Obviously the plan is to win all 6 competitions we are in, however, realistically I think we are going to have to be somewhat circumspect about our potential and shouldn't burden the lads with unrealistic expectations. The signings we made will not cover up what was a pretty torrid league campaign last season and an occasionally fortuitous but overall deserved CL victory (never get tired of metioning that!). Oscar, Hazard and Marin will surely take time to get up to speed and settle in the PL, perhaps one or two of them will start well, but we musn't jump on their backs too soon - patience is vital. I am optimistic regarding our mid to long term future, but am expecting a tough season this time round. I do think we'll finish top 4 if we get our act together early on, but would be surprised if we make a serious title tilt. There's not many players in the world that leave a club and in their wake leave the necessity of an entire overhaul of attacking strategy - but there's not many players like Didier around! I would be content (not satisfied) with 3rd in the league, latter stages of the CL and of course lifting the Chelsea Cup......or FA Cup as others call it. But fully expect us to be seriously challenging on all fronts next season.

Take a little time when you join a forum and have a look on the threads as we have so many people re typing same topics.

^{I completely understand your point here, but only wish I had the time to trawl through the rest of the forum! Apologies}

Nice post, aajblue. I agree with you about our expectations this season, and hope everyone takes a chill pill when things go bad at some points in the season, which I am fairly certain will happen to this team in transition.

^{I completely understand your point here, but only wish I had the time to trawl through the rest of the forum! Apologies}

I really enjoy reading your posts, but it's a little like shouting at the top of your voice at a crowded party if you keep creating a topic for every last thought you have. It comes across as attention-seeking and is unfair to the troves of people who actually try to keep threads together.

I really enjoy reading your posts, but it's a little like shouting at the top of your voice at a crowded party if you keep creating a topic for every last thought you have. It comes across as attention-seeking and is unfair to the troves of people who actually try to keep threads together.

I guess, due to unfamiliarity, I'm just getting used to the structure of the site......I think it's perhaps a little unfair to suggest every last thought becomes a new thread, as I do check the more recent post before creating a new one, but will endeavour to be more dilligent in this respect. As for attention seeking, I have a wife and 4 daughters.......it's nice to come on here and for someone to actually listen

You poor man!

I dont expect much to be honest. Last year i expect great things from AVB and i as we all were was left disappointed until the last 2 or so weeks of the season.

This season i dont expect us to challenge for the league, i hope we get top 4 and the FA cup would be nice. I do expect us to win the super cup and the world club championship, if we dont i will be disappointed with the team.

3rd, semi finals of champions league, f.a cup winners. I'd be happy with that for RDM's first proper season.

In the league 3rd is the best we can achieve imo, although much closer to city and Utd in points than last season.Want to see some really nice exciting attacking football with Torres scoring goals.Not too much to ask.

You poor man!

I dont expect much to be honest. Last year i expect great things from AVB and i as we all were was left disappointed until the last 2 or so weeks of the season.

This season i dont expect us to challenge for the league, i hope we get top 4 and the FA cup would be nice. I do expect us to win the super cup and the world club championship, if we dont i will be disappointed with the team.

Even though it's a competition I've never had an interest in, I really want to win the World Club Cup this season. I think for this season, success would be adding at least one piece of silverware to the collection, it's just unlikely to be the PL sadly.

^{I think the low expectations we all seem to have will actually spur the team on to do better than we all think.}

My expectations for this year are a top four finish (most likely 3rd) and a decent FA Cup run. Everything else comes as a bonus.

What I'm really looking for this year are individual performances. I want Torres to finally find the form of his past and the new signings ( specifically Hazard and Marin) to settle in and begin to gel with the rest of the team. Oscar to me is an unknown quantity, €25m is a lot of money but how many games are we realistically expecting a 20-year-old to play? Plus where will he play?

Overall I'm not too concerned about trophies this year, I just want good team performances.

I reckon Robbie will be sacked half way through the season. Sorry for the negativity, but I honestly don't think he's the man for the job. He deserves a chance, no doubt, but something inside me just thinks...A bad season is coming.

