The Premier League..

[CoolClaret]

Apologies if I’m getting ahead of myself here but has the standard properly dipped?

Watching some of the Spurs/Chelsusa game and I genuinely can’t believe Spurs are 4th.

Not to mention looking at teams like a Palace/Villa - are they really ‘better’ than us?

I mean, Fulham are 6th and Tim Ream is one of the stand out defenders in the league - Yeah Tim Ream.

Some smart additions in key areas and I think we’ll be just fine.

[RVclaret]

Bit of a weird season in the sense some of the bigger clubs are having a bad one, namely Liverpool & Chelsea.

As for the Tim Ream example, John Egan was in the PL team of the season a few years back for Sheff as they finished top 8.

Also there aren’t really any standout stinkers this season, like you usually get (Norwich/Watford last season), so you could say the standard at the bottom has got better?

But overall, like you, I think a few quality additions in the summer and we’ll compete quite well.

[taio]

It's really difficult to predict how we'd do in the Premier League. This season's PL does feel different but there's every chance next season will be different to this one. And of course it'll be intriguing how our current set-up will do compared to the complete contrast and success under Dyche. The expectation at the outset should be survival.

[ClaretTony]

Bit of a weird season in the sense some of the bigger clubs are having a bad one, namely Liverpool & Chelsea.

As for the Tim Ream example, John Egan was in the PL team of the season a few years back for Sheff as they finished top 8.

Also there aren’t really any standout stinkers this season, like you usually get (Norwich/Watford last season), so you could say the standard at the bottom has got better?

But overall, like you, I think a few quality additions in the summer and we’ll compete quite well.

Agree with you on the top and bottom - some top clubs not having a great season which is what happened seven years ago when Leicester won it.

And no one trailing miles behind at the bottom.

[FCBurnley]

We would be a breath of fresh air in what has become very stale league

[claptrappers_union]

I think the World Cup has interrupted the flow. I don't think players have been as consistent

[ksrclaret]

I’m really looking forward to it. 17th would be a successful season. There will be a few teams like Brighton, Brentford, Fulham etc who have had excellent seasons this year who for one reason or another may well drop a bit.

As ever, we’ll live and die by the strength of our midfield where Im hoping we’ll invest in a strong, defensive type to play alongside Cullen. Someone in the mould of Kamara at Villa and Paulinha at Fulham would help a great deal.

[CoolClaret]

I think the World Cup has interrupted the flow. I don't think players have been as consistent

That’s a fair comment - kind of forgotten to factor that in

[Spijed]

When Leicester won the league in 2016 Liverpool finished 8th, Chelsea 10th and Southampton 6th.

[Hipper]

Earlier in the season I saw a large part of Aston Villa vs Leeds. What struck me was the pace and physicality of this match. There was no let up. Pressing occurred all over the pitch and both teams lost and regained possession in very short spells. No one had the chance to control the ball then look up to see what can be done. Yet some players managed to pass to colleagues under enormous pressure. Now not all teams play like that but it's difficult to see how our current players and style of play would cope. Our key player, Cullen, would get battered.

[Vegas Claret]

it will be a massive challenge for any promoted team

[HiThere]

Earlier in the season I saw a large part of Aston Villa vs Leeds. What struck me was the pace and physicality of this match. There was no let up. Pressing occurred all over the pitch and both teams lost and regained possession in very short spells. No one had the chance to control the ball then look up to see what can be done. Yet some players managed to pass to colleagues under enormous pressure. Now not all teams play like that but it's difficult to see how our current players and style of play would cope. Our key player, Cullen, would get battered.

Our players are often under extreme pressure from pressing and more often than not we find a way to pass our way out of it. And besides - the Leeds team now can't do it. They often give the ball away.

[CoolClaret]

Earlier in the season I saw a large part of Aston Villa vs Leeds. What struck me was the pace and physicality of this match. There was no let up. Pressing occurred all over the pitch and both teams lost and regained possession in very short spells. No one had the chance to control the ball then look up to see what can be done. Yet some players managed to pass to colleagues under enormous pressure. Now not all teams play like that but it's difficult to see how our current players and style of play would cope. Our key player, Cullen, would get battered.

What makes you think Cullen ‘would get battered’

[ElectroClaret]

it will be a massive challenge for any promoted team

This.
Let's not kid ourselves. It's going to be hard, it always is.

But with VK at the helm, confidence will flow.
Got to turn that into good performances and, above all, goals.

[taio]

Our players are often under extreme pressure from pressing and more often than not we find a way to pass our way out of it.

A totally different challenge in the PL though and in the Championship we aren't pressed that much at all because we control games with being the best side.

[tiger76]

Too early to say how we'll fare in the Prem, a lot will depend how many of the loanees we're able to retain or sign on a permanent basis, plus what other recruitment we can manage.

And obviously we'll need to keep hold of VK, we should be able too at least for a season, but in football you can never be certain.

Yes we're tearing up the Championship, however the PL can be a harsh learning curve for many sides who impress in the Championship.

My instinct right now is we should be able to stay up, but it won't be easy, and naturally we will suffer many more defeats than we have this season.

[RVclaret]

A totally different challenge in the PL though and in the Championship we aren't pressed that much at all because we control games with being the best side.

