Realistic Expectations

[hilts_coolerking]

So 10th, but not 8th? Two points?

It might be goal difference or it might be 12 points.  Impossible to say but what it does mean is that we'd have to outperform 12 other Premier League sides.

[Lastfootstamper]

I realistically expect us to outperform everyone bar last season's top 7. And I'll be disappointed if we're not giving the dogheads and the worst manu side in a generation a good run for their money.

[hilts_coolerking]

I realistically expect us to outperform everyone bar last season's top 7. And I'll be disappointed if we're not giving the dogheads and the worst manu side in a generation a good run for their money.

Based on what?

[Hairbandinho]

With all due respect this thread does sort of explain why villa fans get the reputation of delusion.

With expectations like this from some of the fanbase they won't be giving Smith and the team the time needed to build because if we are in trouble at Christmas you just know they will be the first to call for Smith to be sacked. Insane!

All we need to do is stay up and build the year after. With the team we have at the moment that will be a huge achievement.

[PeterWithesShin]

We currently have the worst squad in the division. It's obviously going to improve but I can't see it going past 12 or more other clubs.

[ChicagoLion]

A realistic expectation is to survive the first season without too much drama.
The current squad is a long way off that.
I do not think you can under estimate how much work is needed in the transfer market, and look what happened to Fulham.

[Ads]

Let's wait and see how we are come August.

[walsall villain]

Realistically it’s going to be a relegation battle. If we do better than that I’ll be delighted. I’m sure it’s been posted somewhere here but the last 5 teams to win the championship play off final have all been relegated. Only Huddersfield lasted more than a season. That’s the reality. I’m hoping we buck that trend then improve year on year.

[ROBBO]

Depends how much depth we have in the squad, we all witnessed what happened when we lost Grealish for a lengthy period we must have capable players who can step up. Smith is going where many managers have gone plundering clubs for players he feels will do a job for him and that is understandable but we need to have players coming in who are proven premiership quality. The premiership is a big step up even for our best players of last season.

[Ads]

If we replace Tammy with a mobile, quality forward;
If we buy quality to sit at the base;
If we buy Mings and partner him up with quality;
If we buy quality out wide;

Then we'll give ourselves a good chance. Bit of luck with injuries and who knows. Anybody 7th and below is only a bad run away from a brush with a relegation battle.

[Matt Collins]

I realistically expect us to outperform everyone bar last season's top 7. And I'll be disappointed if we're not giving the dogheads and the worst manu side in a generation a good run for their money.

This is my concern. That view is completely unrealistic

If we're 18th after 10 games a decent chunk if the fan base will start calling for Smith to go

[ChicagoLion]

I think we need first team level
2 fullbacks.
Centre Defensive Midfielder
Centre Forward.
Wide player.
Centre Half
That’s Assuming we sign Ming’s and Chester is fit enough as back up.
That is a lot to accomplish in one window for a promoted club.

[robbo1874]

It is a lot to achieve, but the club has said that they started planning a while ago including both scenarios of if we went up or stayed down.

They’ve already cleared out most of the deadwood (or to be kinder to the likes of Alan Hutton, players who won’t feature much) and it’s barely mid-June. This gives us a bit over two and a half months until the window shuts.

If they can get say two thirds of the new players- the real critical positions that need to be sorted- in before the season starts and finish off the jigsaw through to the end of the window, I reckon that would be a pretty good outcome.

At least we have a core of players who know the manager and coaches and how they operate, so we’re not starting from scratch, far from it.

I still expect a very tough first season though. I know Smith said in that interview that he’s looking to win it and you’ve got to love that attitude. However, I’d be happy just avoiding the relegation dog-fight. And if we are involved, surviving it. Top half would be a massive bonus, as would a cup.

[Brassneck]

I've no doubt that we are capable of going out and trading blows with the likes of Brighton, Newcastle, Norwich, Sheff U & Burnley, most likely Palace, Bournemouth and Southampton as well.

Currently, in addition to the positions we all accept need improving on, I think that it's a bit of a gamble to go with Steer as GK as well.  If we could prise the Cardiff keeper away for around £10 million, I'd be happy.

I've always felt that we needed PL experience to supplement the squad as someone else mentioned.  However, having thought about it, what kind of a PL experienced player can we realistically attract?  Teams aren't such easy roll overs now when it comes to signing rivals players.  Maybe the correct approach is for a couple of stand out Championship players and a couple of Europeans?  Deano tends to prefer younger players with energy, just as Brian Little did.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We'll finish 12th. Not sure how this got to 10 pages.