Season Review Questions

[jamiemaher85]

Hi guys,

This really is the last one for awhile now! You will probably know the drill by this point, sorry that you seem to have been hit the most. Basically i'm doing a season review for every single club in the league, 4 sections (Top 4, European contenders, mid table and relegation battleres), you can have a look t the european contenders section if you like:-

http://www.toffeetalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17469

Anyway, if anyone could answer some of these it would be a big help. This is the last for a good while though, so sorry again for the many question requests i've hit you all with recently!

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

2- What would your season highlight be?

3- What would your season lowlight be?

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

6- What should your aim for next season be?

Thanks again guys, good luck over the summer.

[bjd]

1-What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations? Disapointing looking back at our pre season hopes, but overjoyed at how it ended up considering where we were in January

2- What would your season highlight be? Winning the FA Cup

3- What would your season lowlight be? Most will say Barca at home but for me it was how we meekly surrendered our home record , which needs to be blamed on the then management. Closely followed by the realistion we had around Xmas that the club had made an absolute massive f**k up in emplying Scolari (which to be fair they dealt with swiftly)

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season? Very hard to predict. He needs to be given time by supporters and a lot will depend on who he signs.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club? We need a wide man and a striker, and a reserve keeper too. A few of the older heads should leave, Deco, Belletti, Carvalho for example and I would let Kalou go because he isnt good enough.

6- What should your aim for next season be? The club want the Champions League, the fans want the League. One of those will be the minimum aim.

[Sheva]

For me.

1. Great start with high expectations which dramaticaly went down hill with the sacking of Scolari but we had a blessing that was Guus Hiddink.

2. FA Cup Final and to have had Guus Hiddink manage Chelsea.

3. CL Semi Final... don't need to comment.

4. I think he's a fantastic manager but my expectations are not that high as i feel we need to give him time to settle.

5. I would like to see some young talent come in and a star signing, David Villa is my personal preference and also Aguero would be awesome but since his club sealed CL qualifcation i feel thats doubtful. I feel Deco, Carvalho(:)), Paulo, Pizzaro, Sheva, Beletti are all on thier way out due to age and lack of first team football.

6. I would love to win the EPL but after many heartbreakers in the CL it's become the most frustrating trophy in the world and i would love us to capture the CL once and for all.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

In the end, I think it all worked out as best as we could've hoped for after the Scolari debacle. Pre-season did look very promising, but looking back, we played useless Chinese teams, so it doesn't really matter now. Hiddink rescued us, basically. Had anyone else come in, we wouldn't've won the FA Cup or come 3rd. We may not even have got 4th, that's how poor we were under Scolari. Ahh well.

2- What would your season highlight be?

Has to be the 4-4 vs. Liverpool in the Champions League. Easily the most exciting game I've ever witnessed, and for us to come back from 2-0 down at half time was amazing. Alex scored one of our goals of the season too. Brilliant game, absolutely brilliant. It even got one of my mates, who hates Chelsea, to congratulate us and him enjoying his first ever football game that didn't inclue Celtic, Scotland or Wales. Awesome. :)

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Was there a need for this question? I think everyone's answer will be the just completely ridiculous turn of events at home to Barcelona. What the hell happened, why the hell did it happen, and why the hell hasn't that ref been sacked yet?

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I'm feeling good about his appointment. He's a proven manager at the top level with Champions Leagues under his belt. I think he'll do really well with us.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

We definitely a winger, a striker, a left back and possibly a young reserve keeper to challenge Cech, because Cech performed so much better with Cudicini breathing down his neck. Winger because we can't keep playing Anelka and the right and who knows how long Malouda's form will last? We've needed a winger for a while though, since Robben left IMO. Striker because our main 2 strikers, Drogs and Anelka, are not getting any younger, and we need someone to spice things up, as we only really have Di Santo waiting in the wings, who's yet to be proven. Left back is obvious, just someone to cover for Ashley Cole.

