Realistic Expectations

[Sexual Ealing]

I'm exited to see this Guilsborough chap in action.

I'm worried that Konsa will want to sign for him as a better bet to win trophies.

[PeterWithe]

Is the current Jackless squad any stronger than Wolves? We may have more optimism going into the season than them but I think talk of being stronger than Leicester etc is arguable

[LeeB]

Is the current Jackless squad any stronger than Wolves? We may have more optimism going into the season than them but I think talk of being stronger than Leicester etc is arguable

Yes, for me, they're paper thin, and given the type on injury their best player sustained he might not come back the same player.

[mike]

With the new players and minus Ratboy we will be about as good as last year.

[Monty]

Jonathan Wilson in the Graun patronising the arse off us, 'predictable wailing and rending of garments', 'talented local kids always leave for richer more successful clubs', Villa will use the Jack money to 'consolidate in the Premier League' - sorry, are we the size and wealth of Brighton now? Is this the same Wilson who rails socialistically against the entrenched inequalities of modern football, coming across (as he often does) a slathering shill for 'modern elite football'? These same people are tipping Leeds and Everton to challenge for Europe, and I guarantee if our manager were (modern elite) Marcelo Bielsa they would take a different view. But clearly the record-holder for appearances in Pseud's Corner (presumably for another unbelievably boring Sunderland story with references to Louis Althusser shoehorned in) considers anything called Dean Smith, with a background at Walsall and Brentford, insufficiently foreign to represent cultured (modern elite) football to be beneath his coat attention.

I hope we win the league with long balls to a front two of Ings and Tuanzebe.

[cdbearsfan]

Sadly, I think Leeds are capable of continuing to improve and Europe isn't impossible for them. I can't understand anyone hyping Everton, though. They seemed to be going backwards even before recent horrific allegations became public and I can't imagine said allegations will boost morale in the dressing room. Still, I do like Calvert-Lewin.

[wince]

We are no longer a punt it to grealish side. Have a better balanced midfield, 2 very talented forwards, best keeper in the league. For me we look better than we did last year. there were times when jack was here when we looked awful. I don’t doubt that we will have a dip in form at some point but will be better and less predictable than get it to mr free kick and hope for the best. I see more goals and a more galvanised squad now that mr villa had left. I expect to see the new signings shine and some familiar faces up their game.

[Monty]

Not saying they can't, and I rate Bielsa as highly as anyone. One can clearly see the obvious biases in the coverage however, and the power-worshipping instincts behind them.

[cdbearsfan]

Yes, certainly.

[Rigadon]

Jonathan Wilson in the Graun patronising the arse off us, 'predictable wailing and rending of garments', 'talented local kids always leave for richer more successful clubs', Villa will use the Jack money to 'consolidate in the Premier League' - sorry, are we the size and wealth of Brighton now? Is this the same Wilson who rails socialistically against the entrenched inequalities of modern football, coming across (as he often does) a slathering shill for 'modern elite football'? These same people are tipping Leeds and Everton to challenge for Europe, and I guarantee if our manager were (modern elite) Marcelo Bielsa they would take a different view. But clearly the record-holder for appearances in Pseud's Corner (presumably for another unbelievably boring Sunderland story with references to Louis Althusser shoehorned in) considers anything called Dean Smith, with a background at Walsall and Brentford, insufficiently foreign to represent cultured (modern elite) football to be beneath his coat attention.

I hope we win the league with long balls to a front two of Ings and Tuanzebe.

Just read that piece. It’s that kind of shit that makes this all the harder to take isn’t it. That our aim is (and should only ever be) ‘consolidation’. 

Time will tell of course, but I’m not totally convinced the signings do actually improve us over all.  We need more signings.  If the outlay is just the Grealish money what the hell is the actual point of having all this money? 

And your point about Dean Smith right too, he doesn’t get the respect he deserves because he isn’t seen as exotic enough..  Given his jack less win record I think he’ll be under pressure if we start badly. 

Fuck consolidation.  Progression is what we expect. 

[Ads]

I guess the three signings incontrovertibly improve us during the third of the season Grealish is inevitably out. Last season during that February-April fallow run, having Bailey, Ings and Buendia available would have been a god send.

[Lastfootstamper]

Exciting signings, and a new, different Villa in prospect. Tallied with another year's experience for those already here, I'm going to nail my bollocks to the mast early doors and say top 6.
Cups, who knows, they are, after all, a knockout. But it's our year, so there's that.

[Nunkin1965]

People on the outside don't really give a monkeys about the type of people that are running this club now. And we'll seriously surprise other clubs and fans this season because the star man has gone.
I think we'll make or go very close to top 6 and continue with our great progress.
It's a massive season for Deano and I wish him.every success this year.

[RamboandBruno]

I think we should all have a degree of pre season optimism despite the G word. The new signings seem exciting.
However, I’ve posted in the Dean Smith thread that the relatively easy start on paper does potentially put him under pressure if the new signings don’t gel and hit the ground running. I suppose that’s my one concern, the first team as it were not having enough time together before the Watford game.
It’ll be interesting to see the line up on the first game but I doubt if he’ll play all three of Ings, Bailey and Burundia, my guess would be Bailey on the bench with Traore (if fit) or El Ghazi in.
Anyway, top 6 will be tough to achieve, with the top 4 already pretty much nailed on. Feels like a number of clubs, us, Leeds, Spurs, Arsenal, Leicester, will be scrambling for those two places.
As well as the new signings gelling, my other major concern is centre midfield. I love McGinn, but I just don’t see a centre midfield of him with Nakamba or when rested Luiz a top six midfield. I know we’re trying to sign Ward-Prowse, but if that doesn’t happen it seems a priority area for me.

[ChicagoLion]

Yep the defensive midfield position has been a problem for a while now and needs resolving if we are to push top 6.