Good challenge this season; what about next?

[growler]

This has been a good season. We have made the mancs work for it, without really being in with a shout, so fair play to the lads. historically, coming close one season normally indicates a strong run in future seasons.

 

However, is that goingto happen for us? I amconcerned at the rotation of players. For example, will bringing in Barry and a new CB cause disruption? What about selling a player like Alonso or Masch? Will the kids get upset if we bring in another striker, midfielder and defender (reduces chances for Insua, Spearing, San Jose, Darby, Nemeth).

 

In addition, the mancs and chavs have had poor a season, whereas we have had our best in a while. I Would think next season would be that much tougher.

 

We have a thread for player signings in the summer, but wanted to discuss the other side of a challenge next season. Remember when we finished 2nd under Houllier? the rest is history...

[Zoob]

This season has actually been pretty remarkable, both fantastic and incredibly frustrating. We're definitely going to finish with the best results in fixtures between the top 4, we're likely to finish with the least losses, and we're possibly going to finish with the most goals scored and the best goal difference. We'll probably finish 2nd, but we've probably got more chance of finishing 3rd than first.

 

And United look like they'll win the league, possibly with 90 points, despite in terms of the football played - this being one of their poorest seasons in ages. I simply can not believe how many games they've won playing badly. Mark of a good team etc etc yada yada... for me I think they've just had far more key refereeing decisions go there way, which has meant where we draw games, they have match changing decisions go there way. Only takes 2 or 3 of those to swing the league one way or another, and conservatively speaking, they've had half a dozen.

 

And I know there's that saying about the more one practices, the luckier you get, but some of their luck has just been outrageous. Even today - against City they get a deflected goal. Against City we conceded a deflected goal... Their luck is more likely to be attributed to ritual sacrifice of goats and small children than any amount of practice.

 

So back to us - one of the most amazing things about our season is that it's been done without Torres or Gerrard for around two thirds of the season, and largely done with the same squad we had last year. Keane was a flop and we played better once he had gone, Dossena hardly made any difference to us, Deggen has been broken all year so that just leaves Riera, who has given us good balance, and started off great, but isn't exactly a world beater, and has probably had as many poor games as good games now.

 

So yes, we're at a cross-roads, but I feel far more positive than in 2002, because although we finished 2nd then, I never felt we were really challenging nor quite good enough, and it's simply not possibly for Rafa to go out and buy as badly as Houllier did back in 2002.... So it will be exciting to see who we buy, and then it's just fingers crossed that our Spanish players don't get broken by the stupid confederations cup, and hope for Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard and Torres to stay fit and play 3/4 of our games next season...

[realtarragona]

I am anything but concerned. I'm made up at how this team has gone on this season. A few changes, like a left winger, Barry for Lucas etc, and we'll be ready to go. As someone else said, our main spine of Reina, Alonso, Masch, Gerrard, Torres have only played about 5 league games this season. We really are not far off. Couple of additions (quality not quantity this summer please Rafa) and we'll be in as good a position as any).

[R A Softlad]

New level of expectation = sh**e forum next season.

[New York Red]

Having a rotation of Masch/Xabi/Barry is sorely needed. That will mean that they'll average forty games each. We need to keep the players fresh while still having great line-ups against teams we've slipped up against like Spurs, West Ham, Boro, Stoke, Fulham and Hull.

 

The same applies for Carra/Skrtel/Agger. They need to be used more evenly and if there is some injury uncertainty there, then add a fourth.

 

We really do need two top-class players at every spot and I'm not convinced that we have that. There's no harm in blooding the young players too by getting them time from the bench. So beyond the first two players in each position, there should be understudies. And PLAY them. See how they do. If they are unimpressive, move on.

Edited May 11, 2009 by New York Red

[New York Red]

As for the clear out which has been mentioned, what do you think we'll net?

 

20 from the Robbie sale.

4-6 for Voronin

3-5 for Leto

6-8 for Lucas

8-10 for Babel

Pennant on a free

6-8 for Dossena

 

We may well sign two 20 million pound players this summer. The cash situation may be pretty decent.

[Dmitch]

No matter how it ends this year we screwed it up against the smaller clubs drawing stupid games that should be easy 3 pointers. If we had beat stoke and boro we would be in a much better seat!

 

We were out in the lead and let it slip! maybe this was due to being unsure how to lead rather than chase! but recently since we have HAD to perform to stay in a posisition where we COULD win it we have played much much better!

 

I really think next season we wont make the same mistakes and with a few signings our squad will have the depth to take on United and reestablish us as the most sucessful club in England!

 

(sorry if this makes no sense im knackered)

[_00_deathscar]

In addition, the mancs and chavs have had poor a season, whereas we have had our best in a while. I Would think next season would be that much tougher.

 

They may not have played as well as last season say, but they could quite easily finish the season on 92 points. As it is, they need to equal last seasons points tally to win it this season. I wouldn't say that's a poor season...

[Ethan]

I think the best thing that could happen at this stage of the season is that Torres does his hammy in the 85th minute of the spurs game - we need him to sort that out this summer - get the op done and get a proper pre-season - its lingering about too long and if he goes off with Spain to play in some s**** tourny then we'll see the same stop start next season.

 

Keeping Torres and Gerrard in the same team is fundamental to us taking the final step to winning this f***ing premier league.

