Expectations for 25/26

[Silly McSilly Face]

But you do think he underperformed (presumably considerably so guven you wanted him sacked) - so it stands to reason then that you're starting point with the new manager isn't where we were last season it's where you think Ange should have had us, no?

I think Ange should have had us in the top half. And I've said my expectations for this season are the top half.

Its a really tough league: Liverpool, Emirates Marketing Project, Chelsea, Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Villa, Forest, Brighton, Manchester United will likely also be rebuilding. Everton will be tough next season.

 

[harr1984]

We've been a top 6 side for 15 years running. Last year's league position was a clear anomaly.

Not quite - but do agree in general we have been a top 6 team. Our longest stretch (in PL years) was 11 seasons from that glorious time we first secured CL football.

In the last 5 seasons we've finished 7th,8th and 17th....

 

[metalgear]

i am optimistic we can beat PSG, not because Chelsea did, but Enrique would be quite concerned about lethargy and the new domestic season instead of another mickey mouse cup

 

[Lilbaz]

i am optimistic we can beat PSG, not because Chelsea did, but Enrique would be quite concerned about lethargy and the new domestic season instead of another mickey mouse cup

My thoughts too. The players will need a few weeks rest before they start preseason. So we'll eithet be playing their b team or players that aren't match fit. Will dtill be a tough test. Their b team is still full of quality and their first team is amazing.

 

[metalgear]

My thoughts too. The players will need a few weeks rest before they start preseason. So we'll eithet be playing their b team or players that aren't match fit. Will dtill be a tough test. Their b team is still full of quality and their first team is amazing.

enrique looked like he was having a nervous breakdown on the pitch. he NEEDS a long break and a later return as usual. there will be so much on his mind right now losing to a bunch of high energy ill disciplined boys

 

[Kandi1977]

With peak Son and Kane, Bale, Modric etc. Where is that quality of player in the squad now?

We also had a lot of duds in the teams. We probably lack a world class player, but the squad and depth of quality is better now. If you don't see that, then you don't know much about football.

 

[Silly McSilly Face]

We also had a lot of duds in the teams. We probably lack a world class player, but the squad and depth of quality is better now. If you don't see that, then you don't know much about football.

Proof is in the pudding. I keep getting told how great our squad is but I've wanted to rip my eyes out watching us over the last season and a half. Maybe you're right. Might just be me being unable to appreciate the high quality of football that has been on show over the last 18 months.

 

[Kandi1977]

Proof is in the pudding. I keep getting told how great our squad is but I've wanted to rip my eyes out watching us over the last season and a half. Maybe you're right. Might just be me being unable to appreciate the high quality of football that has been on show over the last 18 months.

No one says our squad is great, but it's up there, and I'm pretty confident we'll be challenging top 6. Let's look at it more closely.

GK: Vicario, very good, but makes the occasional mistake. You refferd to the past. OK, we had Gomez. Made lots of mistakes. Vicario is better. Kinsky has potential to be very very good.

RB: Porro, Spence. Not many teams have 2 better rb's.

CB: Romero, VDV, Dragu, Phillips, Vuskovich, Davies. Well stocked, and pretty much every other team would take one of Romero and VDV, or both.

CM: Bentancur, Maddison, Bergvall, Bissouma, Gray, (Kulusevski, MGW).
Compare that with Winks, Bentaleb, Livermore, Carroll... Should be enough quality and talent in there to make it work.

Forwards: Solanke, Richarlison, Son, Johnson, Odobert, Tel, Moore, Kudus, Kulusevski

A combination of proven quality and talented youngsters. A lot of the players are also comfortable to play in different positions. It's not a bad squad.

 

[Silly McSilly Face]

No one says our squad is great, but it's up there, and I'm pretty confident we'll be challenging top 6. Let's look at it more closely.

GK: Vicario, very good, but makes the occasional mistake. You refferd to the past. OK, we had Gomez. Made lots of mistakes. Vicario is better. Kinsky has potential to be very very good.

RB: Porro, Spence. Not many teams have 2 better rb's.

