Quote from: Risso on July 24, 2022, 07:38:12 PMI like Gerrard and want him to do well, but I also recognise his faults, and hope he doesn't turn out to be a stubborn arse with the Watkins and Ings up front nonsense. We've got the squad to be top 8, but a lot of it will depend on how he manages it. If we see the flattering-to-deceive triumvirate of Mings, McGinn and Watkins starting the majority of matches, I think top 10 will be the best we can hope for.You've hit it on the head - far too loyal - he talks the talk but backs off and seems afraid to drop players or what he perceives to be the bigger names like Coutinho.
I like Gerrard and want him to do well, but I also recognise his faults, and hope he doesn't turn out to be a stubborn arse with the Watkins and Ings up front nonsense. We've got the squad to be top 8, but a lot of it will depend on how he manages it. If we see the flattering-to-deceive triumvirate of Mings, McGinn and Watkins starting the majority of matches, I think top 10 will be the best we can hope for.
Our strongest position is attacking midfield. If he plays two up top to sacrifice a player from Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Ramsey and Traore (who I still rate) questions should be asked. Smith lost his job for messing about with his system to accomodate Tuanzebe (!!!) and Ings. Hopefully Gerrard is cute enough to not make the same mistake.Top 8 squad. Eighth minimum. Cups are what they are.
As is....11th > 13thWith a new forward (or if Cam proves that his potential is real) and, maybe, another midfield option....8th > 10thNo cup wins
With our squad and funding anything below 8th is a failure. We need to stop thinking 10th is progress and good enough. It's not. We underperformed last season - 14th isn't an acceptable starting point to base our aspirations for this season on.
Quote from: UK Redsox on July 25, 2022, 09:41:23 AMAs is....11th > 13thWith a new forward (or if Cam proves that his potential is real) and, maybe, another midfield option....8th > 10thNo cup winsYou honestly think our squad is 11-13th material? A squad with the likes of Coutinho, Kamara, Digne, Carlos, Buendia, Bailey, Ramsey, McGinn should righly be finishing below the likes of Brighton, Southampton, Wolves, Newcastle and Palace?
It Gerrard persists with the same ideas and players from last season I don’t see much improvement and he could be under pressure by the time the WC starts.
Quote from: ChicagoLion on July 25, 2022, 10:11:52 AMIt Gerrard persists with the same ideas and players from last season I don’t see much improvement and he could be under pressure by the time the WC starts.You don't see Kamara, Carlos and a revitalised Bailey as much improvement? Market value of that lot would be about £90m.