Realistic expectations for 2020-21?

[SpartanSpur]

Looking forward to this season. I think we will fly well under the radar as our transfer activity will be relatively modest.

For my money we are probably coming into this season better physically and mentally than the previous two. I think both were in the bin at the start of last season.

Jose has had plenty of time to assess the squad now and has already started plugging the gaps with PL experienced players that should be good to go. We saw in the mini season that was project restart the improvement defensively and the players being a bit more tactically aware.

I look at all the above and I can see a significant improvement over last season. We have the firepower to win a lot of football matches, especially if we defend better as a team and have better luck with injuries.

Now if all of the current big 6 perform at their maximum we might be outsiders for top 4 but we all know football doesn't work like that. I think we'll be well in that CL mix. I'm getting positive vibes from recent interviews with Dier and Jose, confidence can take you a long way. COYS

 

[Neon_Knight_]

We scraped top 4 in 18/19 after a colossal drop in form post Christmas and last season we were diabolical. Being ‘pretty much’ top 4 is irrelevant if you finish outside of the top 4.

Our colossal drop in form is irrelevant, in the context of future prospects, as we've since changed manager and improved our form.

Based on points per game since Mourinho arrived, we are one of the 4 best teams in the league, so it's perfectly reasonable to think we have a realistic chance of finishing inside the top 4 this season.

 

[Timberwolf]

Our colossal drop in form is irrelevant, in the context of future prospects, as we've since changed manager and improved our form.

Based on points per game since Mourinho arrived, we are one of the 4 best teams in the league, so it's perfectly reasonable to think we have a realistic chance of finishing inside the top 4 this season.

Exactly. Even with loads of key injuries, holes in the squad and low morale Jose still had us in the top 4 in terms of PPG. L

Sure, our performances were often often uninspired but I don't see the point in being defeatist. Man Utd have a surprisingly thin squad and are only an injury to Bruno away from trouble. Meanwhile Chelsea have a lot of new players to bed in and that can always cause unrest even if they are brilliant talents. Plus Mourinho has had time to instill his methods and almost always does best in his 2nd season. I certainly wouldn't have us as favourites but I'd say we have a solid shot at 4th place.

In football there are never any guarantees of either success or failure so why just assume the worst and say "we definitely won't come top 4"? Just seems like a miserable way to be a fan. Leicester almost came 3rd last season and they were probably predicted to come 7th-8th by most people. Who could've predicted our dumpster fire of a season last year? Maybe it's someone else's turn?

 

[DaleMurphy]

with the transfer business that’s been done so far I don’t think top 4 or a cup (including Europa) are unattainable

 

[Timberwolf]

My point was based on our current squad and performances we’re ‘not’ going to trouble the top 4.

Based on our previous run of league fixtures post-lockdown with no DM and Aurier at RB we won 5 in 9, losing only once. Extrapolate that form over a season and we're getting close to 75 points which, pretty much every season is comfortably top 4 (and last season would've had us 3rd by a mile).

Why is it so crazy to think we're in with a chance with an improved, more settled squad?

 

[hughy]

Already interested to know how Mourinho is going to set us up against Everton. I still don't think he's made his mind up between Stevie and Lucas (Stevie for me). I think it's pretty clear he intends on using Dele a lot, I don't think it was by accident that he was usually playing the same time as Hojbjerg and Son.

Somewhere between this:

Son - Kane
Dele
Bergwijn - Hojbjerg - Lo Celso - Doherty
Davies - Dier - Toby
Lloris​

And this:

Kane
Son - Dele - Bergwign
Hojbjerg - Lo Celso
Davies - Dier - Toby - Doherty
Lloris​

I think that's clearly our strongest 11 (Stevie/Lucas still a question mark). How is he going to make it work? Can anyone with a bit more tactical knowledge shed some light?