CB: Romero, VDV, Dragu, Phillips, Vuskovich, Davies. Well stocked, and pretty much every other team would take one of Romero and VDV, or both.

CM: Bentancur, Maddison, Bergvall, Bissouma, Gray, (Kulusevski, MGW).
Compare that with Winks, Bentaleb, Livermore, Carroll... Should be enough quality and talent in there to make it work.

Forwards: Solanke, Richarlison, Son, Johnson, Odobert, Tel, Moore, Kudus, Kulusevski

A combination of proven quality and talented youngsters. A lot of the players are also comfortable to play in different positions. It's not a bad squad.

It isn't a bad squad. Hence why I said we should finish in the top half.

 

[billyiddo]

It isn't a bad squad. Hence why I said we should finish in the top half.

You said it would be a great achievement- that's a bit different to saying that's where we should finish tbf and what i originally disagreed with

 

[Silly McSilly Face]

You said it would be a great achievement- that's a bit different to saying that's where we should finish tbf and what i originally disagreed with

It would be a great achievement. You'd be increasing your points total by more than +20, increasing your league placement by at least 7 places in space of one season. In this league, thats a great achievement.

 

[tommysvr]

My biggest hope and expectation is that Frank makes us much harder to beat at home. To me, Ange didn't take that part as seriously as I think he should have.

Something like our last season at the Lane would be nice. GHod we were so lucky to farewell it with Poch and that team.

 

[metalgear]

good for us ! hopeful they also have players who pick up strange knocks and injuries during early pre season!

 

[Mosquito_Coasting]

I'd settle for the Top 6-8 as long as the youngsters get plenty of experience and we can see them developing into good players. What I dont want to see is us plodding to a upper midtable position using Davies, Richy, Bissouma, Bentancur, Son, Romero (if he hasn't signed a contract) and the like more than the youngsters. Also need to see coherency and effectivenss in Frank's ideas.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

Brentford finished 10th last season, if we believe our overall squad strength is better than the squad Frank had at Brentford then he should be able to better that ,hopefully by at least six places.
In the after match interview on Saturday Donley said the coach wants clean sheets so not expecting the gung ho approach this coming season.

 

[yiddo37]

Where's the 'stay up and win a trophy' option?

 

[Bishop]

Brentford finished 10th last season, if we believe our overall squad strength is better than the squad Frank had at Brentford then he should be able to better that ,hopefully by at least six places.
In the after match interview on Saturday Donley said the coach wants clean sheets so not expecting the gung ho approach this coming season.

But Brentford had 7 years of Frank, knowing his system, his attitude etc. he had time to maximise the potential of the players he had and time to build the plucky underdog ethos. He came in here 4 weeks ago, whilst I think he will improve our players I don't think we can use Brentford's finish as our starting point. We are a different squad, a different team with different strengths and weaknesses.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

But Brentford had 7 years of Frank, knowing his system, his attitude etc. he had time to maximise the potential of the players he had and time to build the plucky underdog ethos. He came in here 4 weeks ago, whilst I think he will improve our players I don't think we can use Brentford's finish as our starting point. We are a different squad, a different team with different strengths and weaknesses.

Depends a lot on Frank's coaching skills, for example Emery joined Villa in October 2022 when they were 17th in league and they finished the season in 7th place , plenty of coaches/managers before have improved squads in a very short time, let's hope Frank can do the same.

 

[Silly McSilly Face]

Brentford finished 10th last season, if we believe our overall squad strength is better than the squad Frank had at Brentford then he should be able to better that ,hopefully by at least six places.
In the after match interview on Saturday Donley said the coach wants clean sheets so not expecting the gung ho approach this coming season.

Is our overall squad strength better than Brentford's. We have a larger squad, yes. Don't exactly see anyone fighting or even interested in signing any of our players, though. Which is telling.

 

[JerusalemMan]

Is our overall squad strength better than Brentford's. We have a larger squad, yes. Don't exactly see anyone fighting or even interested in signing any of our players, though. Which is telling.

Just because we don't see it does not mean there's no interest. Setting aside that most players are on reasonably long contracts
Unless you have significant insight and access.