Expectations are too high :(

[lukespurs7]

I think after today it's safe to say that our expectations at this club are yet again too high and unrealistic in the short-term.

Lets be realistic here we've had 3 very good seasons coming 5th twice AND now winning some silverware. We are definately improving, we are in europe for 3 seasons and getting to quarters or so each time and have started to look better and better against the big4. However as fans it's clear that many think we should be challanging the top4.

That is the next logical step after 5th BUT it's a whole different matter and seemingly alot harder than we thought. Unfortunately teams such as Pompey,villa,everton,man.city etc are all improving so it'll be even harder next season to finish highly.

We do have a good squad and some fantastic players but as a team we are not consistent enough or good enough to finish that highly. Under Ramos we have been better but we now expect to go to teams like Man.City away and win and it's unfortunately just not that easy.

Main problem is our players clearly aren't as good as we thought they were. BECAUSE they don't consistently put in good performances enough like the top4 do. Our defence is improving but still no more than mid-table standard at the moment, unfortunately it is clear to see our midfield is vastly lacking in quality and our strikers are quality but at times lack service. Unless we again reinforce but in the right areas!!!! in summer we won't be near to top4.

Ramos seems a good manager and with Poyet we have a good combination but they'd have to really go some to turn us into challengers for the top4 next season because this season in the league we've really been dissapointing and it's unfortunately clear that we just aren't as good as we think we are and i've only just realised this today

It's ok to want top4 and be ambitious but being realisitic we are still some way off.

 

[truespur]

i just want to see a consistant TEAM that always gives it a go, is that too much to ask?

 

[paul_1979yid]

I think after today it's safe to say that our expectations at this club are yet again too high and unrealistic in the short-term.

Lets be realistic here we've had 3 very good seasons coming 5th twice AND now winning some silverware. We are definately improving, we are in europe for 3 seasons and getting to quarters or so each time and have started to look better and better against the big4. However as fans it's clear that many think we should be challanging the top4.

That is the next logical step after 5th BUT it's a whole different matter and seemingly alot harder than we thought. Unfortunately teams such as Pompey,villa,everton,man.city etc are all improving so it'll be even harder next season to finish highly.

We do have a good squad and some fantastic players but as a team we are not consistent enough or good enough to finish that highly. Under Ramos we have been better but we now expect to go to teams like Man.City away and win and it's unfortunately just not that easy.

Main problem is our players clearly aren't as good as we thought they were. BECAUSE they don't consistently put in good performances enough like the top4 do. Our defence is improving but still no more than mid-table standard at the moment, unfortunately it is clear to see our midfield is vastly lacking in quality and our strikers are quality but at times lack service. Unless we again reinforce but in the right areas!!!! in summer we won't be near to top4.

Ramos seems a good manager and with Poyet we have a good combination but they'd have to really go some to turn us into challengers for the top4 next season because this season in the league we've really been dissapointing and it's unfortunately clear that we just aren't as good as we think we are and i've only just realised this today

It's ok to want top4 and be ambitious but being realisitic we are still some way off.

Very well put.

The players we have are never going to take us 'that next step up'.
You are right when you say the players we have are not as good as we thought they were.

Sooner people start understanding this the better. Its not me slagging off the team its ME being honest.

Good thread :clap:

 

[TommyW]

Aye, our expectations are definately too high. 7 points off relegation is about right for the money invested in the squad.

 

[hughy]

Expectations too high, or performances too low?

 

[Bobishism]

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGgg

 

[Bobishism]

Ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

 

[Bobishism]

ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

 

[paul_1979yid]

Expectations too high, or performances too low?

Maybe somewhere between the two then?

 

[Bobishism]

gh!

 

[Legend10]

We can put out a far superior starting X1 to everton and have a stronger squad and where are Everton and what are they challenging for?

 

[Legend10]

lol

 

[lukespurs7]

Very well put.

The players we have are never going to take us 'that next step up'.
You are right when you say the players we have are not as good as we thought they were.

Sooner people start understanding this the better. Its not me slagging off the team its ME being honest.

Good thread :clap:

Thanks mate.
Intresting to see who you think the main culprits are.
If we'd of won today then i'll be honest i may not have written this BUT that'd be beacause it would have shown that we are capeable of getting a result away to a team like Man.city and that Mabye we are a decent consistant side.