 

[austinfh]

Already interested to know how Mourinho is going to set us up against Everton. I still don't think he's made his mind up between Stevie and Lucas (Stevie for me). I think it's pretty clear he intends on using Dele a lot, I don't think it was by accident that he was usually playing the same time as Hojbjerg and Son.

Somewhere between this:

Son - Kane
Dele
Bergwijn - Hojbjerg - Lo Celso - Doherty
Davies - Dier - Toby
Lloris​

And this:

Kane
Son - Dele - Bergwign
Hojbjerg - Lo Celso
Davies - Dier - Toby - Doherty
Lloris​

I think that's clearly our strongest 11 (Stevie/Lucas still a question mark). How is he going to make it work? Can anyone with a bit more tactical knowledge shed some light?

I think it depends if we're going to play the lopsided defence which turns into a 3 at the back when we have the ball and Doherty pushes forward or not

 

[mil1lion]

Already interested to know how Mourinho is going to set us up against Everton. I still don't think he's made his mind up between Stevie and Lucas (Stevie for me). I think it's pretty clear he intends on using Dele a lot, I don't think it was by accident that he was usually playing the same time as Hojbjerg and Son.

Somewhere between this:

Son - Kane
Dele
Bergwijn - Hojbjerg - Lo Celso - Doherty
Davies - Dier - Toby
Lloris​

And this:

Kane
Son - Dele - Bergwign
Hojbjerg - Lo Celso
Davies - Dier - Toby - Doherty
Lloris​

I think that's clearly our strongest 11 (Stevie/Lucas still a question mark). How is he going to make it work? Can anyone with a bit more tactical knowledge shed some light?

I think we have 9 starters and 2 that will be hotly contested. That's not to say the other 9 wont be either but I feel they will be firm starters for much of the season. Lloris, Davies, Dier, Alderweireld, Doherty, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso, Son and Kane when fit will often start. The other 2 (right midfield and central attacking midfield) will be contested between Moura, Bergwijn, Alli, Winks, Sissoko, Gedson, Lamela (with Lo Celso able to push further on if Gedson or Winks start in midfield).

I still fancy we'll go with the 4231 system we often use with Doherty pushing on and Davies tucked in. That would leave Son on the left and one of Moura, Sissoko or Bergwijn on the right. I think Alli looks likely at the moment and possibly Moura will edge it for the first game (although maybe Bergwijn playing a bit wider on the right would allow Doherty to play more infield)

That's some really strong competition for places though and could be made just that much better with Ndombele or a replacement. There's also great competition everywhere else with Gazzaniga, Hart, Tanganga, Sanchez and Sess not to mention the youngsters who could follow in Tangangas footsteps from last season.

We have a stronger and more balanced squad than last season already. We just need that elusive backup number 9 and to resolve the Ndombele role (either replace or get him back on track). That would make us strong enough to get back in the top 4 again and possibly finally win a trophy.

 

[BENNO]

I think we have a massive shot at top 4 and may well get to a cup final - which, if it happens, we will win, because of Mourinho.

I think we have the players to get to a final and if we do,then the manager will be the difference. Same in the league really, if the better players stay fit (for all clubs) then it's Mourinho up against Ole, Frank and Arteta for 2 CL spots.

It might not be as pretty as Poch football, but it's different and interesting to see this new system JM and his assistant are trying to implement and, if the key elements stay fit and in form, i think it'll be successful.

Only have to look at Wolves and Sheff Utd to see that a slightly different tactical approach that's very well coached can do wonders.

 

[GetKaned]

Looking forward to this season. I think we will fly well under the radar as our transfer activity will be relatively modest.

For my money we are probably coming into this season better physically and mentally than the previous two. I think both were in the bin at the start of last season.

Jose has had plenty of time to assess the squad now and has already started plugging the gaps with PL experienced players that should be good to go. We saw in the mini season that was project restart the improvement defensively and the players being a bit more tactically aware.

I look at all the above and I can see a significant improvement over last season. We have the firepower to win a lot of football matches, especially if we defend better as a team and have better luck with injuries.