Who do I want to leave? I don't necessarily want them to leave, but I think they will go. Carvalho, Kalou, Deco. Deco I won't care to see him walk out the door. But Carvalho has been superb for us every season and this season he's just been plagued by injuries. And Kalou I think will come good, but I think he's had his chance here, he's still young and he can go on to a new challenge.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

I'd be happy with a trophy. As long as it's the Premiership or the CL :P I think we'd most certainly for 2nd in the Prem and then Champions of Europe. But I think a trophy is a must to put Chelsea really back on the map.

No problem dude, hope you have a good transfer season, and all the best to Arteta and Yakubu :P

Edited June 4, 2009 by Ruh Buh Juh

[Englishman]

1-What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Scolari was a big disappointment, but after January I doubt anyone would have expected the season to end as well as it did. So not bad overall.

2- What would your season highlight be?

Winning the FA Cup.

3- What would your season lowlight be?

The Barca semi.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I think he'll do well. He is a quality coach, but we need to be patient if we aren't playing like Cruyff's Holland and sweeping away all before us within a month.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

Bring in a reliable, world class winger, a striker, and a solid back-up keeper. Sell Deco, Kalou, Belletti and possibly Malouda. It might be time for Carvalho to leave too, although he's been an excellent servant to us.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

Winning the Premiership and/or the Champions League will be the aim. A serious title challenge and a trophy would do for me.

[bonetti]

1. What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

No expectations at the start of the season due to Scolari being an unknown quantity - just hoped to win the PL

2. What would your season highlight be?

Winning the FA Cup

3. What would your season low light be?

Losing to Spurs quickly followed by being robbed by at best gross incompetence and at worst corrupt officials in the CL semi at the bridge

4. How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

Open minded - if he takes 12 points off the top 3 and 6 off Spuds, I will be happy.

5. Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

Need a striker, a winger and a ressie goalie

6. What should your aim for next season be?

To win the PL - I dont really care about the CL

[PloKoon13]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

I wasn't sure what to expect under Scolari. I was impressed at first, and then sorely, sorely disappointed as he proved his ineptitude time and time again. In January, I would have bitten your hand off if you'd offered me automatic qualification to the CL and an FA Cup win. I was very, very impressed by Hiddink though. So all in all, a reasonably good season that could have been better had it not been for spectacular ineptitude on the behalf of certain people (Scolari, Ovrebro)

2- What would your season highlight be?

The FA Cup win obviously, but also playing Liverpool off the park at Anfield in the Champions League QF first leg. It was so, so satisfying, as for the previous two week or so, I'd had everyone I know telling me we'd lose. Stevie who?

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Being robbed of a Champions League final place and also losing to Tottenham. I was in a bad mood for two weeks after that. Losing the home record to the red sh*te was pretty bad as well.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I'm optimistic. I think he knows what he's doing and I have a good feeling he'll make some good signings, and that he'll overcome the language barrier. Pato? *fingers crossed*

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

If we brought in Pato and Zhirkov I'd be a very happy man. I'd say we need someone new on the right wing, but if we blood Stoch, I think he's more than good enough.

In terms of leaving, I would have liked to have seen Ballack go, but seeing as he's staying, I hope we dump Deco. If we're not going to play Ferreira, then I think we should let him go for his sake, and also maybe Carvalho if he wants to go. I still want to give Kalou another chance... Lord knows why.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

The same thing we do every night, Pinky... TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!

[g3.7]

1-What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations? the squad should have made a decent title challenge and is capable of sustaining at least one cup run at the same time. under scolari we were unable to beat the better sides and were on course for possibly a tight finish for fourth.

2- What would your season highlight be? the cup win by a long distance. but things have generally been far more pleasurable under hiddink. beating arsenal 4-1 away won't ever get boring.

3- What would your season lowlight be? that our league challenge disappeared so quickly and of course the CL semi.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season? depends maybe on his start, and naturally who he signs. I like him but think he may try to make too many big changes at once.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club? out go the players who need to resume their careers like paulo (ferreira) and carvalho ( both will be missed). also belletti, mineiro, kalou... I'd still let malouda go if we can replace him. ins- we need higher quality attacking players to support drogba, a backup leftback (possibly from the youth system), another backup keeper. so the money mainly on final third players.

