As things stand anywhere from 5th to 7th.

this could change if we make some signings like caicedo even then we need a better GK another striker. 

Plus a lot of these players are young and lack experience which to me could come back to bite us. 
 

5th to 7th is if we have a good season. A brilliant season is 4th and an okay season 8-10th. We have to be realistic about our chances.

I think anything worse than 6th would surprise me. With the caveat that it's hard to predict how many points are required for certain finishes.

Last season 60pts would've got you 8th place, the season prior the same points tally gets you into 6th.

In the past 7 seasons we've only managed more than 75 points once, and that was under Conte when we won the league with 93.
I think when setting goals for the season points is a bit of a better yardstick.

If we breach 60 it's a solid season, on the right track etc
65+ very good season
70+ great season, massively outperforming expectations

6th place I voted for. 

I'm expecting some rough patches, plenty of games we could've won but lost due to a fresh new team and a very young one at that. I don't expect them to just gel together and start playing like title contenders. 

I think it's imperative that we find a good partner for Enzo and another midfielder there or we could be in for another big struggle. There's absolutely no excuse to be having another season like the last one though, none whatsoever. The big thing we want to see is an improvement in our performances, because our football has been utter crap for a while now. 

3rd

Fingers crossed, title tilt. If we keep the same defence this season as the last, but add goals up top. Think we'll upset the goons and spuds, piss on the Geordie w**kers backs and tell them its brown ale, wipe Klippy Klopp's fake teeth smile away and show Chelsea in Manchester and Mount why he should have negotiated harder. 

Only thing is the freak show city. finish above them and we win the league. Simples. 

4th. If I am wrong, A tad lower, 5th or 6th. Just not as optimistic as normal. I am certain we will build back up though.

I think we will be around 5-7th spot. With no mid week games, we will be able to rest and spend more time on training, which we rarely had in the last 2-3 seasons.

8th - 10th currently with this squad.

At this point in time I see

• Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool,  Man Utd as better.
• Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford as more organised
• Chelsea, Tottenham,  West Ham, Fulham, uncertain as to what we'll get

With some quality additions in early enough for Pochettino to work with in pre season and get ready, we could easily get higher than this and push through that second group and be on the fringe of the first group. It shouldn't be too difficult to construct a squad that is better than any of those teams in the middle group.

It’s too early to tell, a lot of it depends on what striker we sign, if we sign Caicedo, will we replace Kepa, etc.

A very good transfer window should push us into top 4 imo. If we can sign a consistent striker, Caicedo and a top GK, we’re as good as top 4 contenders.

3 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

8th - 10th currently with this squad.

At this point in time I see

• Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool,  Man Utd as better.
• Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford as more organised
• Chelsea, Tottenham,  West Ham, Fulham, uncertain as to what we'll get

With some quality additions in early enough for Pochettino to work with in pre season and get ready, we could easily get higher than this and push through that second group and be on the fringe of the first group. It shouldn't be too difficult to construct a squad that is better than any of those teams in the middle group.

Wow. You don't have high hopes.Reading posts like this does me no good. I think I might have a year in hiding !. 

 

Given the player turnover, the new dugout regime, solid top half seems reasonable. Anything better a bonus.

5 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

8th - 10th currently with this squad.

At this point in time I see

• Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool,  Man Utd as better.
• Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford as more organised
• Chelsea, Tottenham,  West Ham, Fulham, uncertain as to what we'll get

With some quality additions in early enough for Pochettino to work with in pre season and get ready, we could easily get higher than this and push through that second group and be on the fringe of the first group. It shouldn't be too difficult to construct a squad that is better than any of those teams in the middle group.

To be fair, it's hard to disagree with a word of that.

Our midfield and front 4 won't have alot of experience of playing together and it will take time. The only advantage we have over alot of those teams is no Europe, so we have time to work more in training.

4th - 6th to me is more realistic because I think we have a capable manager now but if we get an experienced head upfront or in and round the midfield i'll feel more confident.

There's a real chance we go into the first game of the season with only Sterling and Caicedo(barely and also if he signs) that's played more than 6 months in this league in our midfield and front 4.

