It's part of the reason why being second through the door is normally better, the expectations drop considerably. Personally, I would say anything outside of top four should be considered a poor season, top four an achievable one and title challenge an overexceed. Any lower expectations than that is essentially saying last year wasn't an anomaly and Moyrs wasn't as bad as most people think.
How's Lawrence been doing at reserve level?
Thought he played relatively ok against Hull last season.
I thought Wilson might have been unless he's injured. He misses the U21 game on Friday. Lawrence played up front.
Which Pereira is travelling?
Sorry, that was in response to gabriel
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
Where people think you will finish and where they think you should are slight different questions. I personally think you should finish in the top four but I don't think you will at this current moment in time.
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
Melton
I agree. You can bet LVG will be aiming for top 4 at an absolute minimum regardless of what he says in public.
Vidal and Blind would certainly help that cause no end. Maybe even NDJ if Vidal can't be snared from Juve. Hopefully he can though a midfield 4 of Herrera, Vidal, Di Maria and Carrick/Blind would for me be the best or at least equal to anything else in the league. Put Rooney up top with Mata just behind him and that would be an awesome front 6. With the likes of RVP, Januzaj and Welbeck to call on from the sidelines.
A lot of speculation regarding Vidals fitness and injury problems. Having watched him in the world cup it was clear he wasnt 100%. What the general consensus ? Is he another potential Hargreaves ?
comment by roonited (U11635)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
----------------------------------------------------------------------
11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them.
I know blaming injuries is like a dirty word on here, it has to be taken into account.
LVG and Di Maria's agent arriving at Carrington.
Happy days.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bv9630HIEAAAlnH.jpg:large
comment by roonited (U11635)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are crazy, they finished second in the league last season and beat us at OT quite easily too.
You say they are currently more balanced and settled, like that isn't going to impact the outcome of the season.
It's going to take 2/3 months before we start to look settled, and that's if things go according to plan, it could be next season before we see LVG's methods reap the rewards.
So as of now, yes, Liverpool are definitely a level above us.
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
You say they are currently more balanced and settled, like that isn't going to impact the outcome of the season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kudos to Rodgers but thats the only differance between both sides at present and once lvg gets that sorted there will no way you will describe them as being on a different level. And I cant see it taking 3 months
comment by # Robb #freeGazza (U19350)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackett has been better than Smalling so I am struggling to understand your point there.
We haven't been terrible defensively, it's the final third we have struggled to create, and that includes Herrera, RVP, Rooney, Mata ect.
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 7 minutes ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed
-----------------------
That's half the first team BB
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
nobodys talking about us being title rivals and what last night proved was city are on a different level to us not liverpool
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by # Robb #freeGazza (U19350)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackett has been better than Smalling so I am struggling to understand your point there.
We haven't been terrible defensively, it's the final third we have struggled to create, and that includes Herrera, RVP, Rooney, Mata ect.
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's all connected. Surely you can admit that having Rafael and Shaw as wingbacks would be better than having Young and Lingard there? From a defensive and offensive standpoint.
And it's a given that having Carrick and Herrera would be better than Fletch and Clevs in midfield.
No our squad isn't good enough for a title challenge but our injuries have affected us.
BB
Adding Vidal(if he comes) Di Maria Shaw Rojo and Herrera is going to improve us massively
It isn't just Vidal
I don't think signing any players will really, the more important thing is to get your tactics right in match and if lvg sticks with 352, that looks like it will take time
That is his choice though, before this season started, realistically you would have been looking at at least four points so far if not six. The fact you haven't got that is down to his choice of the tactics he has used more than anything else.
He may well see 352 as the future and that is why he is using it and knows, as he has said publicly, that it will take a while to bed in. He will have been given a target though and if he thinks he can still achieve that then fair enough.
BB
That is 5 out of 10 outfield players, with a squad that most say is thin anyway, that makes a huge difference. If the midfield was better, the attacking third would instantly be better.
if it stays at di maria, 5th.
Our squad is too weak, our defence is poor and midifeld is attrocious.
not too mention the back up players at the club are poor.
we have a lot of work to do, will take about 2 seasons of great buying to be competitive again.
Daniel Feliciano @dmf180593
Thorpe, Janko, McNair, Wilson, Pereira, Vermijl, Amos, James & Powell all travelled with first team for game vs MK Dons {via @0stman} #MUFC
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 24 seconds ago
I don't think signing any players will really, the more important thing is to get your tactics right in match and if lvg sticks with 352, that looks like it will take time
That is his choice though, before this season started, realistically you would have been looking at at least four points so far if not six. The fact you haven't got that is down to his choice of the tactics he has used more than anything else.
He may well see 352 as the future and that is why he is using it and knows, as he has said publicly, that it will take a while to bed in. He will have been given a target though and if he thinks he can still achieve that then fair enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comes back to the same thing, lack of players & injuries meant we didn't really have the players for 433 (or 4231)
Sign in if you want to comment
Revised expectations for the season
Page 2 of 5
posted on 26/8/14
It's part of the reason why being second through the door is normally better, the expectations drop considerably. Personally, I would say anything outside of top four should be considered a poor season, top four an achievable one and title challenge an overexceed. Any lower expectations than that is essentially saying last year wasn't an anomaly and Moyrs wasn't as bad as most people think.
posted on 26/8/14
How's Lawrence been doing at reserve level?
Thought he played relatively ok against Hull last season.
posted on 26/8/14
I thought Wilson might have been unless he's injured. He misses the U21 game on Friday. Lawrence played up front.