6- What should your aim for next season be? to challenge for the league. the club clearly want the cl, we will see how commited they are to the idea of stability if / when we fall a little short.

Edited June 4, 2009 by gullit4

[charierre]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Top 3 which was about right, though in January I'd have snatched your hand off for 4th

2- What would your season highlight be?

FA Cup Final win and a better than expected last few months of the season

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Scolari

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

If he can get off to a good start and get the players IN that HE feels will improve us he'll do ok

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?We need good quality wide players, a backup left back , backup keeper and a striker ( quality depending on who leaves) To leave Carvalho, Ferreira,Kalou, Pizzaro, Sheva,

6- What should your aim for next season be?To be in with a shout of winning all competitions at their finale

[Dorset]

1-What would your assessment of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations? A real mixture of highs and lows, except the other way round, if you see what I mean. Scolari had to go, we were brave enough to do the deed (unlike Arsenal and Wenger), and got our reward with Hiddink and an FA Cup win to keep us happy. Expected more, but overall you can’t be disappointed with the way the season panned out.

2- What would your season highlight be? Winning the FA Cup closely followed by the way we played both home and away in the quarter finals of the CL.

3- What would your season lowlight be? In terms of performance it has to be the way we surrendered our home record, but the real lowlight (for football in general too) was the refereeing at home to Barca. Rules were rewritten that night and Guus, when he used the word injustice, spoke for all of us.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season? Whilst he is obviously a top manager, he is unproven outside his own country and he does have a tough act to follow. His English is better than most of us thought it was, so let’s hope he proves the pessimists wrong on other counts too. The jury is definitely out at the moment.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club? I guess the ‘aging team’ tag will mean that Belletti, Carvalho and Deco will go, though it might be a saving grace for Kalou, who could solve a problem for us if he starts playing consistently well out wide. We could then concentrate on getting in two genuine strikers. Sturridge on a free would do fine and Pato, if we could get him, would meet the cry for young players of quality. If Milan don’t let him go, or maybe even in addition to him, I’d like Tevez because, as far as I’m concerned and where possible, Premiership experience is a necessary requirement.

6- What should your aim for next season be? The club want the Champions League, but I’m disillusioned with it all, for obvious reasons, and have always had the Premier League as a priority anyway. It’s unlikely that Ancelotti will ’do a Jose’ in his first season, but top three is a must, together with a CL performance that keeps Roman happy and retaining the FA Cup would be nice.

Edited June 4, 2009 by Dorset

[just]

What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

As Dorset said highs and lows. IMO we made a very good start under Scolari and played some lovely pass and move football, pushing the fullbacks on. However, when our rivals cottoned on and shut down the width, pushing the fullbacks inside, we had no players with enough pace and/or dribbling ability to go past players and create space. We had, or rather Scolari had, no plan B. Which is why the turn around by Hiddink, using the same players as Scolari had, is so remarkable.

What would your season highlight be?

At the beginning of the season there are only four trophies you can win. To win any of them is great, so the FA Cup is of course a highlight. But overall it has to be doing Liverplod, (who were in fine form at that time), in the CL quarter-final.

What would your season lowlight be?

For the last month I have had a re-occuring nightmare. I wake up at 3.00am and standing over my bed there is a tall, bald Norwegian bloke dressed in black. He has a little french dwarf next to him who he calls Michel. The bald Norwegian is staring at me chanting "no penalty. no penalty, no penalty" Over and over again. While the little french dwarf laughs hysterically and calls me "the enemy of football"

How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I have no idea really, I haven't. I figure it will be better than Scolari but not as good as Guus.

Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

Keep Drogba is a must IMO. Bring in some genuine pace and width, a fourth striker and a quality back-up keeper. To leave? Two and a bit months ago I would have driven Malouda to the airport myself. He was crap with a capital C. His turn around in form, (and make no mistake, it is entirely down to Hiddink), is staggering. I wouldn't give Ballack an extension, I would persuade Sheva to retire and Deco, Ferreira, Minero and Carvalho can go with our thanks.

