27 May 2019 10:34:30
Apart from the horrendous first four games, we’ve had a pretty good season, amassing 52 points from the remaining 34 games (at a fraction over 1.5 points per game) . If we had averaged that over the entire season, we would have six more points and have been 7th.

So over all, I’m not unhappy, but, and I’m sure this goes for a lot of the rest of you, I’m not really sure where we are in terms of progressing to “the next level. ”

The investment last season improved the squad to the extent that, with a fully fit first team squad, we should be able to give anyone a decent game, yet, I’m still wondering if that is enough to attract high quality players this window.

I know there has been loads of media chat about a basic £30m budget plus whatever MP raises in sales, but I don’t know how accurate that is.

It is also true that having MP as our manager must be a positive for recruitment.

The question I ask is: how close are we to being genuine contenders for European football?


1.) 27 May 2019
27 May 2019 13:36:38
I think the key for me is consistency. We turn up some games, top opponents and look top class, then against lower half teams don't seem to be able to get up for the game.
If we can get one or 2 good quality names in, improve that consistency then UEFA I think is realistic goal.


2.) 27 May 2019
27 May 2019 13:55:16
If you think losing to Wimbledon Bournemouth twice Brighton Cardiff Watford Burnley is a good season then i disagree that's our main problem not turning up away from home against the so called smaller teams until we start showing some fight at these places we're always going to be mid table club.


3.) 27 May 2019
27 May 2019 15:09:49
The FA Cup was the big downer this year. I honestly felt Pellegrini would take it seriously. sadly he did not. To get in Europe we need to take the cup competitions seriously, Mourinho used to think the League Cup was important as he said ‘there are only 4 cups to win’. This should be our route.


4.) 27 May 2019
27 May 2019 15:12:36
I agree Barnie: consistency is key to improvement and I’m sure that the losses King refers to made MP yank on his flowing grey locks. We did, however have some excellent games against top six sides and that should not be underestimated. We CAN be a very good side.

The real point of my initial post was to elicit views on how we attract the “next level” players. Have we done enough with last year’s recruitment and having MP in charge to encourage highly rated players to come to us?