9th - 10th would be great with perhaps another cup run for added fun.
As long as improvement is seen and we have some great games I think we should be satisfied with this.
We are recovering from a few years of poor management decisions.

Even if we get 10th-12th I guarantee it won't be quiet!

Can we reproduce the form of the last third of last season? If so then we'll be top half. Last year the bottom half was very even and I think the same'll happen this year.

I'd like us to start getting the odd result against the top teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U, Man C and Spurs. I'm not sure if we're ready for that yet. If we do, it'll either be later on in the season when our new players have really settled in, or early on if one or more of those teams doesn't start well. I expect Arsenal and Chelsea to have a very good season, not sure about Man U/C. If Suarez stays at L'pool I expect then to do better, and I think Martinez will do fine at Everton. Those teams apart, I don't think the rest are intrinsically better than we are.

My guess? It'll have bumpy moments, and the tough start won't help. But I think Lambert will have them playing in a groove a lot earlier this year, and we'll have more strength in depth to keep it going. We could well be down the bottom early on, but we have a decent November and December ahead, and I'm counting on us being ready to get a fair amount out of those 2 months.

At the end of the season, 7th - 9th and a cup. Easy!

Agree. I'd like us, like we did last season to get that odd result against the teams above us, i.e. 3-1 at Anfield. I think it's those results that will keep a spark in the season. Cannot see a good cup run this time round though. Would love a trophy, but league is priority me thinks.

Otherwise, I think there will be that big pack of teams that will find themselves a few bad results away from the bottom- We need to ensure we are above that pack.

We can't get much worse from last season. I am still concerned about us defensively. We are very inexperienced at the back, again. More importantly, we have very little defensive depth. Unless a couple of more experienced defenders are brought in, I fear a repeat of last season. Conceding has always been a massive weakness in recent seasons and I have seen very little evidence to suggest this is about t change.

We were much better defending towards the end of last season, still the odd stupid goal but as many unlucky ones, and the organisation was much better once Vlaar was back. The defence isn't perfect, but I think it won't embarrass us. After all, all we've got to do is score more goals than the opposition! And we're looking better and better at that.

Defensively much better, Lowton has a full season under his belt and Okore us a top young cb with euro/ international experience albeit not much. Still think a hard tackling cm with experience is needed, someone like Flamini who wouldn't cost much would be perfect..

going for 11th myself

I also hope these PL doubters get off his back, he is only doing good things Imo, and def going in the right direction

Somebody, apart from Guzan has to lead well in defence this season- Vlaar is the guy and the key man. I'm sure we won't be as bad as we were defensively last season, but I still need to see us eradicate that panic defending. I'd prefer Clark to play DM, the new lad with Vlaar at CB, Lowton as RB and the new Spanish lad at LB. But if Vlaar is not playing I will worry.

Yeah Clark at dm is a good shout

guzan
lowron-okore-vlaar-luna
clark-westy
tonev-weimann-gabby
benteke

to be honest, relegation battles are a lot of fun (though nervy) - but i guess thats only as long as you come out the good side of them.

having said that, one cup run and a 12th place finish, with one or two good performances against the top teams, and i will be happy.

Would also like to see Lowton and even Westwood getting an international call, Gabby to get double figures in league goals, and Benteke to score a hat trick against Spurs.

All that, and i would be delighted.