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Geoff 12:18 Wed Jul 20
Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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I know I'm going to be accused of negativity but tbh I can see no positivity to date to give me any optimism about next season. I'm going back to our form in the league since we beat Chelsea 3-2 at the LS. Imo that was our last GOOD league performance. Our league form since then was , as far as results were concerned, lower mid table stuff,. In a word I think we ovcerachieved qualifying for the Europa League and did bloody well to reach the semis with what, imo, is, with one or two exceptions, a decent group of players but not a European challenging one.
I look at the squad and see players who are selected regularly, Cresswell, Dawson, Benrahma, Antonio, who wouldn't get close to a serious top 4 challenger's squad, never mind team. Imo we have one world class player and one top class international. I don't need to name them, we all know who they are.
They are supported by some very good players, Coufal, Zouma, Soucek (the 2020/21 season version), Fornals and a couple of high quality keepers. But the rest ?
And as of today the squad is weaker than last season. We lost 4 players from last season's squad and to date have brought two in, and one of those could now be ruled out for a long spell depending on the extent of his injury.
I realise there is still time for new blood to be introduced but it alll honesty , and sorry to be so pessimistic, I think we are miles behind the likes of the existing Top 4 and slso the next 2 down, Arsenal and Man United.
Newcastle, Brighton, Leicester and maybe Wolves could also push on next season, and Palace are recruiting well imo, and have a progressive young coach in Vieira.
I think we're good enough to be in a position where we don't have to worry about relegation but for the life of me I can't see any way we will be good enough to challenge for a place at the European table. Sorry, but that's the way I see it all unfolding.
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
Mr Kenzo
12:20 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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As it stands now, 8th-10th
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Takashi Miike
12:26 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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if the dwarf cunt doesn't allow the manager to buy who he wants within budget, and in the following areas (ST/LW/LB), we'll be lucky to make the top half of the table
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Lee Trundle
12:32 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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If the squad stays at it is, then I'd be surprised if Moyes lasts until Christmas.
I still remain convinced that we'll strengthen the areas that obviously need attention by the end of the window, which is WAYYYYY too late.
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El Scorchio
12:32 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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I’m not going to read too much into last nights result. We did look like we were out for a jog in the park compared to them but it wasn’t good.
It’s abundantly clear to all of us that we need at least 3-4 quality new signings though, if we want to match last season. So Sullivan had better fucking get them done pronto.
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⚒️
12:35 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Top 7 and a good crack at Europe again.
Domestic cup run would be a bonus.
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,
1:08 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Top eight, realistically we don’t have the fire power to break into the top six unless one or two of them have a badly managed season.
We need to, and I think we will, be competitive with the teams outside the top six but good enough for mid table.
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lincslink
1:11 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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If we fail to sign at least 2 strikers and carry on as we finished last season, bottom half seems realistic.
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goose
1:12 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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the way things are at the moment i'd say top half is an achievement.
few signings would change that but i wont hold my breathe........
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Irons10
1:14 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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I would say mid table - the clubs around us have strengthened and we have Newcastle to contend with now
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Charoo
1:40 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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As always for our owners - 17th
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Sydney_Iron
2:01 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Right now I think we will struggle unless we get some decent recruiting done in the next week otherwise it’s back to relegation fighting after 2 seasons in the sun……
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Geoff
2:14 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Thought I might get some pelters for this tbh , and, yes, I know there's still plenty of time, but it looks like I'm not alone in my belief we over achieved last season and will struggle to replicate those achievements again.
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boleyn8420
2:23 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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On the back of pre-season and Dithering Dave finally waking up to the fact we need players, if only someone could have told him, on the back of a 3-1 defeat to a jock pub side I think we are more likely to be enjoying a relegation fight than anything to do with the top half of the table.
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Texas Iron
2:34 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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6 - 10th
Can't rely on the miserly Spiv Owners and the Dithering Scot...
Bssed on previous form...
🤡🤡🤡🤡
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Texas Iron
2:42 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Geoff
Who is the top class international you mentioned...???
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nychammer
2:42 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Pushing on for mid table where we will rightly deserve to be if we don’t strengthen sufficiently. Talk about making a sows ear out of a silk purse.
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Johnson
2:57 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Mid table at best, maybe a run in the Europa conference if we try.
We’re going to struggle this season due to another lack of investment.
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RM10
3:00 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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7th best, prob 9th.
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HammerFan43
3:18 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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Based on the last few games of last season, a lack of decent activity (so far) in the transfer market and pre-season friendlies, I feel it's going to be mid-table mediocrity.
Man City will be a good test and provide more clues.
If things don't improve dramatically I also see Bowen and Rice leaving in the next transfer window.
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Sven Roeder
3:21 Wed Jul 20
Re: Realistic Aspirations For Next Season
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7th to 10th maybe ... better end of that if Broja, Scammy from Sassoulo, Lingard, ANY LEFT BACK & Onana turn up.
Liverpool & Man City are moving further away, Chelsea Arsenal & Spurs will improve adding Sterling , Jesus & Bissouma etc.
Of the others mentioned :
Newcastle - will move up from bottom 6 into our range. Doing the right thing adding slowly. Pope is a great buy but they dont have a striker yet (do they?)
Brighton - lost Bissouma and dont know who they have added to improve. Especially the much needed striker
Leicester - added anyone ? Seem to be on the verge of losing Tielemans
Wolves - have retained Neves for now but have just shipped that kid Silva they paid £35m odd for out on loan
Man U - have put their eggs in the DeJong basket who wont move until someone gives hiim the £14m he is owed by the scam artists who seem to be buying lots of players (Raphina & Lewandowski for £100m) when they are 2 billion in debt.
Dont think they will be any better
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