Now if all of the current big 6 perform at their maximum we might be outsiders for top 4 but we all know football doesn't work like that. I think we'll be well in that CL mix. I'm getting positive vibes from recent interviews with Dier and Jose, confidence can take you a long way. COYS

We are NOT flying under the radar with arguably the most box office manager in football history at our helm.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

with the transfer business that’s been done so far I don’t think top 4 or a cup (including Europa) are unattainable

Been great so far but we'd 100% need to sign a striker to have a chance of this, but i 100% think we will.

 

[Dzejkob]

Good business so far but we are still "one window behind". We needed so much those players we bought but we need striker and CAM as well. But I think it's difficult to buy 5 players with appropriate quality in one window. Those 18 months without a transfer is killing us now. Although I still believe we will get a striker, I'm not so sure about CAM. And that makes as dependent very much on Lo Celso and Alli. We are still one Hojbjerg injury away from Sissoko - Winks midfield. And we all know it's not good enough.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Very positive window so far but its gone a bit flat and season is nearly upon us with the dreaded run of 9 games in 20 days or whatever it is not far around the corner so much work still to be done if we are to have a squad capeable of achieving the targets we want to achieve.

I think that signing a quality AM/winger or creative CM should be much higher up the priority list than is being discussed personally. CF obviously comes first/next but I do think a better / different type of quality AM or CM should be very high on the list. Tanganga and Sess can cover LB and Tanganga CCV or Foyth could all currently cover 4th CB spot as could Davies if we signed another LB whereas until we sign another striker if Son/Lucas have to play up top in our run of 9 games in 20 days or whatever it is then that will leave Bergwijn & Lamela on the wings, the latter of which I don't particularly rate and he can't usually be relied upon to play many games in a row so for the balance of the squad i think another AM or creative mid is very important.

To answer your Q I'd move on Lamela as he's not consistent enough and can't stay fit for more than 15 games a season.

My ideal end to the window would be something like:
Sell : Foyth, CCV, Rose, Aurier, Lamela*
Buy : (in order or need)
1. ST - Watkins etc
2. AM &/or creative CM - Benrahma or Sabitzer (If we sign Sabitzer then keep Lamela, if Benrahma then sell Lamela and buy a lower costing creative CM
3. LB - Regullion etc
4. CB - Don't think its really a priority particularly as Tanganga can cover as 4th choice even if we sell CCV and Foyth but if Jose sees a real need for a more ready to go 4th choice then possibly the South Korean CB Monster OR Skrinjar if we do a swap for Ndombele but if so then we'd need to also buy a CM to replace Ndombele

So its all a moving puzzle in my opinion. Agree that CF, LB and CB need to be addressed but I'm of the opinion as explained above that a consistent upgrade on Lamela or a creative CM should be more important than LB or CB as both of those positions could be covered adequately but current squad members whereas as we saw in many games last season and again in the pre-season vs Watford when we have no Kane or the likes of Lamela and Lucas in our attack combined with no creative CM such as a Lo Celso then we look pretty toothless and for me we aren't going to come top 4 or win anything unless we upgrade our attack slightly. City and Lpool's attack are incredible, Chelsea now have Werner, Zyieck, Havertz, Mount, CHO, Pulisic + Giroud, Batsuyai, Abraham some serious quality and depth there, Man.U have: Martial, Rashford, VDB, B.Fernandes, Pogba, Greenwood, James, Ighalo and will likely add Josh King and are trying for Sancho.

You then have the likes of Arsenal, Leicester, Wolves, Everton all improving.

I'm sorry but I just don't think that our current quality and depth of attacking options is good enough and we need to add absolute minimum a quality striker but ideally also a creative CM to replace what Eriksen gave us and/or a more reliable and better version of Lamela.
Right now we have:

Kane, Bergwijn, Son, Lucas, Dele, Lamela, GLC, Sessengon, Clarke (Only Kane, Son and Dele have proven to be consistently top level performers and even Dele hasn't been on top form for a good year or so, GLC is promising but for me Lucas and Lamela are underwhelming and Lamela can't relied upon to stay fit and Sessengon is still a kid.

