Right people, its great to see us signing Cole and now Wilson both good talents, and as it seems the club is showing it is moving in the right direction...anyone else think with another top quality player and a cover for LB we could possibly challenge for the title? Or is that a long shot away? I personally think we should be aiming for atleast third spot but anyone think the title is manageable this season?
Realistic VS Achievable
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Why not? The majority of the playing squad is the same as the one that came 2nd the season before last (and had we had a manager like Roy at the time then who knows if that could have been improved upon), Utd, Arse, Chavs, Citeh etc are all going to drop points and have injury problems themselves so who knows. I think we have as good a shout as anybody outside the top 3 (fuck Tottenham, 1 year doesn't make you a top 4 team (as Everton can attest to) and if we start well then we could be up there.
I also think that this year will be the most difficult and competitive year the premiership has seen, neutrals will be loving it IMO.
I also think that this year will be the most difficult and competitive year the premiership has seen, neutrals will be loving it IMO.
In honesty i will be delighted if we finish in the top four as far as i can see we still aré woefully short in terms of squad depth and we aré still reliant on two ( selling mash) injury prone stars. Big ifs include will aquilani and colé come good ... What will maxi produce and what about the defence which was shocking last time out. Theoretically we could win it but in honesty its dreaming and we aré far more likely to be scrapping for fourth spot.
In most seasons this would be blasphemy to say but I would be pleased with a return to the Top Four (TM) this year. Although I have to say that I have the stirrings of belief we could finish a place or two higher yet. I think the title is an absolute pipe dream but it goes without saying that I would love to be proven wrong.
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
Sun Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
Sun Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
Sun Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
Sun Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
Sun Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
Sun Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[quote author=The_Positive_One link=topic=41067.msg1139474#msg1139474 date=1279690053]
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
More than 12 points ?! I think even the top teams would be very happy with just 11 points !!
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
More than 12 points ?! I think even the top teams would be very happy with just 11 points !!
Unfortunately, of the two minnows, one was one of the hardest teams to beat last season. And even with West Brom, it is always better to get promoted teams after they've been softened up a bit. They over-perform in the first weeks. That's a very, very tough start.
[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=41067.msg1139476#msg1139476 date=1279690209]
[quote author=The_Positive_One link=topic=41067.msg1139474#msg1139474 date=1279690053]
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
More than 12 points ?! I think even the top teams would be very happy with just 11 points !!Guess I'm just greedy then.... 😛
[/quote]
[quote author=The_Positive_One link=topic=41067.msg1139474#msg1139474 date=1279690053]
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
More than 12 points ?! I think even the top teams would be very happy with just 11 points !!Guess I'm just greedy then.... 😛
[/quote]
IMO the key to winning the premier league is a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Form is also important.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=41067.msg1139466#msg1139466 date=1279687322]
Iseeredpeople : Don't think you should be posting Scum graphics on here mate.
[/quote]
It's very apt though.
Iseeredpeople : Don't think you should be posting Scum graphics on here mate.
[/quote]
It's very apt though.
[quote author=The_Positive_One link=topic=41067.msg1139474#msg1139474 date=1279690053]
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal Draw
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool Draw
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom Win
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool Win
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool Draw
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
I could live with that
What happens in the rest of the transfer window,
and our first 5 games will tell us everything....
S** Aug 15th 16:00 Liverpool vs Arsenal Draw
Mon Aug 23rd 20:00 Man City vs Liverpool Draw
Sat Aug 28th 15:00 Liverpool vs West Brom Win
S** Aug 12th 16:00 Birmingham vs Liverpool Win
S** Aug 19th 13:30 Man Utd vs Liverpool Draw
3 of the top teams in the land and 2 minnows....
If we can get more than 12pts, then I would say a tiltle challenge is on....
[/quote]
I could live with that
IF............
Torres stays
Aquilani comes good
We replace Mascher with someone of similar quality
We get lucky with injuries (i.e. Torres, Gerrard, Agger, Aquilani etc stay fit)
United, Chelsea and Arsenal don't make any significant signings
City don't sign a world class centre forward
.................we have an outside chance of winning the league - we are 17/1 at the bookies and that's a fair representation of our chances at present.
Torres stays
Aquilani comes good
We replace Mascher with someone of similar quality
We get lucky with injuries (i.e. Torres, Gerrard, Agger, Aquilani etc stay fit)
United, Chelsea and Arsenal don't make any significant signings
City don't sign a world class centre forward
.................we have an outside chance of winning the league - we are 17/1 at the bookies and that's a fair representation of our chances at present.
Realistic is top six, achieveable is second if either Chelsea or United misfire and we click and stay fit.
top 4 is certainly realistic. if we keep our players and they stay fit then we might do alright.
We have a good keeper, good defence - if we buy a left back - a striker who will guarantee goals if fit, and decent attacking options in Gerrard, Kuyt and Cole.
