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Race for the Top 4 - 2018/19

Where will we finish in the league ?


  • Total voters
    423
  • Poll closed .

Sir Henry

Facts > Feelings
Aug 18, 2008
2,706
2,817
THAT's NOTHING (sixt advert)

I've just hung up on my mate cause he asked why we didnt by anyone. Now I'm off to McDonalds.
 

dirky88

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
288
122
1st: City will walk it. Mahrez and a fit-again Mendy is terrifying.

2nd: The pressure will certainly be on Liverpool this year, that is for sure. They have spent an absolute fortune since Klopp arrived and assembled a great squad... but have to prove it on the pitch week in. No excuses for them this year - trophy or it is a failure.

3rd: CFC. Jorghino, Kante, and Kovacic is a great midfield 3 - on paper at least. Fabregas, RLC, and Barkley are not bad options off the bench either. They will take some time to gel but have so much quality upfront with Hazard, Willian and Pedro + think Giroud is such an underrated threat. Will be tough to better them this year.

4th: Splitting hairs between an Arsenal that are an unknown quantity but still have superb quality in their squad, Mourinho's boring but still hugely talented Utd and, ourselves.

I totally get the frustration of the window but as many have pointed out, we have probably 16 top, top players - many of whom are continuing to improve. I don't buy the line we couldn't improve our first 11 - arguments for a better LB and replacement for Dembele are valid, but it is often easy to overlook what we have. I will apologise for using an old football cliche but the return of injured players (Lamela, Winks), a match fit and acclimatised Moura and, a motivated Toby may feel like new signings - or may at least have the same impact. The worry is Wanyama and Dembele - can we really rely on them this season? I sense that if we can somehow navigate ourselves to a decent position by the January window, we may be able to address this issue.

Chelsea won't get in the top 6
 

dirky88

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
288
122
We have an OUTRAGEOUS squad! Relax and enjoy.....

Grealish however is gonna be a massive chance missed I feel.
 

am_yisrael_chai

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2006
6,409
10,931
Have to disagree there. First of all, I don't see evidence of turmoil and I think with adding Kovacic and Jorginho they've strengthened significantly. I wouldn't take their performance in the community shield as any indication of how they will perform this season. I would say top 3 this season will be Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. 4th will depend on whether there's the usual 3rd season Mourinho meltdown. On paper Man Utd probably have a better squad than us but I think we could finish above them. Arsenal is the wildcard, they could be total shit or be excellent.
Chelsea are changing their entire pattern of play from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, even their manager has said they need at least 3 months to adjust. Madrid still chasing Hazard and they’ve been trying to flog their main striker. Doesn’t look like a stable camp to me.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
On what basis?

Some of our squad are coming back on a complete high given their performances in the world cup...

We're a settled side, and should hit the ground running full of confidence.
Those players are on a high, but haven’t trained for three weeks. We have injuries in midfield, so whoever we pick is going to be at 70, 80% at most.

We had two very tough games against Newcastle last year, and we’re lucky to win both. Rafa will have his whole squad fit and tactically spot on. If I was putting money on this, it would all be going on Newcastle.
 

smallsnc

Well-Known Member
Mar 30, 2017
699
1,237
Chelsea are changing their entire pattern of play from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, even their manager has said they need at least 3 months to adjust. Madrid still chasing Hazard and they’ve been trying to flog their main striker. Doesn’t look like a stable camp to me.

I am not sure they really have the CBs to play in a 4 man back line plus it will force Alonso to actually have to defend some. I expect them to play some high scoring games.
 
May 17, 2018
11,872
47,993
Quite bizarrely, seen one of the outlets say we are "under pressure to do well", because we haven't signed anyone.

Eh?
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,331
Those players are on a high, but haven’t trained for three weeks. We have injuries in midfield, so whoever we pick is going to be at 70, 80% at most.

We had two very tough games against Newcastle last year, and we’re lucky to win both. Rafa will have his whole squad fit and tactically spot on. If I was putting money on this, it would all be going on Newcastle.

Have they not trained this week?
 

St José Dominguez

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,592
11,648
Quite bizarrely, seen one of the outlets say we are "under pressure to do well", because we haven't signed anyone.

Eh?

We're under no pressure. Mourinho is under huge pressure, if he doesn't win the league he's done. Liverpool are under huge pressure to at least challenge after their spend, if City are miles ahead of them they could fade and drop off in final months. Sarri is under a little pressure as they did sack Conte who won league, but it's Chelsea's way so not much pressure. Emery under not much as I think they know they're in a bit of transition although if they are way off by Xmas it might start.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,331
I’m just going by what Poch said today. They’re all in different states, some may play, some might be fit enough for the bench. Either way, we’re still undercooked.

Yes, but still more than capable of winning on Saturday.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Yes, but still more than capable of winning on Saturday.
We are, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we slip up. It’s going to be a tough game - Rafa’s teams always are. And if we’re not at our best, we may suffer.
 

Guntz

Loves a good meme/gif
Aug 15, 2011
7,271
54,780
All it takes is a couple of injuries and we're seriously in trouble.

But if the first 11 all stay relatively fit throughought the season I'm confident we'll get top 4.
 
May 17, 2018
11,872
47,993
I would say we are under less pressure now lower expectation level.
We're under no pressure. Mourinho is under huge pressure, if he doesn't win the league he's done. Liverpool are under huge pressure to at least challenge after their spend, if City are miles ahead of them they could fade and drop off in final months. Sarri is under a little pressure as they did sack Conte who won league, but it's Chelsea's way so not much pressure. Emery under not much as I think they know they're in a bit of transition although if they are way off by Xmas it might start.

Weird isn't it. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

West Ham, Everton, Liverpool and Wolves are going to have the most pressure imo.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
Have to disagree there. First of all, I don't see evidence of turmoil and I think with adding Kovacic and Jorginho they've strengthened significantly. I wouldn't take their performance in the community shield as any indication of how they will perform this season. I would say top 3 this season will be Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. 4th will depend on whether there's the usual 3rd season Mourinho meltdown. On paper Man Utd probably have a better squad than us but I think we could finish above them. Arsenal is the wildcard, they could be total shit or be excellent.
Think we will finish 5th or 6th and I think the club are happy with that.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
Weird isn't it. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

West Ham, Everton, Liverpool and Wolves are going to have the most pressure imo.
Well that's what I told a hammers friend of mine that now with their big spend up the expectation level goes up and can they handle that as they are not used to it but he is happy as a sand boy because in his words we have never spent that amount before.
 
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