Welcome to the "Next Year" club, the band of perennial optimists who, despite usually falling short of their expectations, cling to the phrase "there's always next year" like a wide-eyed child to its blankie. Here are some of the current members:

Tottenham - Poor Spurs have had a rough ride of late with big friendly ogre Martin Jol guiding them to two fifth place finishes and then promptly leading their nose-dive down the table this season. "If it wasn't for some ropey lasagnas we'd be in the Champions League" has now entered the English lexicon of "what ifs" alongside the classic American WWII rhubarb "If it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German right now."

Luckily for Spurs, Jol's replacement, Juande Ramos seems to have his head screwed on right - and although on the face of it winning the League Cup isn't exactly a glorious achievement, beating Chelsea in the final was very impressive. They have a squad littered with talent, and in my opinion are the best equipped to say goodbye to the "Next Year Club" and burst into the Top Four and beyond

'Rafa Benitez is a person leading a secret double life – playing a well-drilled side in Europe – while leading out a bunch of nearly men in the Premier League'


Liverpool - OK, so they have Istanbul, but success there has masked the fact that Rafa Benitez is a person leading a secret double life – playing a well-drilled side in Europe capable of squeezing out results against some of the best in the business – while leading out a bunch of nearly men in the Premier League. The difference between the two sides is so pronounced that teams that have succumbed to Liverpool’s ruthless efficiency in the Champions League would be shocked to see some of their domestic performances.

Next season, as always, promises a lot for Liverpool fans – and although the addition of Fernando Torres brought a great goalscorer to Anfield, a similar step up in personnel will be needed again this summer if Liverpool are to challenge for the Premier League and finally leave the “Next Year” club.

Manchester City – A “Yo-yo club” founder member, but thanks to Thaksin Shinawatra they can actually claim to be members of this organization too. Who knows who their manager will be at the start of the next campaign, but whether it is Sven Goran Eriksson or a continental interloper they are sure to splurge as much transfer dosh as a pretty financier’s wife exclaiming upon every purchase “I’m spending it as fast as you’re earning it!”

Newcastle United – Kevin Keegan is back, and with him comes re-entry to the “Next Year” club, even though Kev has declared a top-four place an impossibility right now – many a Toon fan will look to rich owner Mike Ashley to bankroll a potential return to the top.