Unfortunately it's a story of 4-0 one week and then a dissapointing loss the next.

Management team are finally good enough, unfortunately players aren't.

I for one have been blined to this for the past season or so. And will now put my hands up and apologise to all those bashers of certain players over the past season or 2 main culprits are:Robinson,Jenas,Zokora,Malbranque,Lennon(at times)

what are your views on these mate?

1.Robinson:For ages i defended him, thought he was a top class keeper etc etc but anyone must admit that he makes too many mistakes and isn't himself consistent enough to be called a top class keeper.

2.Jenas:I like him for all his energy and apparent ability. Kept saying how he'd sooner or later prove this or that person wrong and to be fair to him I'm still unsure, I'm not going to write him off just yet as under Ramos he's really improved but still nowhere near consistently performing at a high level, at times he has fantastic games but far far too often he is just average, does alot of things fairly well but nothing spectacular, his finishing is poor and he lacks creativity, constantly turning backwards and sideways.

3.Zokora: Carrick he certaintly is not but again somone i've always defended. Saying how he's doing what he's supposed to do( be a defensive midfielder) and to be fair he does it fairly well, making some decent blocks,tackles,interceptions etc but weather he needs to be playing with a great AM or weather Jenas needs to be playing with a better DM i don't know, together they are far too often average as a combination. Zokora also is a decent passer but again to often turns backwards when there IS a simple forward pass avaible and he gives the ball away too often. Again another who i must hold my hands up and say i was wrong and he isn't good enough.

4.Malbranque- again a player who i rated. He puts in massive effot and credit where it's due if i was a fullback i'd bloody love him, the amount of times he tracks back and makes solid tackles is very impressive BUT a wide man must be able to do both. If he was playing RM mabye he could but on the left apart from the occasional cross/assist or cut inside goal which are too infrequent , he is non-existent attacking wise. Very decent squad player but as a LM who is expected to defend and create, sorry not up to scratch.

5.Lennon- Ok he is an intresting one. I def don't want him to go as i still feel he is a valuable player and could well improve but it just seems that again he's a little too inconsistent, and seems like Ramos gets that impression aswell. Obviously no player can humanly play well every match even Ronaldo,Torress, etc have the odd off day but the top class players play well and affect a game more often than not. And for Lennon especially away from home he is often too ineffective. His pace is astounding and his direct running on the counter attacking is great but his passing and delivery needs to improve as to be fair to him it is/has been but for a top quality winger he shouldn't be hitting low hard crosses that hit the first defender time and again. A player with a very bright future but unfortunately not quite as good as we all hype him up to be.

 

[lukespurs7]

We can put out a far superior starting X1 to everton and have a stronger squad and where are Everton and what are they challenging for?

Yea but thats the point can we really? I think attacking wise we are better than most teams in the league but as a whole team not just as individuals i believe everton are better. That having said i far prefer our football and style but they are arguably more affective and do have some good/ underrated players whereas we have some perhaps over-rated playerssee below)

Robbo vs Howard=Howard wins

Hutton vs P.Neville=Draw? Hutton is a better RB but Neville is very consistent and adds valuable versitility and experience.

Woodgatge vs Jagielka=Woody just. Also we've only had him for 9 games.

Dawson vs Yobo= Yobo mabye, i'd probably prefer him.

Chimbonda vs Baines= Draw, Chimbo better in the air but baines a better footballer. (Bale beats Baines)

Lennon vs Pienaar= Would usually say Lennon but lately not so sure, Pienaar is consistently putting in solid performances and grabbing a fair few assists

Jenas vs Cahill= As much as i like Jenas, sorry Cahill is better.

Zokora vs Carsley= Carsley is a better footballer, Zokora is more of an athlete, both quite average.

Malbranque vs Arteta= Steed wins defensively but Creative and attacking wise Arteta wins hands down and we have no midfielder like him.

Keane vs Yakubu= fairly close actually Yak is a top striker but Keane wins

Berbatov vs Johnson= Berbatov

Squad vs Squad= We win, we have more strength in depth but they have a similar 1st 11 just not as stylish.

