2023/24 Season

[Frosty Jack]

Has quite an 80s feel doesn't it? Luton, Forest, Palace, Wolves, Sheffield Utd, Everton. 

[Nebraska Red]

If our forward line is Barnes, Beardsley and Aldridge it will definitely be back to the 80's.

Here's hoping for a more mobile, less brittle, more skilful and more intimidating midfield. 

[Begbie]

Weirdly I'm already looking forward to it. Reduced expectations so think we'll be in a battle for a CL spot, which will be a bit rubbish but a lot less pressure. 

New midfield that can move, pass forwards and get goals. Trent continuing to evolve his role and more chances for a more settled forward line.

[Nebraska Red]

40 minutes ago, Begbie said:

Weirdly I'm already looking forward to it. Reduced expectations so think we'll be in a battle for a CL spot, which will be a bit rubbish but a lot less pressure. 

New midfield that can move, pass forwards and get goals. Trent continuing to evolve his role and more chances for a more settled forward line.

I worry that we won't do enough to address the midfield. Definitely need 3 or 4 new faces, but if Bajcetic comes back as good as he was, and Jones can contribute, maybe 2 is enough, and we can add a couple to the defense group.

[kop205]

1 hour ago, Begbie said:

Weirdly I'm already looking forward to it. Reduced expectations so think we'll be in a battle for a CL spot, which will be a bit rubbish but a lot less pressure. 

New midfield that can move, pass forwards and get goals. Trent continuing to evolve his role and more chances for a more settled forward line.

I was until the performances in the last two games.

[Nebraska Red]

26 minutes ago, kop205 said:

I was until the performances in the last two games.

I think the last 2 games were a microcosm of our season, and clearly identified the glaring weaknesses of our squad.

It's all up to the guys in suits with the checkbook now.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

our finish to the season 7-2-0 gives me confidence we're in the top 2 next season

[Cheesecake]

Our early Europa league games (6 in the group plus round of 32 and round of 16) should allow us to give game time to the likes of Elliott, Doak, Ramsey, Bejcetic, Clark and other youngsters showing promise, I hope we don't see players considered to be first 11 material anywhere near these games. That alone should allow us to be fresh for the weekend games, about the only benefit to being in the second tier of european competitions.

[Begbie]

1 hour ago, kop205 said:

I was until the performances in the last two games.

I wouldn't worry about the Southampton game..whenever you pick half a team of reserves everything goes bad. 

My optimism does require us to transform  the midfield mind, with top class recruitment.  So I can see the risk..

[Zoob]

13 hours ago, Nebraska Red said:

 

Here's hoping for a more mobile, less brittle, more skilful and more intimidating midfield. 

Fixed that etc...

[RBM]

If we get proper investment for the first time in years we’ll probably be back in the top 4, if it’s more of the same as it has been post champions league win, we’ll have another similar season to the one we’ve just had. 

[Hassony]

5 hours ago, Sir Tokyo Sexwale said:

our finish to the season 7-2-0 gives me confidence we're in the top 2 next season

2-7-2, undefeated in 11 games 

Over a season that gives us 83 points

[Chewie]

50 minutes ago, Hassony said:

2-7-2, undefeated in 11 games 

Over a season that gives us 83 points

Alisson virgil

TAA Hendo AliMac Gakpo Fabinho Thiago Diaz

Salah Nunez

It's bold, but it might just work  

[growler]

Firstly, I think top 5 make it to cl. 
 

second, I think we are planning for title. Ali, virgil, robbo, fab, hendo, Salah will want at least one more.

they won’t be messing around.

 

[Dominus Maximus]

15 hours ago, Sir Tokyo Sexwale said:

our finish to the season 7-2-0 gives me confidence we're in the top 2 next season

Absolutely. No CL will give us an edge. Rest the stars in EL and smash the league on the weekends. Less injuries, less fatigue and seven days between games for our star players. Let the reserves and kidds worry about 2nd tier Europe. 

[Conrad]

I think you'll be surprised/disappointed at how many first teamers play in the Europa league.

[WillG]

What a season that was - the surprise Bellingham signing, going one better and doing the Man's 8-0, Nunez's hat trick against Citeh, Haaland breaking his neck and revealing all the wires and robotics.

Such drama!

[Roscoe]

12 hours ago, growler said:

Firstly, I think top 5 make it to cl. 
 

second, I think we are planning for title. Ali, virgil, robbo, fab, hendo, Salah will want at least one more.

they won’t be messing around.

 

If top 5 make CL then there’s FSGs get out of jail right there 

with this manager the 9th or 10 highest level of investment will still get us 5th. We basically took half a season off and got 5th. They’re thinking they’ve cracked it.

[Atticus Finch]

59 minutes ago, Roscoe said:

If top 5 make CL then there’s FSGs get out of jail right there 

with this manager the 9th or 10 highest level of investment will still get us 5th. We basically took half a season off and got 5th. They’re thinking they’ve cracked it.

We can't rely on Chelsea being this poor again (albeit we probably can rely on tottenham spursing it up) 

[Nate.]

On 29/05/2023 at 04:02, Frosty Jack said:

Has quite an 80s feel doesn't it? Luton, Forest, Palace, Wolves, Sheffield Utd, Everton. 

42 points right there.

[Hassony]

5 hours ago, Conrad said:

I think you'll be surprised/disappointed at how many first teamers play in the Europa league.

I'd rest Virgil, Robbo and Salah from the group stages 

Everyone else should be able to play their part, need to ensure we win the group to get a bye in the following round 

On 29/05/2023 at 06:02, Frosty Jack said:

Has quite an 80s feel doesn't it? Luton, Forest, Palace, Wolves, Sheffield Utd, Everton. 

Hate to be that guy, but Sheffield United weren't in the top flight in the 80s 

[McBain]

9 minutes ago, Hassony said:

I'd rest Virgil, Robbo and Salah from the group stages 

Everyone else should be able to play their part, need to ensure we win the group to get a bye in the following round 

Hate to be that guy, but Sheffield United weren't in the top flight in the 80s 

You LOVE to be that guy

Edited May 30, 2023 by McBain

[Flanders]

6 minutes ago, Hassony said:

I'd rest Virgil, Robbo and Salah from the group stages 

Everyone else should be able to play their part, need to ensure we win the group to get a bye in the following round 

Hate to be that guy, but Sheffield United weren't in the top flight in the 80s 

Salah will be desperate to play, rightly or wrongly. He will want to score as many goals as he can and  a couple of double hat tricks  home and away to shamrock rovers will set him up for the golden boot.

[growler]

28 minutes ago, Flanders said:

Salah will be desperate to play, rightly or wrongly. He will want to score as many goals as he can and  a couple of double hat tricks  home and away to shamrock rovers will set him up for the golden boot.

He can play the homes. Let the kids have the aways. 

[Big Red Machine]

Klopps played first team players in complete dead rubbers in the CL. 

He'll do same in EL I reckon. 

A few youngster or squad players in but 6 or 7 first team regulars