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Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Wednesday July 23 2008
Time: 9:41AM
UK time is: 06:24:17
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Redknapp - Do not expect too much
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...
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Your Comments
I expect top 10 - I would be happy with top 8. However, if neither happens I will put it down to the cruel footballing gods and not try to place blame on players or staff
Pompeyscum
Yes we do need a reality check. No we won't do 4 because that won't change. Top 10 will still take some doing & we should make it. A good run in the cups & Europe would be great. However we havn't turned into Real Madrid overnight but we have come a very, very long way in 6 years.
storagematt
Reading the signings all the other teams are making and a lot of previously struggling teams now seem to have decent Managers in place, so I think we will have it all to do next season. Still, you need a target and my target is the top 6. Ya gotta be positive!
Gandor
Positive yes, but also realistic... I'm a firm believer in safety first .. Get me 38 pints on the table then I'll give you a prediction
Chix
(lol) .. that really should have read 38 POINTS... but actually I reckon my predictions after 38 PINTS would be quite amusing.. Who's gonna buy me the first !
Chix
i feel if we dont do better than last seasons finish it wont be a failure but it will be disappointing season, but think back a few years when we were scrapping to stay up, i think last season was a phenomenal season one of the best seasons we have ever had but as Harry said we cant expect to much we will be lucky to break into the top 6, if we signed swp and maybe another centre midfielder i think we would be more than capable of breaking into the top 6. PUP
jakepfc14
Can anyone expain the difference between a proper side and other sides.Harry seems to indicate that we are not a proper side?????
frattonaussie
Chix, I predict that this year it won't be goal scoring that will be a problem but conceding easy goals that will be the worry.
frattonaussie
I am hoping top 8 finish, with a push for at least 5th place. Maybe more, who knows?
sneakay
Arry always comes out with this. Just as Jamo has said the same as jakepfc that only an improvement on last year will do. I'll be happy with top 10 and a decent run in Europe, but better would be fab!
tracyc
Same old Arry...lower expectations then take the cake when you better them. " We're only Pompey"....not like other " proper sides ". Give us a break. No one realistically should expect a top four finish but europe next year should be a must. You don't splash 20 million quid (SWP included) on top notch talent and be happy with a top 10 finish. We've had a couple of terrific seasons and from where we came from shouldn't be ungrateful. But stop the " spin " Arry. We would have expected a top 10 finish had there been no signings and no one had left (Muntari, Baros). He's been like a preying mantis over Crouch & SWP, so if he does land them both then there's nothing wrong with expecting at least top 6 or 7 & a europe berth. He's a great manager to whom we're all immensely grateful, but at times the BS is mind boggling.
Toronto4Pompey
Chix: I'll buy you a pint if we don't get 38 pts next season. It would be Canadian beer though so eat a greasy lunch !
Toronto4Pompey
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