We had the 4th best defence in the league last season, even after injuries, ****ing about with 3 at the back and using Valencia as a full back. Now with a solid midfield and Smallings vast improvement in the last few months I really don't think a CH is a priority. Get another top class striker in and we are sorted (maybe Hernandez can fill the hole).
So a couple of signings helps you move from 4th to title challenge.. but our improvement helps up move from 6th to challenge for 5th? You also have to deal with 2 games a week this season, less time training for specific games.. when we didn't have Europe we went from 7th to 2nd... when you didn't you went from 7th to 4th... When we had CL we went from 2nd to 6th... who's to say with CL you also wont go from 4th to 6th?
But deep down you know it wasn't your defence that helped you be the 4th best.... your GK was the best in the league by far. Stick an average keeper in there and that back 4 becomes a mid table back 4. Last year you had a GK who was playing for a move to RM... this season you have a GK who is just seeing out his contract until he goes.
No I said as things stand we both are capable of moving up a place or two but obviously that's more meaningful when you're already top 4. Then I added the bit in brackets for each of us as to what we need to get our actual aims (title or top 4)
Our last ten games last season was very disappointing. Our defeat by United at Anfield nailed the coffin.
He also seems to be completely overlooking the difference one player made to our 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons
We had a manager who was new to the league and team that arrived late in the job, we had just lost 3 of our most consistent back 4 and a man that could still change games at the age of 39, on top of this we brought 5 players into the team who had never played Premiership football before, I think we did pretty well going from 7th to 4th. You lot on the other hand had a manager in his second season, a settled team and Suarez, the extra two places mean little.
Last season we had the best keeper in the league playing for pride, this season we will have the same
Actually I'm absolutely focusing on it. When I spoke about the two sides 2014-15 and proposed 2015-16 posted earlier my whole point was you needed a couple of decent players like him in various positions. Matchwinners who will carry you through periods when you may be struggling with injuries.
You think if we still had Suarez in 2014/2015 we were going to win the league or finish in the top four?.
So by saying a few signings will lift us from sixth to fifth you are acknowledging that on player was the difference between second and sixth? you're going to have to explain that one to me
Probably not win the league, 2013-14 was an over achievement and totally unexpected. However, without doubt we'd have been in the top four still and Man Utd will have another season without CL football. However, Suarez did leave and we wasn't good enough in the market with the money we got for him.
Well one player was the difference between 7th and 2nd and the same player was the difference between 2nd and 6th therefore, unless you have bought a similar standard of player you should not expect the same sort of change in position
Fck it let me just show what I mean. The team above is a marginal improvement imo. I also dont feel the squad has enough depth. The team and squad below challenges for top 4... -------------------Maggot Clyne----Skrtel----Sakho----Moreno --------------Can-----Henderson RWF-------------Coutinho---------LWF ----------------------CF Just from who I can think of select from... RWF = Walcott, Pedro, LWF = Insigne, Eriksen, Shaarawy CF = Tevez, Zlatan, Mandzukic, (fck it Higuain) Squad as you have but add Carvalho. That's 5 quality signings including Clyne. And you dont need to worry about CBs with the likes of Can and/or Carvalho there in front. Shows a real statement of intent and a shoe in for top 4. Fck off signing half a dozen run of the mill players or unknowns that are just "more of the same" as before.
It's not difficult mate. The few you've signed are only capable of lifting you from 6th to 5th. They're simply not in the class of Suarez are they? You need a bit of quality. It's not a big jump from 6th to 5th but it is to 4th. You have to displace the likes of City, United or Arsenal.
Shawary? The guy milan didn't want and shoved out on loan to Monaco? No thanks... And you aren't putting Firmino in that team?
