Season ahead

[Hector McDougal]

The Guardian season preview, written by none other than the annoying Paul Doyle, has us finishing sixth.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/06/premier-league-preview-liverpool

The Sunday Times also had us in sixth. Should we be expecting more given the boost of a new manager remotivating players? Or maybe we should resign ourselves to a Europa league place, at least until the ownership saga gets sorted out.

[Billy Dane]

Not seen any of the "experts" put us in the top 4 for this season, which is no bad thing

[Falconhoof]

Don't care what the papers say, they don't know our club like we do.

 

I reckon 4th or better.

[Benzo-13]

I think we're in good shape. Hard to say, deffo top four.

[Swipe]

Quietly confident.

[CarraLegend]

4th would be a dream. Expecting 5th or 6th, though with a bit of momentum I wouldnt be surprised with a title challenge because there isnt one stand out team up there, all pretty similar standard.

[Lee W]

If Torres has another injury stricken campaign we'll struggle to make the top 4 again. If he stays fit and hits form again we'll be back in the CL next season.

[Chili Palmer]

3rd

[Swipe]

4th would be a dream. Expecting 5th or 6th, though with a bit of momentum I wouldnt be surprised with a title challenge because there isnt one stand out team up there, all pretty similar standard.

 

There really isn't. I expected Chelsea to go out and get an Aguero or a big marquee signing but it hasn't happend.

 

Ferguson was being coy when asked about Ozil today apparently, but I'd be surprised if they did anything more.

 

City could be very strong or an utter mess.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

My confidence has been rising gradually all season - albeit from a very low position. I'm not committing to a position though.

[dalennie]

Why would people be confident. Joe Cole isn't going to get us into top 4, and Masch is on way out.

 

1.Chelski

2.Mancs

3.s***y

4.The Ar$3

5.Super Reds

6.Spurs

[Hightown Phil]

Chelski

s***ty

The a***

 

A collection of the s***test nicknames ever.

[Billy Dane]

Can't see a stand out team for the league this year. Last season I thought it would be Chelsea, but this season I think Terry will be a liability and if they lose Cole as well, more trouble for them.

Man Utd, my natural bias gets in the way, but I also think they are weak at the back. Be interesting to see what happens with Berbatov.

City could be a threat but equally Mancini could be sacked before Christmas

Don't think Spurs will be in the running this year and Arsenal will be there or thereabouts and fall away as normal come spring.

 

Out of that lot I'd still say Chelsea.

 

 

 

Obviously you can't discount Everton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jarg Armani]

Chelsea should win it by 10 points but they'll probably win it by 2 instead.

[Gunga Din]

i think we will be back in the top 4. 12 months ago people were expecting us to mount a challenge. i think we have a better and more balanced side now than we did then, plus a better squad. with a bit of luck with injuries we could even mount a challenge. either way, i'll be stunned if we dont have a massive improvement on last year.

[Benzo-13]

Why would people be confident. Joe Cole isn't going to get us into top 4, and Masch is on way out.

 

1.Chelski

2.Mancs

3.s***y

4.The Ar$3

5.Super Reds

6.Spurs

Did you not factor in that the whole of last season was an almighty screw up yet Spurs & City both just scraped past us?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

i think we will be back in the top 4. 12 months ago people were expecting us to mount a challenge. i think we have a better and more balanced side now than we did then, plus a better squad. with a bit of luck with injuries we could even mount a challenge. either way, i'll be stunned if we dont have a massive improvement on last year.

 

Its the defence that worries me a little. If those players can find form and keep it then I have few issues with the attacking side of our squad nor the back up for the attacking positions - assuming Crouch is in.

[sean]

Steady on chaps, sounds like some optimistic chimes!!!

[Rimbeux]

Why would people be confident. Joe Cole isn't going to get us into top 4, and Masch is on way out.

 

1.Chelski

2.Mancs

3.s***y

4.The Ar$3

5.Super Reds

6.Spurs

 

 

We are good enough for a top four place. That we had a mental collapse last season doesn't alter the relative level of ability in the squad. If we are right in the head, and a few significant changes and events should make that easier, then I'm convinced we'll make top four. It's also the case that the bar has not really risen

[Gunga Din]

Its the defence that worries me a little. If those players can find form and keep it then I have few issues with the attacking side of our squad nor the back up for the attacking positions - assuming Crouch is in.

 

if Agger stays fit we will be grand. even then, i cant see Skrtel having as bad a season again, and with Wilson and Kelly, we at least have better back up. O'm also of the opinion that Mascherano going wil be no bad thing. If Gerrard is to play the "Alonso role" with Cole further forward playing where Gerrard played the last couple of years, i think we will be a better side for it

[5InIstanbul]

Chelsea and Utd first and second, dont know which way round.

 

Us, Arsenal and City will fill 3rd to 5th, again, could be any order.

 

Spurs, Villa and Everton will fight for 6th.

[Hightown Phil]

if Agger stays fit we will be grand. even then, i cant see Skrtel having as bad a season again, and with Wilson and Kelly, we at least have better back up. O'm also of the opinion that Mascherano going wil be no bad thing. If Gerrard is to play the "Alonso role" with Cole further forward playing where Gerrard played the last couple of years, i think we will be a better side for it

 

Gerrard playing there never has been, isn't and never will be a good thing.

 

Complete waste of him, a complete waste of what he can do, a complete waste of time.

 

There's nothing more infuriating than watching him pick the ball up off the toes of a centre back and trying to launch a Hollywood ball.

[Chili Palmer]

i think we will be back in the top 4. 12 months ago people were expecting us to mount a challenge. i think we have a better and more balanced side now than we did then, plus a better squad. with a bit of luck with injuries we could even mount a challenge. either way, i'll be stunned if we dont have a massive improvement on last year.

 

I think that would have happened anyway even if things had have stayed the same at the club, no chance of all the squad forgetting how to play football at the same time 2 years running.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Gerrard playing there never has been, isn't and never will be a good thing.

 

Complete waste of him, a complete waste of what he can do, a complete waste of time.

 

There's nothing more infuriating than watching him pick the ball up off the toes of a centre back and trying to launch a Hollywood ball.

 

For the past 12 months I have been coming to the conclusion that Gerrard is going to drop deeper and deeper. Naturally he will lose some of that raw power and pace he has and I believe he is not thick and can adapt his game to patrolling the midfield area and link play up by playing a more economic game and not trying some ridiculous balls like he had done in his younger years.

[Chili Palmer]

Gerrard playing there never has been, isn't and never will be a good thing.

 

He'll still be better at most there but his effectivness is at the maximum when he is free and further up the pitch