what do we expect to happen next season

Phil236849 · April 3, 2006

Judging by the posts, there seems, as there often is this time of the season, a fairly heady optimism that we will make a big stride forward next season. This seems to be based on (i) Rafa's re-stated commitment (ii) team really understanding Rafa's tactics now (iii) defence and midfield remaining very solid defensively (iv) attacking options improving with gonzalez, a new right mid, another striker, fabio aurelio, etc.

As ever though, the fans of the other leading teams will also be pretty optimistic. Chavski will do their usual Monopoly-style plundering, with Shevchenko, Ballack and Ashley Cole the reported world class targets. United are being linked with a few other CMs, possibly another striker or wide player, and will have their new defence bedded in. They may have Scholes back. Arsenal are back in form, will be expecting more of their kids, and may also make some big buys.

Personally, I feel that Arsenal's fate depends heavily on Henry. Plus, although Jockey Hansen has shown the danger of being seduced by the cliches re the kids, you would expect some of them could well find the next season tougher, when the opponents know more about them, etc.

Personally, I can see the gap between these four teams and the rest of the PL widening, and I think many of us may, unfortunately, having been a little hasty in sounding Fergie's death-knell. But I see us really establishing ourselves as one of THE leading clubs, not just, as the press have generally seen us in the last few years, the 4th best team in England.

Any thoughts?

Mike · April 3, 2006

they've been predicting manu's demise on here for 6 years now.

i think next year will see a closer battle between the usual 4 teams and i don't see anyone else getting close.

i don't see us taking such a large jump in form next year as we have this.

Lee W · April 3, 2006

If Chelsea sign Ballack and Schevchenko everyone else will be playing for second.

fyds · April 3, 2006

If Chelsea sign Ballack and Schevchenko everyone else will be playing for second.

I wouldn't bet on it - nor would I bet on at least one of them signing.

Cunny · April 3, 2006

I will be disappointed if we don't make a proper challenge for the title next season. I think we will as well.

David Hodgson · April 3, 2006

I don't see us making the quantum leap to being a team that will get over 80 points, and dominate and beat the other big sides, without 3 major signings. That doesn't mean mega-money signings necessarily (though it helps), but they will have to be of players that can have Xabi level dramatic instant impact.

I ideally we'll get some investment in and we'll use it to add to Gonzalez with another top rank wide-man, forward (or two) and a top drawer attacking full-back.

CarraLegend · April 3, 2006

If Chelsea sign Ballack and Schevchenko everyone else will be playing for second.

Chelsea signing Ballack or whoever has no effect on the other 36 games we have to play.

CaptainXabi · April 3, 2006

If Chelsea sign Ballack and Schevchenko everyone else will be playing for second.

Not necessarily true. I think Ballack and Lampard in the midfield together will lead to two unhappy players. Sheva is Sheva so that's an improvement. However, if somehow they manage to lose Gallas this summer (let's say Juve or Milan or Barca shows him the money and guarantees him a spot in the middle) that would easily offset the gains made up front.

Beyond that to get the best out of their new players and to appease the increasingly restless Roman (allegedly) and the fans (apparently), Jose is likely going to be a bit more adventurous next season. The transition of approaches often comes with a short-term loss in efficacy and also I think a more attacking approach will make Chelsea less machine-like in regards to getting results.

Finally, I think Jose ahs been rattled by the Barcelona match. He lost in a straight fight. Excuses or not, he knows inside that he lost and I think it's the first time where he can't make a case, even to himself, that it was an off-day or he was cheated, etc. Barca were just better over the two legs, end of. Chelsea obviously have a great bunch of players. However, it's that confidence and sense of invincibility that has made them menacing over the last 18 months. I think they're starting to lose it a bit because Jose is starting to lose it a bit.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

aka Dus · April 3, 2006

My personal opinion is that the Cup semi final is an enormous game for us and that a lot of how we go next season will be heavily affected by how it turns out against Chelsea in a couple of weeks.

David Hodgson · April 3, 2006

Chelsea signing Ballack or whoever has no effect on the other 36 games we have to play.

Exactly. It's 90% about what we become as a team, not what the others do.

Ratters · April 3, 2006

Top four probably top two. I think both Man U and Arsenal will do well we with improve but so do I think will they.

Ombudsam · April 3, 2006

I think it's gonna be a phenomenal premiership next season with the top 4 (sorry spurs) being dead close. It will be the highest quality Premiership chase to date.

We've gone through the season without any strilers, Man u have without a midfield and arsenal have without anyone over 12. All those things will be addressed next season. I think this country with Barca excluded may have the best 4 teams in Europe next year.

We'll win it.

Case · April 3, 2006

A few points...

Chelsea will strengthen with Shevcheko and Ballack apparently nailed on and Cole a possibility, but will that strengthen them by THAT much - by say another 12/15 points? No way. At present they play Drogba much more than Crespo, so who is Sheva supposed to replace? Crespo? - If so, then Drogba will probably be used as an "impact" sub for long balls, by which we can surmise that they are already in trouble in the match. If they play Drogba AND Sheva then their formation will have to change, and good teams are doubling up much more on Duff and Robben, so their midfield two (Lampard and Ballack) will be under pressure from teams playing five in midfield (what price Sissoko, Gerrard AND Xabi playing in that game .....)

