Where is acceptable to finish?

[Mortimer's Bear]

12th to 15th with anything above that being a bonus.  We're still short on quality and I don't think they'll be any whipping boys in the division either this year.

It's our approach to games that i'm hoping will make the difference and PL settling into the job with this squad.  I still think it'll be a long season though.

I've pretty much given up on the FA Cup these days.

Haven't you heard, it's definitely our year...

[rob_bridge]

We can finish anywhere between 10th and 17th, largely dependent on others. My punt is we will finish 13th on 47 points and next season we will do better.

We still have 3 Monster Hangovers to overcome - Spineless MON and his wagesbusters, Inspector Clueless cluelessness and management from the past and the TSM utter out of his depth/deluded/ineptitude to completely deal with. That is at least another 18 months.

That's a lot of work

[Eckybloke]

Like many, I think the majority of the points will come in the second half of the season.

I've picked 12-15th but I think it'll be quite hairy until March-ish.  Just so long as there are enough signs of encouragement that those who feel the need to get on the team's back are placated until then we'll be fine.

[robbo1874]

12th to 15th with anything above that being a bonus.  We're still short on quality and I don't think they'll be any whipping boys in the division either this year.

It's our approach to games that i'm hoping will make the difference and PL settling into the job with this squad.  I still think it'll be a long season though.

I've pretty much given up on the FA Cup these days.

Haven't you heard, it's definitely our year...

Didn't we get to the semi final a few seasons back...?

[villajk]

Was asked this question last night.  I said 14th and I'm sticking with that.

[not3bad]

I'd like to say there were at least 3 teams I could point at that I could say with certainty aren't as good as Villa, but I don't think I can.  On the other hand I don't know this Villa team any more.  Lots of uncertainty.  With that in mind I'll just take staying up this year.

[pauliewalnuts]

I honestly don't know.

I like the strategy of buying decent young players from the lower leagues, but I don't think we have anything like enough proven quality in the squad. Promise is great, but we needed more quality right now.

I worry that PL has got the balance wrong in that respect. I also wonder - and I know it sounds mental - if he's realised just how piss poor we were last year, and just how much work was needing to be done and underestimated it.

Our squad is without a doubt one of the weakest in the league. Quite possibly one of the three weakest, and on that basis, we can expect to consider ourselves happy to stay up.

[JD]

Above the three below us will be fine

I will be happy (ish) with 12th - 15th, as long as we start winning at home.

Totally agree with this, win some home games and finish comfortable mid table

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't see finishing, say, 9th versus finishing 14th as the important thing.

For me, it's much more important that we develop in the way we play football, and show that we're starting to make progress in attempting to play it the right way.

[ozzjim]

I honestly don't know.

I like the strategy of buying decent young players from the lower leagues, but I don't think we have anything like enough proven quality in the squad. Promise is great, but we needed more quality right now.

I worry that PL has got the balance wrong in that respect. I also wonder - and I know it sounds mental - if he's realised just how piss poor we were last year, and just how much work was needing to be done and underestimated it.

Our squad is without a doubt one of the weakest in the league. Quite possibly one of the three weakest, and on that basis, we can expect to consider ourselves happy to stay up.

How weak we are is completely dependent on how much Lambert feels he can get out of Ireland, Dunne, Agbonlahor, Albrighton and NZogbia. Gets anything close to the best from Gabby, Ireland and Charles in the coming months, and we will be nowhere near it. Doesn't and it will be tough.

[pauliewalnuts]

How weak we are is completely dependent on how much Lambert feels he can get out of Ireland, Dunne, Agbonlahor, Albrighton and NZogbia. Gets anything close to the best from Gabby, Ireland and Charles in the coming months, and we will be nowhere near it. Doesn't and it will be tough.

I agree, but if we're relying on getting anything like the best out of Ireland, N'Zogbia, Albrighton and Dunne for any length of time, we're taking a big risk.

[ozzjim]

We are I agree, but then Ireland has been on an upward trajectory for a while now and I reckon it is a matter of time until Lambert works out exactly how to use him. Gabby is due a good season, looked good in pre season and I think Lambert will get the best from him. NZogbia is the worry there for me simply because even looking more interested he looks like a complete bag of spanner, Dunne will perform well in a battle as we know when he came back half fit last season and was like a rock for much of the game, the odd error yes, but that is Dunne. Overall there are not many better when he hits form and has a cause. Albrighton if given real confidence could be a big plus, especially if he finds his crossing ability. 

[Whiney MacWhineface]

I think many will have to re-visit this thread at a few points during the season. With 68% of us (including me) saying that a bottom half finish is acceptable, I reckon that there's every chance that we'll be in the bottom three or close to it at various points (err, rather like now) so we need to refrain from howling like loons for his head, and give him the time to fettle and adjust.

[russon]

Avoiding relegation with the current squad will be a result indeed. A poisoned chalice has been handed to Lambert and we should all be grateful if keeps us up.

[eastie]

Take out the top 6 and the rest are nothing special.
I think it's possible to finish 8th but more likely we finish 10th to 12th, we will improve as the season goes along and mid table will be respectable this season.