Ok, what are our realistic expectations of Rafa this season ?

[David Hodgson]

...in the league.

 

Given most agree that he's been backed to the hilt in the transfer market, what's the minimum expected of him ?

 

Of course with United and Chelsea continuing to strengthen, only a fool would expect the title or consider the season a failure, but given how armed we now are I think there must be a points minimum we should expect.

 

Or a points total that should be within a certain amount of the league wining total.

[Rimbeux]

Setting the team up to really go after away wins and goals. Will go a long way if we can get rid of that monkey. To be honest, what the other sides do is not on the map for me, it's not like they will realistically raise the points needed to 100 plus; it's about us getting up in the region of 90 points

[Gunga Din]

anything over 80 points this season, and i expect us to mount a better challenge than last year. i dont give a toss about the carling cup, i think it should be used to devlope the youth and fringe players , but i'd like a decent run in the FA cup, and a last 8 place in Europe minimum.

[hideNseek]

We need to sustain a challenge right up to the last few games.

[Owen1978]

anything over 80 points this season, and i expect us to mount a better challenge than last year. i dont give a toss about the carling cup, i think it should be used to devlope the youth and fringe players , but i'd like a decent run in the FA cup, and a last 8 place in Europe minimum.

 

Kinda with you on this apart from the FA cup, i really cant be bothered with it

[surf]

80 points + getting out of the group stages as a minimum

[RafaShanks]

Anything less than the quadruple and Rafa has gotta go!!!

 

We didn't even qualify for the Charity Shield, Super Cup or World Club cup this season ffs.

[Morgul]

To still be in contention come March at least, and to be more positive away from home.

[Sion]

less than 10 points off the top by easter will do me. Don't care about the cups if we can get that close.

[McBain]

We need to sustain a challenge right up to the last few games.

 

When it all falls apart and the mancs sneak it?

[Guest Snorky]

I don't think we'll win the league this season, but I expect us to be closer and our challenge not to be over by the end of November.

[MFletcher]

Improved away performances.

 

At home, I'm confident we can beat anyone comfortably. It's away from home where we have to improve and Rafa has to get his team selection right. We also have to improve our performances away to Chelsea/Utd/Arsenal.

 

If we do that, we'll be in contention.

[David Hodgson]

Setting the team up to really go after away wins and goals. Will go a long way if we can get rid of that monkey. To be honest, what the other sides do is not on the map for me, it's not like they will realistically raise the points needed to 100 plus; it's about us getting up in the region of 90 points

 

I tend to agree. I think given recent trends we'd have to expect an 85+ point season, in order to say we truly 'challenged' for the title.

 

However, I think the strengthening that has gone on in the premiership means there will be less easy games. I think the likes of Spurs, Newcastle, Villa, Portsmouth, West Ham, Man city, and others will have the ability to take points off the top sides. This could lead to a premiership being won with fewer points than in recent years.

 

Perhaps then, the real measure of 'significant improvement' will be in how many points we finish off the top place (if we fail to win it).

[JohnnyH]

anything over 80 points this season, and i expect us to mount a better challenge than last year. i dont give a toss about the carling cup, i think it should be used to devlope the youth and fringe players , but i'd like a decent run in the FA cup, and a last 8 place in Europe minimum.

 

Word for word how I feel also.

 

If we finish with 81 ponts I'll be happy enough, however, if these points are mostly achieved in the second half of the season with another poor start and no real title challebnge then I wont be happy.

[floyd]

I want all of these

 

Youth Cup

Premiership Reserve League North

Carling Cup

FA Cup

European Cup

Premiership

 

Any failure in Rafa not getting these should be met with an immediate sacking, and Alan Curbishley getting the job.

Edited August 4, 2007 by floyd

[kacangpool]

after 3 years - win the cl again, 2nd or 1st for pl.

 

if we don't get the pl, then another fa cup wouldn't hurt.

[floyd the barber]

challenging for the league, i expect this and if we dont...think the bullets shall start firing seriously towards Rafa...massive season this is.

 

I reckon we will get closer, and possibly see us finishing 2nd as i believe chelsea shall have a poor season.....the mancs though, look far too good and have made some impressive signings.

[Berger]

First of all, we need to have a good start. Having this anything is possible. We need to keep a close gap on the leader.

I hope for a real title challege, keeping the pace with the top until the last game. This would be my minimum requirements.

Having to do this, of course we will end up with 80/90 points.

[Nerik]

One or more of the following:

 

1. More than 80pts

2. Less than 10pts from the top when the league is decided and to be still in with a decent shout after Christmas

[flash]

I expect two things:

 

1. Flying start to the PL

 

2. Destructive against teams away from home.

[Paul]

To challenge for the title.

[mooks]

anything over 80 points this season, and i expect us to mount a better challenge than last year. i dont give a toss about the carling cup, i think it should be used to devlope the youth and fringe players , but i'd like a decent run in the FA cup, and a last 8 place in Europe minimum.

Crikey! Those are your 'minimum' expectations?

 

If you were our CEO we'd change managers each season.

[anfield]

Crikey! Those are your 'minimum' expectations?

 

If you were our CEO we'd change managers each season.

 

I don't see anything wrong with those expectations....

as someone else said, I think the points total for the top teams will be less this year so perhaps we can just say " not be more than 8-10 points of the top spot"

[New York Red]

To be in with a shout for the league on the last weekend of the season.

 

Final four of the CL.

[Hassony]

i think some people have been spoiled by our recent record in the CL if they are demanding a minimum last eight or last four place

 

as long as mount a serious challenge to the title i will be happy, doing well in the cl and the fa cup are a very nice bonus, but its the league that we should be concentrating on