Realistic hopes for next season

[shelfmonkey]

We MUST sort our defensive frailties out. Although our attacking prowess has been somewhat laboured, I think if we'd defended better we would have nicked 4th place this season, thus if we can defend solidly and consistently but also improve/add pace/add a bit of quality up top then I see no reason why we can't be a real threat for top 4 or genuine contenders for one of the cups, but all that hinges mainly on sorting out our defence.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Think it's all been said already but realistically top 4 looks very tricky. There's already a gulf in quality and those 4 and Liverpool seem likely to spend a huge amount this Summer which we are unlikely to match.

I want to see better football, the expensive deadwood leaving, and the squad being used much better so we can have a proper go at the Europa. That obviously requires a better squad so I also want to see Levy, Poch and Mitchell deliver that to start with.

 

[kungfugrip]

It's worth mentioning that I have a nasty hunch Arse will finally go out this summer and get that top class striker they've been lacking. I think they may move for Lacazette. If they get him, I hate to say it but I think they will be a very good side next season.

I agree - I think they'll strengthen and go up another gear next year

 

[Sir Henry]

That Stoke doesn't take 6 points of us.

 

[Danfunkel]

A postive GD of more than 8 would be nice.

 

[Mullers]

Improve the defence, win a trophy, do better in the Europa cup.

 

[Chris12]

The treble

 

[brendanb50]

Improve the defence, win a trophy, do better in the Europa cup.

This for me. An improvement at the back will push us on a fair bit IMO. There's been a good few games this year where soft goals have let us down.

 

[Mullers]

This for me. An improvement at the back will push us on a fair bit IMO. There's been a good few games this year where soft goals have let us down.

I think Poch's job depends upon it, with Lloris looking likely to leave I don't think he'll get away with having such a bad defence next season.

 

[sbrustad]

I just want to see us progress, at least in terms of play. Also, it would be nice to reach the final of the Europa League.

Play some of that free-flowing football of a couple of seasons ago. Starting to miss that.

 

[willy white wonka]

The treble

The treble I'd like to see is to beat arse twice in the league and once in the cup final - that would satisfy me even if we only finished 6th!

 

[eddiebailey]

I think next season we will need to improve to stand still, so I am hoping for 5th or 6th again, but with more points on the table and a far better goal difference. Cup runs are always nice.

 

[nicdic]

Realistic hopes?

If we're being realistic we ought to start with the acceptance that 5th/6th is our level. And actually, finishing 5th as regularly as we have is punching above our weight if you look at wages, turnover, etc. I feel like we need to understand this better before we start thinking about everything else.

To challenge for the top 4 we have to massively overachieve. Massively.

We can hope for improvement, a more balanced squad, less freak results, clearer implementation of a discernible style of play, more points, less goals conceded, etc. But realistically, it will still equate to finishing 5th/6th.

 

[TropicalYid]

Hvave a real go at top 4, win one of the cups.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Realistic hopes?

If we're being realistic we ought to start with the acceptance that 5th/6th is our level. And actually, finishing 5th as regularly as we have is punching above our weight if you look at wages, turnover, etc. I feel like we need to understand this better before we start thinking about everything else.

To challenge for the top 4 we have to massively overachieve. Massively.

We can hope for improvement, a more balanced squad, less freak results, clearer implementation of a discernible style of play, more points, less goals conceded, etc. But realistically, it will still equate to finishing 5th/6th.

I agree with the sentiment here in that to EXPECT above 5th is being relatively unrealistic.

However I think we should certainly be aspiring to show that good team play/decent scouting/good youth players can get you to competing with the big boys, and I don't think it would take a massive over achievement to get top 4, as all it takes is for one of the big four to have a stuttering season and then there's an opening.

But yes I think people who actually expect us to come top 4, rather than hope for it, are being very unrealistic.

 

[nicdic]

I agree with the sentiment here in that to EXPECT above 5th is being relatively unrealistic.

However I think we should certainly be aspiring to show that good team play/decent scouting/good youth players can get you to competing with the big boys, and I don't think it would take a massive over achievement to get top 4, as all it takes is for one of the big four to have a stuttering season and then there's an opening.

But yes I think people who actually expect us to come top 4, rather than hope for it, are being very unrealistic.

Agree completely. It's not impossible, and it's right for the club to be aiming to do that, but to have the expectation that anything other than a top 4 finish is failure is bonkers. Plus, I think if we have a clearer appreciation for where we really are, then I think we'll enjoy the season a lot more.

 

[djee]

Do not view 5th or even 6th as a failure. There are 4 much bigger and well equipped sides in the league at the moment and there is little to choose between ourselves and Liverpool. Finishing just outside CL spots shows that on our existing resources will be very attractive to potential sponsors / future buyers who will see a club prime to take to the next level. That is not to say a top 4 finish is unachievable nor something we should strive towards, however. Clearly, and as history shows, at least one of the bigger clubs will show signs of weakness and poor form during the season and, there will be opportunities to exploit.

As others have mentioned, realistic hopes could include:
1. A more attractive style of football
2. Avoiding silly losses to the 'lesser' sides
3. Turning WHL into a fortress
4. A determined effort in Europe

 

[Bails]

For me there are large headwinds and tailwinds for next year.

We were very lucky in 8/9 games to get a win by either late minute goals or from being the 2nd best team- potentially could lose 15 points next year if replicated.

However, young side who are more experienced together, another preseason , this time without international tournaments, to focus on fitness and 'philosophy' with the recent confidence of a 5th place. Also if focus on team defensiveness to cut out 15-20 goals (I possible) then overall coming out of a transitional season we could look at gaining 10-15 points and pushing for champions league qualification.


In reality may be a bit of both and I'm sure we would all take a 7-10 upward swing on net and a push for champions league after a more sold defensive play and greater 'style'

My expectations though depend on what we actually do over the summer, as the above is purely a 'like for like" comparison.

Do we use next year as a another stepping stone for a 2016-17 push and sell/loan the experienced, and not played, kaboul, soldado, Adebayor (Etc) and take a punt integrating our new youth in Pritchard , Alli, KWP etc ? If so then we should lower expectations and be delighted for a 5th place finish again witht youngest squad on record.

Alternatively do we buy players who can improve instantly what we have and push next year (potentially scuppering development of youth)

Again I expect a bit of both with my preference being Poch being honest start of next year with a 2-year project aimed at blending in more youth (where it suits us- not just for the sake of it) and have another mixed season where we see hopefully an improved play and defence. Even if we lose a couple of senior players who don't want to stick around we should be in a place to push.

In conclusion- depends how lucky we wre last season, how much impact pochetino can have in preseason and what are strategy is around blending in more youth to a very young side versus being more short term focus.

Future should be bright

 

[WiganSpur]

-Streamlined squad

-More youngsters given an opportunity

-Start defending as a team, more clean sheets

-More evidence of pressing

-Challenge for 4th until the last couple of games at least, and take advantage of any slip ups.

 

[robin09]

-Streamlined squad

-More youngsters given an opportunity

-Start defending as a team, more clean sheets

-More evidence of pressing

-Challenge for 4th until the last couple of games at least, and take advantage of any slip ups.

Pretty much that. Mostly, I'd like to see the team play with a clear tactical philosophy more often.

Get rid of players who aren't in Poch's plans.

Realistically we won't be in the top 4 as we pay lower wages, and that basically dictates the order of the league. But we should expect to be 5th again, Liverpool are our rivals now.

And I want another Cup final with a potential win this time!