Whose Top 4 Place Will we Take Next Season?

If I was to pick between Liverpool and Arsenal, I'd honestly pick the Gooners to fall out. However, if Liverpool lose Suarez, it's a different story altogether.

Both will be hard to knock out though. It's going to be a tough season.
 
Depends on who you sign. I think City and Chelsea are pretty much guaranteed a top 4 place. The rest are up for grabs between Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Liverpool and yourselves with the slim possibility of a surprise team mounting a challenge like Southampton. Liverpool's place is the most precarious I'd have said. I'm expecting you to retain top four in that instance, at the expense of Liverpool.
 
Shinjisan said:
Everyone knows it isn't football manager. Why do you think 5th? Why not 7th or lower?

"5th place for me.I have seen no evidence to suggest otherwise." - is a nonsensical statement.

We are losing 3 players - One of whom was a bit part player, another one was past his best, and the loss of Vidic can be overcome by a good CB signing.

We don't need 8 players? Who told you that? We still have a good base of players in De Gea, Rafael, Evra, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Carrick, Januzaj, Valencia, Rooney, Mata and Van Persie. Some of them are world class. What we need is injection of quality in certain areas. Addition of 3 or 4 players in the first team is very different from overhauling the complete first XI. And we can manage to ease them in due to the available quality. It may be too much for a title challenge, but top 4 can be done fairly easily with the right manager.
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You underestimate those players leaving. Its not all about how good they were in terms of performances, but the experience they bring being on the pitch. The loss of Vidic will not be overcome by signing a good centre back, same with Rio and Giggs.

The squad is a good one, its top four material with Mata, RVP Rooney and DDG, but theres work to be done particuarly in defence where theres no top quality. Having said that, a top manager can turn what looks like an average defence under one manager to a brilliant one under another(Jose this season). Difference is that LVG is not that kind of manager, so I can see the defence being a problem unless it is addressed.
 
I think we will take Arsenals place. I think they've been flirting with dropping out of the top four for the last couple of seasons and I think next season they will fail. However, I would be very happy to see Liverpool miss out. Actually, if we win the title I would love to win it at Anfield. It would be bloody hilarious.
 
If Arsenal don't buy a proven goalscorer they'll be out of the top 4 IMO.
They don't play well against the bigger teams, plus every year key players get injured- they need someone who is capable of scoring 20-25 goals, plus Giroud scoring 15-20. I'd be surprised if Arsene doesn't spend, based on paying money for Ozil, and winning the FA Cup plus his speech at their victory parade.
If they spend they'll get 3rd.

Liverpool just had their best opportunity to win the league and their fans know it.
They'll claim that they can come back stronger and they're back to being CL regulars, but I just don't buy it
Their defence is dodgy, they've had the rub of the green all season long. Plus every other team in the top 4 went through a sustained drop in form. And that's not even talking about our lack of performances either.
When the pressure was cranked up and expectations were high they fell short.
Now next season they will be expected to do so much more right from the start, you compare that to this season where nobody looked twice at their chances until Christmas - that allowed them to secure points early on playing Saturday-Saturday.
I think they're the most likely to fall short, they won't be seen as the underdogs any more and teans like United, Arsenal and Spurs won't let them win so easily.
They'll be 5th.

In regards to us, we're not a 7th placed team, we don't have the best squad but 7th isn't reflective of our quality either. Assuming we buy no one new LVG has the qualities to bring us to 5th, Spurs and Everton don't have a great amount of depth to maintain Europa, domestic cups and to be able to beat us in the long run.
However, we will spend. If any of the rumours are to be believed were targeting the right players and if we were to get three of them then we will get top 4, make no question.
No Europa will allow the team to adjust to LVG's style of play. Gives us more flexibility in regards to injuries and also build squad harmony. The likes of RVP, Rooney, Mata, Kagawa, Januzaj, Welbeck and any new signings can all build on their link up play and learn the types of runs each other prefer to make.
Plus everyone is going to want to impress. It's a fresh start for everyone, we'll likely be culling a large amount of deadwood, bringing in new players plus the current team who do not get sold have a new opportunity to claim their place in the first XI.
It's weird but we'll be in a great position. 4th is likely, 2nd and 3rd are also attainable.

As we've seen the league is too predictable, I don't even think City and Chelsea are certain to be top 2, we won't have an idea until the end of the transfer window.
 