Which Pereira is travelling?
posted on 26/8/14
Sorry, that was in response to gabriel
posted on 26/8/14
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
posted on 26/8/14
Where people think you will finish and where they think you should are slight different questions. I personally think you should finish in the top four but I don't think you will at this current moment in time.
posted on 26/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
posted on 26/8/14
Melton
I agree. You can bet LVG will be aiming for top 4 at an absolute minimum regardless of what he says in public.
Vidal and Blind would certainly help that cause no end. Maybe even NDJ if Vidal can't be snared from Juve. Hopefully he can though a midfield 4 of Herrera, Vidal, Di Maria and Carrick/Blind would for me be the best or at least equal to anything else in the league. Put Rooney up top with Mata just behind him and that would be an awesome front 6. With the likes of RVP, Januzaj and Welbeck to call on from the sidelines.
posted on 26/8/14
A lot of speculation regarding Vidals fitness and injury problems. Having watched him in the world cup it was clear he wasnt 100%. What the general consensus ? Is he another potential Hargreaves ?
posted on 26/8/14
comment by roonited (U11635)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
----------------------------------------------------------------------
11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them.
I know blaming injuries is like a dirty word on here, it has to be taken into account.
posted on 26/8/14
LVG and Di Maria's agent arriving at Carrington.
Happy days.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bv9630HIEAAAlnH.jpg:large
posted on 26/8/14
comment by roonited (U11635)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 6 seconds ago
I think people who expect Top 4, as though it's a given are way off the mark.
Liverpool, whilst beaten with ease in the end yesterday still looked a level above us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
they look a more settled and balanced side than us at the moment and understandably so. I dont think I would describe them as being a level above us
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are crazy, they finished second in the league last season and beat us at OT quite easily too.
You say they are currently more balanced and settled, like that isn't going to impact the outcome of the season.
It's going to take 2/3 months before we start to look settled, and that's if things go according to plan, it could be next season before we see LVG's methods reap the rewards.
So as of now, yes, Liverpool are definitely a level above us.
posted on 26/8/14
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
posted on 26/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
posted on 26/8/14
You say they are currently more balanced and settled, like that isn't going to impact the outcome of the season.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kudos to Rodgers but thats the only differance between both sides at present and once lvg gets that sorted there will no way you will describe them as being on a different level. And I cant see it taking 3 months
posted on 26/8/14
comment by # Robb #freeGazza (U19350)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackett has been better than Smalling so I am struggling to understand your point there.
We haven't been terrible defensively, it's the final third we have struggled to create, and that includes Herrera, RVP, Rooney, Mata ect.
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
posted on 26/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 7 minutes ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed
-----------------------
That's half the first team BB
posted on 26/8/14
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
nobodys talking about us being title rivals and what last night proved was city are on a different level to us not liverpool
posted on 26/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by # Robb #freeGazza (U19350)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 55 seconds ago
"11 or 12 injuries would unbalance the best of them."
Let;s have it right, only Evans, Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera are potential starting players who we have missed, and one of two of those need replacing.
The majority are squad members who most on here want rid of anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Put Rafael, Shaw, Carrick and Herrera in our side and we are hugely improved. Probably would have 6 points from our first two games.
And obviously Evans would be an improvement over Blackett.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blackett has been better than Smalling so I am struggling to understand your point there.
We haven't been terrible defensively, it's the final third we have struggled to create, and that includes Herrera, RVP, Rooney, Mata ect.
We are't the best at the back and the midfield is lacklustre, but the majority on here who think signing Vidal will turn us into title rivals are naive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's all connected. Surely you can admit that having Rafael and Shaw as wingbacks would be better than having Young and Lingard there? From a defensive and offensive standpoint.
And it's a given that having Carrick and Herrera would be better than Fletch and Clevs in midfield.
No our squad isn't good enough for a title challenge but our injuries have affected us.
posted on 26/8/14
BB
Adding Vidal(if he comes) Di Maria Shaw Rojo and Herrera is going to improve us massively
It isn't just Vidal
posted on 26/8/14
I don't think signing any players will really, the more important thing is to get your tactics right in match and if lvg sticks with 352, that looks like it will take time
That is his choice though, before this season started, realistically you would have been looking at at least four points so far if not six. The fact you haven't got that is down to his choice of the tactics he has used more than anything else.
He may well see 352 as the future and that is why he is using it and knows, as he has said publicly, that it will take a while to bed in. He will have been given a target though and if he thinks he can still achieve that then fair enough.
posted on 26/8/14
BB
That is 5 out of 10 outfield players, with a squad that most say is thin anyway, that makes a huge difference. If the midfield was better, the attacking third would instantly be better.
posted on 26/8/14
if it stays at di maria, 5th.
Our squad is too weak, our defence is poor and midifeld is attrocious.
not too mention the back up players at the club are poor.
we have a lot of work to do, will take about 2 seasons of great buying to be competitive again.
posted on 26/8/14
Daniel Feliciano @dmf180593
Thorpe, Janko, McNair, Wilson, Pereira, Vermijl, Amos, James & Powell all travelled with first team for game vs MK Dons {via @0stman} #MUFC
posted on 26/8/14
comment by meltonblue (U10617)
posted 24 seconds ago
I don't think signing any players will really, the more important thing is to get your tactics right in match and if lvg sticks with 352, that looks like it will take time
That is his choice though, before this season started, realistically you would have been looking at at least four points so far if not six. The fact you haven't got that is down to his choice of the tactics he has used more than anything else.
He may well see 352 as the future and that is why he is using it and knows, as he has said publicly, that it will take a while to bed in. He will have been given a target though and if he thinks he can still achieve that then fair enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comes back to the same thing, lack of players & injuries meant we didn't really have the players for 433 (or 4231)
Page 2 of 5