Team vs Team= Sorry but they win, they keep far more clean sheets and get more points and win more games and are more consistent than us. Next season may be alot closer but going on this season they have a better TEAM.

HOWARD
Hutton Woodgate JAGIELKA DRAW

DRAW CAHILL DRAW ARTETA

Keane Berbatov
=4 everton
=4 Spurs
=3 Draw

So in terms of 1st 11 theirs is pretty similar actually.

Does just show how if we did get in a top class CB,CM and LM and Bale staye fit we'd have some team, but without that we are only really the same as the likes of villa,everton,pompey etc etc just that we are more attacking, score more, but let in more thats all it is.

 

[Legend10]

lol

 

[paul_1979yid]

Thanks mate.
Intresting to see who you think the main culprits are.
If we'd of won today then i'll be honest i may not have written this BUT that'd be beacause it would have shown that we are capeable of getting a result away to a team like Man.city and that Mabye we are a decent consistant side.

Unfortunately it's a story of 4-0 one week and then a dissapointing loss the next.

Management team are finally good enough, unfortunately players aren't.

I for one have been blined to this for the past season or so. And will now put my hands up and apologise to all those bashers of certain players over the past season or 2 main culprits are:Robinson,Jenas,Zokora,Malbranque,Lennon(at times)

what are your views on these mate?

1.Robinson:For ages i defended him, thought he was a top class keeper etc etc but anyone must admit that he makes too many mistakes and isn't himself consistent enough to be called a top class keeper.

2.Jenas:I like him for all his energy and apparent ability. Kept saying how he'd sooner or later prove this or that person wrong and to be fair to him I'm still unsure, I'm not going to write him off just yet as under Ramos he's really improved but still nowhere near consistently performing at a high level, at times he has fantastic games but far far too often he is just average, does alot of things fairly well but nothing spectacular, his finishing is poor and he lacks creativity, constantly turning backwards and sideways.

3.Zokora: Carrick he certaintly is not but again somone i've always defended. Saying how he's doing what he's supposed to do( be a defensive midfielder) and to be fair he does it fairly well, making some decent blocks,tackles,interceptions etc but weather he needs to be playing with a great AM or weather Jenas needs to be playing with a better DM i don't know, together they are far too often average as a combination. Zokora also is a decent passer but again to often turns backwards when there IS a simple forward pass avaible and he gives the ball away too often. Again another who i must hold my hands up and say i was wrong and he isn't good enough.

4.Malbranque- again a player who i rated. He puts in massive effot and credit where it's due if i was a fullback i'd bloody love him, the amount of times he tracks back and makes solid tackles is very impressive BUT a wide man must be able to do both. If he was playing RM mabye he could but on the left apart from the occasional cross/assist or cut inside goal which are too infrequent , he is non-existent attacking wise. Very decent squad player but as a LM who is expected to defend and create, sorry not up to scratch.

5.Lennon- Ok he is an intresting one. I def don't want him to go as i still feel he is a valuable player and could well improve but it just seems that again he's a little too inconsistent, and seems like Ramos gets that impression aswell. Obviously no player can humanly play well every match even Ronaldo,Torress, etc have the odd off day but the top class players play well and affect a game more often than not. And for Lennon especially away from home he is often too ineffective. His pace is astounding and his direct running on the counter attacking is great but his passing and delivery needs to improve as to be fair to him it is/has been but for a top quality winger he shouldn't be hitting low hard crosses that hit the first defender time and again. A player with a very bright future but unfortunately not quite as good as we all hype him up to be.

Ok

Robbo-I have defended him for ages on here but i may have to admit defeat in this one. He collected crosses better today than i have seen him do for a long while but thats about it. Am i being too harsh thinking he could have dived for the first goal? The second was a bullet header but agian only 2ft away from him. Robbo i luv ya man but i think MAYBE your time is up. There i said it.

JJ-Before this season i could not stand the guy. Thought he was awful and really could nt see what he bought to the team. This season (well up until about 5 or 6 games ago) it looked like a different player. I finally could see what everyone else one here could see. But now??????? Back to square one of having a player who runs a lot but cant pass and 9times out of 10 cant clear the first man (at the near post) from a corner.