Liverpool for 3 reasons.

1) the usual european matches issue which links in to the next points. They wont be Able to concentrate on Just the league so much and playing their first choice 11 every match.

2) their squad size isn't big enough. On the flip side, they will likely add to their side, disrupting what has been a harmonious side this year because of being able to play same 11. They were a team much much greater than the sum of their parts this year.

3) and perhaps the biggest issue they have next year- being the team to beat. Last year they crept under the RADAR until after xmas. Next year expect more of the smaller sides to treat them the same way chelsea did. Also, expect more of the top four to treat them the same way, dont think we'll have arsenal making the same mistake they did this year.

Of course, this is IF we replace anyone in top four. Liverpool are the weakest link in top four. I just think arse have too much about them, esp if they get a hold of their injuries, if they do they are a much better side than liverpool.

Of course, liverpool could make some brilliant signings and actually improve, but they just dont (this year) have the funds to compete with us and other top 4 teams in terms of wages. (Be interesting if they sell suareaz how much they get for him though)
 
As good as Liverpool were this year I don't think it's conclusive that they are now firmly back in the top 4. As bad as United were this year it's not conclusive that they are firmly out of the top 4. 2013-14 may well be a 'freak' season.

One day Arsenal will miss out though. I'm not convinced they'll be going out and buying all these great players because every single year all I've heard is "if they get a new striker they'll be favourites". I'm still waiting.
 
Im gonna get slaughtered for this but I think it may be City. If Yaya goes and their squad limitations in the CL and spending limitations effect them alot they will have to make do with second string siginings. I could see an almighty crash from them. Well its wishful thinking (one im silently hopeful of) realistically it will be Liverpool missing out.

As for Arsenal, they are probably about 2-3 top players away from challenging again. People are quick top forget that for most of the season they were bossing the table then obviously they had an implosion of injuries and a failure to reinforce in the summer. Id put them as dark horses in the title race.

I would be surprised to see Chelsea finish 2nd or 3rd again, I sincerely think that Costa will do nothing for them goal wise unless Jose improves the system dramatically. Considering they may (as much as it is unlikely) lose Hazard they wont have the same flair of this season or indeed of last season. As usual however they will be extremely strong just lacking that final push.

Liverpool will do well, but im thinking 5th is most likely for them, I simply cant see Suarez staying, hell get his dream move to Madrid or Barca.
 
SolidState said:
Im gonna get slaughtered for this but I think it may be City. If Yaya goes and their squad limitations in the CL and spending limitations effect them alot they will have to make do with second string siginings. I could see an almighty crash from them. Well its wishful thinking (one im silently hopeful of) realistically it will be Liverpool missing out.

As for Arsenal, they are probably about 2-3 top players away from challenging again. People are quick top forget that for most of the season they were bossing the table then obviously they had an implosion of injuries and a failure to reinforce in the summer. Id put them as dark horses in the title race.

I would be surprised to see Chelsea finish 2nd or 3rd again, I sincerely think that Costa will do nothing for them goal wise unless Jose improves the system dramatically. Considering they may (as much as it is unlikely) lose Hazard they wont have the same flair of this season or indeed of last season. As usual however they will be extremely strong just lacking that final push.

Liverpool will do well, but im thinking 5th is most likely for them, I simply cant see Suarez staying, hell get his dream move to Madrid or Barca.
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Im confused, you say we wont finish 2nd or 3rd then claim we wont win the title, are you seriously suggesting we, under Jose might finish 4th or lower? :wenger: you also say City wont finish top four and Liverpool 5th, so the top four will be

Arsenal
United
?
Chelsea

I dare you to put a bet on it :p
 
I'm not convinced by Liverpool or Rodgers, especially when you look at their naivety in the run in. As Pulis said, they play the numbers game, 'you'll score 2 we'll score 3'. It's Keegan-esque and their defence is diabolical. It may have worked for a season, but as the old saying goes: fool me once...

Chelsea will be there as will City. Arsenal's position really depends on what Tottenham do and as Levy still appears to be someone who wants to sell his best players and demand CL football I can't see them making much of a difference. Then there'll be the likes of Everton who'll be within 3 points with 8 games to go then invariably feck it up.

