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.
Looking at the current squad make up and barring any major transfer activity in the coming weeks I’d say we’re looking at 7th to 10th. I think we have a slightly imbalanced Europa League level squad (that probably true of at least 6 other teams as well) so being competitive in that mini league will be interesting. Cup runs are a must for us this year to generate excitement and interest and hopefully end this quite frankly embarrassing last quarter of a century. My overriding impression though is we’re moving in the right direction both on and off the pitch though Gerrard hasn’t quite worked out how the on pitch jigsaw pieces fit together.
Quote from: AV82EC on August 03, 2022, 11:11:24 AMLooking at the current squad make up and barring any major transfer activity in the coming weeks I’d say we’re looking at 7th to 10th. I think we have a slightly imbalanced Europa League level squad (that probably true of at least 6 other teams as well) so being competitive in that mini league will be interesting. Cup runs are a must for us this year to generate excitement and interest and hopefully end this quite frankly embarrassing last quarter of a century. My overriding impression though is we’re moving in the right direction both on and off the pitch though Gerrard hasn’t quite worked out how the on pitch jigsaw pieces fit together. Good summary - especially the last paragraph and exactly my thoughts also
Quote from: Hookeysmith on August 03, 2022, 12:02:39 PMQuote from: AV82EC on August 03, 2022, 11:11:24 AMLooking at the current squad make up and barring any major transfer activity in the coming weeks I’d say we’re looking at 7th to 10th. I think we have a slightly imbalanced Europa League level squad (that probably true of at least 6 other teams as well) so being competitive in that mini league will be interesting. Cup runs are a must for us this year to generate excitement and interest and hopefully end this quite frankly embarrassing last quarter of a century. My overriding impression though is we’re moving in the right direction both on and off the pitch though Gerrard hasn’t quite worked out how the on pitch jigsaw pieces fit together. Good summary - especially the last paragraph and exactly my thoughts alsoIt's a similar position that Sir Brian was in. Took over mid season following a popular manager getting the sack, then struggled to get a tune out of the players he inherited. Got in his own players in place in the summer, took a few matches for them all to settle, then really saw the team up to speed by the autumn.
I would say the target has to be 8th minimum. SG has had half a season, bought in some very decent players, and should be expected to get more consistency. Smith got 55 points, the target this season should be 59-65, upper mid table region. There are 6-7 sides that to me look nailed on for the top 6 and bottom 6. That leaves 5-6 clubs battling for 8th-13th, so coming top of that league has to be the target.