The race for 6th

[IFWaters]

Maybe a tad optimistic but what the hell after 7 points from the last 9, we can but dream. 
Achieving 6th would be a remarkable result given what happened earlier this season but I think its what the team should aim for.

I would see us in a race with Sunderland, Liverpool and Everton. I dont think Newcastle, Bolton etc will stay the distance.

At the moment Sunderland are in the driving seat with 37 points from 24 games but they have 4 games against the top 5 and 2 away to Pool and Everton.

Liverpool have 29 points from 23, 5 games against the top 5 and 2 away against the pack (us included , last game of season)

We have 28 from 24, only 2 games left against the top 5 and 1 Home vs Pool, 1 away v everton

Everton have 27 from 23 games, 4 against the top 5 and 2 home vs us and Sunderland

I would estimate that 58 points will be enough for 6th this year, meaning we need 30 - 9 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses - am I mad ?

[The Situation]

To end up in 6th after our, well... 'interesting' season so far would be pretty incredible. Has a team ever been in the bottom 3 and finished in 6th position at the end of the season?

Hopefully we can make the top 8.

[Lee]

I said that I would be happy with 10th or above this season, due to the way incidents manifested themselves. So anything above that is a bonus.

Gregory did something similar in his initial season, so lets just go for it

[ADVILLAFAN]

I am kind of hoping for an Everton style 2nd half to the season.

It's not impossible that we could finish 6th, but we need to just concentrate on each game as it comes.

[TimTheVillain]

When you look at Blackburn with 3 more points than us and in 7th place - 7th or maybe 8th should be our objective.

[Monty]

To end up in 6th after our, well... 'interesting' season so far would be pretty incredible. Has a team ever been in the bottom 3 and finished in 6th position at the end of the season?

Hopefully we can make the top 8.

We did it, under DOL.

I too would be happy with top 8. Our fixtures ar easily the best, though.

[UK Redsox]

Mid-table mediocrity will do for this season

[eastie]

3 points off 7th now and if arsenal win league cup then 7th could qualify for Europe if fa cup is won by a top 4 team , let's aim high and see where we get!

[Concrete John]

If the four sides below us all win their games in hand we're back down to 18th.

Don't want to come across as pessimistic, but I think we still need to pay more attention to what's below us than what's above.

[luke25]

Personally think we'll finish 7th, would be more than happy with that after the first half of the season

[l_mckay]

id settle for 12th or above after the start we had. Hopefully im rong though and we go on a good run to the end of the season and maybe sneak into 6th or 7th place!

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I wondered how long it would take an optimist to mention this.

Let's just keep winning as much as possible and let GH get his style of play across to all members of the squad. I think that's the important thing from now until the end of the season. GH preparing his team for next season.

[Arsey]

Nothing like getting carried away....

Sunderland will struggle to maintain their points ratio, they haven't replaced Bent, leaving them with Gyan as their only fit striker.

[Legion]

6th? Pah! Where's your ambition? Champions League here we come.

[garyshawsknee]

Don't temp fate! I'd take 10 th to be honest.