IF we are still within 6 points of Liverpool with ten games to go, were in a title race. Liverpool will fall apart without Salah and there's not too much special about them. 

I think City will rediscover form and Arsenal just have a more experienced squad for a run in. 

If we finish top four this season, well done to the players and manager. Outside the top four and Im sure the board will revist the manager and players at the club. 

Either way, after dropping 1 billion notes, we really should be top four. 

 

5 hours ago, bisright1 said:

I wouldn't be concerned. We have Estaveo coming in, Noni was always likely to be shipped out next year. 

Is more the big picture than just Noni. Maresca has issues with Nkunku and Felix as well.

1 hour ago, bluetrooper said:

IF we are still within 6 points of Liverpool with ten games to go, were in a title race. Liverpool will fall apart without Salah and there's not too much special about them. 

I think City will rediscover form and Arsenal just have a more experienced squad for a run in. 

If we finish top four this season, well done to the players and manager. Outside the top four and Im sure the board will revist the manager and players at the club. 

Either way, after dropping 1 billion notes, we really should be top four. 

 

Salah is a freak. Never injured, so they don't have to worry, and should give him what he wants to stay. 

The next target is 70points. Very doable.

Given that the league title is all but decided as Liverpool are absolutely streets ahead of everyone.

So what do we need to do to compete with them next season and make a serious credible attempt at the title?

Liverpool look so strong, Arsenal still look decent and it’s not unreasonable to think that City will be back with a return of injured players and a few new signings. And maybe Forest and Newcastle take a step forward too.

I think a better keeper is a given and a top striker is an absolute must. And the back four is crying out for improvement and ideally with players who aren’t injury prone.

And maybe the biggest question, is the current manager capable of winning a title? Can he make changes to the starting eleven? Can he make well timed substitutions and can he make substitutions that can change a game when necessary?

7 hours ago, Snedger said:

Given that the league title is all but decided as Liverpool are absolutely streets ahead of everyone.

So what do we need to do to compete with them next season and make a serious credible attempt at the title?

Liverpool look so strong, Arsenal still look decent and it’s not unreasonable to think that City will be back with a return of injured players and a few new signings. And maybe Forest and Newcastle take a step forward too.

I think a better keeper is a given and a top striker is an absolute must. And the back four is crying out for improvement and ideally with players who aren’t injury prone.

And maybe the biggest question, is the current manager capable of winning a title? Can he make changes to the starting eleven? Can he make well timed substitutions and can he make substitutions that can change a game when necessary?

Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold leaving on a free transfer would help.

If they all stay, or even if just Van Dijk and Salah stay, I still think they will be too much for us because they are that good, unless age catches up with them.

We do need to make a decent amount of changes to improve though. You can argue that we need a player for each of the defensive positions. Goalkeeper, Sanchez has too many mistakes in him. RB, James is always injured and Gusto doesn't suit the system. CB, we desperately need some quality experience back there. LB, if Cucurella gets injured, we have nobody. Veiga isn't good enough to step into that position for long periods. The only other position we really need to improve is upfront. Jackson isn't good enough, he has too many issues with his overall game, we need somebody better. Nkunku's not the answer long term, he's not a striker and I think he will be sold anyway. I would say another winger, but I'm hoping Estevao is as special as he is being made out to be.

Real Madrid really should be putting pails of money in front of VVD and Trent, and an ocean  full in front of Salah, they woild set them up for titles and CL for the next 5 years.

17 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

but I'm hoping Estevao is as special as he is being made out to be.

Does he defend well enough for Maresca to start him or will he just be a 72nd minute sub?

We were in a title race for a fleeting moment, but the aim now is top 4 and to qualify for the Champions League.

4 minutes ago, Jezz said:

We were in a title race for a fleeting moment, but the aim now is top 4 and to qualify for the Champions League.

Top 4 and winning the conference league would be a good season for us. An FA cup win to add to it would be great too 

We ain’t winning the FA Cup, we should realise right now to avoid high expectations. Top 4 and Conference League should be possible and a good season for this team. We lack balance, experience, spine, age, cojones, you name it.

1 hour ago, timetowaste said:

Top 4 and winning the conference league would be a good season for us. An FA cup win to add to it would be great too 

How would you feel about an 8th place finish and a conference league semi loss to Fiorentina?

Oh FA Cup, knocked out by City.

10 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

How would you feel about an 8th place finish and a conference league semi loss to Fiorentina?

Oh FA Cup, knocked out by City.

Chuck myself into the Thames I imagine

Edited December 31, 20241 yr by timetowaste

1 minute ago, timetowaste said:

Chuck myself into the Thames I imagine

Best buy a life jacket then mate...

2 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Best buy a life jacket then mate...

I'll see where we are in a couple of months then I'll start taking a look

Title race talk was silly, anyone who bought into it clearly was sucked in by the media narrative.

It was a fun week believing the hype.

Liverpool were top of the league at this time last season, too. It is no surprise that they are carrying that form on. They barely needed to strengthen in many areas. It will be interesting to see what happens as the latter half of the season progresses, though, because they were ahead at the same time or thereabouts last season with a decent pts lead, but then City and Arsenal eventually took their spot and they moved into 3rd. Although the gap was less than 8pts then (excluding the game in hand) so it's Liverpool's to lose, but this season is tougher imo, so I think Liverpool will have a blip and drop points, but it depends how many pts those close to them drop, too, which decides how close the title chase will be.