This season and Next...

[SpurSince57]

None of our current squad, or no-one that seriously matters. But we will be buying internationals, so some key new players may miss out on preparation.

 

[Marty]

But would they really miss much preparation if the finals end on July 7th (or whatever) and their team has probably been knocked out before then?

Anyway, back to the q

I would've taken a cup this year, but only really as a consolation for not doing our job in the league.

Next year we must sustain a proper top 4 challenge, which I believe we will.

 

[guy]

top ten finish is vital this year IMO, and eeh uefa cup would make it a great season.

Next season i have two trains of thought: my head says i would rather we didnt win a cup and got 4th in the league. But my heart says id rather come 5th or 6th and win another cup (preferably the fa cup)

 

[nightgoat]

Slavia? Besiktas? Artmedia? Any number of other so-so sides we might as easily meet in the UEFA Cup?

We already play four of the biggest sides in Europe twice a season at least as it is. You're basically talking Real, Barca, Inter, Milan, Bayern and Lyon in addition. Let's not kid ourselves; the CL is less about glory than massive quantities of dosh.

Who we may end up playing in the UEFA this season anyway...

 

[Don_Felipe]

We seem to be progressing... I don't think we've had a season where we've gone backwards since BMJ came to the club... shame about the league postion - I don't think anyone could think the club dealt with the change of management well... but it does look like progress. Also our summer signings seemed (and still seem, to be honest) a little strange - but nothing that £20m in January couldn't fix.... So I think that we're coming out of the season stronger than when we went into it....

Levy has his critics, myself included, but it does seem that the people at the top of the club genuinely want it to be successful and one of the biggest in the country (even if that is so that can sell it for mega-bucks when they manage it). During the Sugar years one wondered if our goal was anywhere above 10th place...

The only problem is that in the last year some other clubs around us have also made progress - Everton are really looking good, Man City are tailing off, but they've got potential for next season. Blackburn have also dipped recently, but they will looking to finish around us next year....

We do need to make sure that we spend wisely in the summer... and that the club give Ramos the freedom he needs to bring in players, they appeared to in Jan, lets hope they do again...

A question - when is the last time we qualified for the UEFA for three seasons running?

 

[SpurSince57]

81-82 to 84-85. Before that, 71-72 to 73-74.

Who we may end up playing in the UEFA this season anyway...

Yes. And Juve supporters will be distraught that I haven't added them to that list of 'big boys'.