This Season's League Expectations

[kerfuffle]

What is everyone's expectations for this coming season ?.

Although Chelsea are Firm favourites to retain the title I whole heartedly disagree with Maureen when he dismisses our chances for challenging them for the title. I firmly believe that we are there greatest threat.

Man Utd and Arsenal have not really strenghtened there squads from last year where by we have improved our squad, bellamy, gonzalez and pennant definately improve us in attack whilst the aquisitions of paletta and agger should provide adequate defensive cover.

I believe we will go damn close but will need a bit of luck to overhaul chelsea.

Am I being optimistic ??

[brendan]

United have signed Carrick and Senna is on the way.
Arsenal have got Rosicky and perhaps Ribery.

And there's plenty of time for them to sign a few more.

[Shaggy]

Nowt wrong with being optimistic.

Provided we get that other striker in the bag, likely to be Kuyt, I think we'll have another good season. Whether we'll win it or not remains to be seen. If Chelsea's new-ish team/set-up fails to function, I think we'd be the first to capitalise.

If they click, we're playing for 2nd again.

[Red_Polo]

We'll win the league

[Bob]

Don't think too optimistic.

It's too early to say. We need Bellamy (who looks totally up for it), Pennant, and Speedy to settle in quickly. Ah, pace - the memories.

We also need another striker in before the season IMO. Crouch will not be consistent enough in front of goal to win us the title.

My money would be on second.

[kerfuffle]

United have signed Carrick and Senna is on the way.
Arsenal have got Rosicky and perhaps Ribery.

And there's plenty of time for them to sign a few more.

If's and maybe's were Senna and Ribery are concerned.

All they have signed is Carrick and Rosicky.

Agreed there is time to sign more players but you never really answered the question to what is your league expectations for this year.

[paulcooper4]

I reckon we will win the league with the improvements we have made to the squad, and also the confidence the players will have got from last season. Chelsea showed last season that they are not quite as good as they would have you believe. Ive even got a bet on at william hills for us to win the league, league cup, fa cup and european cup this season at 400-1. not holding my breath on that one though!

[singlerider]

The way I see it, 2nd/3rd/4th is gonna be a pretty tight affair, and it's basically gonna come down to an issue of injuries and individual form.

We have better strength in depth in a few areas over the mancs and the gooners, but if the Kuyt thing doesn't happen and Bellamy doesn't find his feet then (presuming that Robbie won't have the fitness to be leading the line consistently) we could suffer badly.

I don't think Stevie will score as many as last season, and whether our new wingers pop up with a few remains to be seen, but I'm not counting on it. Add to that the few positions where an injury could be absolutely disastrous to us (CB or LB/RB or even GK) and who knows.

However, I certainly think we've got the quality to get 2nd. If we did a repeat of this season (i.e 3rd and a major trophy) I'd be fairly satisfied - as long as it looked like we were making financial progress.

Much as it pains me to say it, I think Chelsea will run away with the league *again* (but hopefully get knocked out of CL *again*, sack Jose, lose major players and implode really badly when Roman gets banged up) rayinglikeamother****ersmilie:

[Rich]

My heart says first place, while my head says second.

Like Shaggy mentioned, the only real way that we can win it, is if Chelsea don't click - they have bought some more wonderful players after all.

[El Diego]

I would be disappointed if we didn't finish at least 2nd and maybe win a little trophy like the carling cup.

[red g]

My heart says first place, while my head says second.

Like Shaggy mentioned, the only real way that we can win it, is if Chelsea don't click - they have bought some more wonderful players after all.

Thats so true.......I really do think we can win it....butIF chelseaclick, its curtains for us all!!

Iwill tell you afterour first six games

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think people discount Arsenal and Utd a bit too easily, especially Utd. I read 1st and 2nd place the whole time, and whilst my heart would love 1st, second place will be a hard fought battle.

Last season we were mocking the Mancs for their lack of a midfield and their poor defence. Look at how far behind us they finished. Oh sorry they didn't.

I think Carrick is a good buy for them and another purchase or two will put them right up their in the hunt for the top slot.

Arsenal will be stronger this year to last as well.

I see it as a four horse race this time,well at least it will look that way for a few months, with the least consistent team being out of the running by Xmas.

[Le Chacal]

Finishing 2nd would be a great achievement.

[Ryan]

Finishing 2nd would be a great achievement.

Agreed.

Along with a strong run in the Champions League.

[Shaggy]

Agreed.

Along with a strong run in the Champions League.

And a Cup win. All well and good coming 2nd and having good runs in Europe, but we need to be winning things every season. I agree with your aspirations for the coming campaign, but a Cup win (ideally the FA Cup of course) is always a nice cherry.