we should not fear anyone outside the top eight!!!

[Factamondo]

even with our squad as it is now....its all about heart n desire....we've showed we have it....bring it on!!!

[zeberdee]

unfortunately i dont think thats the case - not even the full squad from last year let alone what is left after it is sifted this summer.
The defence + CM + Charlie is pretty good but theres not nearly enough goals in the side and not enough depth to do what you say imo

[Factamondo]

i honestly think nico will be better suited to the prem...a fit matty phillips n ale faurlin also to come in!

[bushcelt1]

I Thought we would be top 10 last time we went up so i will be happy with 4th bottom. If we Keep our great spirit but dont add a few Decent additions then we will get creamed.

[Factamondo]

celts a decent center half n striker the absolute minimum imho!

[maidstone_hoop]

celts a decent center half n striker the absolute minimum imho!

We need a lot more creativity. I hope phillips get fit and then we bring in a decent cm and another quality winger. With out adding some quality in that department we will struggle imo.

[jmelanie]

There is nothing wrong with aiming to end the season as high as possible but at the same time making sure we don't go down. Just avoiding going down next season, doesn't sound like much fun.

[Hoop-du-Jour]

I have a thousand bottles of cider in my shed.

I'm prepared for all eventualities!

[gator]

I'm still very cautious with my optimism after our latest 2 seasons in the EPL, I will wait and see how our squad takes shape but I'm not sure which 3 sides we might be better than at this stage!

[Factamondo]

I'm still very cautious with my optimism after our latest 2 seasons in the EPL, I will wait and see how our squad takes shape but I'm not sure which 3 sides we might be better than at this stage!

gatsie id like to think we'd equal leicester,burnley,palace,hull,west brum,villa n west ham!

[vanhoop]

gatsie id like to think we'd equal leicester,burnley,palace,hull,west brum,villa n west ham!

We're finish above that lot facto!! Once bitten twice shy.

[Jeems]

I've always said there is very little difference between the bottom 10 in the Prem and top 10 in the Champ

[hal9thou]

unfortunately i dont think thats the case - not even the full squad from last year let alone what is left after it is sifted this summer.

100%.

However much we love 'em, the current lot would be cut to bits. Of the ones mentioned Nico is too slow at EPL the days, Faurlin will take time and Phillips is well over rated for me.

No amount of heart makes up for a total lack of pace and precious little skill at the top level. But I actually think the powers that be have learned that we will not solve this problem by bringing in experienced players entering the twilight of their careers. TF said as much the other day. His main problem is making sure Harry doesn't succumb to his fondness for old lags.....

[Yousef]

I think the midfield is our strogest line and we may only add one attacking midfielder and perhaps another winger. We've lacked goal scoring and definitely need at least two quality strikers. As for defence, we need at least a solid and young CB to partner Onuoha as well as LB who can defend and attack with pace. Yun is good but lacks experience. He can come from the bench and develop himself graudually. We can be comfortable in the league by then imo.

[FurtiveFox]

I actually kind of agree with the first post. We should fear nobody. That said it doesn't mean we will finish anywhere near the top 8.

If we keep the nucleus and team spirit we showed last season that gives us a good base. We need another CB and at least 2 strikers as bare basics and another couple of young, up and coming squad players.

We can look at what Palace achieved last season with one of the worst squads ever in the EPL in my opinion. Strength, desire and organisation saw them through. Very impressive. People seem to not rate Pulis but have to say good excellent record at unfashionable teams. Things did go stale at Stoke but this seems to happen with the majority of managers after a few years so can't judge him too harshly on that. Also seemed to start tailing off after he was given money to spend meaning a better quality squad yielded worse results. The lesson to be learned is just how important the dressing room is and 'Arry seems to have gone a long way to sorting that out over the last year.