Not sure about we aren’t pressed that much at all. Luton, Millwall, Swansea, Stoke and Birmingham away are games off the top of my head where the opposing team pressed really well. West Brom tried to press us at home the other week but we played through it. Perhaps the press isn’t as efficient would be a better way to put it?

[Spijed]

To date this season the best benchmark has been Watford at home. With a few Pl players in their side we were under far more pressure passing out from the back than we have been against any other side.

[taio]

Not sure about we aren’t pressed that much at all. Luton, Millwall, Swansea, Stoke and Birmingham away are games off the top of my head where the opposing team pressed really well. West Brom tried to press us at home the other week but we played through it. Perhaps the press isn’t as efficient would be a better way to put it?

No, we aren't pressed that much on the whole and more sides sit off us than press with extreme pressure, and next season in that regard will be unrecognisable compared to this season.

[ksrclaret]

It’s a great point that PL football is played at much faster speed than Championship football. I watched Fulham vs Wolves on Friday night and at times it was being played at a frightening pace with no player getting any time on the ball.

The good news is none of this will come as a surprise to Kompany and Bellamy, two hugely experienced in the PL, and I’m quite sure we will adapt our game plans and recruitment accordingly.

[Sunny Cornwall]

My one fear in the EPL is the size of our team. Every team we come up against is likely to be physically stronger than we are at the moment.

[RVclaret]

To date this season the best benchmark has been Watford at home. With a few Pl players in their side we were under far more pressure passing out from the back than we have been against any other side.

Yeah though Muric was ill which majorly effected his passing

[RVclaret]

My one fear in the EPL is the size of our team. Every team we come up against is likely to be physically stronger than we are at the moment.

I get this point and hope in the summer we try and bring in a bit of athleticism / height particularly in midfield.

[CoolClaret]

My one fear in the EPL is the size of our team. Every team we come up against is likely to be physically stronger than we are at the moment.

Not gonna get many sides bigger than Luton tbf.

I don’t think we’re just going to walk it to 10th or whatever by the way, just saying that I don’t think the standard is that great.

[HiThere]

Passing-wise we're as good as many Premier League sides, so I don't buy the bit about us being murdered by teams pressing us. We'll be fine in that department. The bit about the lack of strength/height in our side is a valid one - but we have a transfer window before next season, so plenty of time for us to do some business.

[Andreshotboots]

In comparison though the league we're tearing up is also a weak league.

Rovers are still sat in a play off spot and in the many games I've seen them this season they've been shocking.

[IanMcL]

I think we will win.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I think our side isn’t a mile away from
Being competitive in the prem. however I think we will be shocked when we go up, just how big the gap is.

Almost 20 teams in the championship would struggle to win even 4-5 games in a full prem season. That’s how big the gap is right now.

It’s to be expected though, prem spending has barely dropped since covid where as the championship has dropped off a cliff.

[CoolClaret]

I think our side isn’t a mile away from
Being competitive in the prem. however I think we will be shocked when we go up, just how big the gap is.

Almost 20 teams in the championship would struggle to win even 4-5 games in a full prem season. That’s how big the gap is right now.

It’s to be expected though, prem spending has barely dropped since covid where as the championship has dropped off a cliff.

The gap is big but so is the gap between us and the rest of the league!

I think our side now is significantly better than ours was last season

[Newcastleclaret93]

The gap is big but so is the gap between us and the rest of the league!

I think our side now is significantly better than ours was last season

No argument we are significantly better than the rest of the league.

Not sure I would agree on that statement tbh. I think last seasons side would beat ours currently. Just down to pure athleticism and size. Bigger sides have so far been our only weakness.

I will say this side has more potential though. It needs strengthening in key areas in the summer to put us in good stead for next year.

[Colburn_Claret]

People questioning if we could survive the press in the Prem, should recognise how Muric is key to us beating that press. For all some posters doubts, he is like having an extra outfield player, and putting someone on him just frees someone else.
On Saturday the way Ekdal and Robets played balls through the channels for JBG, Tella or Obafemi to run onto, was sublime. I thought we were brilliant 3 months ago. We are far, far better now. I think we will be better still in another 2 months, and better still going into next season.
It is why VK keeps mentioning we are only 21st in English football. He knows, and is instilling in the players, that we can't rest on a 19pt lead, we have to push harder, keep learning, in the knowledge that next season will be tougher.
With a couple of new faces we could be a genuine top 10 threat.
I'm not counting on it, too many ifs, buts and maybes, but so much to look forward to.

[Vegas Claret]

zero chance we don't dramatically improve certain positions in the summer, Kompany isn't here to get pumped every week

[Clive 1960]

Personally the football is great what we are playing in the championship but the premiership is a different beast , but I do feel we will hold our own with this squad and hopefully build on it . UTC

[HiThere]

I think our side isn’t a mile away from
Being competitive in the prem. however I think we will be shocked when we go up, just how big the gap is.

Almost 20 teams in the championship would struggle to win even 4-5 games in a full prem season. That’s how big the gap is right now.

It’s to be expected though, prem spending has barely dropped since covid where as the championship has dropped off a cliff.

We won't. If you're shocked you don't watch/understand enough football. I hope most of us already know the gap between the Premier League and the Championship is huge and it's widening every season. But we are way ahead of the rest of this division. We're nearer to a mid-table Premier League side than we are to a mid-table Championship side.