What should your aim for next season be?

First and foremost, win the EPL. Not really that bothered with the UEFA Comedy League anymore. Oh, and see some of our youngsters get more of a look in, especially in Carling Cup and FA Cup games against lesser opposition. We actually do have some quality kids you know.

[andy]

I have no idea really, I haven't. I figure it will be better than Scolari but not as good as Guus.

I liked that, kind of the way I was feeling without realising it !

I think the above from everyone sums up well the questions asked so wont go over them again.

The only thing I would add is that I found the over the top adulation of Barca really rubbed salt into the wounds... I think Messi is a great player and had a great final but to be honest WBA and Stoke gave our defense more problems ! - We could have won that final and should have been then yet again.

[loz]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Pre-season hopes were that we would be genuine title challengers (notice I said challengers not that we would win it, I would never take winining the league for granted) and so my assessment would have to be a little disappointing as we were never really credible title challengers other than the openig few weeks.

2- What would your season highlight be?

Has to be the FA Cup win - it capped the superb turn around that Hiddink delivered to the club. Scolari leaving was also a highlight for me - that is a bit harsh I know but I genuinely saw it as a vital thing the club had to do to save our season from collapsing.

3- What would your season lowlight be?

I guess the CL semi is the obvious one however it isn't actually mine as that was something totally out of our control. Our boys did us proud that nght and we were robbed by something we have every right to be angry about, but, in my opinion, not disappointed. The lowlight would be seeing so many quality players turning out under Scolari and playing as if they had never met each other. It was horrible to see us defend so badly, see our midfield barely able to string two passes together and the little width we had on the park running inside and congesting the park even further. We wre a shambles under Scolari and it was painful to watch it week in week out.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I really can't begin to predict that... so I will. I think he will do a lot better than a lot of people think. I just hope he has full control over the player he signs which is something he never had at Milan.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

A quality winger is imperative, one with pace, can cross the ball well and hugs the line more than our current crop do. A back up keeper and back up left back will also be useful - Zhirkov culd fit two of those spaces. A new striker will probably be needed as well. However in addition to who we bring in I would also like to see Stoch giving more opportunities.

Leaving. Mineiro, Deco, Carvalho (as much as I think he is a wonderful defender - you have to look to the future), Quaresma (already gone, thankfully), Belletti. I would also let Ballack go for the same reason as Carvalho. We need to start reducing the age of our squad and I think the time is right for Ballack to go.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

The same aim I have always had for the club (even when we boasted the likes of of Mickey Nutton) - win every trophy we enter!!

[kalpitv]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Well, the Scolari era gave us a lot of false hope. As it soon turned out to be yet another false dawn. Though I was apprehensive at first, I think the board took the right decision to sack him and employ yet another new manager. Hiddink was absoulutely fantastic and reminded all of the good old glory days. At the end of it, I feel we overachieved after where we had stood at one point of time in January, but third position in the league seems slightly disappointing after looking at the squad we have. Well, we won the FA Cup, and the season ended on a high so I am content with it. There is definitely room for improvement though.

2- What would your season highlight be?

The appointment of Guus Hiddink. Dramatically changed our fortunes and made us look like champions again. He'll always be remembered for his contributions.

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 1. How brainless Scolari was that he let our amazing fortress fall to pieces and then claimed that these records are good for nothing.

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I cannot have a definite opinion until few months into the season. It all depends on how he settles, the players he buys, his tactical awareness and his man-management skills. I wish him the best of luck and he will have my full support unless he 'majorly' cocks it up.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

We definitely need new wide players and strikers. In my opinion, Zhirkov, Valencia, Sturridge (long-term replacement to Drogba) and Dzeko would be good signings. If we acquire any of Villa, Ribery, Aguero; it would be a dream come true.

