Quote from: PeterWithesShin on August 04, 2011, 11:22:38 PMThe consensus already is that we are in the same group as Bolton, Fulham and Albion. How fast a decline has it been for us! I disagree with that. Despite a bollocks season, we should have won handily at Bolton who were doing well at the time, and gave away 3 leads against Fulham, and led at Albion before losing. Tighten those defensive displays I don't think those teams are as good as us. I think there's an obvious 5 teams better than us. Liverpool have spent a lot of money, but they have to gel together. Pre-season's been horrendous for them, and if they don't get off to a good start there will be a lot of pressure on Kenny. Everton will start like shit as ever, and you have to think there's only so much Moyes can do with that squad without investment. He'll still find a way to challenge us for 7th. Bruce signed a lot of very average players at Sunderland. Fulham and Stoke will be distracted by the Europa, as will Spurs. It does take a toll on the domestic campaign.I don't think things are as bad as some are making out. I certainly don't see any of the squads beyond Liverpool who I see as 6th best as that intimidating.
The consensus already is that we are in the same group as Bolton, Fulham and Albion. How fast a decline has it been for us!
Quote from: toronto villa on August 04, 2011, 11:28:45 PMQuote from: PeterWithesShin on August 04, 2011, 11:22:38 PMThe consensus already is that we are in the same group as Bolton, Fulham and Albion. How fast a decline has it been for us! I disagree with that. Despite a bollocks season, we should have won handily at Bolton who were doing well at the time, and gave away 3 leads against Fulham, and led at Albion before losing. Tighten those defensive displays I don't think those teams are as good as us. I think there's an obvious 5 teams better than us. Liverpool have spent a lot of money, but they have to gel together. Pre-season's been horrendous for them, and if they don't get off to a good start there will be a lot of pressure on Kenny. Everton will start like shit as ever, and you have to think there's only so much Moyes can do with that squad without investment. He'll still find a way to challenge us for 7th. Bruce signed a lot of very average players at Sunderland. Fulham and Stoke will be distracted by the Europa, as will Spurs. It does take a toll on the domestic campaign.I don't think things are as bad as some are making out. I certainly don't see any of the squads beyond Liverpool who I see as 6th best as that intimidating.We are back to the ifs, buts and hopefullys again though. We could finish 7th (I afterall went for 8th) but I doubt anyone here would be shocked if we finished below the sides I mentioned. That's what I mean by how we've fallen.
Quote from: PeterWithesShin on August 04, 2011, 11:22:38 PMThe consensus already is that we are in the same group as Bolton, Fulham and Albion. How fast a decline has it been for us! The most popular votes are seventh and eighth. That;s hardly a concensus sticking us with the three above.
Ifs and buts work both ways. I just don't see how the squads at Fulham, Bolton or Albion are better or deeper than us.
With 3rd and 4th most popular being 11th and 14th, both 1 vote behind 7th place. Which does.
Quote from: Greg N'Ash on August 04, 2011, 11:25:13 PMPretty hard to judge really. If we have a bad start i reckon come january re-inforcements will be brought in either under AM or someone else so we could end up higher than this squad looks capable of. Without injuries and some players improving on last season i'd say 12th. To me it looks a very average sideThat's the irony of it all.If we do really poorly in the first half of the season, Randy will probably end up having to put his hand in his pocket big-style to dig us out of it (see last January) (although, having been told that was just the Milner money, it now transpires it was also the Ashley Young money).
Pretty hard to judge really. If we have a bad start i reckon come january re-inforcements will be brought in either under AM or someone else so we could end up higher than this squad looks capable of. Without injuries and some players improving on last season i'd say 12th. To me it looks a very average side
Quote from: toronto villa on August 04, 2011, 11:36:54 PMIfs and buts work both ways. I just don't see how the squads at Fulham, Bolton or Albion are better or deeper than us. Fulham, Bolton and Albion first XI may not be quite as good on paper but they can change their crap with more crap...the real question is whether or not their crap is better than our crap? Another factor to throw into the equation is hard work, attitude and desire to win...what their crap lacks in talent, is made up by those factors which I dont see in great abundance in our crap. Hope thats makes sense!
Quote from: dave.woodhall on August 04, 2011, 11:30:24 PMQuote from: PeterWithesShin on August 04, 2011, 11:22:38 PMThe consensus already is that we are in the same group as Bolton, Fulham and Albion. How fast a decline has it been for us! The most popular votes are seventh and eighth. That;s hardly a concensus sticking us with the three above. With 3rd and 4th most popular being 11th and 14th, both 1 vote behind 7th place. Which does.
If third and fourth makes a concensus, what does first and second make?