The start of the season - your thoughts

[Darkon]

Well I have been on vacation in Estonia for the first 4 games of the season, and just came back with little knowledge about how the first four games have looked playing wise. I know the results and have seen the goals (and most of the arsenal game), but I would like to know how people on here have viewed the games?

Are we progressing? both from last season but also from game to game?

Are the players looking up for it?

how is the new system getting settled?

etc. etc...

cheers

[Darkon]

also this is because I can't be arsed to read through all the match/post match threads

[Fernandinho]

city was horrific, the first time i have ever seen us dominated in every aspect of the game. out strengthened, out skilled, out passed, out paced. Arsenal was up and down, if they weren't so toothless we would have lost, but we did well after JC got sent off and could have won it after they scored. Not sure about the transforners game

[JohnDoe]

Right now, with the current squad, I'm thinking we'll finish 6th at best.

I haven't been more pessimistic about the state of the playing squad since Houllier left.

We're really bad in my opinion, and are continuing to regress.

Gerrard and Torres are our only real assets, and they're both out for three freaking months on average every season. Gerrard is also aging.

If they both eventually go, we're looking at a bottom half quality team, nothing more.

We've got some promising youngsters who might break through, I like Kelly and Shelvey. Wilson, from the little I've seen, is also good.

Overall though, there's very little to be excited about, both on and off the pitch.

[Rudo]

I think the 89th minute equaliser Arsenal scored against us was a crushing blow.

The first half, we weren't at the races, Arsenal were the better team but coming out for the 2nd half with a man less we upped our game, got the goal and were the dominant side. Arsenal were always going to carve out a few chances but the manner in which they scored and with only a few mins left...left the lads ****ing devastated.

I can't help but feel all that played a part in our dire, uninspired and lacklustre performance at City. I'm not saying we still wouldn't have got beat but think about it, if we'd have held on against Arsenal - playing a full half with 10 men and starting the new era taking 3 points against a top 3 side, it would have given everyone a massive lift.

Such a ****in pity we didn't hold out against Arsenal, but what's done is done.

[Darkon]

hmm, not to happy about those comments, but tbh. they don't surprise me that much. Before the season I would have been ecstatic if we got 6 points in the first 2 games, happy with 3, been okay with 2 and disappointed with less.

I saw most of the arsenal game (second half plus end of first) and it was a good feel at the end of that game, but seems it hasn't gone through to the other games.

[Darkon]

How is our new managers style coming along? are we getting used to it, or is it confusing to look at?

[Fernandinho]

We tried 4-4-2 vs city and got destroyed...

[JohnDoe]

I saw most of the arsenal game (second half plus end of first) and it was a good feel at the end of that game, but seems it hasn't gone through to the other games.

To be honest, I think Cole's sending off actually helped us, as it took pressure off the team. We were very bad in the first half. We scored an early, surprising 2nd half goal, and just tried to hold on. You could say we were unlucky, but I didn't see any football from us in that game. It was siege mentality. I think we lose if Cole stays on, the game was going there. Might be an unpopular opinion though.

How is our new managers style coming along? are we getting used to it, or is it confusing to look at?

I think the general quality of the team means I can't really get a feel for the manager's system. We don't look much different from last season in terms of knowing what to do with the ball (we don't). Hodgson likes 4-4-2, but when your defensive midfielder is Lucas...

[Dessy]

To be honest, I think Cole's sending off actually helped us, as it took pressure off the team. We were very bad in the first half. We scored an early, surprising 2nd half goal, and just tried to hold on. You could say we were unlucky, but I didn't see any football from us in that game. It was siege mentality. I think we lose if Cole stays on, the game was going there. Might be an unpopular opinion though.



I think the general quality of the team means I can't really get a feel for the manager's system. We don't look much different from last season in terms of knowing what to do with the ball (we don't). Hodgson likes 4-4-2, but when your defensive midfielder is Lucas...

Lets be fair it ain't just Lucas? Would droppin Poulsen in against Citeh have made up for the rest of the inept performances?

[JohnDoe]

Lets be fair it ain't just Lucas? Would droppin Poulsen in against Citeh have made up for the rest of the inept performances?

No. Poulsen isn't a quality player either, he's alright but he's not a big upgrade on Lucas. Our wide midfielders are also crap. Basically, our midfield right now is atrocious. The worst I can remember, ever.

[Shaggy]

I am extremely pessimistic. Top 8 looks about right.

[Dessy]

No. Poulsen isn't a quality player either, he's alright but he's not a big upgrade on Lucas. Our wide midfielders are also crap. Basically, our midfield right now is atrocious. The worst I can remember, ever.

I'd agree that our wide MF options are crap (bar JC) and I think better options here would perhaps help a Lucas/Poulsen & Gerrard centre?

[Mostar]

Right now, with the current squad, I'm thinking we'll finish 6th at best.

I haven't been more pessimistic about the state of the playing squad since Houllier left.

We're really bad in my opinion, and are continuing to regress.

Gerrard and Torres are our only real assets, and they're both out for three freaking months on average every season. Gerrard is also aging.

If they both eventually go, we're looking at a bottom half quality team, nothing more.

We've got some promising youngsters who might break through, I like Kelly and Shelvey. Wilson, from the little I've seen, is also good.

Overall though, there's very little to be excited about, both on and off the pitch.

Very doomy and gloomy prospects for this season for me. Europa League spot is very realistic with our current squad but anything above that would be equal to a miracle..

[cream]

Well I have been on vacation in Estonia for the first 4 games of the season, and just came back with little knowledge about how the first four games have looked playing wise. I know the results and have seen the goals (and most of the arsenal game), but I would like to know how people on here have viewed the games?

Are we progressing? both from last season but also from game to game?

Are the players looking up for it?

how is the new system getting settled?

etc. etc...

cheers

Our season hasn't started yet, the season starts here, we turned the corner, etc, etc.