 

[yiddo]

Whilst it is getting a little quiet and striker options seem to be decreasing fairly quickly, I don’t feel Levy will allow another window go by without getting a striker in from somewhere. Even if it’s only a loan deal.
I’m more concerned with the lack of reports of us looking at a creative/playmaker type midfielder.
I like Lo Celso but I don’t think he’s that player. Even if Ndombele stays I don’t see him having a major role under Jose.

After the restart we didn’t struggle defensively and putting what chances we made away was also not really a major issue.
Our main problem was our build up play and creating enough opportunities. I don’t think that has been addressed at all by our business so far in the window and more concerning is that it doesn’t appear to be seen as a problem at all.

 

[wrd]

I'm really hopeful on the striker front, let's face it there were a lot of options this year that we could have gone for which are being snapped up by teams who frankly that are not our level. I get the feeling we're working on something similar to the Son deal. Maybe that's just wild optimism but I just fail to believe that we would let these targets pass if we didn't have something better. It'd be negligent and that's just not how we've operated so far during the Jose/Levy era.

 

[idontgetit]

The left back situation still confuses me. We seem to be going after a fairly creative LB in Reguilon and already have Sess, but we didn't play with an attacking LB last year and I've not really seen the signs we're shaping up for it this year.

 

[Goobers]

Very much enjoying being written off by seemingly everyone. Lovely stuff

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

After the restart we didn’t struggle defensively and putting what chances we made away was also not really a major issue.
Our main problem was our build up play and creating enough opportunities. I don’t think that has been addressed at all by our business so far in the window and more concerning is that it doesn’t appear to be seen as a problem at all.

We’ve had a few itk reports of interest in creative midfielders. So it’s a possibility, if not a priority. We’ve also had Herc’s latest positive news re Ndombele (though I’ll need empirical evidence before fully believing it).

More importantly, though, I’d disagree that we’ve done nothing to address the lack of creativity thus far. I believe that the reassuring presence of a proper DM in Hojbjerg will somewhat liberate the likes of Lo Celso and even Winks to be more creative. And Doherty’s end product will give us a huge creative upgrade over Aurier’s wastefulness.

 

[jondy1]

So far we have bought a RB off the 7th best team , who may be a slight upgrade on Aurier (saving levy money, when he offloads Aurier)a DM from the 11th best team who took Walker-peters at a net £3mill outlay and let’s face it that it wouldn’t be hard to be an upgrade on sissoko.
A goalkeeper that cost nothing and IMO is washed up so he can sell Gaza and make a big profit. So all in all if we don’t get a quality ST and midfielder then he has failed to back Mourinho properly, then don’t expect much difference in our season

 

[Timberwolf]

So far we have bought a RB off the 7th best team , who may be a slight upgrade on Aurier (saving levy money, when he offloads Aurier)a DM from the 11th best team who took Walker-peters at a net £3mill outlay and let’s face it that it wouldn’t be hard to be an upgrade on sissoko.
A goalkeeper that cost nothing and IMO is washed up so he can sell Gaza and make a big profit. So all in all if we don’t get a quality ST and midfielder then he has failed to back Mourinho properly, then don’t expect much difference in our season

Well last season we managed 59 points with a terrible start, multiple injuries to key players and a change of manager. Despite being shit we were still just a win against Chelsea and a VAR call away from the top 4.

If we can avoid another shitstorm we're already doing better than we did last season, plus we've added a couple of signings in key positions. Even if they aren't from top teams, just having a decent right back and a defensive minded midfielder is a huge upgrade on last season. Add a striker and maybe another addition and we're quite a long stronger.

I think it will be a tough season due to the increased strength of the league, but last season was such a bad one that I will be extremely disappointed if we don't do better.