The time is right

[darren woolley]

Great read Dave.

[Hookeysmith]

Very good assessment and to the point- no more accepting mediocrity

[Beard82]

Well done dave - great read

[Drummond]

"Yes, I am bitter and mean-spririted." - Trying to think who left this summer that was a clown?

Chukky

[Rotterdam]

A good read Dave.

[Edvard Remberg]

"Yes, I am bitter and mean-spririted." - Trying to think who left this summer that was a clown?

Chukky

Of course - had already forgotten about him

[tomd2103]

Good article Dave.  Personally think a solid 8th - 10th place  finish would represent progress.  By solid I mean we are consistently in the top half throughout the season and not like the Houllier season where we flirted with the relegation zone before eventually finishing 9th after a good late run. 

[Risso]

8th would be decent, 10th would be extremely underwhelming.

[dave.woodhall]

Great read Dave.

Thanks Daz.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

This is the kind of quality preview that the mainstream national media lacks when it comes to club season previews.

Agreed. I do wish the Guardian/Observer would give Dave a call rather than the same 'happy to be in the PL' Villa fan they use every bloody time.

One of your best, DW.

[Drummond]

8th would be decent, 10th would be extremely underwhelming.

I'd say 1st/2nd is way out of reach for most bar the current top 2. 3rd is almost impossible given how much we're trying to catch up. 4th/5th is a target (if we had a blinder and kept everyone fit). 6th/7th should be achievable. 8th should be just about the minimum. 9th is improvement but disappointing. 10th -13th is unacceptable. 14th or lower would be an absolute disaster.

Given what Leicester did, there's a chance, if our squad click that we could do it. We've got strength in depth everywhere and one or two are due a breakout season. A strong start builds the belief, and with that energy, our wealth (if we need to strengthen in January to maintain our push for the Double), anything is possible.

We have one of the best goalies in the league. We've signed a centre half from one of the best defences in Europe. We've signed one of the most promising defensive midfielders, and a permanent deal for one of the world's best attacking midfielders. In our strikers we have promise, youth, experience and speed. And all that backed up by internationals from Poland, England, France, Brazil, Argentina, Sweden, Scotland.

[chrisw1]

Thats the spirit Dummond.  I've been banging this drum on the expectations thread for ages and keep reading '10th would be progress' or similar. 

I'd be happy enough with 8th as I think West Ham are well sorted and will be difficult to overtake.  But anything lower and we'll have underperformed in my opinion.

[Percy McCarthy]

Thirty odd years and better than ever. I don’t know how you do it Dave.

[Astnor]

Thanks

[dave.woodhall]

Thirty odd years and better than ever. I don’t know how you do it Dave.

Awww, shucks.