Early Expectations

[Eth]

Think it might be fun to guage the expectations of folks on here about the season ahead - before we've made any big signings and even before we've started pre-season.

We can come back to this at later stages - i.e. after pre season, After 1st league game etc and see how people's opinions change.

Currently I'm quite optimistic - I know people are expecting big things in the transfer market but I feel we're only 2 players short of a very competitive squad.

Last season it was up front that let us down and we really need to address that. All said though I won't be in tears if we start against Villa with Kuyt and Crouch up front.

I have a good feeling about Kuyt for next season - a settled and rested player chomping at the bit to prove his worth. I think Alonso will return to form - his head didn't seem to be right last season but his future is sorted now and again he'll be rested and ready to battle with mascher to control that central midfield.

Failure in Athens will have lit a fire in the belly of Stevie and Carra - That hurt - big time. I expect them to be kicking lumps out of people in training and focused in putting away Martin O'Neills from day1.

So my current expectations for the season ahead is

EPL - Top 3 Challenger
FACUP - Decent run but using squad
LeagueCUP - Reserves run out
ChampionsLeague - Challenging strongly in final 4

[anfieldanfield]

3rd in the league with a trip to Moscow in May.

[Morph]

haven't a clue yet, need to see who we sign first, if we stay similar to how we are now I can only see us going backwards, so hopefully we'll get those 1 or 2 quality signings

[EST_1892]

I reckon the league has now become such a priority that Rafa won't sacrifice any Prem match for the sake of a CL game.

As usual, I think/hope we will get off to a flying start, even if we don't get many big signings.

To answer the question though, My early expectations are to win a cup and to keep the gap between us & the scum to 6 points with a month to go.

Obviously I would like more, but I'm trying to sound realistic in a 'sit on the fence' kind of way.

[anfieldanfield]

I reckon the league has now become such a priority that Rafa won't sacrifice any Prem match for the sake of a CL game.

As usual, I think/hope we will get off to a flying start, even if we don't get many big signings.

To answer the question though, My early expectations are to win a cup and to keep the gap between us & the scum to 6 points with a month to go.

Obviously I would like more, but I'm trying to sound realistic in a 'sit on the fence' kind of way.

I highly doubt that.

[Red Chilli]

Champions with some average runs in the cups

[EST_1892]

I highly doubt that.

But he did say BEFORE we have made any signings. We don't have any major ones yet, so as it stands, I really believe we can only go for the League or the CL. The other 2 cups will come down to luck of the draw.

[Eth]

haven't a clue yet, need to see who we sign first, if we stay similar to how we are now I can only see us going backwards, so hopefully we'll get those 1 or 2 quality signings

I don't see us moving backwards at all

We'll have a settled and rested current squad compared to last season, Kewell back, Pennant, Alonso, Garcia, Masher Gerrard all firing 100% in the middle.

I can't see us losing 3rd place in league at the worst

[Morph]

I don't see us moving backwards at all

We'll have a settled and rested current squad compared to last season, Kewell back, Pennant, Alonso, Garcia, Masher Gerrard all firing 100% in the middle.

I can't see us losing 3rd place in league at the worst

well if we dont sign some quality players players we certainly won't go forwards, and then we're leaving ourselves open to be caught up by those behind, lets not forget Arsenal fnished right next to us in the end, and were missing Henry and Van Persie for large parts of the season. We need to make sure we make the irght additions to the squad, and in my book, thats not youssi benayoun

[DannyMan2006]

FA Premier League: League Champions.
FA Cup: Quater Finals.
League Cup: Semi Finals.
Champions League: Last 16.
FA Youth Cup: Finalists.

Successfull season all round I'd say. I say this as I expect quality signings, as obviously the current squad is a bit short to challenge for a title.

[Marky]

Might be stating the obvious here but i would take getting knocked out of the champions league, fa cup and carling cup early doors if it meant we won the Premiership.
I'm sure most reds out there would agree...the league is the one we really, really want?

[anfieldanfield]

Might be stating the obvious here but i would take getting knocked out of the champions league, fa cup and carling cup early doors if it meant we won the Premiership.
I'm sure most reds out there would agree...the league is the one we really, really want?

Obv.

[Marky]

Obv.

Well not everyone agrees davehead

DannyMan2006:
FA Premier League: League Champions.
FA Cup: Quater Finals.
League Cup: Semi Finals.
Champions League: Last 16.
FA Youth Cup: Finalists.

[EST_1892]

I don't see us moving backwards at all

We'll have a settled and rested current squad compared to last season, Kewell back, Pennant, Alonso, Garcia, Masher Gerrard all firing 100% in the middle.

I can't see us losing 3rd place in league at the worst

Totally agree that our current squad without signings will only get better. But of course, so will all the other top teams.

We have had way too many chops & changes in the team lately. Whether it be players in & out or squad rotation. I'm sure we could all do with a bit of set "routine" that we can get used to.

Pick your best 11 and all that.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Get two strikers of the 20+ ilk and wingers and we will win the league

And the Champs League i think will always do well, Rafa is brilliant in Europe