Well we don't exist in a vacuum. We were in the Championship 3 years ago, so bridging the gap to top 4 is going to take longer than 4 seasons. Man City and Liverpool are light years ahead of everybody and so then you've got to try to finish ahead of Spurs and Chelsea. Chelsea have finished in the top 4 for 17 out of the last 20 years, and Spurs with their formidable forward line, 5 times in 7 years. We're improved a lot but still have too many regulars who aren't top 6 quality (Watkins, Mings, McGinn etc).
Quote from: Risso on July 19, 2022, 02:24:55 PMWell we don't exist in a vacuum. We were in the Championship 3 years ago, so bridging the gap to top 4 is going to take longer than 4 seasons. Man City and Liverpool are light years ahead of everybody and so then you've got to try to finish ahead of Spurs and Chelsea. Chelsea have finished in the top 4 for 17 out of the last 20 years, and Spurs with their formidable forward line, 5 times in 7 years. We're improved a lot but still have too many regulars who aren't top 6 quality (Watkins, Mings, McGinn etc).And Spurs have done some fantastic business in the last two windows - Bissouma, Persic, Spence, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Romero... Not sure about Richarlison but feelhe may be decent in a better team.
Quote from: Risso on July 19, 2022, 02:24:55 PMWell we don't exist in a vacuum. We were in the Championship 3 years ago, so bridging the gap to top 4 is going to take longer than 4 seasons. Man City and Liverpool are light years ahead of everybody and so then you've got to try to finish ahead of Spurs and Chelsea. Chelsea have finished in the top 4 for 17 out of the last 20 years, and Spurs with their formidable forward line, 5 times in 7 years. We're improved a lot but still have too many regulars who aren't top 6 quality (Watkins, Mings, McGinn etc).I would say if we are honest, they have got more experienced, and most likely better managers. We're hoping we have grabbed the top "up and coming" one - but thats a gamble the sky 6 dont have to take
Quote from: Beard82 on July 19, 2022, 05:45:40 PMQuote from: Risso on July 19, 2022, 02:24:55 PMWell we don't exist in a vacuum. We were in the Championship 3 years ago, so bridging the gap to top 4 is going to take longer than 4 seasons. Man City and Liverpool are light years ahead of everybody and so then you've got to try to finish ahead of Spurs and Chelsea. Chelsea have finished in the top 4 for 17 out of the last 20 years, and Spurs with their formidable forward line, 5 times in 7 years. We're improved a lot but still have too many regulars who aren't top 6 quality (Watkins, Mings, McGinn etc).I would say if we are honest, they have got more experienced, and most likely better managers. We're hoping we have grabbed the top "up and coming" one - but thats a gamble the sky 6 dont have to takeYeah, of course - but generally speaking they can mitgate risk that wayThere are no guarantees though. Arsenal and Spurs went for experience in Emery and Mourinho, to less than great effect.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of shit shoes selling up to Wes & Nas I believe.Happy anniversary you magnificent bastards.
Soooo, given our commitment to Emery, of the longest managerial deal in our history, as well as nice long deals for some of our better players, and the redevelopment of Villa Park and it's environs, are we now satisfied that the owners really are still as committed as we thought? There were some questions before but given the quality of the man coming in, and the things I guess he was promised, are we all feeling positive again?My gut feeling is that these guys really are in it for the long haul, they want to succeed and are putting the framework in place.