And so to the Premier League......

[CentenaryUpperHammer]

7 subs again

[Denbighammer]

The Gullies, especially Sullivan, always present debt in a way that other people wouldn't.

Yeah, in the same way I present my 11 inch cock to my missus!

[QuintonNimoy]

... and competing well in the two domestic cups.

I don't think Sam's famed for putting too much stock in the cups is he?

[prophet:marginal]

It'll take a good start to the season for silly fees to start being mentioned in January.

The club, at my guess, has probably benefitted from a season in the Championship to the extent that it has rid itself of all the under-performing players on Premier League wages in the way it did under Brown - and we haven't lost anything like the talent and potential we did back then.

Given that Green and Faubert are out of contract I'd guess that Allardyce, Nolan, Cole and Noble are the only ones on anything like first team PL wages for a club of our size. Tomkins has probably got a similar raise inbuilt into his new contract.

I reckon they might offer Green a big raise, but with all sorts of contingencies for relegation.

I hope you're right, but remember that Pardew has an eye on Tomkins and that Harry the Academy Raider has a large CB-shaped hole in his squad, especially if Dawson's recovery is interrupted.

The club will not renew Faubert's contract, but, if we want to keep Green, will surely have to give to him a fairly hefty pay-rise.

Come what may in that regard, I feel we need 3 first teamers to come in, to compete next season.

[BubbleBoy]

I honestly can't see us throwing that much money at it given that I think with a couple of additions we have a squad that can compete mid-table if we can sort out our home form.

As a priority I'd add a striker and a big lump of a centre back. A 20-something Abdoulaye Faye would be ideal.

[Iron-Fists]

I'd say of the three who have been promoted we are probably the best equipped.

Players who I think are good enough:
Green
Tomkins
Demel
Noble
Nolan
O'Neil
Collison
Vaz Te
Cole

Key areas to strengthen:
Another CB
2 full backs, (1 right, 1 left)
1 DM
1 winger
creative midfielder
1 striker

Edit: They don't have to be really expensive players either, look at Swansea and Norwich for example.

Agree with this.

[last.caress]

if we can sort out our home form.

Home form might sort itself out, now. If expectation and the home crowd getting at the team if things don't immediately go right have been the problems, well, expectation will hopefully be lower in this division, and relations between the fans and the team couldn't be any better than at this point.

If the fans start baying for blood if we're not 3 up by half-time against Everton, or the Barcodes or similar, then we've only ourselves to blame.

Just got to carry the optimism right through to the BG.

[EugeneSpeed]

It won't sink in that we are in the Premier League for me until I see our badge on the Premier League page on BBC or Sky Sports websites.

Yeah. Actually, I only go used to clicking 'Championship' a few months ago. I'm going to need to recondition myself.

[Cockneyboy311]

I think home form is going to be crucial next season. There is no way we are going to win ten plus games away in the Prem. LC is right when he said with lower expectation we should be better at home as there will be less pressure.. Lets hope thats the case

[steveyrockstar]

can't see anyone offering silly money for Vaz just yet - we have no idea what he'll be like in the prem

Tarabt and Ebanks-Blake were both being touted at 10m+ following seasons in the c'ship, but they hardly set the prem alight

[Paulo Wanchope]

With the current squad - and discouting the relegated teams - I reckon we'd only have a chance against Villa and QPR, possibly Sunderland.

[warp]

try to google it!

[bobd_uk]

At this stage of last season, everyone would have tipped Swansea to get twatted week in, week out.

[HomertonSpur]

With the current squad - and discouting the relegated teams - I reckon we'd only have a chance against Villa and QPR, possibly Sunderland.

Wigan
Fulham
Swansea

[Paulo Wanchope]

can't see us beating those 3 without a better midfield and defence

[HomertonSpur]

can't see us beating those 3 without a better midfield and defence

None of those teams travel well
You would have more than a fighting change at your place

[bobd_uk]

On paper Norwich have the worst squad in the division. It's about what you do as a team.

[HomertonSpur]

On paper Norwich have the worst squad in the division. It's about what you do as a team.

I forgot Norwich, Another team there for the taking (although we managed to give our worst home performance of the season against them - that was nasty).

[wizzo_66]

We could beat any of them on our day, and on their off day.

With reinforcements at full back, up front and in terms of creativity - on paper we'd have a mid table team imho:-

1. Man City
2. Man Utd
3. Arsenal
4. Spurs
5. Chelsea
6. Newcastle
7. Liverpool
8. Everton
9. Fulham
10. West Ham United
11. West Brom
12. Swansea
13. Stoke
14. Norwich
15. Southampton
16. Wigan
17. Sunderland
18. Aston Villa
19. QPR
20. Reading

[ageing hammer]

Nah........................ they are all off on holidays now mate