We are now a week away from the beginning of the season so how is everyone feeling after a few games of pre-season and the transfer window so far under Enzo Maresca.

7th or 8th. It's really loking bleak right now. West Ham has more experience, a better coach and a better squad, at least for now. Same with Villa and Spurs. 

Anything above where we finished last season and i'll be happy. below that and I wont be happy and for this to be Sterling's last season with us. 

I think if the directors want to retain some of the fans' trust back, we need to be finishing Top 4. 

We were on an upward trajectory under Poch and with new signings + injured players coming back, there was very good chance we would've done so. We've now hit the reset button again by getting rid of him. This essentially means they believe Maresca is the one who can guarantee a Champions League finish. If not, then they are deliberately self sabotaging given the trajectory this team was under Poch. 

 

Conference League + Top 4 minimum. 

Probably 7th or 8th. i got City, Arsenal, Liverpool, United, Spurs, Villa ahead of us and i think we gonna challenge for the remaining places with West Ham and Newcastle and probably another random team.

 

We should win the conference league, thats the bare minimum.

25 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I think if the directors want to retain some of the fans' trust back, we need to be finishing Top 4. 

We were on an upward trajectory under Poch and with new signings + injured players coming back, there was very good chance we would've done so. We've now hit the reset button again by getting rid of him. This essentially means they believe Maresca is the one who can guarantee a Champions League finish. If not, then they are deliberately self sabotaging given the trajectory this team was under Poch. 

 

Conference League + Top 4 minimum. 

If we end up facing Braga way may not even make the conference league proper lol....

11th, so safe. Silver lining  

Went with 5th. Possibly a bit optimistic to be fair. 4th place is probably the ceiling and mid table worst case scenario 

I think we will finish 6th again but we have to finish top 4 and get a cup otherwise there was no point in bringing in a new manager. 

Neto coming changes perspective a bit haha. Maybe it shouldn't. I now predict a ridicolus stroke of luch. We'll finish 5th. English teams do well in European Cups. Next season we're back in the UCL

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

If we end up facing Braga way may not even make the conference league proper lol....

In all seriousness, finishing 4th will show they made the right decision with Maresca and we are genuinely taking steps forward. 

A trophy this season is mandatory. These players need a taste of winning. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I think if the directors want to retain some of the fans' trust back, we need to be finishing Top 4. 

We were on an upward trajectory under Poch and with new signings + injured players coming back, there was very good chance we would've done so. We've now hit the reset button again by getting rid of him. This essentially means they believe Maresca is the one who can guarantee a Champions League finish. If not, then they are deliberately self sabotaging given the trajectory this team was under Poch. 

 

Conference League + Top 4 minimum. 

While it might seem so, they're not, because it's in no one's interests, especially the owners'.  Winstanley and Stewart obviously have a vice-like grip on proceedings and don't brook challenge. They wanted Poch out for that reason, they didn't fancy Gallagher, or Chalobah, and so on ad infinitum, topped by deciding the untried Maresca, with his attitude issue, was the way forward. The owners, who know zip about football, have obviously given W & S free rein seemingly ignorant of the consequences. A perfect storm of mismanagement.

Should win the Conference League (if they don't - FFS).  Haven't a clue where they will finish. I fear they will lose ground early in the season and be playing catch-up later.

 

10th, severely lacking in winning experience, no old heads to guide the youth, manager out of his depth.

We are going to win the league.

A lot will probably depend on having a settled squad, and avoiding the injury craziness of last couple of seasons. I think it could be a wobbly start, but will hopefully improve by October. Early on will be key to stay in cup competitions (especially UEFA Conference) as that would be our best path to success this season. I don't think we will make top 4 this season but like last season it could be quite an open battle for positions 5-12.

8th -10th

2 hours ago, mojo said:

@Zeta, @axman2526 , @mojo and I are the forum's beloved rays of sunshine 

Atm for me anywhere between 3rd and 13th!

I'm going to wait till after the first few proper matches to guess where we will be at the end. 

I just think I should give maresca the benefit of doubt for now since he came out to say not much work has been done on tactics yet because of preseason. Also his playing style isn't one that's easy to pick up. I believe it will be october/November before we can actually see the squad playing the way he wants imho. So I'm preparing myself for a few upsets till then.

8th I reckon ,have no confidence at all for this season ,shame I hate being miserable☹️

if we are top 8 Christmas then 6th is a remote possibility

Top.

2 minutes ago, dkw said:

Top.

Exactly. That is what I said. Top. Champions.

We have to believe every season, otherwise what is the point?

The point is you never know, that's why you follow each week to see how we do. There is no way this club is winning the league this season but I find a great point in following them to see if we end up top 4 or bottom 3 or somewhere in the middle. If I went into a season believing Chelsea are going to be top this year before a ball has even been kicked I would feel like an Ars*nal supporter. But that's just me I'm an old geezer. 

9th. I have little confidence or optimism for the season ahead.

Think we'll be somewhere in-between the last two seasons (2022/23 - 12th) and (2023/24 - 6th).