Pennant Midfielder
28 Damien Plessis Midfielder
11 Albert Riera Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
31 Nabil El Zhar Striker
7 Robbie Keane Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker
10 Andriy Voronin Striker

This Squad CAN'T be 4 places worse??

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
1 Brad Jones Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
6 Fábio Aurélio Defender
40 Daniel Ayala Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Glen Johnson Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
22 Danny Wilson Defender
46 David Amoo Midfielder
4 Alberto Aquilani Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
10 Joe Cole Midfielder
39 Nathan Eccleston Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
45 Thomas Ince Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
12 Dani Pacheco Midfielder
28 Christian Poulsen Midfielder
17 Maxi Rodriguez Midfielder
33 Jonjo Shelvey Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
38 Lauri Dalla Valle Striker
14 Milan Jovanovi? Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker

 

[Buddha]

We HAVE to be aiming for top four.

 

[Whitey85]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41570.msg1160975#msg1160975 date=1282657804]
We HAVE to be aiming for top four.
[/quote]

This.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41570.msg1160975#msg1160975 date=1282657804]
We HAVE to be aiming for top four.
[/quote]

I agree.

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Asbo link=topic=41570.msg1160971#msg1160971 date=1282657732]
Fucking hell, we are Liverpool.

THIS Sqad got us 2nd

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
30 Charles Itandje Goalkeeper
40 David Martin Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
17 Ãlvaro Arbeloa Defender
12 Fábio Aurélio Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Andrea Dossena Defender
3 Steve Finnan Defender
4 Sami Hyypia Defender
22 Emiliano Insúa Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
14 Xabi Alonso Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
15 Yossi Benayoun Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
16 Jermaine Pennant Midfielder
28 Damien Plessis Midfielder
11 Albert Riera Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
31 Nabil El Zhar Striker
7 Robbie Keane Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker
10 Andriy Voronin Striker

This Squad CAN'T be 4 places worse??

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
1 Brad Jones Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
6 Fábio Aurélio Defender
40 Daniel Ayala Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Glen Johnson Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
22 Danny Wilson Defender
46 David Amoo Midfielder
4 Alberto Aquilani Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
10 Joe Cole Midfielder
39 Nathan Eccleston Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
45 Thomas Ince Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
12 Dani Pacheco Midfielder
28 Christian Poulsen Midfielder
17 Maxi Rodriguez Midfielder
33 Jonjo Shelvey Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
38 Lauri Dalla Valle Striker
14 Milan Jovanovi? Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker

[/quote]

The problem is that all the other teams aiming for top 4 places have got much better... while we've, at best, stagnated.

 

[Judge Jules]

Disagree. Citeh are the only ones who've significantly improved their squad.

 

[zlatan18]

We WILL get top 4, have faith in our team and manager

 

[Hansern]

Top 4. Nothing less.

It will be us, Spurs and the Arse that will compete for 4th. City look strong and will finish 3rd.
Villa are on the decline, and the rest are well meh. Everton will probably tip Villa for 7th.

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=41570.msg1160993#msg1160993 date=1282658242]
Disagree. Citeh are the only ones who've significantly improved their squad.
[/quote]

Nonsense Jules... Spurs have improved over the last 2 seasons, Arsenal have improved. I'd argue that at least Birmingham & Everton are better then 2 years ago.

Chelsea & Man Ure are certainly no worse... we're not as good as 2 years ago... simple as.

The only other team I'd say is suffering like us is Villa.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=Ossi link=topic=41570.msg1160953#msg1160953 date=1282657178]
5-7.
Top 4 would be a miracle.
[/quote]

Two games in to a season where we have played Arsenal with ten men and only conceded an OG to be denied a win and Man City away and it'll be a miracle if we get top four?

Give the team 10/12 games it needs at the start of the season, take a look at the table and then make your call. The transfer window still has time to run yet so you have no idea where we will be in mid october or so.

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=41570.msg1161004#msg1161004 date=1282658580]
[quote author=Ossi link=topic=41570.msg1160953#msg1160953 date=1282657178]
5-7.
Top 4 would be a miracle.
[/quote]

Two games in to a season where we have played Arsenal with ten men and only conceded an OG to be denied a win and Man City away and it'll be a miracle if we get top four?

