What are your expectations?

So we're 6 games into the season (including CL) and we're on 4 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses.

Where do you expect us to finish in the PL, CL, COC and FAC?

I honestly am expecting:

1st in the EPL, it's Jose's second season, we look the part while all of our other competitors look inconsistent, poor or both.

CL, Quarters or Semis, I am not too bothered about the CL, knockouts is a must but beyond that, I don't mind.

COC, don't care, make it through a few rounds with some reserve players.

FAC, I'd like a decent run in this, perhaps to the semi's or even winning it, but I won't be bothered if we don't.

You are the reason why I don't post Kicky

I agree with all of that. Winning the league would be my top priority but I'd like it if we go on to win a double. We now have the depth to do it so no excuses this year.

Great minds, Soul.

Should have waited about 4 or 5 weeks to make this thread.


Also should have made it as a poll.
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#JudgmentalShed

We have a good shot at winning the BPL but the CL (for now) remains out of our league.

This season, Chelsea has improved in terms of efficiency but the essence of their game remains the same. You cant continue to do the same  thing and expect different results everytime. That is why from the start, I was not worried about the strikers situation; that was just a simple facade and a surface level observation expected from the likes of media and general public.

To cut to the chase, the current system is well suited to league competitions and will provide a structured array of desired results but lacks effectiveness in Cup competitions. It doesnt serve high profile teams with immense talented players like Chelsea. It was not a coincidence that it didnt work at Real Madrid for three seasons, and still not a coincidence for not producing the desired results at chelsea. It is tailored for second tier teams like Porto and Inter.

Yesterday, I would have much preferred if we played for the win and lost the game rather than defend for the life of a point as this would have been a great service to the development of our team. It would have been a steady stride towards the next stage of our evolution. We have lost more than just two points but that is a vast subject for another time or the after effects might speak for themselves soon.

Shed wrote:Should have waited about 4 or 5 weeks to make this thread.


Also should have made it as a poll.
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#JudgmentalShed

Why?

why not post expectations now?

Shed wrote:Yes, our superb start and the early leeway between us and our rivals it's produced is exciting, but I refuse to get too overly-enthused by things until we have a larger sample to go off of.

Shed wrote:I try not to take too much from the first few weeks of the season. We'll be much better positioned to judge in a month and a half or so.

Unless you're talking about what my expectations were before a ball was even kicked relative to our squad, money spent, etc.

What ever your expectations are at this point in time.

Well then for me, a sustained title challenge leading right up to the last week or two. Not gonna say definitely win it because there are a number of very good teams in this league and only one can finish first at its end, but if we're in it up to the very last moment, but just barely miss out by a point or two for instance, I just can't see how that could be considered a failure.


Now, and this is why I'm so intent on waiting a few more weeks yet before making a judgement, if the other sides in the league continue the poor form they've shown thus far, what I'd expect might only understandably go up, especially if one of those sides is City. So as I said, we'll know more in another month or month and a half.

See, that wasn't so hard.

But when it has to be done with a bunch of caveats and asterisks because we're a whopping 5 games into the season, what use is it?

To bring it up at the end of the season

I'm sure I'll be bumping this in a month or two to make my point then

Ok.

EPL: win it. Anything less than that should be termed as a grand failure.

CL: Bayern and Barca are still a lot better than us. I understand it's between them. But anyway when you look at what Atleti achieved in the last season with their tiny squad and only a 92 min header away from winning it, then we must expect us to be at least in CL semi. A lucky draw may help us reaching the final too.

COC: win it! Our youth and bench are good enough to win it.

FA Cup: win it. Don't take it lightly. The most prestigious domestic cup competition.

I don't think 2 place would be a failure, Junk. But I understand where you are coming from.

So anything other than CL semis and a domestic treble would be failure for you?

Yea! I have a strong feeling that this is going to be our season. And obviously PL is the priority. But I don't want to see us giving up on any front.

That's pushing it tbh


So if we finished 2nd by one point on the last day, you'd still think that was a "grand failure"?

Well. I consider only Man City are our title rival this season. We have a 5 points advantage now. Knowing Mou, I'm sure we wont let this early advantage slip by. If we dont win the league this season it will require a Gerrard-esque slip.

A 5 point advantage 5 games in is virtually meaningless.


Were it 5 games to go I'd agree with you, but it's waaaay too early to be counting that as anything significant.

Man Utd will bounce back. They are only 1 top quality signing away in their defensive department. They will do it in January.

Liverpool without Suarez and poor defense and a CL to be taken care of is no contender for me.

Arsenal when have their main players fit could be a true force. But their poor records against the top teams are continuing.

That leaves only Man City to be worried about. But they also have their problems too. They depend too much on Yaya. Their midfield is a bit thinner. Lamps wont be their for a full season.

junkyard wrote:They depend too much on Yaya.

And we haven't depended too much on injury-prone Costa so far? One injury to him and then what?

I know 5 points advantage at this point means nothing. But looking at our fixture I am sure we will make this advantage look greater.

The start of this season is reminding me of Jose's second season with Madrid.