Said I'd revisit - excuse the delay Kev, as I have had a mad few days. Groomsman at a Halloween Wedding, a Conference with a hangover, Conservation Work for 6 hours, then work yesterday, Conservation meeting last night, work today - on and on she spins.

Originally Posted by
Kev0909
Can't believe i'm even reading that, if we look like we can finish 4th? Champions last season 470m spent over 200m on 2 players
and the aim to go from top...... and defending the title this season
to if we look like we can finish 4th ????????????????????????? arsenal the only teams that's been consistent.... yet you're happy with 4th
jesus christ, fsg loves you.
I didn't say I'd be "happy" with 4th at all in fairness - what I did say was - "If we look like we can finish 4th (or ideally higher) and get to feature in the knockout stages of the Champion's League then I'd take it, given the injuries, Jota situation, minor overhaul with signings in key positions etc etc"
It's not about being happy with 4th, it's about consolidating our presence in the Champion's League, within the context of our start. It's all very well to say we should be aiming higher given our spend in the Summer and I understand you feeling that way - I certainly felt we could be winning a title this season - but 10 games into the League and we have lost 4 games, conceding 14 times, whilst Arsenal have only conceded 3 goals in 10 League matches. We're one weekend of bad results away from being 10 points adrift after 11 matches. It's simply about assessing our current chances. That can of course change if we go on a run and needless to say that I sincerely hope we do, though I feel with the integration of the new players we may be more ready for a title challenge in 26/27 and not 25/26 - though I'd love to see us get a 21st title this season!

Originally Posted by
Kev0909
I don't think FSG thought this season would be a waste of time, and using "team has to get use to each other" line as a excuse for a shite season, though, and considering everything 4th would be a shocking season still.
I feel there's a myriad of smaller factors, not just one singular one. See the OP - we've faced a number of challenges this season and the incredible heartbreak of losing Diogo will hang over the players for a while. You yourself felt you might be away from the forum for a year or so on the back of it and you're not in the dressing room and you won't have been alone in taking the situation hard - thousands did. A number of our players will be suffering still and will continue to do so, amongst some of the other factors I mentioned. That can impact a season and goes beyond net spend or recruitment etc.
I agree that FSG/Hughes/Edwards looked at this season and next (tied Salah and Van Dijk to 2 more years) coupled with additions as a perfect chance to compete for (and ideally win) one of the "elite" trophies (League and Champion's League) in 25/26 and 26/27 whilst bringing through a new generation of talent. It hasn't got off to the start anyone would have hoped. Time will yet tell. I think we'll look better next season than this, but let's see![/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by
Kev0909
Or what, we're back at just hoping we qualify for the champions league year in, year out and get knocked out soon as we play a top team because we're not a top team now ? top teams don't aim for 4th place, well that downfall happened fast, what a summer lads
No, absolutely not - and I haven't said so. It's just a current assessment of where we are at, right now. Reeling in Arsenal from this position will be tricky, given their excellent start and our having lost 4 already. The sides who finished first and second last season lost 4 times total in the League with the sides finishing third and fourth losing 9 times total in the League. It's just a dose of realism about our projected finish after a poor start, not some negative, woe-is-us acceptance that we are lower in the footballing Pyramid than what we actually are. We'll absolutely be incredibly competitive again, but I just don't see a League win this season. I don't think that is "lowering expectations" or anything - it's just a comment about one competition in one season - I still think we can go very deep in the Champion's League this time around if we can get everything to gel before February and do enough to qualify, but I don't anticipate us being next-to-perfect in the League, this season at least.

Originally Posted by
Kev0909
Going to do a miller and have a cry, going to give the forum a break to much shite on here nowadays now we're not winning every week, and stroppy teenagers because someone made a thread instead of them.
It's bloody depressing on here.
As I said in the other thread, I don't see miller as having had a hissy fit in fairness - came across as a very casual "ach, can't really be arsed this time lads" to me. I don't see any strop at all - some hyperbole here and there on here, but not so much in the way of strop.
Anyway, enough noise, let's enjoy the game!
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