Zokora-Where do i start! Sometimes i look at him and think 'WOW' what a player. He has it all for a CM. Pace, gets stuck in, can run all day, passing not bad. Then in the same game i will think 'WOW' Who the hell is this clown we have got here!?!? its like he has been sold to us as George Weah's cousin!!!!! Again not up to the job overall i dont feel. But another one i have defended on here loads. Now i wonder why i did....

Steed-He has the touch of a rapist! Blows hot and cold, mostly cold. Good player for Fulham. Not good enough for us.

Lennon-I cant believe he plays week in week out, no matter how badly he plays. He has pace yes but the words one trick pony' spring to mind. Knock the ball past your marker and hope you are quicker than him. For a winger he is prob the worst crosser of a ball we have (poss in the premier league).
I think he has fallen into the trap of thinking he is better than he actually is too. So he cant cross and cant shoot. What does he bring to the team?

Right cue the abuse now for me slagging off 'My own team'

Go..............:shake:

 

[Kendall]

No they're not.

Many millions spent & 2 5th place finishes, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect us to be up there with Everton. the team are underperforming, it's got nothing to do with our expectations.

 

[lukespurs7]

Ok

Robbo-I have defended him for ages on here but i may have to admit defeat in this one. He collected crosses better today than i have seen him do for a long while but thats about it. Am i being too harsh thinking he could have dived for the first goal? The second was a bullet header but agian only 2ft away from him. Robbo i luv ya man but i think MAYBE your time is up. There i said it.

JJ-Before this season i could not stand the guy. Thought he was awful and really could nt see what he bought to the team. This season (well up until about 5 or 6 games ago) it looked like a different player. I finally could see what everyone else one here could see. But now??????? Back to square one of having a player who runs a lot but cant pass and 9times out of 10 cant clear the first man (at the near post) from a corner.

Zokora-Where do i start! Sometimes i look at him and think 'WOW' what a player. He has it all for a CM. Pace, gets stuck in, can run all day, passing not bad. Then in the same game i will think 'WOW' Who the hell is this clown we have got here!?!? its like he has been sold to us as George Weah's cousin!!!!! Again not up to the job overall i dont feel. But another one i have defended on here loads. Now i wonder why i did....

Steed-He has the touch of a rapist! Blows hot and cold, mostly cold. Good player for Fulham. Not good enough for us.

Lennon-I cant believe he plays week in week out, no matter how badly he plays. He has pace yes but the words one trick pony' spring to mind. Knock the ball past your marker and hope you are quicker than him. For a winger he is prob the worst crosser of a ball we have (poss in the premier league).
I think he has fallen into the trap of thinking he is better than he actually is too. So he cant cross and cant shoot. What does he bring to the team?

Right cue the abuse now for me slagging off 'My own team'

Go..............:shake:

Yep cheers mate pretty much agree. Lets hope one of 2 things happen:
1.These players start to really improve and all perform consistently at a high level in which case next season we could well do quite well in the league(unlikely)

2.Ramos sees how shite some of them really are, sells them and brings in some real quality like he had a sevilla with Palop,Poulsen,Capel,Kieta in the positions we are weak in, thats what he had and we need the same quality.

 

[Legend10]

Yep cheers mate pretty much agree. Lets hope one of 2 things happen:
1.These players start to really improve and all perform consistently at a high level in which case next season we could well do quite well in the league(unlikely)

2.Ramos sees how shite some of them really are, sells them and brings in some real quality like he had a sevilla with Palop,Poulsen,Capel,Kieta in the positions we are weak in, thats what he had and we need the same quality.

If your going to write this sort of stuff at least think about it or know about it.

Keita didn't even sign for sevilla until last summer and hardly played at all under ramos as he was injured and Capel is only just starting out.

You make it sound like ramos built his team around these quality players and it just isn't true.

 

[Vegas]

I think we'll see a shit load of players leave this summer in order to freshen up the squad for the coming couple of seasons. We've got too many players that offer very little. Signings such as Bent, KPB & Kaboul might get another season, but then maybe they won't. It depends how ruthless the management are. The only players who I don't think will go anywhere (for one reason or another are):

Hutton, King, Woodgate, Gilberto, Bale, Gunter, O'Hara, Keane, (I'd add Berba, but who knows on that one!)

Who knows about the rest...