Could we?

[Smirker]

Look where we finished this season. Look at our injuries. It's not impossible.

Finally some sense.

Obviously the odds are stacked against us.

But we were in the race into the New Year. Another window to strengthen and the summer to get injure players back, we will be much stronger next season.

Right now I put us 3rd favourites. Ahead of Liverpool but behind Arsenal and the 115.

[Percy McCarthy]

There's been quite a debate as to how injuries affected our season and how we might have done had had less bad uck. The figures below are taken from a BBC article - they DO NOT include Emi Buendia's absence because he was injured pre-season.

Most individual players injured
Spurs 23
Liverpool 21
ManU 21
Villa 20
Chelsea 20
Newcastle 20
Arsenal 14
Man City 14

Separate injuries
ManU 45
Chelsea 43
Newcastle 41
Villa 39
Spurs 37
Liverpool 35
ManC 26
Arsenal 23

Worst injury weeks per club - most players out in one game week
Chelsea 11
ManU 11
Newcastle 11
Villa 10
Liverpool 9
Spurs 9
Arsenal 7
ManC 4

Days lost through injury
Newcastle 1,950
Chelsea 1,745
ManU 1,620
Spurs 1,402
Liverpool 1,383
Villa 1,236
Arsenal 898
ManC 672

There's a clear correlation between the numbers and where we finished.

City and Arsenal were the least affected by injuries, whatever metric you chose to use. They were able to rotate players for the right reasons and could play the same partnerships, shapes and formations, whereas we were constantly chopping and changing - especially defensively.

If we can get our injuries down towards those of City and Arsenal, then that should help us immeasurably and with 4-5 Monchi signings, there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to push on in the league and you never know ... ... The Holy Grail, 68 years and counting.

It also doesn’t include Ramsey or Moreno’s injuries that they got pre-season either, apart from the ones they got after they came back for the odd game.

[SaddVillan]

The numbers are based on starting squads and include games missed from the start of the season.

Ten Hag with his constant references to injuries gave his players a top-down excuse for non-performances.

Unai, by comparison built a "Band if Brothers", "All for One" mentality in which everybody stepped up when asked.

OK some individual and collective performances towards the end of the season might not have been what we wanted, but it's hard to deny that the players gave everything they could, even though quite a few were running in empty at the end.

No excuses, no complaints.

[Risso]

We've got a manager who's good enough to win the title. It's up to the club to give him a team capable of lasting the distance.

[PaulWinch again]

We've got a manager who's good enough to win the title. It's up to the club to give him a team capable of lasting the distance.

Good way of looking at it. I hope we’re aiming for it in 3/4 years time - obviously I’d love to win it next year, but if we have a really coherent plan that builds each year is our best chance of doing it.

[Drummond]

Doubt we will challenge for the title. Keeping 4th would be a massive achievement. We do not have the financial clout or media profile yet.

Why would we need media profile?

Is he a right back?

Yep, his name is pronounced:

Med - ee- ah

Prof-ee-leh

[Footy-Vill]

Found this thread. So can continue discussion here.

After 7 games we are 5th , 4 points of top
Last season were also 5th but on 15 points and 3pts off 1st (Man City 18pts)

Currently as it stands

1.Liverpool  18pts
2. Man City  17pts
3. Arsenal 17pts
4. Chelsea 14pts
5. Villa 14pts

We are averaging 2pts per match as head into the International Break.

[Risso]

FFS, we all know where we can find the league table.

[Footy-Vill]

FFS, we all know where we can find the league table.

Formatted File System

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

The break has come at the right time and to be really selfish, I hope our players don't get used in the internationals. Could we win the league? Fuck yeah.
We've only got Liverpool and Arsenal to beat. Man City look rattled.

[cdbearsfan]

FFS, we all know where we can find the league table.

Do you have an alert set up so you can abuse FV whenever he posts?

[PaulTheVillan]

FFS, we all know where we can find the league table.

Formatted File System

Now you're going back a bit there

[Footy-Vill]

Having Ramsey, Ginny, Konsa, Onana, Mings , Kamara back and  all available only helps the dream!

I'm feeling good! Like Emery says about the players !
It's Good News!
Actually I say it's wonderful news!!

[Footy-Vill]

Great result for Us with Bournemouth beating Arsenal

Now Arsenal play Liverpool next week

Today Liverpool play Chelsea

Villa play Bournemouth next week.

Some draws and a Villa win see us move closer to the 1st!
Let yourself dream -it's getting exciting!

November onwards is going to be very positive with more players ready to play. Indeed I can feel its going to be good.