Where will we finish this season?

[Charly]

I don't think we will finish top four with our current squad. Fifth if it stays the same is probably our level. Maybe top four if Sturridge can stay fit for the whole season (and he is already injured before it starts)

If we can get a top striker in, that should put us back to our level for last season. Obviously no one is going to match Luis, but with the midfielder bolstered, and hopefully a tighter defence, I reckon third is a real possibility. City and Chelsea have slightly more quality, while we have a lot of exciting young players.

I think we are in a straight up challenge with Arsenal and ManUre, and we should be able to top both with more firepower.

As it stands, Sturridge is unreliable in terms of fitness. I think he will miss even more games if he is pitted up against a centre half each week, rather than the fullbacks he tended to be marauding against last season.

The other option is to push Sterling up front, who despite being small is quite tough. That is a bit of an unknown quantity though.

I am sure its not lost on the board that we desperately need a striker, and they surely also realise that a big name increases our exposure, and helps to sell shirts. I will be shocked and dismayed if we fail to find someone, but I am fairly baffled that this has not been sorted with only a couple of weeks until the start of the season, knowing the Luis was leaving and that the manager would have wanted some preseason with a new lynchpin. Regardless, that is the position we find ourselves in.

[Fosterbloke]

5th.

[RedRum]

1st

[leftpeg]

On May 24th (or possibly earlier), I will be singing the following, "I've paid my dues, time after time, I've done my sentence, but committed no crime..."

[destinydude]

It will be a dog fight but I'll take 4th in a beat.

[Boogs]

4th at United's expense.
I really hope we are further down the line at securing a striker than anyone is aware off apart from the club.

[G]

Yeah we badly need a new striker. Sturridge likes an injury and hasn't looked in good form and the backups have their own problems. Plus we don't seem to have solidified at the back at all, maybe Lovern will help but fullbacks as well are an issue.

[Darkon]

I'm so happy this thread was started just when we lost to united That is no way a doom and gloom timing :O

A lot of questions in this season that is harder to answer, and that will have impact on how we will fare as well.

City I reckon will be Champions again, have a very strong squad and Ramos will have his system running from the start this year. I think that will be the most certain high performing team this year.

Chelsea is a big question mark, they have strengthened a lot, but hard to say if they can get it to blend. Have a good manager, but also seems less in control when having to bring back Drogba to get a loyal player in the dressing room.

Arsenal seem stronger, but still have the same defensive weaknesses. Hard to tell where that will end up. Wenger will probably cling to 4th as per usual.

United have a good manager now and a stronger team, but also one with many weaknesses in it. Have some work to do before september if they want to challenge. Will be around the CL spots I reckon, but where exactly is hard to say. Question is how quickly he will get the team to work, even if they have done well in training matches (only training though!)

Spurs and Everton - good teams, but no more than EL teams. Don't see them as CL challenging teams so far, but some strengthening might make that different.

Liverpool - again quite a few question marks, we have a good manager and a system most players know, but at the same time we have to integrate quite a few players and find a way to compensate for Suarez productivity. We still need to adress our defensive weaknesses on the fullbacks and need extra striker(s). Preferably an extra central midfielder as well. We will be around CL spots, but how high is hard to say exactly.

My optimistic guess is that we will finish 2nd again this year, with City ahead of us, but I hope we can challenge for the title, but let's see, it will be a tricky season. 3rd is my realistic guess, I believe we can hold Arsenal and United behind us.

[Alex]

3rd I think.

Chelsea are much stronger with Fabregas and Costa. Although the latter is untested in English Football.

City are about the same, strong team as it was. Think they will do a little better with Sagna in the defence.

Arsenal are much stronger with the simple addition of Sanchez, and a fully fit Ramsey will make them tough to break down. A new DM will have them as something resembling title favorites IMO.

Man Utd are looking like they have a clearer plan and the two signings will make them stronger no doubt, plus a manager who knows how to use Mata. However losing Rio, Evra, Vidic and Giggs cant be understated to the team.

Its 4 from 5 teams to make the top 4 IMO. But we probably as it stands have enough over Man Utd and Arsenal to pip them.

[The_weatherman]

Fifth as it is IMO, if we get in a decent striker we have chance of top four.

[Rigadon]

I'm so happy this thread was started just when we lost to united That is no way a doom and gloom timing :O

It was started before the Utd game

[TheElephantMan]

It was started before the Utd game

I predicted 3rd before the game, but I'm going to revise my prediction to 8th now.

[Rigadon]

I predicted 3rd before the game, but I'm going to revise my prediction to 8th now.

[ronanm]

Too early to tell. We still have a lot of work to do in the transfer window and need at least one decent alternative to Sturridge. With the squad as is, a challenge for 4th is the best I'd expect.

[elrichio86]

Both City and Chelsea have stronger squads than us, and we saw last season the difference that makes. For me, it would take a similar run of form like the back part of last season for us to finish above either of these. No idea which of them will come top, its probably dependent on how well Chelsea's new signings gel with their existing team.

Arsenal have strengthened up top, but have't really done much about their problems at the back or DM. I think it'll be between them and us for 3rd place.

United will improve since last season, but still need reinforcement at the back to be challengers for the top four IMO. Van Gaal seemingly wants to go 532, which seems to suit them apart from CB - the three they're using are decent at best but they have zero cover which will be an issue as soon as Jones picks up his inevitable injuries. That said, I could see them sneaking 4th if either of us or Arsenal drop a clanger.

I can't see Spurs or Everton having the quality to match any of these five really.

1st - City
2nd - Chelsea
3rd - Us
4th - Arsenal
5th - United
6th - Spurs
7th - Everton