[Football] Would you take 17th final position?

[Kalimantan Gull]

No. Its all about context. Yes, 17th means staying up, but it would also mean a very disappointing rest of the season, a lot of home defeats against teams around us, players not being as good as we thought they were, a bad January transfer window -- and I don't want nor expect any of those things.

Right now Swansea are aspiring to be 17th - we were head and shoulders better than that shower, but for us to slip to 17th will mean us playing like them

So no, I wouldn't take 17th

 

[BBassic]

I'd take 17th by whatever metric they use if two teams have got the same points and goal difference.

 

[1234andcounting]

Yes, but a lot less sure about taking it that I was before the start of the season. Given the quality of transfer business done in the last window, I am confident with the stability of staying in the PL will allow the club to kick on again next season.

 

[TheJasperCo]

Survival is all that matters for me, then consolidate and look ahead to the next season to improve.

 

[Hampster Gull]

No. Keep pushing. We will be better placed for next year if we are mid table, eg new signings etc. Let’s not give into the EPL disease of all but 7 or so clubs who only ever look down

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I suppose that 17th or 8th is much of a muchness, 6 points separated those 10 teams last season, and in that sense does it really matter if we finish 8th or 17th provided that we're in the mix. Being a distant 17th and battling to survive, no I don't want that. But Burnley and Watford came 16th and 17th last season on 40 points, and that hasn't bothered them this year. Palace and Swansea were just above, 14th and 15th with 1 point more, and they've been shocking this term. Meanwhile Bournemouth, West Brom and West Ham, 9th, 10th and 11th respectively last year, have all had a terrible start.

So maybe I'd take it. But really I have absolutely no doubt that we're good enough to stay up, so bring it on.

 

[albionfan37]

Aim for the stars you might hit the ceiling aim for the ceiling you might not get off the floor!!

 

[Napier]

No brainer for me. Take survival, consolidate and build for our best ever finish next season.

 

[Triggaaar]

Stupid question.

So why isn't everyone giving the same answer?

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

17th would be perfect but as you get a few million for every position you attain above that then higher would be nice because every few million potentially allows you to hold on to players who might attract attention from other clubs

That is a very valid point. Last season teams received an additional £2m per place, and this season it will be more. The difference between 17th and 10th could be an additional £20m. That would buy us another 6 Pascal Gross and a few race horses for Tony B.

 

[Triggaaar]

No. Its all about context. Yes, 17th means staying up, but it would also mean a very disappointing rest of the season

I disagree. We're only 6 points ahead of 17th (the same amount Huddersfield were ahead of us after 2 games). We've also only played the top 6 twice, so we're due to lose extra points there.

Finishing 17th means we get more money in the bank and can build again. The players we keep will have had a PL season under their belts which will help.

Of course it's an exciting position right now, but survival is all that really matters.

 

[Dick Head]

Slight typo there me thinks.

Slight typo there, methinks.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Win 10 more of our 27 games and guaranteed to stay up, forget the top six (10 games to play), they are bonus games. Now I think about it, that means winning 10 in 17... ok it'll still be a tough season.

 

[Wellesley]

Are you mad? We are so close to a play-off place.

 

[Dick Head]

Are you mad? We are so close to a play-off place.

At least we haven't got that shit this year.

 

[Wardy's twin]

to me 17th would be enough - another year in PL, another 100million to improve on. Of course it would be nice to be higher but reality is that survival is what it is all about as we develop and build.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I disagree.

Of course you do. Bedwetter.

 

[The Sock of Poskett]

From what we've seen so far, most of this league isn't all that. And we have a squad that looks like it can give the majority a decent game, picking up points more often than not.
So we push hard to win home games, push hard to get at least a point wherever possible away, and see where it takes us. If that's 17th, mission accomplished.
I reckon we might do rather better than that, but I'll enjoy the ride whatever

 

[downham seagull]

I'd say the next 8 games are crucial, this will bring us upto half way. Another 9-11 points are realistic in my opinion
Games against Palace, Watford,Huddersfield, Burnley & Stoke are all winnable. Man U, Tottenham & Liverpool will be tough. Predict we will take something from one of the big 6 at some point this season. Just realised 19 games played and still would not of played Chelsea? That's wired!!

 

[clippedgull]

So why isn't everyone giving the same answer?

Apologies. It was a crass response by myself!