Realistic Expectations

[maidstonevillain]

We just didn't allocate the goals in the most efficient way!

I agree. Too many for the opposition. And not enough for us.

[tomd2103]

Last week when I thought we weeks reinvest the ratboy cash quickly in 2/3 quality players I thought top 6 was realistic. Today, I would take 8th. We are those 2/3 away from that top 6 challenge. I hope we get a couple more in, but fear we won't.

I agree we need a couple in and should be targeting 6-8 if we do.

As it stands, I think 7th to 10th would probably represent progress and finishing sixth or higher would almost be our equivalent of winning the league.  If we are consistent and in the top ten for most of the season, ending up in one of those 7-10 positions then I think that would represent a good season.

[purpletrousers]

It sounded to me from Purslow's message that we're done in the transfer market. Which would be disappointing as we've "replaced" Judas with three players but have we improved? I'm a bit worried and would be happy with 11th again.

If we had to be (if we were always held to unreasonable ransome) I guess we could be done, but one thing we’ve learned is we have very savvy operators. He’s hardly going to sit there and say the £100m is burning a hole. I think some of the purchases were clever moveable feasts, working both with and without the antihero. So very happy to be deceived to make sure we don’t over pay if need be. 

[SoccerHQ]

So how we're looking now then?

Suddenly the optimism in August when Ings and Bailey were quickly signed dosen't look so deluded now.

Who knew a disjointed pre season would mean disjointed performances in August?

Our performances in September miles above last month.

What's exciting is we still have to get Bailey and Buendia back in 11 once the evil 3-5-2 is dumped back in the CBDW tactics bin.

Traore also barely played this season and he'll be a match winner at times.

Jack who.....

[jwarry]

So how we're looking now then?

Suddenly the optimism in August when Ings and Bailey were quickly signed dosen't look so deluded now.

Who knew a disjointed pre season would mean disjointed performances in August?

Our performances in September miles above last month.

What's exciting is we still have to get Bailey and Buendia back in 11 once the evil 3-5-2 is dumped back in the CBDW tactics bin.

Traore also barely played this season and he'll be a match winner at times.

Jack who.....

Yep it’s looking good.  I suspect we could have even be running the top 4 close this year if ‘Jack who’ had stayed

[cdbearsfan]

Expecting The Double. Fucking beauties, the lot of 'em.

[nordenvillain]

So how we're looking now then?

Suddenly the optimism in August when Ings and Bailey were quickly signed dosen't look so deluded now.

Who knew a disjointed pre season would mean disjointed performances in August?

Our performances in September miles above last month.

What's exciting is we still have to get Bailey and Buendia back in 11 once the evil 3-5-2 is dumped back in the CBDW tactics bin.

Traore also barely played this season and he'll be a match winner at times.

Jack who.....

Yep it’s looking good.  I suspect we could have even be running the top 4 close this year if ‘Jack who’ had stayed

I suspect that if he had stayed, we would not have made the number of signings that we did, so not too sure we would be running the top 4 close if he had stayed. FWIW, I think we can realistically target 6th or 7th this season.

[gpbarr]

So how we're looking now then?

Suddenly the optimism in August when Ings and Bailey were quickly signed dosen't look so deluded now.

Who knew a disjointed pre season would mean disjointed performances in August?

Our performances in September miles above last month.

What's exciting is we still have to get Bailey and Buendia back in 11 once the evil 3-5-2 is dumped back in the CBDW tactics bin.

Traore also barely played this season and he'll be a match winner at times.

Jack who.....

Yep it’s looking good.  I suspect we could have even be running the top 4 close this year if ‘Jack who’ had stayed

Disagree. I think Joe leaving has actually done us a huge favor. We look a far more balanced team without him and now that’s threats all over the pitch.

His departure looks to me like it’s been the catalyst for better times for the club. Fantastic

[Toronto Villa]

We are learning to win without Joe. Dean Smith is becoming a better manager because he now has to use every asset at his disposal in different ways. We have also, it seems massively upgraded in the coaching department.

[SoccerHQ]

So how we're looking now then?

Suddenly the optimism in August when Ings and Bailey were quickly signed dosen't look so deluded now.

Who knew a disjointed pre season would mean disjointed performances in August?

Our performances in September miles above last month.

What's exciting is we still have to get Bailey and Buendia back in 11 once the evil 3-5-2 is dumped back in the CBDW tactics bin.

Traore also barely played this season and he'll be a match winner at times.

Jack who.....

Yep it’s looking good.  I suspect we could have even be running the top 4 close this year if ‘Jack who’ had stayed

I suspect that if he had stayed, we would not have made the number of signings that we did, so not too sure we would be running the top 4 close if he had stayed. FWIW, I think we can realistically target 6th or 7th this season.

Buendia was already in the building. I'd like to think someone like Leon Bailey would've been signed aswell to give us step up in quality out wide but perhaps not.

Think Ings would've been someone we wouldn't have looked at. Tidy today but can take him or leave him with Ollie back and starting.

[SoccerHQ]

Worth noting we're just 2 points off what we had after 6 games last season and that was our best start for 15 years.

[DrGonzo]

10 from 6 including having played Chelsea and UTD away rom home.  Probably better than I expected, certainly better than some of the doom-mongers we had to listen to all summer.   Smith has changed the system and it seems to be working.  I would be suprised if we don't revert to a back 4 against the "lesser" teams.  Top 8 for me this season, and satisfied with that!

[Rigadon]

I'm supremely surprised to be saying this, but I think we're a better team and squad without Grealish here.  It's like the other players have stepped out of the shadows.

I also take everything back about us needing to sign a big name centre midfielder in the summer.  We have a cracking midfield right now and strength in depth with kids.

[LeeB]

Sky is the limit.

[Ads]

The loss of Rat Boy has meant we've developed a lot more rounded way of playing. Hopefully this means the odd injury to players here and there doesn't have such frustrating and derailing consequences as we suffered last year.

If that proves the case, then top 8 is a good possibility.