Realistic expectations for 2020-21?

[rossdapep]

Don’t under estimate what JM could achieve with a balanced squad.

This is what is keeping with a positive mindset, although I think the club should be doing better.

This window SHOULD we complete the signings Jpae has targeted will mirror the windows he had at Inter and Porto in which every signing was pragmatic.

At Porto he signed a group of solid players from the Portuguese League, players that he had diligently monitored and detailed to fit into what he wanted to achieve.

He then did the same at Inter but with a wider net and also brought in a couple of big players who were no longer wanted elsewhere, sacrificing their most talented player in the process (Zlatan).

I believe he is doing the same here, carefully analysing the players within our remit, whilst being prepared to shift on those he believes can be sacrificed for the greater good.

It's the one aspect I think Poch lacked. Jose has a much better understanding of scouting and will certainly have a longer lost of contacts.

 

[Yiddo100]

Realistically see us finishing somewhere between 6th & 8th with the squad as it currently stands.....Liverpool & Man City are over the horizon, Chelsea & Man U to complete the top 4 with Arsenal, Wolves, Liecester & us battling for Europa positions....

Of course anything could happen as the season hasn’t even started but I’d probably put Chelsea in the city and Liverpool bracket, some serious signings and they’ll have to be challenging for title

 

[dagraham]

Of course anything could happen as the season hasn’t even started but I’d probably put Chelsea in the city and Liverpool bracket, some serious signings and they’ll have to be challenging for title

They are certainly not fucking about in the transfer market, that’s for sure.

 

[spursville]

we'll win the prem with hart top scorer with 60 goals

seriously tho, given how tough the league is, i think we'll do really well in EL, possibly with a good chance of winning it as jose will take it extremely seriously. as for the league, probably anywhere from 4-6, the financial dopers already have the top positions nailed on as usual.

As usual? Before last season, didn't we finish in the top four for four seasons in a row? We have a right to expect more.

 

[wrd]

I'm starting to really like the look of us having 2 balanced squads. We are missing a lot of creatively however and we need another striker to really complete the teams but so far so good:

Prem team

Lloris
Doherty Alder Sanchez Davies
Hojbjerg Lo Celso
Moura Dele Son
Kane

Europa team

Hart
Foyth Dier Tanganga
Gedson Sissoko Winks Sessegnon
Lamela AnotherStriker Bergwijn

Would be great if we could count on Ndombele instead of Sissoko and add another striker.

 

[Yiddo100]

I'm starting to really like the look of us having 2 balanced squads. We are missing a lot of creatively however and we need another striker to really complete the teams but so far so good:

Prem team

Lloris
Doherty Alder Sanchez Davies
Hojbjerg Lo Celso
Moura Dele Son
Kane

Europa team

Hart
Foyth Dier Tanganga
Gedson Sissoko Winks Sessegnon
Lamela AnotherStriker Bergwijn

Would be great if we could count on Ndombele instead of Sissoko and add another striker.

Like the Prem team, if we could get maybe another LB (reguilion recently linked) then I’d seriously fancy us for a trophy and a CL spot

 

[13VanDerBale13]

If we sign a back up striker I think we can reach another final / push for top 4

 

[wrd]

Like the Prem team, if we could get maybe another LB (reguilion recently linked) then I’d seriously fancy us for a trophy and a CL spot

Yeah I do think Tanganga suits that role to an extent and certainly with Sess infront of him that helps. I liked the look of that guy from Watford though.

 

[emiley heskey]

I think for left back, jose likes a cb moulded defensive left back rather than attacking left back like rose ..

 

[wrd]

I think for left back, jose likes a cb moulded defensive left back rather than attacking left back like rose ..

Don't know about that, I mean he was pretty happy with Ashley Cole, who he compared Sess with.

 

[emiley heskey]

Don't know about that, I mean he was pretty happy with Ashley Cole, who he compared Sess with.

But ashley cole was defensive left back rather than someone like marcelo or roberto carlos ... Vertonghen would have suited this LCB role perfectly due to his size and superior ball playing skill than davies

 

[wrd]

But ashley cole was defensive left back rather than someone like marcelo or roberto carlos ... Vertonghen would have suited this LCB role perfectly due to his size and superior ball playing skill than davies

I think Cole was defensively astute but he wasn't what I'd call a defensive left back, he was very attacking just not in the realm of Carlos and Marcelo as you mentioned but he was certainly an attacking fullback in his era.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think A Cole was strong in attacking and defensive situations.

A little shit he was, but an all round excellent full back.

 

[WiganSpur]

Chelsea and United can have all the players they want but i'm still unconvinced by Lampard and Solskjaer as coaches. Out of the recent former players Arteta is far far more qualified and it's no surprise to me that he won the cup for Arsenal. Our problem last season was ourselves more than anyone, throwing so many silly points away.

I'm not saying we'll definitely get 3rd but if our squad's more balanced (which is looking to be the case) and we don't get rotten luck with injuries again then I think the proven experienced coaches will come out better as long as they have adequate squads. That's us City and Liverpool.

I think my surprising pick will be Arsenal to finish 5th and above United - but that will depend on whether Arteta is allowed to shape his squad.

 

[St José Dominguez]

I think for left back, jose likes a cb moulded defensive left back rather than attacking left back like rose ..

When has he liked that? Pretty much always played with left backs or once converted Young into one.
I really don’t remember his defensive line ever being this lopsided before, he may have had a more attacking full back one side etc but this current tactic seems very new from what I remember. I look forward to multiple commentators wrongly thinking we’re playing 3 at the back.

 

[wrd]

Chelsea and United can have all the players they want but i'm still unconvinced by Lampard and Solskjaer as coaches. Out of the recent former players Arteta is far far more qualified and it's no surprise to me that he won the cup for Arsenal. Our problem last season was ourselves more than anyone, throwing so many silly points away.

I'm not saying we'll definitely get 3rd but if our squad's more balanced (which is looking to be the case) and we don't get rotten luck with injuries again then I think the proven experienced coaches will come out better as long as they have adequate squads. That's us City and Liverpool.

I think my surprising pick will be Arsenal to finish 5th and above United - but that will depend on whether Arteta is allowed to shape his squad.

I think we have the best Squad and Coach out of the 4 teams you mentioned to grind results out to get enough points for top4. Last 2 years has been teams dropping a lot of points when they frankly shouldn't when it comes to the top4 race. With that being the case having a defensively astute coach should pay dividends.

 

[emiley heskey]

When has he liked that? Pretty much always played with left backs or once converted Young into one.
I really don’t remember his defensive line ever being this lopsided before, he may have had a more attacking full back one side etc but this current tactic seems very new from what I remember. I look forward to multiple commentators wrongly thinking we’re playing 3 at the back.

Chelsea second time ... Azpi as left center back , ivanovic attacking right back, terry and cahill at the cb

 

[anydange]

I actually think we’ll get top 4. Our record since the new year has been pretty good even if we played some horrific football at times.

Just feel like with the signings we’re making and with Jose more settled, we’re going to be a lot tougher to break down this season.

Europa run too. Jose loves it.

 

[Mr Pink]

Linked to Diego Costa tonight lol

 

[anydange]

I liked the look of that guy from Watford though.

Deeney can’t play left back