I want to see the back of Deco and Ferreira once and for all as they are surplus to requirements. I am not so sure about the likes of Kalou, Belletti and Carvalho. But the latter is not geting any younger and we may well give likes of Ivanovic, Mancienne and Alex more playing time rather than the injury-prone Portugese player.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

Hmm, consistency and stability in terms of management would make me more than happy. However, as we remain an ambitious club, I sincerely want us to put up a good show in all competitions and try to win them all. Hard work and efforts will directly result in success fo the club and we shall achieve our goals.

[Zola's Love Child]

1- What would your assessment of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Hoped to get the title back from United, but it wasn't to be, and looking back at how the season went, it was actually a great achievement to get the FA Cup.

2- What would your season highlight be?

The fact we didn't get knocked out of the FA Cup whilst Scolari was still with us.... Well, that and actually winning the thing!

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Got to be the Barca game...never felt as bad as that after a game (well...a fortnight after the game..)

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I hoped for too much last season, so I'm going for a 2nd place, and pushing United a lot closer to the top spot, and a Champions League final appearance.

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

Would love to see our summer haul be Zhirkov, Dzagoev, Sturridge and Villa/Pato, along with perhaps Brad Jones, or ideally, Joe Hart.

6- What should your aim for next season be?

A top trophy. I know the club want the CL, I'd rather the league, but either will constitute a great start to the Carlo Era.

7- Are you sure you don't want to abandon Everton, and just come on here full time, rather than fortnightly Jamie?

No comment.

[geezer]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

Quite possibly the most exhausting season I've ever experienced in terms of ups and downs. Started so well, got discovered we were a one trick pony, looked to be heading out of Europe altogether and ended up winning a trophy. Would I have settled for that at the start of the season? No, I wanted the Champions League (having supported the club for over 40 years it still seems really strange being able to say that)

2- What would your season highlight be?

Apart from the obvious winning of the FA cup it would have to be Liverpool Arsenal winning f**k all - again

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Doesn't need answering cos there's only one answer

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

I'm really looking forward to next season already and hope he will be given the time needed to build a legacy

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club?

One striker, a left back/left sided player and a creative player to play behind the main striker. I would like to see Peter Kenyon leave the club

6- What should your aim for next season be? 1st aim - get enough points to avoid relegation (always has been my first target stemming from the bad/good old days) 2nd aim - Premiership title (gone off the CL a bit but this will still be high on my agenda next season

[mad_mac]

1- What would your assement of your season be in comparison with your pre-season hopes and expectations?

It was tough for me to get too excited in the pre-season as I had no idea who our manager was going to be. The signing of Bosingwa was a welcome "quiet deal" and then we brought in Deco which was about 4 seasons too late for my liking. Then we appointed Scolari, so everything was up in the air

2- What would your season highlight be?

The FA Cup, and the fact we met Everton was pretty cool too. It was a great game, and it always seems we're involved in some kind of History writing...fastest goal in FA cup history, then we lose it in another final we play in.

3- What would your season lowlight be?

Scolari's entire era. The CL Semi

4- How do you feel Ancelotti will do next season?

Very hard to say, I think he's tactically quite astute and used to having to deal with what an owner wants. The big question, as always, is how will he fair in England/

5-Who do you need to bring in during the summer and who would you like to see leave the club? A couple of attackng players, and more of our own youth product. To leave...Miniero, Belletti, Carvalho, Paulo, Deco...all surplus to requirements and all getting on in age. I'm not Drogba's biggest fan, but I'd like to have a solid replacement before we let him go. Aguerro, Benzema, Huntelaar, Villa, Sjneider....any combination would be great of those I just listed. However, it all depends on what formation Ancelotti wants to play

6- What should your aim for next season be? To form the base of a solid team that is able to compete on all levels. To have some youth products break into the fringes of the first team. To win some form of silverware. That is what I feel it should be, but what it should and what it will be are totally different.

I expect the club to demand either the League or the CL which is amazing to expect in a new manager's first year....they're not all jose.

Thanks Jamie

Scott