Top ten or not Top ten

[fulhaman]

COME ON PEOPLE I THINK IT COULD BE DONE. WITH JOL IN CHARGE

[HatterDon]

Not this season. Not with five key midfielders gone since April.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

We can, but I dont think we will definitely.

Berbatov is so far above any attacker we have had since Saha that he makes it possible.

[Edwatch_Winston_Malone]

With some shrewd business during the January window, we could still end up top 10..

[HatterDon]

With some shrewd business during the January window, we could still end up top 10..

ah yes, but then it wouldn't be "this team"

[fulhaman]

I feel Berbatov makes the difference from being a top ten team or not. Even with our midfield look at our reserved beech ruiz and petric I felt we have strengh in that area. I did think what could of been if Dembele had stayed

[Jambo]

We can, but I dont think we will definitely.

Berbatov is so far above any attacker we have had since Saha that he makes it possible.

Even Eddie Johnson??? David Elm??

[fulhaman]

Where this team could be if we could of only kept David Elm haha

[DJinNJ]

We've taken 6 out of 6 points with Sidwell and Baird in midfield. Not against the best opposition in the league, but it's not like either of these wins were flukes and if we can win these types of games fairly regularly then top ten is certainly attainable. But I'd be surprised if we didn't get a midfielder or two in January, so we may not find out if "this team" could finish top ten. We're certainly off to a better start than the last two seasons, if we can get to January with more than the 20 or so points we've had each of the last two seasons then there's no reason to think we can't push on to the top ten again after shoring up the midfield.

[Matt Inglis]

Not for me, the team has played well to date but I reckon our lack of depth may be exposed.

[mangoputney]

Heart says yes, head says no

Playing some great football, but other than West Ham debacle - hoodoo, been picking up expected points against more mediocre Prem teams

Though its nice to think with Jol we may win more games where we used to pin hopes on a draw and its beating the likes of Brom, Wigan, Stoke, Villa, et al will more than likely mean closer to top ten

Jan TF could be the difference between 7 - 10 or 10 - 14 is my opinion

[Abbotsbury White]

Home form is vital if we can get 12 home wins(10 more) 4 away wins(3 more) and 3 away draws 51 pts should =top 10 so not beyond the realms,would like to think we could do even better than 51 pts this does need a fit Berba though.

[fulhamben]

god you are all defeatists. i still have hopes on us chasing chelsea down. we dont have to beat the top 3 to win the league, just everyone else. and we are more than capable of doing that. easily top ten and closer than ever to the top 4.

[filham]

We will have a better feel after Saturday.if we can match City then we have real cause for optimism.

The achiles heel is of cause centre midfield and centre back. If injury strikes in these positions then we have problems.

[CanadianCottager]

I think we definitely stand a fighting chance. We finished top ten last year and despite our weakening in the central midfield (mind you, I think Karagounis may yet turn out to be another Diarra-esque buy by Jol), we've vastly improved the problem spots of last season, right-back and striker. Call me crazy but I think we might even have a shot at pushing for Europe.

[mccscratch]

I still have questions about the center of midfield but if a combo of Ruiz, Karagounis, Sidwell, Baird find a good rhythm with the wingers then I think top 10 is certainly within grasp... If we feed, Berba, Radallega and Petric they will find the back of the net.

[MasterHaynes]

I think we definitely stand a fighting chance. We finished top ten last year and despite our weakening in the central midfield (mind you, I think Karagounis may yet turn out to be another Diarra-esque buy by Jol), we've vastly improved the problem spots of last season, right-back and striker. Call me crazy but I think we might even have a shot at pushing for Europe.

I'm with you Both the WBA and Norwich game we were a class above both of them, there are at least another 9-10 teams that we will beat comfortably the cottage and a few away. We have Ruiz, Dejagah, Richardson & Karagounis (who looked impressive in his first reserve run out) so we do have depth of good players on the bench in Midfield. I think Ruiz and Berbatov could really do something special playing together. Lets see just how good we are with the big test on Saturday.

[MrFFC]

We will definately be in the top 10. We have such attacking power solid at the back and our midfield is not that bad. Baird and Sidwell are decent players as is Karagounis also Kasami and Richardson can play there and we have Dejagah Frei Senderos all to come back from injury and hopefully Diarra will only be out for 3 or 4 weeks that would be a huge boost

[Burt]

Yes.

And I'll raise you an FA Cup final!

[mccscratch]

Yes.

And I'll raise you an FA Cup final!

Well... I will say that all the fringe players ought to be chomping at the bit to play in the FA Cup come January but from what we did up in Sheffield... not so sure a cup run is in the cards this season... I hope you are right and I am wrong...