4th spot

[moomba]

I think the top 3 in the EPL is fairly obvious but the battle for 4th spot shapes up as an interesting one. Here are the contenders as I see it.

Birmingham - Great start to the season, but I don't think they have the quality, or depth to keep up their current pace. Are in with a decent shot at the UEFA Cup IMO, although I think they will miss out on that as well.

Man City - As far as quality in the squad goes, we are a big chance at 4th spot, but as far as consistency goes we have no chance. Need a bigger input from the second striker (whoever it is on the day), and while the defence has looked a bit better of late, it still needs to improve. Big contenders for a UEFA Cup, but CL might be a bit much just yet.

Southampton - Decent squad, and half a chance of making the UEFA Cup, but I can't see it this year.

Blackburn - On talent alone I thought they were looking as good as any, but the loss of Dunn and Duff seems to have impacted, and if they are going to come close, they will have to turn things around very soon.

Liverpool - Injuries will hurt, as will the lack of quality in depth. I would rate their squad only about 6th or 7th best in the league, and I can't see them making the sort of run that will push them up into the top 4.

Newcastle - Big chance, they've crept up on the rest, and with everyone else falling over the second they catch sight of 4th spot, they don't have much ground to make up any more. Much will depend on the fallout from off-field issues, as well as how well Ameobi can do replacing Bellamy My favourites for 4th spot at the moment, but it call all go wrong for them.

As for the rest I just don't see the likes of Fulham, Everton, Charlton getting up there. They have done a great job so far, but it'll only get harder from here. Big rewards to the team that does make it, and I am sure things will change week by week, month by month.

Anyway, votes are welcome on who you think will clinch the last spot in the CL.

Moomba

 

[jod23]

Were good enough, we'll recover and make the CL.

 

[Roos04]

Originally posted by jod23
Were good enough, we'll recover and make the CL.

What do you base that on?

 

[Squeak]

City or Newcastle I'd say.

You look at Manc's squad, and there is a fair bit of quality there. Main issue would be whether Seaman contracts rheumatiod arthritis during the season.

Newcastle had a shocking start to the season but are only a game off 5th.

Blackburn, with Manchester United's late 20th century strikeforce, must also be some sort of chance.

 

[GoalsFrom50Out]

The Toon, far too good for Southampton and 'Pool are floundering big time. Man City and Blackburn can still beat anyone on their day, but Newcastle'll secure it. but the gunners will take first.

 

[daicos4ever]

Newcastle now that we've remembered how to win. City or the scousers are the only ones with the depth in quality that could match us but City are too inconsistent as moomba said and Liverpool are Liverpool. Saints, Brum and Blackburn are just not good enough.

 

[year of the roo]

Toon will finish 4th but miss out on CL again during qualifying, Blackburn will finish 5th and play UEFA Cup.

 

[sebastien]

Here's what i think the table will look like

4th Newcastle
5th Liverpool
6th Man City
7th Blackburn
8th Southampton
9th Birmingham

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by Roos04
What do you base that on?

Well we have Owen

Seriously, Kewell is starting to settle in really well, Pongolle and TLT are really starting to show something and if we can tough it out until some key players return from injury then anything can happen.

 

[Bulldog1954]

4th Liverpool
5th Newcastle
6th Birmingham
7th Man City
8th Southampton

 

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by daicos4ever
as moomba said and Liverpool are Liverpool.

It's funny how times change.

It didn't seem that long ago that "Liverpool are Liverpool" once meant that you could never write them off in the Championship race.

These days, it means "An October championship before they fall in a heap with a late charge to give their fans false hope for the following season". Only thing is that this season, they didn't even win their usual October championship.

For only the second time (the previous time was Souness's last season in charge at Anfield) since their last title, I don't regard Liverpool as a Championship threat.

Anyway, as much as I'd love to see a team like Birmingham, Fulham, or Southampton take 4th spot, I reckon that in the end, it'll come down to Newcastle or Liverpool.

