Where We Were And Where We Are

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Attracting people like Edu was a pipe dream 3 years ago.

It makes you wonder what type of manager we could now attract.

I also expect us to target a higher calibre of player in the summer.

[Marinakis Red]

A lot of the recognition should go to Steve Cooper IMO, he did an amazing job in the circumstances.

He started the ball rolling and kicked it all off but others have taken us on to another level.

Steve, Nuno, EM and all the staff and players have played their part.

My point is that it doesn't get spoken about enough just how far we have come in the last 3 years.

Totally agree Sniff that's why I made the point on the other thread. With EMs backing we wouldn't be where we are. 

It's a big week and I'm very grateful. I thought it warranted it's own thread but attached it to the Marinakis one purely and simply as I was praising him. 

Long may it continue. Loving this ride.

[Shawoddyred]

It's an absolutely incredible run so far! Few bits of luck here and there, but definitely earned! Lots of learning gone on too.

I think for me, I don't want us to get to ahead of ourselves. Even in the short term you can see how bunched up the mid table is and we could easily be 14th in a couple of games. That's boring though and I am definitely excited about where we could go!!

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I remember when Brighton got rid of Chris Hughton and Southampton with Nigel Adkins. Many people thought they were mad. Teams and people evolve and I thank the current owner for what they have done.

Yeah and from the outside looking in, both moves seemed both harsh and didn't make sense at the time. 

I guess you don't fully appreciate what has been built up over time, all the baggage Cooper had built up and also just perhaps a different style of voice is required to go up the next step. Can't think of many managers that have taken a team up and then also taken them into Europe?

Bielsa got Leeds to top half is the only recent one I can think of.

…frank clark

Frank Clark is one. Kevin Keegan also got 3rd place with Newcastle the year before us.
This century the only one is Ipswich who finished 5th in 2001
Ipswich got their European place but in a bit of unwanted history they managed to get relegated in that same season and its taken them until this year to get back, 1 year shy of our 23 year record.

[ozzyten10]

Totally get this thread. The last 4 years have been incredible- following from the previous 23! There is a bit of entitlement creeping in and our home support isn’t as excited as it was but what a journey it has been. Enjoy it whilst it lasts!

[Mcforest]

i'm excited, thankful yet cautious. The improvement has be fast recently and I don't want us to be one of those teams that survive have a good season then right back down the bottom, seen that happen so many times as we are no longer the surprise.

[Simon]

Thats the interesting thing with the owners though, they look as though they are going keep pushing rather than sitting back.

I don't think they would allow us to fall back too far down the table.

[wassy04]

This is the challenge, to convert our start into better players and a more stable base.

Sounds like EM is going to try in January, big month ahead to keep ourselves top 10 and make ourselves as attractive as possible. We could really land a big name or two if they think Europe is a genuine possibility.

[Red Dog]

Totally get this thread. The last 4 years have been incredible- following from the previous 23! There is a bit of entitlement creeping in and our home support isn’t as excited as it was but what a journey it has been. Enjoy it whilst it lasts!

100% this Ozzy. We should have learned from the previous 23 years that there is no divine right to be top flite, you earn it, battle for it and try to progress.Enjoy the highs - victory at Anfield first time since 1967 - but don't resent negative things. We are where we are, live the dream. I have seen some guff in my life as a Red, but also the highs of Munich and Madrid. Home games at the WFCG are special and should be respected - these are not an entitlement

[Paplane]

Disagree that fans are beginning to act in an 'entitled' way. Were we entitled all those years in Championship because we'd been down and come back up from League 1? No, we weren't, because we knew our place in the hierarchy of football in this country. So why is our new prem status any different? I happen to think that our level of support, our football history, our city's status nationally etc etc all dictate that we are one of the top 20 best football clubs in the country.

For the two previous season's in the prem we've all realised that the primary object was to finish 17th. I think we can all probably agree that the squad was nowhere near ready to do that in the first year, so that achievement of staying up in itself creates a buzz. The lack of buzz perhaps being felt now is not due to entitlement, its due to familiarity with our surroundings, and removal of the jeopardy of a potential relegation back to obscurity. It's harsh to criticise for that imo.

[Paplane]

Disagree that fans are beginning to act in an 'entitled' way. Were we entitled all those years in Championship because we'd been down and come back up from League 1? No, we weren't, because we knew our place in the hierarchy of football in this country. So why is our new prem status any different? I happen to think that our level of support, our football history, our city's status nationally etc etc all dictate that we are one of the top 20 best football clubs in the country.

For the two previous season's in the prem we've all realised that the primary object was to finish 17th. I think we can all probably agree that the squad was nowhere near ready to do that in the first year, so that achievement of staying up in itself creates a buzz. The lack of buzz perhaps being felt now is not due to entitlement, its due to familiarity with our surroundings, and removal of the jeopardy of a potential relegation back to obscurity. It's harsh to criticise for that imo.

I also feel that fans of clubs like ours, who complain about the likes of Stamford Bridge and Anfield being un-atmospheric often don't consider that the atmosphere may seem flat because those teams are playing us, and there's no jeopody there for them because they know it's a game that can/should win easily. Go to Anfield when they play Man Utd or Arsenal and I'm sure there's a completely different vibe around the place.

[ac_vodka]

Being disappointed that we didn't get something away at Man City.

That's where we are now.