A few more decent players and we'll be looking reasonably strong
We have a good keeper, good defence - if we buy a left back - a striker who will guarantee goals if fit, and decent attacking options in Gerrard, Kuyt and Cole.
A few more decent players and we'll be looking reasonably strong
[quote author=Modokay link=topic=41067.msg1139480#msg1139480 date=1279691056]
IMO the key to winning the premier league is a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Form is also important.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
[/quote]
have no idea why aqualini is listed amongst the 'quality' players. if you consider there are a front 6 with one of those being a holding midfielder
1. torres - if he stays
2. gerrard
3. kuyt
4. maxi
5. cole
6. holding midfielder
frankly aqua will struggle to get a game
IMO the key to winning the premier league is a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Form is also important.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
[/quote]
have no idea why aqualini is listed amongst the 'quality' players. if you consider there are a front 6 with one of those being a holding midfielder
1. torres - if he stays
2. gerrard
3. kuyt
4. maxi
5. cole
6. holding midfielder
frankly aqua will struggle to get a game
That's just an assumption Neil, there's nothing to say that Gerrard and Cole won't be used in different areas of attack, depending on who we've got available etc, plus we have a fair amount of injury problems over the course of a season (going off recent evidence), so he'll get plenty of games if the manager rates him, and there's no reason he won't, because his quality is fucking obvious.
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=41067.msg1139524#msg1139524 date=1279698282]
[quote author=Modokay link=topic=41067.msg1139480#msg1139480 date=1279691056]
IMO the key to winning the premier league is a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Form is also important.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
[/quote]
have no idea why aqualini is listed amongst the 'quality' players. if you consider there are a front 6 with one of those being a holding midfielder
1. torres - if he stays
2. gerrard
3. kuyt
4. maxi
5. cole
6. holding midfielder
frankly aqua will struggle to get a game
[/quote]
I also mentioned needing a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Obviously 2 or more will be on the bench. Aquilani might not start but he'll definitely have a role to play considering the amount of games and injuries.
I'm not sure what your definition of a quality player is but mine is basically a player that can make a difference, a player with experience someone who can cope with the best in the world.
[quote author=Modokay link=topic=41067.msg1139480#msg1139480 date=1279691056]
IMO the key to winning the premier league is a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Form is also important.
The biggest reason why we had a terrible season, is partly due to injuries (Torres, Gerrard) and the loss of Alonso.
In Alonso we had a player that could take responsibility whenever Gerrard was injured. And when they played together Alonso was probably the only player who didn't feel the need to pass the ball to Gerrard every time he called for it. Best example the long ranger against Luton.
When he left, Lucas failed to take that responsibility.
I'm hoping Cole picks up where Alonso left off. But most importantly we need another goalscorer, preferably someone who can play alone upfront. We cannot hope for a league title while having only one consistent goal scorer in the team.
It's impossible to come to a conclusion about how our season would fare. We'll see in the weeks ahead. We need a couple of top signings. Like I've previously mentioned, LB, DM, ST.
Quality players in the squad IMO:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Mascherano (will probably leave)
Gerrard
Aquilani
Maxi Rodriguez
Cole
Kuyt
Torres
That's eleven incl. Mascherano. I have no real opinion about Jovanovic but he seems to be quite the player. So if the next three signings are top class, we'll have a chance.
[/quote]
have no idea why aqualini is listed amongst the 'quality' players. if you consider there are a front 6 with one of those being a holding midfielder
1. torres - if he stays
2. gerrard
3. kuyt
4. maxi
5. cole
6. holding midfielder
frankly aqua will struggle to get a game
[/quote]
I also mentioned needing a big squad with at least 13 quality players. Obviously 2 or more will be on the bench. Aquilani might not start but he'll definitely have a role to play considering the amount of games and injuries.
I'm not sure what your definition of a quality player is but mine is basically a player that can make a difference, a player with experience someone who can cope with the best in the world.
We must aim for top 4
Those first five games are going to be so important for setting the tone of the season. Our confidence is fragile after last season's disaster and a series of draws/losses to begin will heap the pressure on Hodgson and the players.
If we can get a win against Arsenal and a win/draw against Citeh we might just have the springboard to get us into the top four early doors and stay there. A couple of early losses and we'll be going into the West Brom game with all and sundry saying that our season depends on the game. Ditto the Brum game.
Given last season, this is perhaps the most important early phase of games we've faced in ten or so years.
If we can get a win against Arsenal and a win/draw against Citeh we might just have the springboard to get us into the top four early doors and stay there. A couple of early losses and we'll be going into the West Brom game with all and sundry saying that our season depends on the game. Ditto the Brum game.
Given last season, this is perhaps the most important early phase of games we've faced in ten or so years.
[quote author=Pesam link=topic=41067.msg1139508#msg1139508 date=1279696948]
IF............
