On the back of Mariappa's comments about looking at Europe, it's probably a good time to open a thread on the subject. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/s...-has-hopes-of-playing-in-europe-with-watford/ Personally, I think we have a fantastic opportunity to finish 7th, but it's on the proviso we invest in a forward and a central defender. Two players of quality, and I believe the recent links to Min-jae and Cornet would be good enough, then I would be confident we could push us on further. Of course we have to remain injury free and not sell key players such as Doucoure or Pereyra, but all being equal, I think we probably will finish 7th. Whether that's enough to qualify for the Europa League remains to be seen, but I think you would be unlucky not qualify with that league placing.
Disagree. I very much doubt we will finish 7th & in terms of Europe not for at least a few seasons yet.
Disagree with Hornet4ever. I see no reason why we can't finish 7th and not sure why we wouldn't be ready for a few seasons. We have played 23 games and our currently 7th so not sure why we can't finish there. I don't think there is a lot between the sides 7th to 12th and with the addition of a couple of players then why not. It's going to be tight though
I think Wolves will finish 7th, although we probably won't have a better chance nor another chance for a while with the inevitable departures in the summer.
History. Second half of season syndrome always affects WFC. Especially when we are now safe. Think we are capable to finish top 10 & that will be a good enough achievement. On what basis is 7th likely or even probable in a team where prime goal scoring chances to kill off opposition aren't taken & lucky to pull draws out of recent results. The performance against Burnley was unconvincing. 7th would be astounding but realistically it's all just wishful thinking based on hope & nothing more.
Can we finish 7th? Certainly. Do I think we will? No. But that’s just my personal opinion and based on nothing more than knowing this squad has history of downing tools. I suspect that mentality is quickly being eroded around the place but any hint of it returning means we will drop a few places IMO. It’s also crucial that we don’t go through the second half of the season with the same central defenders we currently have. I’d also like to see us tempt Pereyra with enough money to sign a new deal - that would be a boost to the whole club and show everyone else that our best players aren’t hoping to jump ship at the season’s end (Doucoure aside) or concentrating on moves elsewhere.
The question is not can we finish 7th, it's can we handle finishing 7th. Look at all the teams going into the Europa recently. All struggled in the league. We would need a strong 25 man team to perform on both fronts without it having an effect on league performance. We would also need to be fitter as a team because we would start the campaign in July. Plus on a personal note a load of our games will be moved to Sunday which would be a right old pain in the bottom for me.
I'm not sure that history has much relevance and when it comes to goal scoring, outside the top 6 only Everton (2 more) and Bournemouth (1) have scored more than us. I'm not saying we're a shoe-in for 7th place but I do find knee-jerk negativity like yours hard to comprehend given the quality of the season we are having
Not sure I understand your assertion? I have just stated probability outcome, based on our current form & factually what we know what we're like from previous 2nd half seasons once safe. Why is that classed as 'knee jerk negativity?' Will you or I both saying we think we'll finish 7th make it any more likely to happen because that's a positive statement? Maybe you could really explain what you are basing a 7th place finish on? Of course I would like 7th but don't see that happening. In fact it's likely Muff will overtake us by the end of Feb.
Why should muff finish 7th and not us? We've got a preferable fixture list in that the tough games are all away. Leaving us winnable home games... Like Burnley.
So what! Does the season end in Feb? Our current form is actually good - one defeat in 8 - and it is plain daft to assume that history will dictate that the current squad under the present manager will inevitably reproduce the late season form of Flores, Mazzari and Silva/Gracia's teams.
There are 6 or so teams with a chance of 7th, so maybe ita fair to say we have a 1 in 6 chance? Which is not that likely, in fact I'd say about a 20% chance.
Wolves are bang on for 7th. Think a few others will get the few points needed to overtake us. 10th would be good. Maybe end up a bit lower though. Tight in mid table
So in the previous seasons we have fallen away at this stage as we were safe “basically” and had nothing to play for. I have not checked but do not think we were anywhere near to the points needed to get 7th in the previous seasons. This year we have something to play for and our current position to keep, maybe this season will be different?
I was thinking something similar to this at the weekend. Assuming Doucoure never plays for us again, peak watford has been and gone. I hope everyone enjoyed it, because it's downhill all the way from here.
For me the syndrome of downing tools at the halfway mark isn't the issue. I look at the way we've been playing recently and the inkjuries we're picking up and I can see us hitting another bad patch of form soon. It's great that we've ground out results enough to find ourselves in this lofty position, but frankly, I'm managing my expectations to a top 10 finish, which will, in itself be a huge achievement and one of the top 3 or 4 seasons in our whole history.
I think that makes sense but, given our current position and form throughout the season, Hornet4ever is, in my view, reaching new peaks of negativity when s/he dismisses our prospects of finishing 7th as 'just wishful thinking based on hope & nothing more'
I agree with this, but a cautiously optimistic approach is justified IMO. I think we'll do it, providing we get those new signings, keep our key players and do not pick up a lot of injuries. That's quite a few boxes that need ticking, so of course it can go wrong. However, I think the team is playing with a belief and purpose not shown in previous campaigns and this is why I think it very possible. Attitude plays such an important part in football. Burnley took advantage of a poor league last season, and easily finished "best of the rest" and this included an 11 match run where they didn't win a game!! I do not see any level of consistency from clubs below us to suggest we will not finish 7th, unless of course we implode ourselves. If we can be 7th, on merit, after 23 games, then it's not a fluke. Ok, I can see there are only 3 points between us and 12th, so it is congested, however, I think we have a very favourable run of home matches from now until the end of the season, where we should be picking up a lot of points. The Spurs match even looks favourable right now also. I just feel this season is a little different from previous campaigns and we may just see it through.
Thanks. I put on record that I'll buy you a pair of the diaper trakkie bottoms from the Holebas spring collection if we finish 7th. You like those.
There are six teams in with a shout of 7th (I'd say Brighton are just out of the running, 7 points behind us with 15 games to go). Those six teams could realistically finish in any order - Bournemouth could easily finish 7th, we could easily finish 12th. There are too many variables at this stage, especially with a third of the transfer window to go. We have a great chance, but there's such a long way to go. I am enjoying the fact that this is the debate right now though. Practically safe in January once again, arguing about whether we'll finish mid-table, top half or in Europe. Happy Monday Hornets
We’ll revisit this thread when we’ve just scraped to safety with 2 games left, securing 17th spot and a final home game farewell for Bobby and Doucouré.