OrigamiNinja
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 10 Oct 2008
- Messages
- 9,192
I remember after the poor 16/17 season how our 17/18 preseason was one of the best I can remember. Not only had we gone out and purchased players to address our clear weaknesses (GK and full backs), we were looking the real deal even before a ball had been kicked in a competitive game. I particularly remember the game against Spurs on the US tour, where we tore them apart and I really believed we were about to see something very special in the season ahead.
I contrast that with where we are at now and it is very difficult to make a case for seeing any real improvement in 20/21 over 19/20. Ake might be an improvement over Stones and Otamendi but it is still be seen how he steps up to our level coming from a terrible Bournemouth side. Torres is something of an unknown quantity, yes he is extremely promising but can he do it week in, week out in the Prem? Will he even get the opportunity to do so?
We moved so quickly for Torres and Ake that I didn't believe we would get another month further down the line without any further signings. I think only those looking through the bluest of tinted glasses can honestly believe we have strengthened enough to change our fortunes. Granted there is another month left in the transfer window but if the last few seasons are anything to go by, we may have dropped too many points by the end of the window, to have any potential last-minute signings make any difference to our league campaign.
Currently we are not good enough at centre back. We are nothing more than serviceable in the full back positions. Our CDMs are too slow and offer zero protection to our limited centre backs. I don't believe we are good enough at right wing and Serg is a year older coming off the back of an injury. To ask our current crop to take us to 90+ points is a big ask given our clear deficiencies. I am currently more hopeful (wishful) of Liverpool dropping off their pace of the past two seasons than I am of us stepping back up to our 17/18 and 18/19 levels.
The problem I foresee for us, is if we are at our 19/20 levels next season, we will be in a top 4 battle, instead of a title challenge and that is not good enough.
I contrast that with where we are at now and it is very difficult to make a case for seeing any real improvement in 20/21 over 19/20. Ake might be an improvement over Stones and Otamendi but it is still be seen how he steps up to our level coming from a terrible Bournemouth side. Torres is something of an unknown quantity, yes he is extremely promising but can he do it week in, week out in the Prem? Will he even get the opportunity to do so?
We moved so quickly for Torres and Ake that I didn't believe we would get another month further down the line without any further signings. I think only those looking through the bluest of tinted glasses can honestly believe we have strengthened enough to change our fortunes. Granted there is another month left in the transfer window but if the last few seasons are anything to go by, we may have dropped too many points by the end of the window, to have any potential last-minute signings make any difference to our league campaign.
Currently we are not good enough at centre back. We are nothing more than serviceable in the full back positions. Our CDMs are too slow and offer zero protection to our limited centre backs. I don't believe we are good enough at right wing and Serg is a year older coming off the back of an injury. To ask our current crop to take us to 90+ points is a big ask given our clear deficiencies. I am currently more hopeful (wishful) of Liverpool dropping off their pace of the past two seasons than I am of us stepping back up to our 17/18 and 18/19 levels.
The problem I foresee for us, is if we are at our 19/20 levels next season, we will be in a top 4 battle, instead of a title challenge and that is not good enough.