Torres stays
Aquilani comes good
We replace Mascher with someone of similar quality
We get lucky with injuries (i.e. Torres, Gerrard, Agger, Aquilani etc stay fit)
United, Chelsea and Arsenal don't make any significant signings
City don't sign a world class centre forward
.................we have an outside chance of winning the league - we are 17/1 at the bookies and that's a fair representation of our chances at present.
[/quote]
Update - we WERE 17/1 yesterday (Betfair) but are now 14/1 - I assume that this renewed confidence in LFC is down to the "Gerrard staying" stories yesterday.
IF............
Torres stays
Aquilani comes good
We replace Mascher with someone of similar quality
We get lucky with injuries (i.e. Torres, Gerrard, Agger, Aquilani etc stay fit)
United, Chelsea and Arsenal don't make any significant signings
City don't sign a world class centre forward
.................we have an outside chance of winning the league - we are 17/1 at the bookies and that's a fair representation of our chances at present.
[/quote]
Update - we WERE 17/1 yesterday (Betfair) but are now 14/1 - I assume that this renewed confidence in LFC is down to the "Gerrard staying" stories yesterday.
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41067.msg1139532#msg1139532 date=1279698889]
because his quality is fucking obvious.
[/quote]
quality is obvious in comparison to whom? lucas? bet you he doesn't start the first three games of the season.
I don't think he is rubbish but I don't think he is what we need. assuming cole has been given assurances of playing centrally, how will aqua get a game?
because his quality is fucking obvious.
[/quote]
quality is obvious in comparison to whom? lucas? bet you he doesn't start the first three games of the season.
I don't think he is rubbish but I don't think he is what we need. assuming cole has been given assurances of playing centrally, how will aqua get a game?
We are starting to assemble a strong squad :
Front 5 : Gerrard, Aquilani, Maxi , Aquilani, Jovanovic, Cole, Kuyt, Torres - is nearly as good as any other attacking unit in the EPL now.
Back 5 : Johnson, Carragher , Agger, Skrtyl, Wilson, Kelly, Ayala (if not loaned out) plus new LBs is an EPL proven and quite sound defensive unit whilst not being the best.
and there are youngsters that can fill in if desperately needed, Pacheco et al
Critically it is the DM solution that could make or break us this season. Replacing Masher with a QUALITY DM is the key to the whole season, Lucas is a reasonable back-up for the new DM whoever he may be.
NB. Three assumptions : Figueroa or better is bought to play at LB, Torres stays, we get Remy or another decent back-up for Nando.
Front 5 : Gerrard, Aquilani, Maxi , Aquilani, Jovanovic, Cole, Kuyt, Torres - is nearly as good as any other attacking unit in the EPL now.
Back 5 : Johnson, Carragher , Agger, Skrtyl, Wilson, Kelly, Ayala (if not loaned out) plus new LBs is an EPL proven and quite sound defensive unit whilst not being the best.
and there are youngsters that can fill in if desperately needed, Pacheco et al
Critically it is the DM solution that could make or break us this season. Replacing Masher with a QUALITY DM is the key to the whole season, Lucas is a reasonable back-up for the new DM whoever he may be.
NB. Three assumptions : Figueroa or better is bought to play at LB, Torres stays, we get Remy or another decent back-up for Nando.
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41067.msg1139597#msg1139597 date=1279701785]
Those first five games are going to be so important for setting the tone of the season. Our confidence is fragile after last season's disaster and a series of draws/losses to begin will heap the pressure on Hodgson and the players.
If we can get a win against Arsenal and a win/draw against Citeh we might just have the springboard to get us into the top four early doors and stay there. A couple of early losses and we'll be going into the West Brom game with all and sundry saying that our season depends on the game. Ditto the Brum game.
Given last season, this is perhaps the most important early phase of games we've faced in ten or so years.
[/quote]
Whilst I don't agree that those first 5 games will set the tone for the season, and I believe we could easily afford a couple of defeats there and still comfortably make the top 4 (all the top 6 or 7 teams are going to lose plenty of games a la last season), those games may be key to how fragile the team's confidence will be from then on. The easier games will come around sooner or later, if we have a confident team then we have the quality to take advantage of them.
Those first five games are going to be so important for setting the tone of the season. Our confidence is fragile after last season's disaster and a series of draws/losses to begin will heap the pressure on Hodgson and the players.
If we can get a win against Arsenal and a win/draw against Citeh we might just have the springboard to get us into the top four early doors and stay there. A couple of early losses and we'll be going into the West Brom game with all and sundry saying that our season depends on the game. Ditto the Brum game.
Given last season, this is perhaps the most important early phase of games we've faced in ten or so years.
[/quote]
Whilst I don't agree that those first 5 games will set the tone for the season, and I believe we could easily afford a couple of defeats there and still comfortably make the top 4 (all the top 6 or 7 teams are going to lose plenty of games a la last season), those games may be key to how fragile the team's confidence will be from then on. The easier games will come around sooner or later, if we have a confident team then we have the quality to take advantage of them.
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