[Farmer's Tan]

the difference between now and the start of this season is that now we know,now we believe.as long as we dont lose players like alonso during transfer season,even with the team as it is we are in a very strong position for next season and if we add genuine quality you would have to fancy our chances.tevez would be excellent,he's like a faster kuyt and works just as hard but im not about to start speculating on players dream team style.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Got good experience this season now - with a manager 'getting' the league and players that are starting to look confident and upbeat - and we're going to be against Arsenal who are frankly s****, Chelsea who look disorganised and are looking to offload several ageing players while searching for a new manager with an owner that is visibly getting fed up of the whole thing and against Manchester United - again with ageing players, several of their best players who are clearly leaving and a manager that will leave in a season or two.

 

Should be interesting.

 

Would have been more interesting if Manchester United hadn't been gifted 14 illegal first goals in 14 matches this season - but what can you do about corruption?

 

Sadly f*** all.

[John am Rhein]

Will the kids get upset if we bring in another striker, midfielder and defender (reduces chances for Insua, Spearing, San Jose, Darby, Nemeth).

 

What if they do?

 

They can go to hell.

[Andy @ Allerton]

What if they do?

 

They can go to hell.

 

 

Is the correct answer.

 

The best ones will always get a chance.

[floyd]

Would have been more interesting if Manchester United hadn't been gifted 14 illegal first goals in 14 matches this season - but what can you do about corruption?

 

Sadly f*** all.

Expect Rafa to have another go, more than this season, at the Tramp, because he knows something stinks.

[drdooom]

In addition, the mancs and chavs have had poor a season, whereas we have had our best in a while. I Would think next season would be that much tougher.

 

If the mancs win their last 3 games they'll end up on 92 points, that's hardly a poor season. That'd be the second best total in 10 years or something. They haven't always looked like world beaters getting those points but results are what matters and they've gotten them.

[Red]

The purchase of Robbie Keane was s'posed to give us more goals and provide another option for Rafa, hopefully next season whoever Rafa' brings in will have a much more positive influence on the team and their results.

[John am Rhein]

Next season I hope we can focus on playing with an entertaining style and winning approval from the media and Sky/Setanta pundits rather than this rather unsavoury trophy-chasing business. It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game!

[Andy @ Allerton]

If the mancs win their last 3 games they'll end up on 92 points, that's hardly a poor season. That'd be the second best total in 10 years or something. They haven't always looked like world beaters getting those points but results are what matters and they've gotten them.

 

 

Well.. Their refs have.

 

I honestly can't remember a more corrupt season in the league. IF the Mancs had been left to their own devices and hadn't been gifted 'controversial' goal after 'controversial' goal - then I think they'd be battling for 4th right now - if not even lower.

 

We certainly used to get 'odd decisions' here and there in the 70s and 80s - and more than a few penalties in front of the Kop (You'd have to be an idiot to deny that) but I don't think it got anywhere near the 'favouritsm' that it's getting to now.

[Andy @ Allerton]

The purchase of Robbie Keane was s'posed to give us more goals and provide another option for Rafa, hopefully next season whoever Rafa' brings in will have a much more positive influence on the team and their results.

 

 

To be fair - if we bought a parking cone and just stuck it up front - we'd probably be better off than when we had Keane.

 

The only downside would be it would offside quite a lot - but even lacking a leg - it would be able to mirror Keanes (lack of) ability to kick a ball in front of goal.

[matlfc]

If you really believe the mancs will win the league because of refs decisions you have blinkers on.

[Gravy]

Well.. Their refs have.

 

I honestly can't remember a more corrupt season in the league. IF the Mancs had been left to their own devices and hadn't been gifted 'controversial' goal after 'controversial' goal - then I think they'd be battling for 4th right now - if not even lower.

 

We certainly used to get 'odd decisions' here and there in the 70s and 80s - and more than a few penalties in front of the Kop (You'd have to be an idiot to deny that) but I don't think it got anywhere near the 'favouritsm' that it's getting to now.

 

Jesus Andy, change the ****ing record for God's sake

[Red]

Andy's got a point to a certain extent, but even so, if we'd converted just three of our draws into wins we'd be sticking the champers' in the fridge right now despite the mancs having a shedload of decisions go their way.

[Jarg Armani]

Andy's got a point to a certain extent, but even so, if we'd converted just three of our draws into wins we'd be sticking the champers' in the fridge right now despite the mancs having a shedload of decisions go their way.

 

just 3 of our draws? we'd be on 90+ points already. craziness.

[Damian_de]

I think Chelsea's choice of manager will be a big factor next season. Another Scolari and I don't think there's any chance we won't be ahead of them, someone more in the Hiddink mould and we will have another very tough and wealthy competitor. While Hiddink is no doubt very talented I think he's had it easy just being in charge for a few months because he's been able to indulge the egos and blindly defend his players' behaviour without really having to consider the long term implications. Despite that I don't think they've taken more points in the league than us since he took over (could be wrong).

 

Also I think the biggest indicator of the gap we still face is the fact that the Mancs and Chelsea have done extremely well in all competitions whereas we've really only made headway in the league, and gone out the of the CL at the first challenge really. It's that strength in depth that really heightens the robustness of their league challenge.

 

Tactically though I reckon we've been the best side in the league this season, and we also look like we believe in it which is a major step up from, well, since the last season of the King as someone mentioned above.

[Red]

just 3 of our draws? we'd be on 90+ points already. craziness.

 

I was never any good at maths, but you get my point.