Is this as good as it gets?

HamJDW said:
I've got a better idea. We could bury our head in the sand and pretend it might not happen. Let's sit on our laurels and not identify a new centre forward, centre back, left back, goal keeper. We could save a few quid by Dango playing in those positions. Let's not ship out the deadwood/ perma injured. How's that for tin pot?
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You can misinterpret my posts as much as you like. I’m not saying we shouldn’t talk about it and I’m not pretending it won’t happen. I’m just saying it’s a shame about the inevitability.
 
I think our immediate future depends not on keeping certain players, but keeping the manager.

He has shown a real ability to get the best out of what he has, an acute tactical awareness to fix things mid game and an attitude and demeanour that can on only be described as refreshing.

Foley has the man he wants to keep his plans on track, but can he tie him down.

Let's hope so.
 
Def_II_Royalz said:
This smacks of Eddie's first full Newcastle season - we're somewhat ahead of schedule, so I'd rather not start setting unrealistic expectations for us for the next few seasons to come. I'd like for us to consolidate at this level and acquire a solid reputation for bringing on and developing exciting new talent to sell for a large profit, whilst working to get the new stadium over the line.
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That's a solid comparison. I think Foley said the target was 14th so I think we should anchor our expectations around that. There's also the "we'll never progress if we sell our best players" crew to navigate.

Personally, I know we're riding the hype train but I can't see us maintaining league winning form for much longer.
 
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Best ever isn’t always about statistics, but we do look like establishing a few personal bests this season.

The fewest games lost in any pl season is 16 in 16/17 and 17/18.
We’ve lost 11 so far. So we could better that.

The most games won is 13, in 18/19. We’ve won 11. We can also beat that.

Most points so far is 46 in 16/17. We have 41. This is a likely win.

Highest league position is 9th in 16/17. We’re currently 11th.

Best goal difference is -12 in 16/17. We’re on -9.

Most goals scored 56 in 18/19. Currently stands at 44.

Fewest goals conceded 61 in 17/18. Currently 53.

Dom equal second top scorer with 16. Equals Josh King’s record in 16/17.
 
fritter said:
Best ever isn’t always about statistics, but we do look like establishing a few personal bests this season.

The fewest games lost in any pl season is 16 in 16/17 and 17/18.
We’ve lost 11 so far. So we could better that.

The most games won is 13, in 18/19. We’ve won 11. We can also beat that.

Most points so far is 46 in 16/17. We have 41. This is a likely win.

Highest league position is 9th in 16/17. We’re currently 11th.

Best goal difference is -12 in 16/17. We’re on -9.

Most goals scored 56 in 18/19. Currently stands at 44.

Fewest goals conceded 61 in 17/18. Currently 53.

Dom equal second top scorer with 16. Equals Josh King’s record in 16/17.
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There are some great stats there Fritter. 9th position was phenomenal in 16/17.
 
I'm going to admit my tinpotted-ness. I've always thought we sliced through the Championship without consolidating the foundations (literally) of the club. We still come over as a turbo charged L1 outfit playing at a level well beyond our perceived place in the football order. I had hoped that our time in the sun would give us the ability to build up to be an established Championship side, not an established EPL outfit.
This season, and with Bill's vision and money has changed my mind. We have a great young squad and manager, both of whom can develop further and shock this league to it's roots. If we have to sell players, it can be the springboard to more excitement with new talent and a fast developing infrastructure. It's exciting.

I think we are here to stay!
 
The problem with PSR and FFP (let's not discuss R&R) is that the FPL can do what they like, they could get challenged in the courts.
BUT the problem is having to comply with UEFA rules if you want to play in European competition. The "big" clubs would have to take on UEFA and the FPL to change the rules.
I think they won't allow a smaller club to invest and take over- see Newcastle. Which Englush club is going to support them spending billions - and then add in top European clubs.
 
Not convinced that any of the "big 6" will stump up the money for Dom, nor is he good enough for that matter. Any team are unlikely to pay £50m+ for a backup.

West Ham is the one I'm worried about
 
We need to keep a look out for a manager that has brought his team up though the leagues whilst playing attractive football with one of the lowest budgets in the league .....mmmmm I'm sure there must be somebody.
 
Reports of Newcastle going to 'swoop' for Kelly.
Laugh - richest club on the Planet coming tinpotward for a little known name outside DC...on a free too !
 
Doofus said:
I'm going to admit my tinpotted-ness. I've always thought we sliced through the Championship without consolidating the foundations (literally) of the club. We still come over as a turbo charged L1 outfit playing at a level well beyond our perceived place in the football order. I had hoped that our time in the sun would give us the ability to build up to be an established Championship side, not an established EPL outfit.
This season, and with Bill's vision and money has changed my mind. We have a great young squad and manager, both of whom can develop further and shock this league to it's roots. If we have to sell players, it can be the springboard to more excitement with new talent and a fast developing infrastructure. It's exciting.

I think we are here to stay!
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That's the key difference this time. There is an expectation that we will not only stay in this league, but increase our standing in this league and therefore globally. Bill's desire to see us playing in Europe is real. As is his vision of a new home of our own to play in.

Off-field everything is now all we could have ever have hoped for, but the fact is that the on-field side of things is superb too. These are heady days which we should savour !!!

I don't think it's too early to thank Max for not selling to the first interested party that came along. By selling us to Bill and his consortium, he has ensured that we are in good hands. Honestly, if I ever meet Max in person I am going to get him absolutely hammered at my expense. He deserves so much credit for where we are right now !

:utc:
 
The only certainty is that we'll be in the championship again. Along with pretty much every other team in the PL currently.

In 2016/17 the 7 longest established PL teams occupied the top 7 places.

Of the other 13 only 4 are currently in the PL.
Us, West Ham, Palace and Burnley.

Of those Burnley and AFCB have been relegated so only been back for 2 and 1 season respectively.

Palace are in their 10th season.
West Ham in their 11th.

When we came up both Stoke and West Brom seemed established in the PL. They lasted 10 and 8 seasons respectively.

Sustainability is extremely hard to achieve.

The biggest thing we have going for us right now is the manager. If we continue with our current form clubs are going to come knocking very soon.

If Bill can persuade AI to stay longer than 2 years that would be a huge achievement.
 
fritter said:
Highest league position is 9th in 16/17. We’re currently 11th.
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What's interesting is that at the end of that season (46 points), there was a huge clump of teams between 8th (also on 46 pts) and 17th (40 pts).
Then the 7th place team was on 61 pts!
So while 9th is technically "top-half", the reality is that there were 7 teams who were wildly ahead of everyone else, and then 13 in the bottom 'half' (although TBF the 3 relegated teams were in a class all their own).

At the moment, it's looking a bit more stratified, with the top 5 on their own, then only 9 pts separating 6th from 13th. Then another big drop from 14th on down.

tldr - this season we have already pulled away from more teams than we did in 2017
 
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