Season Expectations 2020/21

[MAG]

With no more incomings and Garcia probably leaving ... our team looks like this for the season ... first choice XI in Blue and backup on that position in Green ...

Sterling - Aguero - Torres
Foden - Jesus - Mahrez

Bernardo - Rodri - KdB
Gundo - Ferna - Impossible

Mendy - Laporte - Dias - Walker
Zinchenko - Ake - Stones - Cancelo

Ederson
Steffan
​

I'd like to think Ferna is first choice and Rodri his backup but as the season progresses we could see them swap that role ... same goes for Gundo and Bernardo ... and obviously it's impossible to have any backup for KdB as KdB is KdB ... so I expect Bernardo and Foden to play that second role ...

Obviously it's never going to be that XI or the other and first team and backup options but overall it shows the whole squad and I think we're fairly decent and our bench would continue to be the strongest of all teams in PL. Add to it Delap, Harword-Bellis, Doyle and some other kids here and there and we're in good shape for the season ...

The only thing we need is mental strength, that's where we have been our own worst enemy ... sort that Pep, in his own head and of his players and we're good to go ... on all four fronts, all the way to the end!

 

[vmsuhail]

With no more incomings and Garcia probably leaving ... our team looks like this for the season ... first choice XI in Blue and backup on that position in Green ...

Sterling - Aguero - Torres
Foden - Jesus - Mahrez

Bernardo - Rodri - KdB
Gundo - Ferna - Impossible

Mendy - Laporte - Dias - Walker
Zinchenko - Ake - Stones - Cancelo

Ederson
Steffan
​

I'd like to think Ferna is first choice and Rodri his backup but as the season progresses we could see them swap that role ... same goes for Gundo and Bernardo ... and obviously it's impossible to have any backup for KdB as KdB is KdB ... so I expect Bernardo and Foden to play that second role ...

Obviously it's never going to be that XI or the other and first team and backup options but overall it shows the whole squad and I think we're fairly decent and our bench would continue to be the strongest of all teams in PL. Add to it Delap, Harword-Bellis, Doyle and some other kids here and there and we're in good shape for the season ...

The only thing we need is mental strength, that's where we have been our own worst enemy ... sort that Pep, in his own head and of his players and we're good to go ... on all four fronts, all the way to the end!

Don't understand the criticism of our transfers. For me, that squad is capable of challenging for the title.

 

[MichaelFrontzeck'sBathroom]

I honestly think we will be lucky to get top 4. The team is down & depth in key areas is poor. Aguero & Jesus are likely to be injured again before season is out plus we can’t drop Kev so he’s going to be exhausted at some point.

throw in peps last season and the writing is on the wall for me. A disaster of a season incoming sadly.

it’s not just because Aguero is out we are a shadow of the last few years with a real lack of energy & strong players. I see us being bullied in most games at the minute

Think the best we can hope for this year is league cup or fa cup, any one of them and we'll have had a fucking great season tbh

 

[cityblue123]

Don't write us off now! 3 games into the season, come on! OK, we have not started like we have done previously. Look at some of these results, freak in my opinion. Not saying we are going to win it but with injuries and covid we're been rather unfortunate. With all the players back, who knows.

 

[BrianW]

It's a good squad on paper but there's several obvious weaknesses.

Aguero - great player but in his later days and injury prone. We have Jesus but after that only a 17 year old kid as striker.

Mahrez - for me the guy is an impact sub, not suited to a 90 minute team game.

Foden - still learning his trade, but expected to take over from David Silva, an all time great. Big ask.

Bernardo - hope he can regain his form, but can he?

Rodri and Gundog - I rate them higher than many do, but both have limitations. They are 'useful' rather than match winners.

Ferda - asking a lot of his legs to do 90 mins in midfield. Should probably do Patrick Viera style cameos.

Mendy - wanted him to succeed, but... Every team seems to use playing on him as a tactic, which says it all.


I don't entirely despair as a season when the reigning champions can be stuffed 7-2 by flipping Villa (who are not exactly 1970 Brazil) and Rags can be beat 6-1 at home by Spurs is obviously a bit bizarre. We do have (relatively) good squad depth and as the year goes on and the fixtures drag on, week after week, we may see the benefit of it. Cross fingers and hope for the best.

 

[peoffrey]

Let's not be naive here. Kompany was not replaced (although one of the new centre halves might step up) and Silva was not replaced. How do you replace one of the great players in the clubs history?

A season of dominance is extremely unlikely. I think it's going to be one of those seasons where anyone beats anyone.