What I want:More game time for Buendia, Archer to be given a go, more Sanson, less Doug, SJM 20 yards further up the pitch, Konsa back to his best.What I fear:Coutinho playing regularly for who he is rather than what he does, Doug at No6, Archer on loan somewhere, Sanson frozen out again, Watkins struggling, McPhee to the fore.If something similar to the former transpires I hope for top ten and a cup run, I hope for the same with the latter but although I can see a cup run, I can only see us finishing in roughly the same place as last season.
Yes that is true. Look at our final opponents since 96, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Man City. I don't think we were favourites in any of those matches, although in 2000 there was only one league place between us. 2013 was the big lost opportunity, although Swansea were better than us that season as well.
Quote from: Meanwood Villa on August 02, 2022, 09:37:58 AMYes that is true. Look at our final opponents since 96, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Man City. I don't think we were favourites in any of those matches, although in 2000 there was only one league place between us. 2013 was the big lost opportunity, although Swansea were better than us that season as well.2004, too. Finished above both Bolton and Middlesbrough that year. And if we had made it past shithouse Leicester in 2000 we'd have had a final against Tranmere. That one seems to have got forgotten about. I only remember the replayed West Ham game from our run to the semis.
I reckon the biggest shock of the season will be we won't play Man United in the FA Cup.
Quote from: cdbearsfan on August 02, 2022, 10:59:32 AMQuote from: Meanwood Villa on August 02, 2022, 09:37:58 AMYes that is true. Look at our final opponents since 96, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Man City. I don't think we were favourites in any of those matches, although in 2000 there was only one league place between us. 2013 was the big lost opportunity, although Swansea were better than us that season as well.2004, too. Finished above both Bolton and Middlesbrough that year. And if we had made it past shithouse Leicester in 2000 we'd have had a final against Tranmere. That one seems to have got forgotten about. I only remember the replayed West Ham game from our run to the semis.I've more or less brushed that Leicester semi from my mind, both legs were shite but the second leg at that old shithole was depressingly, predictably shite. They were like Allardyce's Bolton, and to be honest us under the same manager, dropping like flies to get set pieces and we'd fall for it every time.
Quote from: LeeB on August 02, 2022, 11:11:51 AMQuote from: cdbearsfan on August 02, 2022, 10:59:32 AMQuote from: Meanwood Villa on August 02, 2022, 09:37:58 AMYes that is true. Look at our final opponents since 96, Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Man City. I don't think we were favourites in any of those matches, although in 2000 there was only one league place between us. 2013 was the big lost opportunity, although Swansea were better than us that season as well.2004, too. Finished above both Bolton and Middlesbrough that year. And if we had made it past shithouse Leicester in 2000 we'd have had a final against Tranmere. That one seems to have got forgotten about. I only remember the replayed West Ham game from our run to the semis.I've more or less brushed that Leicester semi from my mind, both legs were shite but the second leg at that old shithole was depressingly, predictably shite. They were like Allardyce's Bolton, and to be honest us under the same manager, dropping like flies to get set pieces and we'd fall for it every time.That's the one to bring up when anyone looks back on the Gregory era with any degree of fondness. Three semis and a final with no goals and hardly a shot on target.
Quote from: Jon Crofts on August 02, 2022, 08:54:15 AMNo idea but somewhere around 8th would be a decent first full season for Gerrard and maybe the Caraboa Cup.If we win a cup it is our best season for 27 years straight away
No idea but somewhere around 8th would be a decent first full season for Gerrard and maybe the Caraboa Cup.