 

[Nandrolone Stam]

Originally posted by jod23
Well we have Owen

Seriously, Kewell is starting to settle in really well, Pongolle and TLT are really starting to show something and if we can tough it out until some key players return from injury then anything can happen.

Pongolle = Jod's new Neil Mellor

 

[Jars458]

Originally posted by Nandrolone Stam
Pongolle = Jod's new Neil Mellor

I think Pongolle will be a better player than Neil Mellor

Will take him at least a year to adjust though.

 

[X_box_X]

Keep underrating Fulham, people. Do it at your own free will.

 

[Nandrolone Stam]

Originally posted by X_box_X
Keep underrating Fulham, people. Do it at your own free will.

When did you rate them DanJr?

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by Nandrolone Stam
Pongolle = Jod's new Neil Mellor

Pongolle will be better than Mellor and TLT maybe better than both but I still like Mellor and would love to see him get a run.

 

[Ray Nolan]

Who voted for Blues



The frightening thing is that at the moment I don't think we are playing to our full potential. Currently we are weak down the right flank, in that we don't have a quality right back (Kenna is good, but getting on, Tebily is adequate but really a centre-half) and we are having to play Damien Johnson there when he is much better at right midfield. I think at the transfer window we will be looking to strengthen that area of our squad. Then we can move Dunn into the middle behind the front 2 (Duggary/Forssell) where he is much more effective and where we look a far better team. Being able to extend Forssell's loan for the whole season or being able sign him is going to be hugely crucial for us. I think it could be the difference between us finishing 4th and say 6th-10th. We also need more depth up front, John & Morrison hardly fill me with loads of confidence as back up. If Steve Bruce can get a few quality players (1xRight Back, 1xRight Midfield, 1xStriker) in during the next transfer window to make us stronger then 4th place is not beyond us.

Underestimate the Brummagem at your peril ...

 

[jordy23]

as much as i hate them, but liverpool will finish 4th there a class ahead of the rest

 

[David Votoupal]

I think it's a real possibility that one of Fulham, Charlton, Birmingham or Southampton will be serious contenders for that 4th CL spot but I also expect Newcastle to be there.

Liverpool? They've already choked and no doubt will continue choking much to my delight

 

[tige19]

Originally posted by jordy23
as much as i hate them, but liverpool will finish 4th there a class ahead of the rest

How do you figure that??? Leaky defence and boring midfield, there attacks seem to very predictable. Liverpool have only Kewell and Owen keeping there heads above water, if 1 was to fall over we could see the boys in red fall to around 8 or 9th.

Man City were my prediction to be a suprise i thought they would finish around 7th or 8th but i wouldnt have been to suprised if they were fighting for the CL spot. In the end i think Newcastle have to much talent in the midfield and depth to back it up, only thing that will stop the Toon from taking 4th is if Shearer falls over then there would be real troubles.
SBR can only blame himself for the poor start, not enough money spent when the transfer window was open, while other teams improved there squads SBR sat on his arse and rested on his morals that last years squad was good enough for the league this year.
Hard lessons SBR you have learnt, lets just hope you grab someone worth shouting about to play up front with Shearer.

cheers

 

[Shinboners]

Originally posted by tige19
In the end i think Newcastle have to much talent in the midfield and depth to back it up, only thing that will stop the Toon from taking 4th is if Shearer falls over then there would be real troubles.

I'm sure that Kieron Dyer will pick up any slack should Shearer fall over.

 

[David Votoupal]

Originally posted by tige19
How do you figure that??? Leaky defence and boring midfield, there attacks seem to very predictable. Liverpool have only Kewell and Owen keeping there heads above water, if 1 was to fall over we could see the boys in red fall to around 8 or 9th.

...or even lower once the start racking up a record haul of 90th minute 1-0 defeats (with countless penalties missed by Owen) and 0-0 draws!

 

[X_box_X]

Originally posted by Nandrolone Stam
When did you rate them DanJr?

When I actually took a good look over its side a few weeks ago, as I thought there was no way known this team could possibly deserve to be 4th. But, I think Fulham has a side capable of a UEFA Cup spot (at least).