Realistic expectations for 2020-21?

[hughy]

Not entirely sure where to ask, but when is the absolute latest that we could sign someone and get them registered to be able to face Plovdiv? Do we have to submit a squad prior to the game or can we just rock up with Bale on the Thursday?

 

[deanostheyido]

Not entirely sure where to ask, but when is the absolute latest that we could sign someone and get them registered to be able to face Plovdiv? Do we have to submit a squad prior to the game or can we just rock up with Bale on the Thursday?

I reckon if we just rocked up in Bulgaria with bale, we'd probably be done for kidnapping/human trafficking

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

As it stands on the eve of the season, I think 5-8th is where we’ll end up. Another target man seems to be everyones concern and we do need to sort that but I still think there’s big holes in the first eleven. CB, LB and a midfielder who can take the ball on the half turn and create(Ndombele maybe but I doubt Mourinho will trust him). A lot to do to get us competing again.

 

[wrd]

Lloris Hart Gazzaniga
Doherty Aurier
Alder Sanchez Dier Tanganga Foyth
Davies Sessegnon
Hojbjerg Sissoko Winks
Dele Lo Celso Ndombele
Bale Moura Bergwijn Son Gedson
Kane Vinicius

How the fuck has this become a realistic expectation?

 

[peterballb]

Our financial position within the EPL suggests 6th. We certainly are not able to compete (transfer fees or salary) with any of United (earned over half a century), Chelsea (monopoly money), City (monopoly money). Liverpool are the Champions and have a very complete team. They all have CL, so fewer games than we will.

We are also at a disadvantage (game wise) with Leicester and Arsenal. They are already in the group stages of EL. We need to win three one off games (at least the first two half a continent away) just to get where they already are. Carabao pushed up messes with everything, So many games in such a short period of time.

If we can get through this first crazy period, staying in Carabao and EL, winning our PL games, we should be ok. CL positions will then remain in the offing.

Last year, we purchased three players to fit needs and a prospect. Sessingnon was injured when we bought him. We knew that. Clarke was always going to be loaned back. Ndombele and Lo Celso came and then were injured before we could get going. Both foreign players, so they were always going to need some time. Injuries messed that all up. Dele, spotted inebriated in Spain, then overtrained and injured. He never recovered. Lloris got injured early October. In the 16 games he was out (including the game where the injury occurred early on), our play was completely indifferent. Players breaking down left, right and centre, culminating with the Christmas period where Kane, Sissoko et al went down. No Son to start the season (red card). A further red card and fractured arm took their toll too. Eriksen was indifferent. VAR was not exactly our friend.

All that to say, last year just never got going. So, if we can get through the craziness to start the season in good shape, I believe our ability will have us in the mix for the CL spots at the end of the season. Arsenal and Chelsea still have defensive issues. You cannot just paper it over. United still looks to be a bunch of players cobbled together. Lots of talent - no team.

First 8 PL games only see us face United. If we can make hay, remain healthy, we should be in good shape in late November where we then can make our mark on City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool in 5 of the next 7 games. All will be in the thick of Europe and perhaps Carabao Cup, so there will be lots of games for everyone.

My optimism for this season (the additions of Hojberg and Doherty are excellent) is only tempered by the outrageous number of games over the first three weeks. Going to be a really important to have a proper mix of training and rotation of players.

Be a really big help to get some more reinforcements in - game changers. Bale, Reguilon, a striker and CH would certainly give us the extra quality we need to get through the brutal schedule and to compete in 4 competitions.

Time for a cup, at a minimum.

 

[dagraham]

I previously said in this thread that I would be very surprised if we finished higher than 6th.

I’d like to revise my realistic expectations.

 

[deanostheyido]

Not sure about 20/21, but think we should win the championship in 21/22...

 

[DiVaio]

I honestly think we will finish in the bottom half this season and that’s no overreaction. Worst defence in the top 6 imo, 100% worst midfield maybe second worst to Arsenal. Only positive is Kane but when the rest of the team is that poor then he is redundant. Not going to be a good season at all. Will happily eat my words if anything changes but just my expectations.

 

[McArchibald]

Mid table mediocrity...
Other teams invest in the squad - we don't.

 

[THFC_is_my_life]

Unless we invest in a quality number 10/ creative midfielder, a back up striker and potentially a new LB, I think we will be very fortunate to crack the Top 6. Really poor today.

 

[Amo]

But he said no overreaction.

 

[Spursberg]

We are raving about a backup striker and left back, but if we do not get a craetive player that can shift the ball fast, we will be looking at top 10 this season. The lack of speed and movement between 30 - 70 meters mark was worrying as h..l

 

[Mphw]

Maybe a touch Lol, but realistically we don’t have the quality anymore above other teams. They’ve strengthened over the past few years while we really haven’t.

 

[DiVaio]

Maybe a touch Lol, but realistically we don’t have the quality anymore above other teams. They’ve strengthened over the past few years while we really haven’t.

Our squad is still better than other clubs except LFC, City and maybe Utd/Chelsea. And i'm not sure how other clubs have strengthened but we didn't

 

[Mphw]

Our squad is still better than other clubs except LFC, City and maybe Utd/Chelsea. And i'm not sure how other clubs have strengthened but we didn't

I won’t go into it as it’s not the right thread for it and I’m sure A&C and Rob are pulling their hair out enough over some shit on here lol.

 

[peterballb]

No team has ever won or lost the title in week one. Hardly the result any would have liked. Expectations should remain the same. Priority remains getting in to EL Group stages and get through the early rounds of the Carabao. Where the rest of chips fall, who knows. Expectation remains a spot in Europe next year. Top six is where I expect we will finish. Notwithstanding today's result.

 

[Rosco1984]

with Ben Davies as our first choice left back 8-9th at best we could sign Messi but your only as good as your weakest link when rose was at his best the year we were chasing Chelsea the drop in quality to Davies was so obvious when rose wasn't available but now he is starting every game he's utterly mediocre at best but gets away with it because Rose lost his ability for whatever reason.

 

[Navy Spur]

Just thought this was worth a bump........

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Just thought this was worth a bump........

Quadruple and nothing less.

 

[BorisLloris]

A fun read.
Top 4, a valiant but failed title bid and a trophy, maybe 2. What a difference a few weeks makes.