Give the team 10/12 games it needs at the start of the season, take a look at the table and then make your call. The transfer window still has time to run yet so you have no idea where we will be in mid october or so.
[/quote]

We don't need 10 games to know that Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs & Man City have better squads than us. It's a fact.

That there is the top 5.

The next 5 will be made up of ourselves, Villa, Everton, Birmingham & Fulham, with Blackburn, Sunderland & Newcastle not far behind.

Leaving West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool, Wolves, WBA, Stoke & Bolton in the relegation battle.

 

[Richey]

[quote author=Hansern link=topic=41570.msg1160997#msg1160997 date=1282658309]
Top 4. Nothing less.

It will be us, Spurs and the Arse that will compete for 4th. City look strong and will finish 3rd.
Villa are on the decline, and the rest are well meh. Everton will probably tip Villa for 7th.
[/quote]

Some would say (with some justification) that we are also on the decline!

I still think 4th is a realistic aim though. Its been a terrible start but it was always going to be tough. Obviously you have to play every team at some point but if we had started the season with, say, Wigan and Blackpool things would be looking a lot better right now.

Arsenal at home is always going to be tricky and as much as it would have been lovely if they had fallen on their arses, City were realistically always going to do well.

If we are still looking poor and not winning in the next few weeks I will start to worry, but I am not yet.

 

[Richey]

[quote author=StevieM link=topic=41570.msg1161015#msg1161015 date=1282659054]
[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=41570.msg1161004#msg1161004 date=1282658580]
[quote author=Ossi link=topic=41570.msg1160953#msg1160953 date=1282657178]
5-7.
Top 4 would be a miracle.
[/quote]

Two games in to a season where we have played Arsenal with ten men and only conceded an OG to be denied a win and Man City away and it'll be a miracle if we get top four?

Give the team 10/12 games it needs at the start of the season, take a look at the table and then make your call. The transfer window still has time to run yet so you have no idea where we will be in mid october or so.
[/quote]

We don't need 10 games to know that Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs & Man City have better squads than us. It's a fact.

That there is the top 5.

The next 5 will be made up of ourselves, Villa, Everton, Birmingham & Fulham, with Blackburn, Sunderland & Newcastle not far behind.

Leaving West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool, Wolves, WBA, Stoke & Bolton in the relegation battle.
[/quote]

You never know how Arsenal or Spurs will get on though. They are both teams that are prone to the same kind of patchy form that we are. Plus Spurs' league form could suffer from playing in the CL. It does happen.

United and Chelsea are out of reach admittedly, and City are certainly looking like contenders at the moment but that 4th slot will be hard fought and we are in with a chance

 

[Stulikesdrums]

We need ten games to have a clearer idea how those squads are performing.

I wasn't including Man United or Chelsea in that as I believe they will be the top two.
It comes down to Arsenal, City, Spurs and Liverpool for 3rd and 4th place.

City look to be the best bet for third right now but who knows if all those players will gel. Sure, they SHOULD gel as they are pretty much all quality international players. But there are still some question marks over them. I believe if they let Given go they will suffer for it. Hart has potential but if he loses form (which is a very easy thing to happen to a 'keeper) then what will they do? Look what happened to them last year, they had to play some plodder from the Faroe Isles.

Arsenal, as of yet, still play Aluminia every week and still haven't purchased the DM they have desperately needed for, what is it, three seasons now? One good game from Walcott and he is a 'top, top player', I don't buy it. He will continue to be as streaky as he always has been.

Spurs are still reliant on King and he will not be around for every game. Woodgate is fucked and Dawson overhyped. They have pace & power in midfield but are being linked with selling Crouch and Keane leaving them with Defoe & Pav.

Yes, we have our problems too but so do our competitors. We CAN finish 4th, of course we can. It wouldn't be a miracle, it would be because we have Reina, Carra, Agger, Johnson, Gerrard, Kuyt, Jovanvic, Cole & Torres in our team. We have, in my view, a manager who will talk to these guys and tell them what they are doing right and not always what they suck at. Players seems to like that and respond well to it. Let’s see what Roy can do with these guys before we throw in the fucking towel, eh?

