Realistic Expectations

[West Derby Villan]

Welcome PictAV, great 1st post, my sentiments entirely UTV

[cdbearsfan]

George Ramsay was the manager. It says so on his census record.

[Border villan]

The obsession is all ours, welcome.

[dave.woodhall]

George Ramsay was the manager. It says so on his census record.

And? I was described on the last one as 'Philanthropist'.

[robbo1874]

I’m very excited by all of the transfer business, but there's a danger of getting carried away by expectations. With the exception of the returning players we had on loan, we know very little of the new players, whether they are really any good and how they’ll fit in.

The other thing for me now is that this is a massive gamble to the tune of $120-30 million. High stakes. Very high pressure on the manager. And high expectations from the fans. A month or so ago, I’d have happily accepted finishing 17th. Now that would seem an under-achievement in the context and I reckon probably 10th is where the bar is set.

The other thought is, knowing a bit about Purslow now and how he operates, planning for different scenarios, I can’t help but wonder what his plan will be if we’re bottom three in November. Will he stick, or twist?

For Villa supporters this season is shaping up to be the most interesting for a long time. I can hardly wait. Been more into the cricket last 10-15 years, but the Villa have got my attention over the Ashes now for sure.

[jwarry]

The thing is it’s not a gamble is it? We lost 11 players most of whom were simply not good enough for the PL so we would have come straight back down.  The only part that is a gamble is the amount we are spending and buying young and hungry with no PL experience, but to be honest if we had gone the MON route and bought average experienced PL players (Zat Knight anyone) then that would be the greater gamble!

[Baldy]

For the first time in a long time our Management is leading by good example through all their hard work and professionalism. All players know what is expected from them. Our days of being a 'Butlin's Camp' for players like Gabby, Richards and others are over.

Time will tell, but our squad seems to be building nicely. We have the options to cater for a number of formations, injuries, suspensions etc. Great foresight and ambition has been shown.

I think we are capable of finishing between 10th and 14th this season with a view to the Big 6 becoming the Big 7 the following season!!!

My major concern is how all our new players who have not been selected in the starting eleven react. Man management is going to be paramount next season. People like John Terry are going to have a massive role to play behind the scenes.

Up the Villa.

[Damo70]

FourFourTwo magazines season preview has us as finishing 16th. But we have probably signed a number of players since it originally went to press. They have got Albion to win the Championship and Small Heath to be relegated in 23rd place. They have got Sheffield United, Newcastle and Brighton to go down from the Premier League, with Norwich as the other team below us.

[levico]

Erm...... can you reset the vote ? I’ve had a rare burst of optimism.

Nurse!!

[hilts_coolerking]

FourFourTwo magazines season preview has us as finishing 16th. But we have probably signed a number of players since it originally went to press. They have got Albion to win the Championship and Small Heath to be relegated in 23rd place. They have got Sheffield United, Newcastle and Brighton to go down from the Premier League, with Norwich as the other team below us.

I'd take all that, except the Boggies.

[Toronto Villa]

What I have really enjoyed about pre season games so far is our dedication to dominating possession. We’re obviously not going to do that every game in the PL but it’s getting it ingrained as part of the club playing culture that is incredibly encouraging.

[Mister E]

What I have really enjoyed about pre season games so far is our dedication to dominating possession. We’re obviously not going to do that every game in the PL but it’s getting it ingrained as part of the club playing culture that is incredibly encouraging.

Surely that says as much about the opposition as anything.
But I agree, it's a great philosophy to set out with.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I can see us finishing the season right below Wolves. 2nd it is.

Wolves sign Real Madrid centre-back on loan!
Wolves now a feeder club for Real.

[Toronto Villa]

What I have really enjoyed about pre season games so far is our dedication to dominating possession. We’re obviously not going to do that every game in the PL but it’s getting it ingrained as part of the club playing culture that is incredibly encouraging.

Surely that says as much about the opposition as anything.
But I agree, it's a great philosophy to set out with.

To a point yes. But in the past PL seasons and certainly when we went down almost every team dominated possession against us. Much of that was us being shit but a lot was down to how the manager sent us out. To pinch a win. We will play a lot of teams this season who won’t set up like us and we have to take advantage.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm looking forward to watching us at home.

So many times and  even in seasons we finished 6th, we underwhelmed at VP.

Would love us to get a few early wins against likes of Bournemouth, Burnley and West Ham and have a target of 10 home wins. Think we've only won that amount once in last 15 seasons in premier league (07/08). Home wins over Man. United and Arsenal to break the psychological struggles v those would be great aswell.