Harry Redknapp has moved to keep expectations in check for the season that lies ahead by telling The News that Pompey fans should not start to expect too much. He says a top 4 place in out of reach and even a top 6 could be tough: ‘I can’t see anyone breaking the top four this season.
‘I think Villa will go close and will be a danger to everyone. They will be a top-six side. That is where we want to be as well.
‘But there are so many good sides, proper sides, who will be there or thereabouts.
‘Villa and Spurs are nailed on for that kind of finish. After that there is Everton, ourselves, West Ham, Newcastle and Blackburn who are all going to be there.
‘As for the top four, you’d have to spend £100m to break their stranglehold.’
He is right, we should not be ‘expecting’ a top 4 or a top 6 finish, but I do not see the harm in ‘hoping’ or ‘aiming’ for either of these – as it is possible!
This is a typical Redknapp reaction, but we know what he is like – what he says publically and what he genuinely believes in private can, and in fact often are two different things, as I have little or no doubt that although he himself is not expecting these things he will of course be aiming for them, and what is more will believe it possible.
I will be happy with continued improvement, how could you not be? These are the greatest days in most of our lifetimes supporting Pompey so we must enjoy them! If we can again match last seasons league placing – ideally better it then I will be more than happy.
The expectations from those above him will have raised though and I suspect that a European finish will be something that he is being asked to achieve this season, and I think this is possible. It will be a battle again, but if Villa, Everton, Spurs and so on think they can achieve anything from 4th down then so can we.
So, we should ‘aim’ high but we cannot, and should not be ‘expecting’ anything…
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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