 

[dmishra]

[quote author=Asbo link=topic=41570.msg1160971#msg1160971 date=1282657732]
Fucking hell, we are Liverpool.

THIS Sqad got us 2nd

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
30 Charles Itandje Goalkeeper
40 David Martin Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
17 Ãlvaro Arbeloa Defender
12 Fábio Aurélio Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Andrea Dossena Defender
3 Steve Finnan Defender
4 Sami Hyypia Defender
22 Emiliano Insúa Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
14 Xabi Alonso Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
15 Yossi Benayoun Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
16 Jermaine Pennant Midfielder
28 Damien Plessis Midfielder
11 Albert Riera Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
31 Nabil El Zhar Striker
7 Robbie Keane Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker
10 Andriy Voronin Striker

This Squad CAN'T be 4 places worse??

1 Diego Cavalieri Goalkeeper
42 Peter Gulacsi Goalkeeper
1 Brad Jones Goalkeeper
25 Jose Reina Goalkeeper
5 Daniel Agger Defender
6 Fábio Aurélio Defender
40 Daniel Ayala Defender
23 Jamie Carragher Defender
32 Stephen Darby Defender
27 Philipp Degen Defender
2 Glen Johnson Defender
34 Martin Kelly Defender
16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos Defender
37 Martin Skrtel Defender
22 Danny Wilson Defender
46 David Amoo Midfielder
4 Alberto Aquilani Midfielder
19 Ryan Babel Midfielder
10 Joe Cole Midfielder
39 Nathan Eccleston Midfielder
8 Steven Gerrard Midfielder
45 Thomas Ince Midfielder
21 Lucas Leiva Midfielder
20 Javier Mascherano Midfielder
12 Dani Pacheco Midfielder
28 Christian Poulsen Midfielder
17 Maxi Rodriguez Midfielder
33 Jonjo Shelvey Midfielder
26 Jay Spearing Midfielder
38 Lauri Dalla Valle Striker
14 Milan Jovanovi? Striker
18 Dirk Kuyt Striker
24 David N'Gog Striker
9 Fernando Torres Striker

[/quote]

Ha. It is four places worse. Perhaps even more. Give me Alonso and Mascherano this season and we'll walk into the top 4.

 

[tombrown]

We'll win the league

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=StevieM link=topic=41570.msg1161003#msg1161003 date=1282658537]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=41570.msg1160993#msg1160993 date=1282658242]
Disagree. Citeh are the only ones who've significantly improved their squad.
[/quote]

Nonsense Jules... Spurs have improved over the last 2 seasons, Arsenal have improved. I'd argue that at least Birmingham & Everton are better then 2 years ago.

Chelsea & Man Ure are certainly no worse... we're not as good as 2 years ago... simple as.

The only other team I'd say is suffering like us is Villa.
[/quote]

Over the last two seasons, yes. I read your original post as implying "improved over the summer" and I stand by what I said in that respect.

Stu, great post 3 up from this one. Agree with every word.

 

[KopPoNok]

A top 4 finish is our best hope this season, but will be very difficult if we don't see any new addition by this time next week.

 

[Home and A Gay]

We will be in and around Spurs fighting for 5th place.
If we can get 4th place it will be ahead of Arsenal thats if they get a shit load of injuries and don't sign aa keeper.

 

[Squiggles]

Problem is, City Spurs and Arsenal have better squads than we do, which is why we'll probably finish below them.

Fourth really would be a miracle. Christ, how depressing is that?

 

[Halmeister]

I hoped for fourth, and was quite optimistic for that. Now, not just because of the Man City result, but because of how the transfer window has panned out, I think we'll finish below that.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41570.msg1160946#msg1160946 date=1282656645]
My target before last night was 4th place.

Judging how poor our team is, and how it relies heavily on a (nowhere near fit) Torres and Gerrard, I sadly think 6th place should now be a target. At least then we can have a chance to play in Europe.
[/quote]

That's rubbish. 4th is easily the target. 1 result is not doomsday.

Utd drew and were outplayed by Fulham for God's sake.