For me last season and this have always been about making progress, establishing a settled squad and playing system. Next year we should be ready to make a serious title challenge.
If we finish 3rd or 4th this year but dont win anything we will:
1) Probably have developed a reasonably settled squad playing reasonably consistently
2) Probably be keeping the same manager with the continuity that goes with that
3) Probably not have to make wholesale changes to the squad next summer but
4) Be able to recruit 1 or 2 genuinely world class players
If we had won the Carling cup but finish 5th we'll:
1) Have had a good day out at Wembley
2) Had the pleasure of seeing the 34 Years banner come down, but only to be replaced by something almost equally as condescending
2) Probably be looking for a new manager but not be able to recruit the real cream
3) Be turning the squad upside down again next summer but still not able to attract the best players in the world.
Last night was really unimportant in the grand scheme of things
If we finish 3rd or 4th this year but dont win anything we will:
1) Probably have developed a reasonably settled squad playing reasonably consistently
2) Probably be keeping the same manager with the continuity that goes with that
3) Probably not have to make wholesale changes to the squad next summer but
4) Be able to recruit 1 or 2 genuinely world class players
If we had won the Carling cup but finish 5th we'll:
1) Have had a good day out at Wembley
2) Had the pleasure of seeing the 34 Years banner come down, but only to be replaced by something almost equally as condescending
2) Probably be looking for a new manager but not be able to recruit the real cream
3) Be turning the squad upside down again next summer but still not able to attract the best players in the world.
Last night was really unimportant in the grand scheme of things