I think top 4 could be out of Arsenal, Chelsea, City, United, but not in that order.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
Im confused, you say we wont finish 2nd or 3rd then claim we wont win the title, are you seriously suggesting we, under Jose might finish 4th or lower? :wenger: you also say City wont finish top four and Liverpool 5th, so the top four will be

Arsenal
United
?
Chelsea

I dare you to put a bet on it :p
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HAHAHAHHA I just read it back and indeed it makes no sense.....

What I meant was

Arsenal/United
Chelsea
City
Liverpool

Although I could see City slip out of the top 4 because of the mess they are in with players throwing toys out of the pram and FFP it makes for messy reading.

I think Arsenal will kick on and sign some top players which will make them outside contenders for the Prem.

Chelsea will be strong as usual but I cant see them really clicking, its Jose though so alot can change.

As usual though all eyes will be on us.
 
SolidState said:
Im gonna get slaughtered for this but I think it may be City. If Yaya goes and their squad limitations in the CL and spending limitations effect them alot they will have to make do with second string siginings. I could see an almighty crash from them. Well its wishful thinking (one im silently hopeful of) realistically it will be Liverpool missing out.
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I agree, this is why I said it's by no means certain that City and Chelsea will be top 2

We've yet to see how FFP is going to limit City's spending, and they still need a capable CB, plus if they are shipping out a large number of their British players then their squad will begin to look awfully thin in some areas, particularly defence.
If Yaya does leave it will be a massive loss - you're losing 20 odd goals, 15 odd assists, plus his defensive work. Fernandinho and Garcia in the centre just wont have that same edge to it.
Aguero is starting to pick up small injuries here and there, Negredo's form has been questionable for a few months now also.

Their team is reliant on Kompany, Toure, Silva and Aguero thats their spine. If they dont get in a new CB any injury to Kompany will expose them. If Toure goes their midfield wont be as effective. Silva is pretty consistent barring any injuries. And Aguero is picking up sick notes more regularly recently.

I can honestly see them finishing 3rd if Toure leaves and they dont get in a good CB replacement.
 
Needham said:
If Rodgers makes the signings he wants to, we shouldn't be quite so presumptuous about finishing above Liverpool.
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Agreed, it's going to be tough to get back into the top 4. Everyone seems to be dismissing Liverpool because I think it's a case of who we would rather see drop out of the top 4.
 
PSingh said:
Agreed, it's going to be tough to get back into the top 4. Everyone seems to be dismissing Liverpool because I think it's a case of who we would rather see drop out of the top 4.
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It's more to do with their lack of squad depth, additional burden of CL games with associated travelling, possible injuries, recovery time before the next league game etc. Plus as others have said, they're no longer the surprise package. Teams will be more circumspect against them and they will find it much harder to score goals.
 
Rednotdead said:
It's more to do with their lack of squad depth, additional burden of CL games with associated travelling, possible injuries, recovery time before the next league game etc. Plus as others have said, they're no longer the surprise package. Teams will be more circumspect against them and they will find it much harder to score goals.
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If they make the signings they need then I don't think we can dismiss them straight away. As for the point about finding it harder to score goals- that could be said about any team in the league.
 
PSingh said:
If they make the signings they need then I don't think we can dismiss them straight away. As for the point about finding it harder to score goals- that could be said about any team in the league.
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No it couldn't - they were a surprise package last season but next season teams will have worked out a strategy to combat how they play. They'll find it a lot harder.
 
Le petit Arse. Or Liverpool in the remote event that Suarez leaves.
 
Rednotdead said:
No it couldn't - they were a surprise package last season but next season teams will have worked out a strategy to combat how they play. They'll find it a lot harder.
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Completely disagree with that. They have one of the best attacks in the league, the problems they have are in their defence. So in terms of scoring goals I don't think they'll struggle.
 
Very difficult to get back in, in my view - there's just so much competition at the top of the league right now.

City and Chelsea are basically guaranteed because of how much money their owners have put in over the years, and it remains to be seen if FFP will actually genuinely put the brakes on this summer. Both teams are at their prime (despite Jose's nonsense last season) with some clear aspects to improve on, to add to solid teams. They won't miss out on the top four.

Wenger staying at Arsenal means they'll be top 4. Similar to us with Sir Alex, he raises them to a certain level just by being their manager.

