Its impossible to predict now, without knowing who we will bring in. But, if I had to guess now I'd say 13th. I fear that the reduced budget will mean we can't improve our team as we know we need to, whereas it will effect other teams we've just beaten to finish 9th less, because they have wealthier owners and have bigger pulling power in terms of wages of reputation; clubs clubs, like Everton, Newcastle, Villa, (hate saying this , Leeds). Then there's Southampton who could well be the surprise package for next season, although maybe not too much of a surprise on the way they've played in recent weeks.
I'm not trying to be negative but more realistic. I'd settle for 13th right now, just being in the PL is amazing, although we need to set our target to better the season just gone, don't get me wrong.
I also fear the lack of break and that there's bound to be more weeks next season with two games in will have a more negative effect on us than it will other clubs with bigger squads.
On the positive side we have the best manager in the league, certainly for a club of our size and we have the basis of a good team again, just need two or three quality additions. Its in the recruitment aspect that I fear we won't be able to do this, because of the reduced budget as I say. We may have to sign players to develop, such as Swift, rather than players who will instantly make an improvement, Saying that, we always buy players to develop and even Berge and McBurnie were brought into develop for big fees - at least for us.
If we do get recruitment right then I see no reason why we can't push on and have another season pushing the Europa league, but right now I think it'd be amazing to match the season we've just had. Wanted to be in the Europa league but also think that would have been very tough for us, and its probably a blessing we didn't make it.
