Expectations for 2023/24

[andyh]

We are going to surprise every one.
4th

[dave.woodhall]

We can't keep pissing about saying it's getting a bit better all the time. We've got to aim for top six.

[edgysatsuma89]

We just need to score more goals, and for that I think we need an improvement on Watkins.

I agree. I'd even listen to offers if they were suitably large. I've been saying that every summer he's been here! I like him, and he's very decent, I just don't think he's quite got it in him to be a CL-level player, and I can't see him being happy as a rotated player.

I agree. Sounds brutal saying it out loud though, people outside the club would probably think we're mad. I like how you'd can him off but not Traore!

[Sexual Ealing]

We just need to score more goals, and for that I think we need an improvement on Watkins.

I agree. I'd even listen to offers if they were suitably large. I've been saying that every summer he's been here! I like him, and he's very decent, I just don't think he's quite got it in him to be a CL-level player, and I can't see him being happy as a rotated player.

I agree. Sounds brutal saying it out loud though, people outside the club would probably think we're mad. I like how you'd can him off but not Traore!

I'll always go for wizardry over functionality. Not everywhere, but having Bert available is (an occasional) joy!

[Bobby Boy]

If we qualify for the Conference League group stages then there must be a chance that it will affect our league form with 3 games a week and the heightened chance of injuries and fatigue.

I hope we do qualify, of course, but wouldn't be surprised if we end up around about where we did last season particularly if we go deep in the competition.

I'd settle for 7th and a final.

[paul_e]

I can't agree on letting Watkins go, if he has a problem with being a rotation option (and I'm less convinced he would have) he'd have to just deal with, that's the reality of playing at the highest level.

[Sexual Ealing]

I just think he's the one player we could make big money on without losing *that* much. As long as he was replaced with better, obviously. And better must be out there. Not in this country, obviously.

[TaxDodger]

It's certainly the most excited I've been about a season since the Lerner/O'Neill days. Having said that I'd still take 6th and a good cup run or two.

[paul_e]

I just think he's the one player we could make big money on without losing *that* much. As long as he was replaced with better, obviously. And better must be out there. Not in this country, obviously.

That's the thing, classic centre-forwards are so difficult to find that I just don't see the point in taking that risk. I'm fine with adding someone else and, if they settle, selling Watkins next year but selling him now just seems like a massive gamble we don't need to take on the hope that we might get someone who offers a little more.

[maidstonevillain]

We just need to score more goals, and for that I think we need an improvement on Watkins.

That. And a safe back up keeper.

Decent striker - top 5.
Otherwise top 6 - 8.

[edgysatsuma89]

I just think he's the one player we could make big money on without losing *that* much. As long as he was replaced with better, obviously. And better must be out there. Not in this country, obviously.

That's the thing, classic centre-forwards are so difficult to find that I just don't see the point in taking that risk. I'm fine with adding someone else and, if they settle, selling Watkins next year but selling him now just seems like a massive gamble we don't need to take on the hope that we might get someone who offers a little more.

You're just more sensible than me, Paul. You are right though, it probably isn't worth the risk.

[paul_e]

I just think he's the one player we could make big money on without losing *that* much. As long as he was replaced with better, obviously. And better must be out there. Not in this country, obviously.

That's the thing, classic centre-forwards are so difficult to find that I just don't see the point in taking that risk. I'm fine with adding someone else and, if they settle, selling Watkins next year but selling him now just seems like a massive gamble we don't need to take on the hope that we might get someone who offers a little more.

You're just more sensible than me, Paul. You are right though, it probably isn't worth the risk.

I just can't face the meltdown on here if we sold Watkins and his replacement struggled, we'd have Emery/Monchi out by Christmas.

[Risso]

I don't want to sell Ollie, I just want another striker, but one who's potentially capable of 20 goals a season. I know they're rare, but we should be busting a gut to bring one in, it makes such a difference.

[Exeter 77]

I think this is the season where we find out if Cam Archer is as good as we hope he is.

[N'ZMAV]

I think I prefer when we surprise people rather than be under pressure to get results, not sure how we'll react as a team with pressure on us to produce

We have to stop thinking that way. I want us to be noticed and feared. Fuck this being nice, subservient little Aston Villa. That’s behind us now.

we do; but I've not exactly been drowning in success since I started going down VP in 1994. I mean, there's times it was pretty decent, but the past decade or so has been tough