 

Edited July 7, 20233 yr by Sheva

1 hour ago, ChelseaMileyCraig said:

Wow. You don't have high hopes.Reading posts like this does me no good. I think I might have a year in hiding !. 

 

Definitely more realistic than those having us in the top 4 though. It would seem some are already forgetting that we could barely manage a single point in the 2nd half of last season. The squad we are going into the season with barely have a goal to their name in a Chelsea shirt.

Am just excited to watch a fresh squad play....players that want goals and give it all for the club. I feel last season the players didn't wanna be here and gave up

3 hours ago, ChelseaMileyCraig said:

Wow. You don't have high hopes.Reading posts like this does me no good. I think I might have a year in hiding !. 

 

But, hey there are characters here that could see us as an emerging force. Caceido or similar in midfield plus a couple of hardened pros in midfield and up top and we have a very different feel.

I have put Newcastle in the 5th -8th bracket and they have that Joelinton and that soppy Almiron in their side. Howe just has them organised. 

The biggest thing this team has lacked has been physical fitness and organisation. Both of these are Pochettino strong points. If he can deliver just on these we are a better proposition already. Add some quality recruits with some experience and get some of these kids to spark and we have all of the ingredients. 

I don't mean to be pessimistic, its in the genes. In the WhiteWall Skeptical Almanac, at Page 5, in the table headed Top 5 Football Phrase Bollox i can see:

1. Trust the Process
2. Wonderkid
3. Generational Talent
4. In the next 48 hours
5. Proper

7 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

8th - 10th currently with this squad.

At this point in time I see

• Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool,  Man Utd as better.
• Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford as more organised
• Chelsea, Tottenham,  West Ham, Fulham, uncertain as to what we'll get

With some quality additions in early enough for Pochettino to work with in pre season and get ready, we could easily get higher than this and push through that second group and be on the fringe of the first group. It shouldn't be too difficult to construct a squad that is better than any of those teams in the middle group.

I wouldn't put United in the top group as it stands.

I don't think they'll be as bad as us last year but they've got poor season written all over them with their ownership situation and likely lack of transfers (noises combined with the Glazers history after top 4 is secured has led me to connecting the dots) which mean Ten Hag is likely going to try and evolve from Ole ball without the suitable players and potentially a declining Casemiro.

Edited July 7, 20233 yr by Argo

Call me a pessimist but I think it’ll take at least a full season to be competitive against the top clubs so I’ll say a mid table finish.

I have voted 6th although I am not confident and have no idea why.

I am concerned the squad looks rather unbalanced and the lack of combative Midfield players is beginning to worry me too.

I voted 2nd but I think anywhere top 4.

I've got to be honest I previously put 8th,but now I'm feeling unless we strengthen we will be lucky to be in top 10,mark my words any kind of optimism is fading fast,just buying kids is good for future but absolutely crap for the team at present. 

1 hour ago, Bluesince66 said:

I've got to be honest I previously put 8th,but now I'm feeling unless we strengthen we will be lucky to be in top 10,mark my words any kind of optimism is fading fast,just buying kids is good for future but absolutely crap for the team at present. 

I must agree on this. We have sold /let go Kante, Mount and Kova but have not got anyone to replace them. We acquired a lot of young talents last season but I'm afraid they are not ready yet to take the steps needed. I hope I'm wrong but we might end up around tenth place next season. The only thing better compared to last season so far is the manager. 

15th and I’m not joking, we are lacking experience and depth. Don’t get me wrong, the clear out is excellent and well needed, but we need 4 really quality players in now. 

1 hour ago, JPH said:

I must agree on this. We have sold /let go Kante, Mount and Kova but have not got anyone to replace them. We acquired a lot of young talents last season but I'm afraid they are not ready yet to take the steps needed. I hope I'm wrong but we might end up around tenth place next season. The only thing better compared to last season so far is the manager. 

A golden boot winner in a major league has replaced Mount.

Preseason hasn't exactly filled me with optimism, I think we're 1 of 13 teams potentially battling to avoid the drop. 8th will be a good season.