Everything seems to be going Liverpool's way (bar Gerrard's ability to stay stood-up of course) - I expect them to continue surging forward, with Suarez staying for a long while yet. They'll be top four, but if one were to miss-out then they'd be the obvious candidates since they've only just got up there again.

Objectively you'd have to say we'd be on the outside looking in - we've seen how bad we are without Sir Alex, and can't expect LvG to change things overnight. The recent investment in the squad has been very poor (not just the amount of money spent, but how it has been spent) and we're now in the unforgivable position of needing to make a lot of changes in numerous areas all at once. I think LvG will get us there eventually, but he's got work to do.
 
As of now, really can't make any prediction as transfer activity has been slow. But let say if the transfer rumors are accurate, I will propose the following:

1) Chelsea
2) City
3) United
4) Arsenal

Here are the reasons why I think it will be this way.

Chelsea - Let say Jose is getting rid of Hazard and David Luiz, the quality of the squad will drop definitely. However, we all know that Chelsea transfer are always strong and more often than not, they get who they want(not Rooney of course). When Jose says they will not win anything last season, nobody wants to believe him except the Russian boss. Hence, he has a plan as always and I believe Roman would want the league by next season which i feel Jose has already gotten a plan to achieve.

City - As much as Yaya's future is uncertain, they still have a strong squad to begin with. They too will be strong in the transfer market. Although FFP will restrict them, they actually do not need much addition to the squad to finish top 2. Milner eagerness to leave does not affect the team much as Jesus Navas had been outstanding.

United - Most unpredictable but definitely not uncertain that we will finish in the top 4 as lots of players leaving and hopefully a handful coming in. With LVG coming in to instill confidence/arrogance back to the team with 'total football', we will actually be competing at the front four and even without much addition, we have promising youngsters coming through the ranks. Our players have been under performing for last season but with LVG no nonsense attitude, I truly believe he can bring the best out of the players even Cleverley and Fellaini. Considering we have one of the best GK and strikeforce, an abundance of creative playmakers, and wingers who are good but just lack of consistency which LVG will address definitely, I believe 3rd will not be a tall order for United.

Arsenal - Our of the past 9 seasons, they finished fourth 6 times, and third 3 times. Wenger's philosophy of fourth has been indisputable. No one is a better master of fourth than arsenal, maybe Spurs got it twice in the past 5 years but is nowhere near comparable to Arsenal. No matter how good or how bad the squad is, how much games they have to play in a season, they will get the fourth more often than not. If there is a new rule that teams in 4th position will win the league instead of first, I think our 20 times will be threaten by Arsenal instead of any other teams.
 
I'd guess Liverpool. Their squad will be stretched thin with the CL and will struggle far more next season as a result.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
You underestimate those players leaving. Its not all about how good they were in terms of performances, but the experience they bring being on the pitch. The loss of Vidic will not be overcome by signing a good centre back, same with Rio and Giggs.

The squad is a good one, its top four material with Mata, RVP Rooney and DDG, but theres work to be done particuarly in defence where theres no top quality. Having said that, a top manager can turn what looks like an average defence under one manager to a brilliant one under another(Jose this season). Difference is that LVG is not that kind of manager, so I can see the defence being a problem unless it is addressed.
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No, I am not. My first comment in the thread was:

If we do, it would most likely be Liverpool's.
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Losing Rio at this stage is like Cashley leaving Chelsea, but older and with inability to play more than one game in two weeks. Vidic hasn't been the same since his knee injury. He has found the pace of this league a lot harder to adjust to since his comeback. Giggs has been used as a bit part player in the last 2 years. Also, he is still here with us in his managerial capacity.

I do not concur with your second paragraph, especially the part where you say that there is no top quality. The injury record more than the quality of Evans, Jones, Smalling and Rafael is in question. Nothing that cannot be overcome with a new CB and a back up RB.

A Chelsea fan should know that jumping from 6th or 7th to top 4 can be done with a half decent manager and sound investment. You guys did it a couple of years back with half terms each of "Only one Di Matteo" and one of the most hated manager in Chelsea's history.

Can you please elaborate on what kind of manager is LvG? Serious question.
 
