Just how far behind the top four are we?

[BlueToff]

By actually aiming for it and not being content with 7th. We're regularly outspending some of the teams in it now, time to start acting like it.

It's not just that though.

It's about being realistic.

Whether we have spent or not, they still have better squads than us. So they will still be the favourites.

Yes, the plan and aim has to be to upset the applecart of that top six. I think this season, in a year that will be about 'transition' (I hate that term), Arsenal will be the ones most in risk of dropping out, but then again they have the quality up top to see them right against the poorer teams. It's worth remembering that we're also going through big changes at the club and there's bound to be some hurdles on the way.

 

[BlueToff]

Need a striker with pace who can get 25 goals a season, if we had someone this season we would get 4th.

Spurs and united, wont be as dominant this year

There's about five of them in world football, like.

 

[COYBL25]

It's not just the money.

Pep has them playing on another level.

Liverpool, as much as it pains me to say it, look the closest at this stage.

Pep being able to buy and pay the wages of some of the best players in the world also helps.

Liverpool may have a go at them this season, but ultimately won`t be able to afford to keep up with them long term.

No one in the Premier League can.

 

[BlueToff]

Pep being able to buy and pay the wages of some of the best players in the world also helps.

Liverpool may have a go at them this season, but ultimately won`t be able to afford to keep up with them long term.

No one in the Premier League can.

Yeh, clearly, but he still has them all buying into his style, his belief in them. The bloke's a genius, although Klopp seems to have him sussed at the moment (as the documentary proves, Pep changed his style against Liverpool, which is what I said at the time cost City in those games more than anything else).

But yes, as it stands City are the runaway favourites. Mendy coming back has given them a whole new way of playing.

 

[scotchbutterpin]

It's worth remembering that we're also going through big changes at the club and there's bound to be some hurdles on the way.

Exactly. The changes are huge. Patience is very important now and fans need to understand this.
The league is one of the toughest in the world, but we are setting ourselves up nicely - piece by piece.

 

[jtl60]

One step at a time, Every year one of the so called 6 have a dodgy season, might be Arsenal this year, cant see any reason why we shouldn't be aiming to take 6th spot. Anything below 7th will be a let down

 

[EFC78]

This will become clear over the next 8 games when we reach the 10 game mark. For us to be in contention for the top 4 we'd be looking at 20-21 points from the 30 available and I can't see us doing it and that highlights why we will most likely be way off it this season.

The top 4 sides go to places like Bournemouth and win. They also manage to get good results, as well as the odd win away against the top teams which we have consistently failed to do over the last 25+ years. I only see the usual defeats at Arsenal and Man United. If you can't beat the teams also in contention for it then you don't stand much chance.

As long as there is a clear sign of progression this season though in results and performances then i'd be happy with 7th and hope we can push for 6th. The transfer window will hopefully turn out to be a success with key positions strengthened and we seem to have a well rounded team now for the first time in a while. If Silva can sort out our defensive lapses, which may come when the new centre backs come in to the side then I think we are in for a good season.

 

[Lelouch]

There's about five of them in world football, like.

To many people use this term so freely like there's a 25 goal striker that can be bought easily

 

[BlueToff]

To many people use this term so freely like there's a 25 goal striker that can be bought easily

I know.

'We just need that rapid striker, in his prime, who can guarantee us 25 goals, who will come to Everton without European footy. FFS, Brands OUT'

But yeh, in all seriousness I'm struggling to think of too many who fit the bill.

- Aubameyang (not exactly set the PL alight yet)
- Lukaku (got the T shirt)
- Firmino (but only as part of Liverpool's specific system)
- Suarez
- Diego Costa
- Griezmann
- Ronaldo

I mean, that's about it...

 

[barneygumble]

Let’s remain grounded, Ay?

Let’s accept at this moment we’re the best of the rest and there’s no pressure this season. Play without pressure, gel and get to know each other, how they play and what our strengths are, and should one of the teams from the “top 6” crumble, let’s hope we have enough to potentially capitalise.

No Europe, a classy squad, I’d hope the minimum were expecting here is 7th. If that’s good enough for Europe, then so be it.

We’ve got abundance of kids here who can play qualifiers, and that’ll be fine.

Bernard, Mina, Zouma, Gomes and Digne all need to come in yet, they may take time to integrate. Fortunately, we’ve got a “generous” set of fixtures, which may help them bed in quicker, into a confident side.

Things are looking bright, but let’s just use the “Spurs Model”. Consistent European Qualification, attracting better players to strengthen each season, and let’s close that gap.

 

[bol-uk]

Well take into consideration we have an established top 6 who, even if they struggle this season will be very tough to break, on squad quality alone, we must be honest and say we are currently 7th, allowing for leicester and burnley to normalise to their level..

Our main hope is for jose or unai to cock up massivley.

 

[BlueToff]

Let’s remain grounded, Ay?

Let’s accept at this moment we’re the best of the rest and there’s no pressure this season. Play without pressure, gel and get to know each other, how they play and what our strengths are, and should one of the teams from the “top 6” crumble, let’s hope we have enough to potentially capitalise.

No Europe, a classy squad, I’d hope the minimum were expecting here is 7th. If that’s good enough for Europe, then so be it.

We’ve got abundance of kids here who can play qualifiers, and that’ll be fine.

Bernard, Mina, Zouma, Gomes and Digne all need to come in yet, they may take time to integrate. Fortunately, we’ve got a “generous” set of fixtures, which may help them bed in quicker, into a confident side.

Things are looking bright, but let’s just use the “Spurs Model”. Consistent European Qualification, attracting better players to strengthen each season, and let’s close that gap.

Brilliant post.

This season is, in a way, very similar to how Koeman's first season was - i.e. getting back to the minimum level we should be at.

However, this time we should also have the target of setting a style of play and system in place and the early signs are that we are doing just that.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Three places I'm guessing

 

[Azza]

We've won one game.

And make the most of it. It could be the only one for a while!

 

[Paul Rideout]

3 places.

you could just have looked at the league table, mate.