As for Ballack - Good player, but nearly 30 and again, who do they leave out? The obvious choice is Gudjohnsen I guess, but this will mean one of Makelele / Essien also on the bench, so some good player is not going to be happy.

Good point about Gallas, but only because they haven't sorted out LB, which they will do if they sign Cole. He WILL be their best signing of the three, I think.

As for ManU? Well, yes, they'll have to sort out their midfield and they'll spend money, but MOST of the best central midfielders in the world are already happy at their clubs (ie.. us), so who are they going to buy? Fergie has bought a LOT of midfielders in the past few years (Miller, Djemba-Djemba, Fortune, Park, Ralph Milne ) without buying a good one - and now there are less out there to buy. Also, I'm unconvinced by Van Der Sar and their central defenders. Good up front though.

Arsenal? - Could be brilliant, but could be bullied. They're not the only team with youngsters coming through, either (Gonzales, Barragan, Anderson, Paletta, Agger among others ... ).

Finally.... Sissoko, Fowler and Agger will have settled right in.

I think we CAN make another step change next season, and we COULD even nick it.

cymrococh · April 3, 2006

As for ManU? Well, yes, they'll have to sort out their midfield and they'll spend money, but MOST of the best central midfielders in the world are already happy at their clubs (ie.. us), so who are they going to buy? Fergie has bought a LOT of midfielders in the past few years (Miller, Djemba-Djemba, Fortune, Park, Ralph Milne ) without buying a good one - and now there are less out there to buy. Also, I'm unconvinced by Van Der Sar and their central defenders. Good up front though.

Can see them buying Gattuso.

Mike · April 3, 2006

hope so, he's had a s**** season

Case · April 3, 2006

So all the other teams won't improve apart from us who will definately get better
There's loads. He could just go out there and buy Diarra and Petit and they'd improve no end. That's not to mention the likes of Mascherano (sp?) and Appiah.

Good players, no doubt, but can you guarantee 100% that they will adapt to the Premiership when at some stage they'll be paired with Fletcher and have Richardson or Park out wide? No, apart from Keane, I don't think Fergie has ever bought a good central midfielder (maybe Ince, but that was a long time ago), and there are no more Keane's available out there.

I'm positive for us BECAUSE I can't see ManU being massively better or Chelsea. Arsenal will improve though.

Bootle Buck · April 3, 2006

I will be content if we carry on like this season but start to win games against the Mancs and Chelsea. Once we get used to taking points from them we will challenge. The top 3/4 will continue to stay ahead of the pack so winning against each other will be crucial.

April 3, 2006

I don't see us making the quantum leap to being a team that will get over 80 points, and dominate and beat the other big sides, without 3 major signings. That doesn't mean mega-money signings necessarily (though it helps), but they will have to be of players that can have Xabi level dramatic instant impact.

I ideally we'll get some investment in and we'll use it to add to Gonzalez with another top rank wide-man, forward (or two) and a top drawer attacking full-back.

If we win all our remaining games we'll get 80 points.

mm2259 · April 3, 2006

If we win all our remaining games we'll get 80 points.

82 points if we win them all...

Ombudsam · April 3, 2006

We'll get 82 which will be even than under Houllier. that would be a massive feat. Still a long long way to go though

April 3, 2006

82 points if we win them all...

I knew it was over 80, couldn't remember exactly how many. 82 would be a brilliant total and we should improve even more next year.

Earl Hafler · April 3, 2006

If Chelsea sign Ballack and Schevchenko everyone else will be playing for second.

Possibly, although we don't know who we're going to sign in the summer.

The third season under Rafa is going to be the year. I said it was when he signed and i'm sticking to it.

Ombudsam · April 3, 2006

The third season under Rafa is going to be the year. I said it was when he signed and i'm sticking to it.

What was that first season?

wacko · April 3, 2006

Not necessarily true. I think Ballack and Lampard in the midfield together will lead to two unhappy players. Sheva is Sheva so that's an improvement. However, if somehow they manage to lose Gallas this summer (let's say Juve or Milan or Barca shows him the money and guarantees him a spot in the middle) that would easily offset the gains made up front.

Beyond that to get the best out of their new players and to appease the increasingly restless Roman (allegedly) and the fans (apparently), Jose is likely going to be a bit more adventurous next season. The transition of approaches often comes with a short-term loss in efficacy and also I think a more attacking approach will make Chelsea less machine-like in regards to getting results.

Finally, I think Jose ahs been rattled by the Barcelona match. He lost in a straight fight. Excuses or not, he knows inside that he lost and I think it's the first time where he can't make a case, even to himself, that it was an off-day or he was cheated, etc. Barca were just better over the two legs, end of. Chelsea obviously have a great bunch of players. However, it's that confidence and sense of invincibility that has made them menacing over the last 18 months. I think they're starting to lose it a bit because Jose is starting to lose it a bit.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I reckon he's off to Milan. They're hardly short of cash, so they must be getting something out of it other than silly money. That's likely Crespo, but could also include Gallas. I'm sure both he and the Milanese would be up for it.

Earl Hafler · April 3, 2006

What was that first season?

We didn't win a title in his first season, did we ?

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