How much we need to improve next season

RedNik · May 12, 2008

If you have a look at the premiership tables over the last five years, the winners have hovered around the 90 point mark, with Chelsea having a freakishly good year in 04/05, totaling 95 points.

Here is the reality - to all those doom and gloom merchants out there.

Yes, Chelsea and Man U are going to add to their teams, and possibly improve their squads. The fact however remains, that next years champion is going to yet again get somewhere near 90 points in the season ( I actually think it might be a little less, because there is a group of emerging clubs, forming a solid second tier in the premiership).

This is the benchmark for us, this is how much we need to improve. We need to add the necessary players, to convert say 3 or 4 of those draws we had into wins, and of course sustain our performances from this season. It doesn't matter how much we spend in comparison to them in reality, because we know we can't compete on that level. Rafa needs to search for bargains, for players ready to make the step up, and of course get the best out of them.

I expect big things out of Ryan Babel next season, we need to remember how he has come on this season, and how much he'll gain from just physically growing, let alone a summer of training here. Our first eleven looks pretty strong, if we can sort out a wing back positions. Don't really know what happened to Finnan, but hope he isn't done and that he can recapture his form. Aurelio, Barry and Insua is probably what we're looking at for next season - which I'm fine with. Lucas too should develop (physically as well). We need to sort out our replacements, and add players on the bench who can change the game - big money or not.

10-15 points - that's the aim.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league...rue&cc=5901

Also, for anyone bummed about the season we had, have a look at our points totals in Rafa's first 2 years here. We've come a long way, and hopefully this summer will be the final push to get us challenging.

Maldini · May 12, 2008

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