Exactly right. People fail to realise that we've had our best season this year points-wise (for 30 games anyway, i haven't checked again for 32) and are struggling for fourth because Everton have had a tremendous year, showing title-winning form at some stages. If a team is to breach the dominance it'll be that way i feel, by rising to the challenge as Everton have done exceptionally well up until recent weeks.



I actually think that it could happen, and Everton are proving that. Teams such as Tottenham, Man City and Sunderland spent more money than Liverpool in the summer and if that continues they will feasibly improve to a very high standard, one worthy of challenging the top four.



Our situation is a little murky, and could go either way, but if i was to say one of the big four that would be replaced i'd go for Chelsea. For me that is only a matter of time, as Abramovich's departure will cue their rapid demise. They aren't a huge club like Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool and never really will be i don't think. If that doesn't happen in the immediate future it'll either be a team rising to the standard of the four or Liverpool fading away for whatever reason.

I do think future seasons will produce a very competitive campaign for the higher positions though, with lower clubs having increased funding to pool into player signings. Money as i said can only take a team so far, so once you begin to spend vast amounts the playing field is evened considerably and a lot comes down to other variables, such as the manager, using the money well, luck, mentality etc.



No team will compete regularly i don't think. It is too difficult to do that, which competition so fierce. But the team i'd expect to be up there next season would be again Everton.

In the long run i'd suggest Tottenham would be far better positioned than anyone else, with a manager whose achieved a top four feat with Sevilla (albeit with reduced competition) and of course a lot of money to spend (which is where Everton fall short). I'd also expect Thaksin's billion's to pay dividends and for City to prevail eventually.

Money will ultimately prevail, is the bottom line - and i wouldn't be surprised to see a top 6 formed over coming years, albeit i'm not anticipating other sides having major cash injections. But the likes of Blackburn, West Ham, Portsmouth and Everton will struggle to sustain a challenge for the top four i sense.

Also, if a team was to challenge, i'd rather it came from Portsmouth, Villa or maybe Newcastle. There's too much dominance from the North-West and London.

Man City i say eventually,

Don't think there will be a team who can challenge Man Utd and Chelsea for the next few seasons. But if the teams like Everton, Spurs, Man City etc... continue to improve and spend decent money, believe they can close the gap on Arsenal and Liverpool. The gap between the 4th and 5th placed teams are getting smaller every season so won't be surprised that there will be more teams in the mix for the CL spots.

I feel Everton have the most potential to challenge for the 4th spot followed by Spurs for the coming two seasons or so.

This is what I see happening: The Premiership will end up with 3 different levels of standard.

Title - Man Utd or Chelsea

3rd & 4th - Arsenal, Pool, Everton, Spurs to challenge for these two lucrative CL spots. Pool & Arsenal have the edge but it will be a close fight.

5th & 6th - Portsmouth, Blackburn, Villa, Man City and maybe Newcastle.....

I reckon Everton have the best chance because of the steady foundation of the club. There are no off the field distractions, each player is carefull selected before recruitment (they have the right attitude and play for the club), they spend wisely when neccessary and have a very good manager.

How about QPR. They have 3 ambitious and very wealthy owners. Can they do a Chelski? They are looking to consolidate their position in the Championship and are planning a push for promotion in 2009. They will need to do something with their ground if they plan to compete with the big boys...it only currently holds 19000 max.

I read one of their owners say that in 5 years time, they'll be challenging Milan for Europe's premier club

He must have been Italian if he THINKS Milan are Europes premier club. We all know its United Correction......United are the WORLD's premier club

How are Spurs winning this over Everton?, look at the table!

There cant be that many Spurs fans on here, i for one voted Everton.

I havent voted.

I reckon if Sven gets the money its been reported he will get, they may be able to get it.

But i agree with Steelys original verdict that the top 4 will be Liverpool Arsenal Man U and Chelsea well at least for the next few years.

You have to win Europe's premier competition to be taken seriously, sadly.



Problem is, every club "thinks" they can challenge and yet the competition is fierce and places are scarce. QPR are a mile behind in comparison to other contenders and there's no way a club can go from where they are to "challenging Milan for Europe's premier club" in 5 years. It's harder now than ever. You only have to look at the way Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool are struggling to achieve expectations as to how hard it is, despite either team having plenty to spend.



I voted for Spurs, but only because someone decided to limit the poll to four teams. I would've gone for Man City, for their sheer ability to attract players (money and Sven)... Spurs are in a similar position, whereas Everton struggle. And whilst they're doing well, for the strides to be made that are being discussed i think a lot of money is needed.

I said Spurs but it might be a few years and would take a very bad season from on of the big four

I'm behind Everton on this one. Pure consistency. Week in, week out. Year after year. That and some other passion they share with Mancunians.











But that's beside the point, innit...

I voted Everton too. Spurs don't have a chance of 4th. 5th or 6th yes but not 4th. Spurs will not replace Liverpool.



And who will they replace? Liverpool? Arsenal?

It's all about money and the manager now... Lets face it, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd have both while l,pool only have the money, then Everton only have the manager.... If we get money then l,pool will be pushed into top 5 or 6

Not going to happen though.

We get asked this question every year.

I think it will be the same old outcome next year.

Bluey you do make us all laugh on this forum, how on earth can you possibly compare Benitez , and Moyes ????

in 4 yrs as Manager Benitez has taken Liverpool to:

2 -- European Cup Finals (won 1 / lost 1) and could be 3 finals
1 -- FA Cup final (Won)
1 -- Super Cup (won)
1 -- League Cup Final (lost)


In 6 yrs Moyes has taked Everton to:
ermmmmm , errrrrr, ahhhhhhhhhhh, oh i know NOTHING !!! (sorry 4 th place once)

and everyone knows why Moyes hasn't signed a new contract because he is hoping a big club offers him a job (never gonna happen).


Neither Fergie or Wenger, have achieved as much as Benitez has achieved in their first 4 yrs .
and Mouriniho only managed what he did because of all the Money he had to spend.

And given time Benitez may well win the prem (took Fergie 6 yrs).

The poll question isn't "Which team will replace one of the top four", it's "Next likely team to break into top four". A team may be displaced, but not replaced - the four will consistently be in and around that area for a while. I think only Chelsea have the capacity to be replaced, if they enter free-fall mode when Abramovich leaves. As it is both Liverpool and Arsenal have shown a side from the four is displaceable, and we're probably the most likely of contenders for it next season given this year (not that i think it'll happen).

As it has been said though, it'll be more of a top 5 than anything else - a team will have to rise up to the standard of the others, as Everton have nearly done this season.

Keegan says it will be hard breaking into the top4 because of the money you get from occupying those places. This is why it will take 50million to put a team into the top4 spots. It took a lot more than 50million to put Liverpool there. They spend that nearly every year just to barely keep that place.

If Keegan gets 50million and spends wisely we may be challenging for 5 and 6th with an outside chance of 4th. Who knows though. The league is very hard to predict. Most thought Arsenal would be out the top4 this year but they are still there.

Voted for Tottenham, because Ramos should be able to get some great players over there for next season, but I think Newcastle might have a chance aswell. It all depends on how they do with transfers and keeping their best players at the clubs though I think.