How important is 4th?

[Bluebee2]

We have to cut our goals conceded by half. We let in 50 last year, the top 3 were all around 23-25. Hopefully with the ball being at the other end a bit more and a couple of decent defenders we'll piss the top 4.

 

[squirtyflower]

Good grief, no wonder some of the posters on this thread are the doom and gloom merchants who have given Hughes such a hard time during the season. Under the Sky 4 the prem and associated cups have nearly always gone to one of them. It was in 'the old days' that you could start the season with 'hope in your heart', but those days are long gone. Yes we now have the money, yes we are buying the right players, but it will still take time for them to gel into a team and squad finishing in the top 4 and then eventually first. Top 6 next year followed by an assault on the top 4, if we do it earlier then fantastic

 

[EarbyBlue]

4th is probably quite important to the current top four, because we'll be occupying one of the places above. This will likely mean Arsenal will drop out of their accustomed place in the hierarchy. It will therefore be very important that the hierarchy recognises the seriousness of our assault on their entrenched position. They've been in a comfort zone of their own far too long and we need to shake it up.

Totallly agree with this. We should be aiming for top spot irrespective of where we actually end up in any event. However, the more important 'political' statement will be when any team - and City now look the most likely - breaking into the top 4 and tilting the balance of power away from that clique who have been allowed a free hand, backed with CL money, for far too long. I don't for one minute think City's money is ruining the game. On the contrary, we are liberating it in England, and creating a league where there will now be definately 5 teams fighting for 4 CL spots, with Villa, Everton and Spuds making potential strides towards it also. Arsenal will be losers initially and it will be interesting to see how they cope with that given the financial strain of building the new stadium was for them and that this was being paid for with their CL money. However, overall, the PL will be the stronger for City's challenge.

 

[norfstander]

Vital, absolutely vital. Although the chairman and manager have stated that top six is the aim for this year, i'd suggest that their plans are really bigger than that. With the players said to be coming i think top 4 might be an absolute minumum.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

If we got 4th it would be colossal. A huge step forward

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Got to be careful here. We expected more last season but were disappointed by and large. This was undoubtedly due the difficulties of so many new players settling in, plus injuries ot some key players. This coming season it's looking like there could be another half dozen players coming in, all of whom will presumably expect to be first choice. So once again we'll have half a new team or more who will take team to gel.

Wenger's had 10 years to perfect Arsenal and, while it does look like things may be starting to turn a bit there and they are more and more looking like the best of the other 17 rather than the 4th out of 4, you really can't feel confident to any degree about taking their 4th spot next season.