I wouldn't rule them out of top 4 just yet, after us and Arsenal there isn't exactly a strong chasing pack.No progress, no direction, no chance.
Seems they've shot their bolts buying internal stuff and are still shite with a massive wage bill.
May make a cup final but not a prayer in the league.
But, they’ve changed direction again, and if last night is anything to go by (yes, I know it’s pre-season, but they had a lot more first-teamers on display than we did) Maresco has a gigantic job on his hands.I wouldn't rule them out of top 4 just yet, after us and Arsenal there isn't exactly a strong chasing pack.
Spurs might be better this season after a year to get used to Ange but they're spurs, united are a joke, with any luck Liverpool will drop off a cliff and return to irrelevance, Newcastle progress is severely impacted by spending restrictions, there isn't a strong top 4 right now hence why a pretty average Villa were able to get themselves in last season.
If Chelsea become competent quick enough, they could easily be looking at champions league qualification whilst not being especially good, they was only 5 points off in the end last season and they were a laughing stock for most of it.
They have an outside chance of a top 4 finish, but that's about as good as it will get for them. And that's providing Spurs, Newcastle and Trafford's finest don't get their act together.No progress, no direction, no chance.
Seems they've shot their bolts buying internal stuff and are still shite with a massive wage bill.
May make a cup final but not a prayer in the league.
Villa? They showed last season that they are improving.The top four is a bit of a mystery. Ourselves and Arsenal, then who? A surprise package? Not the rags, please not the rags.
Hard to know what to expect from the dippers, now that the gurner has pissed off. With any luck, it'll be like Trafford's finest post GPC.The top four is a bit of a mystery. Ourselves and Arsenal, then who? A surprise package? Not the rags, please not the rags.
They may end up like Newcastle, who couldn't deal with the extra games in Europe, and failed to repeat what they achieved in the 22/23 season.Villa? They showed last season that they are improving.
Or will the demands of Champions League prove too much for Emery and his squad?
Yeah, that’s a possibility.They may end up like Newcastle, who couldn't deal with the extra games in Europe, and failed to repeat what they achieved in the 22/23 season.
Which is why I caveated it by saying if they become competent quick enough. I said further up they're currently a mess with a lot of work to do. It's just foolish to rule them out of top 4(potentially 5) reckoning when we don't expect them to be that bad throughout and there is as much uncertainty at other clubs tonthe extent that there isn't more than 2 nailed on candidates for top 4 going into the season.But, they’ve changed direction again, and if last night is anything to go by (yes, I know it’s pre-season, but they had a lot more first-teamers on display than we did) Maresco has a gigantic job on his hands.
They were all over the place at the back and didn’t really threaten us, until Raheem came on.
I really don’t see them challenging the top four.
Well; if we assume the top 3 will be the same as last season (the question being how the Murkysiders react to life after Bingo), then you'll have the rags (?), Spurs, Villa (?) and Newcastle (?) competing with Chelsea for the remaining spot (fifth isn't a certainty for a CL spot). There's no guarantee they'll get CL football in 25/26.Which is why I caveated it by saying if they become competent quick enough. I said further up they're currently a mess with a lot of work to do. It's just foolish to rule them out of top 4(potentially 5) reckoning when we don't expect them to be that bad throughout and there is as much uncertainty at other clubs tonthe extent that there isn't more than 2 nailed on candidates for top 4 going into the season.
I don't think Liverpool can be assumed at this stage. They were in need of a refresh whether klopp stayed or not, him leaving makes it even harder, has the markings of Fergie abandoning ship before it sunk. Fingers crossed.Well; if we assume the top 3 will be the same as last season (the question being how the Murkysiders react to life after Bingo), then you'll have the rags (?), Spurs, Villa (?) and Newcastle (?) competing with Chelsea for the remaining spot (fifth isn't a certainty for a CL spot). There's no guarantee they'll get CL football in 25/26.
(sorry about all the brackets)
We'll see. I don't rate Pochettino at all (very overrated, in my opinion), but Maresca is a downgrade, in my opinion. If they have an iffy start, Pep lite will be under severe pressure. Also, going on events last season, there's some spiky characters in that squad. If things are going a bit Pete, how will they react?I don't think Liverpool can be assumed at this stage. They were in need of a refresh whether klopp stayed or not, him leaving makes it even harder, has the markings of Fergie abandoning ship before it sunk. Fingers crossed.
I didn't say they were guaranteed it, my original comment was in reply to somebody who said they haven't got a prayer in the league and simply said we cannot rule them out of top 4 just yet.
They have the third best squad on paper in my eyes. If they get their act together, which I accept is a substantial if right now then due to the relative weakness of the chasing pack at least compared to recent past, there's an opening for them to get back in. They were an utter joke that made united look well run for most of last season yet ended up 2 wins from top 4, they're not as far off as some would assume.
And, if he didn’t know the situation, when he took the job, he should have checked.Maresca moaning about PSR and saying they had to sell Gallagher is funny.
Don't moan at the rules, moan at your owner who has abused the rules for the last two years by buying absolute dross for ridiculous fees
Yep. Another hypocrite suffering with tunnel-vision, like the Pisscan, Bingo, Arteta and all the rest: see only what they want to see.Maresca moaning about PSR and saying they had to sell Gallagher is funny.
Don't moan at the rules, moan at your owner who has abused the rules for the last two years by buying absolute dross for ridiculous fees
Maresca of all people should know that the way to avoid this problem is:Maresca moaning about PSR and saying they had to sell Gallagher is funny.
Don't moan at the rules, moan at your owner who has abused the rules for the last two years by buying absolute dross for ridiculous fees
But, they’ve changed direction again, and if last night is anything to go by (yes, I know it’s pre-season, but they had a lot more first-teamers on display than we did) Maresco has a gigantic job on his hands.
They were all over the place at the back and didn’t really threaten us, until Raheem came on.
I really don’t see them challenging the top four.