I REALLY hope I'm wrong.

My expectations is 4th and the WCC.

Edited August 16, 201213 yr by JoeyN

I didnt want to say it becuase it being me i would get abuse from certain people on here but i have to agree with you. I cant see Robbie ending the season as our manager. I really hope he can pull it off though.

I think we will just about make top 4 and RDM won't last the season also. As much as I love the guy and want him to succeed, I just dont think we are there yet.

Roman and the board won't settle for anything other than a sustained title run now that cash has been spent.

I would bet that Pep is already lined up for next season.

I fully expect to finish ahead of Newcastle , Tottenham and Arsenal . I also expect to be challenging City and United for the title. I don't go along with all this transition crap , United have gone through plenty of transitions and have always challenged for the title. We should be challenging every season , not the odd few .

If we end up 3rd but have challenged for the title i won't be too dissapointed but i don't think it's unrealistic to expect to challenge for that title.

Don't know why everyone is so downbeat on our chances this year. I seem to be one of a very small minority that has alot of confidence in rdm and the team he is putting together.

We have good blend of youth and experience and alot of talent in our squad so I see no reason why we can't challenge for the title.

As much as people have been saying in pre season how dodgy our defence has been I think when the real stuff comes along it will be solid and reliable. For me it's about how the combination of torres,mata and hazard gel together. I don't think it is a question of if I think it is a question of when. If they gel early we have a shot at the title and if they gel later on in the season we will have a shot at domestic cups again.

It will all depend on how well the new players blend, how well the older players can drag themselves through games and just how much confidence winning the CL has given us as a club. Me, I think we will win a cup and consolidate a top 4 finish, fighting for 1st hopefully, though more likely 3rd in truth. But as always its quite difficult to guess, we probably havent finished with our signings, we may sign more in january, we may have terrible luck with injuries or we might have none. Gonna be fun great having a season as European Champions though.

Why is everyone settling for third? This is the second best squad in the Premier League, Manchester United are weak, Arsenal will do their usual collapse if a slight breeze brings the scent of the trophy towards them, no-one else will come close.

Not saying aiming for third is irrational, I'm just interested to know the reasons for this uncharacteristic restraint from fans?

Edited August 16, 201213 yr by Blue_Fox

I don't go along with all this transition crap , United have gone through plenty of transitions and have always challenged for the title. We should be challenging every season , not the odd few .

You're right, we should be challenging every season. But the big difference between us and United is they don't go through the turmoil of changing managers and their manager has final say over all football matters at the club. (I know Arsenal are the same but their problem is when their best players leave Wenger doesn't properly replace them nor does he address the glaring issues in their team. Not that I'm complaining about that, it can be quite entertaining.)

My expectations for this season are the same as they were last season, ie a comfortable top 4 finish and good runs in the cups and Europe. If we can push United & City for the title, great. But it won't be the end of the world if we don't.

Edited August 16, 201213 yr by TJB

_{I expect more of the same roller coaster ride from Chelsea FC on and off the pitch -}

_{Lose super cup on pens}

_{JT will get banned for 8 games}

_{Win the group stages of the CL}

_{6th at Christmas 4 pts out of 12}

_{Injury crisis}

_{New JT scandal}

_{Get overcharged for the goalscoring striker should have bought in August}

_{Sack the manager for not leading the prem by 10 points in Feb}

_{Appoint Pep Guardiola as interim coach}

_{Go on a good cup run}

_{Lose back to back vital prem games}

_{Nail biting end to season}

_LOL

As long as we come above Arsenal, Tottenham and Spurs with Torres scoring a decent amount of goals (20 or more) I will be happy.

I reckon 3rd is best we will do in the league, I have to admit I'm a little worried about the coming season. I really hope Robbie does a good job.

So I reckon 3rd in the league, Super Cup and WCC (maybe the League or FA Cup). Infact I'd probably take that (oh and give me two wins over Arsenal and Spurs).

As long as we come above Arsenal, Tottenham and Spurs with Torres scoring a decent amount of goals (20 or more) I will be happy.

And obviously the dippers.