Shinjisan said:
No, I am not. My first comment in the thread was:



Losing Rio at this stage is like Cashley leaving Chelsea, but older and with inability to play more than one game in two weeks. Vidic hasn't been the same since his knee injury. He has found the pace of this league a lot harder to adjust to since his comeback. Giggs has been used as a bit part player in the last 2 years. Also, he is still here with us in his managerial capacity.

I do not concur with your second paragraph, especially the part where you say that there is no top quality. The injury record more than the quality of Evans, Jones, Smalling and Rafael is in question. Nothing that cannot be overcome with a new CB and a back up RB.

A Chelsea fan should know that jumping from 6th or 7th to top 4 can be done with a half decent manager and sound investment. You guys did it a couple of years back with half terms each of "Only one Di Matteo" and one of the most hated manager in Chelsea's history.

Can you please elaborate on what kind of manager is LvG? Serious question.
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Hes not an ultra defensive coach whos going to play games like a game of chess, its better for the neutral but its not going to make an average defence look superb.
 
It depends on the signings Arsenal and indeed Liverpool make, but if we were to make it back into the top four I'd roll with us being more likely to take Liverpool's slot.
 
If Arsenal don't spend much this summer, then they'll be incredibly vulnerable. If they do and it clicks for them then I think Liverpool will start slowly next season (hangover from this season, it's amazing how hard it can be for teams to shake it off) and they might be playing catch-up from an early stage.
 
Liverpool because:

City will spend again, and will get rid of a number of bit part players. They will be stronger next year IMO.

Chelsea, will address the striker issue and will phase out the older players. They will be stronger too IMO.

Arsenal squad is small, but if Ramsey had not had his injury, I think they would have been closer than they ended up. I expect them to buy so will be stronger.

Liverpool, will probably buy, however, I think they played above themselves this year because of not being in Europe and exiting the cups early. I expect them to fall short and challenge for 5th with Spurs, Everton will fall away.
 
We are absolutely not guaranteed 4th place next season. Lot of deluded people in here that think our squad is title winning quality. Not a quick fix here. We've to beat out two billionaire teams, not going to happen, the form side of the last 8 months and Arsenal, who out of the 4 mentioned are most likely to drop, but for all the years we've been saying this, people look like idiots year after year after year. They're good at getting top four
 
Crashoutcassius said:
We are absolutely not guaranteed 4th place next season. Lot of deluded people in here that think our squad is title winning quality. Not a quick fix here. We've to beat out two billionaire teams, not going to happen, the form side of the last 8 months and Arsenal, who out of the 4 mentioned are most likely to drop, but for all the years we've been saying this, people look like idiots year after year after year. They're good at getting top four
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We should have no problem securing a CL spot. I am willing to go on record in saying that the CL spot will be secured by the beginning of March.
 
Impossible to prove, but I'm pretty sure a top manager would have got us top 4 last season. You don't have to have a good record against the top teams to do that, and you can count many examples of points frittered away against poor teams. We let leads slip in the 90th + minute 3 times alone.

With all our rivals in the 6 places above having Europe, how can that not be an advantage to us? Even in Fergie's days we'd often play sh!T at the weekend after a game.

Would feel a lot more secure if we buy some top players though. I know we're only in May still, but things don't seem to be going too much to plan. Can we presume Shaw is a done deal? Even doubt has crept in there now.
 
This is a massive summer for Liverpool and the answer to the OPs question depends on their signings. Unless they can build a squad in one transfer window then I think they'll struggle with the extra European fixtures and their PL results will suffer.
If they pull off a fantastic summer of transfers, keep Suarez, build a squad, then Arsenal will drop out.

If I had to put money on it now, I'd put money on Liverpool.
 
Never thought I'd say this but I actually agree with alastair. Plenty of chance we'll take time to get used to Van Gaal and we badly need a centre mid or two who is capable of competing at the very top level.
 
Unless we buy at least one class CM, we won't be in the top 4 come end of next season. Don't know how on earth folk have the brass neck to discuss who the hell we may replace in the top 4.
We have no divine right to be in there and I don't think we will unless the squad is improved in at least 2 areas.
 
It'll be either Liverpool's or Arsenal's depending who out of those two do better job over the summer. If Sagna goes than Arsenal needs at least two new good players(RB and striker). Liverpool will maybe need few better backups in the defence or even one top class defender in back four(their first options aren't great either), and could do with backup winger(?). It will be interesting if Liverpool will sell anyone.
 
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