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Thread: Expectations 2018-19

  1. #1
    Simon
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    Expectations 2018-19

    If things go well...

    Being realistic...

    Worst case scenario...

    It's a big season for...

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    Last year's thread is here.

    https://forums.rajah.com/showthread.php?t=152273

  2. #2
    RFF WORLDWIDE WESTERN CON son_of_foley's Avatar
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    If things go well... We win the league and the fa cup

    Being realistic... We finished in and around the last play off spot

    Worst case scenario... It goes to shit we sack Lampard and we just crumble

    It's a big season for... Mason Mount. Playing for his hero. Turned down the Bundesliga to come here chance to put a real marker down to play for Chelsea next year

    Keep an eye out for this young lad... Max Lowe may not count. If not Luke Thomas might be one closest to breaking through. Elsnik seems to have gone missing sadly

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need... to sell a lot of dead weight. A fucking load of it. A new CB would be nice too

  3. #3
    Simon
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    If things go well...we continue to grow as a team, lead the chasing pack behind City, win one of the two cups and put in another decent showing in the Champions League.

    Being realistic... I should probably wait until Friday to fill this in, because we still haven't done any first-team business this summer - zero transfers in, and only a couple of youth team players out. But if the transfer window shut now, we would be part of a very tight pack of five, with little to choose between second and sixth. As of right now I'd have us fourth ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea, but I wouldn't be surprised if we finished outside the Champions League. The next few days are hugely important. No cups and out to the first elite team we play in the CL.

    Worst case scenario... Probably what I've just mentioned - realistically I don't think we would finish any lower than sixth unless a side (Everton, West Ham and Wolves being the obvious choices) come from nowhere to challenge the top six.

    It's a big season for... Danny Rose to get back to where he needs to be, Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks to prove their fitness, and Davinson Sanchez to continue as he did last season and make the loss of Alderweireld a non-issue.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad... Ollie Skipp is the kid that excites me the most, he's only 17 and looks like he could fit into the first team already. Luke Amos seems more likely to get first-team minutes though - he's a bit more experienced and is further along in his development than Skipp, although I don't see much to suggest he will be good enough to play regularly. You might also want to keep an eye on Marcus Edwards (who has been my pick in this section every year for God knows how long), but it won't be with us as he's burned his bridges. If he gets his act together then there's clearly an exceptionally talented player there, but we've been saying that for four or five years.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need... Assuming no major outgoings, we need a creative midfielder and a striker. Seemingly we are after an attacking mid too, but I wouldn't say that was a priority. There's still a chance that any of Alderweireld, Dembele and Rose could go, all of whom would need replacing. It's really about quality though, we need players that can challenge for first team spots instead of padding out the squad with punts like Janssen, Nkoudou and Sissoko who we then can't get rid of.

  4. #4
    Simon
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    SOF how did Mount get on on Friday? And where was he playing? I've read a few things from followers of Dutch football who think it's mad that Kluivert has gone to Roma and is expected to be a regular starter, while Mount is playing second tier football - the general consensus is that Mount is the better of the two and has the most room for improvement too. I've heard nothing but good things about him for the past couple of years (he was murdering youth team football for Chelsea the year before last) and he seems like exactly the type of player England need.

  5. #5
    RFF WORLDWIDE WESTERN CON son_of_foley's Avatar
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    Playing in a midfield 3 but with license to get forward. Did very well 2nd half. I'm very excited about him for the season. Harry Wilson found it a bit harder IMO but he needs to get into a rhythm with the other ones upfront. Think it'll come

  6. #6
    I'm always watching you.. MMH's Avatar
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    If things go well...

    We come "best of the rest" which is incredibly boring and make a good run at the cups.

    Being realistic...

    Pretty much the same as last year with a bit more attacking flair.

    Worst case scenario...

    Silva sees his arse like at Watford, our piss poor defence doesn't get sorted out and we struggle again.

    It's a big season for...

    Most of them really, but Tom Davies I suppose as some fans are questioning him (and Calvert Lewin) already even though they are still kids. (Lookman whoever is the next coming of Pele purely on the fact that he doesn't play much for us...) Davies is a solid player but lost his way a bit last season.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Nobody really. We have some promising talent but I dont think anyone who is not already known about will come through this season, maybe Morgan Feeney as we are short on centre backs currently and Fraser Hornby who is a big unit up front, still very raw though.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    Defenders mainly. Keane and Jagielka are awful, especially Keane, Williams (also awful) has gone to Stoke, Holgate his injury woes and the jury is still out on him anyway so we are struggling beyond that. Mina and Lascelles have been linked but who knows? Also I would love a proper box to box midfielder. Gueye does what he does well but beyond that we dont have much. Schniederlin may as well be replaced by a traffic cone. A striker would be a nice bonus but not essential.

  7. #7
    Simon
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    MMH your kid Robinson who has gone to the Championship got rave reviews for the manager of whoever he plays for at the weekend.

  8. #8
    I'm always watching you.. MMH's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
    MMH your kid Robinson who has gone to the Championship got rave reviews for the manager of whoever he plays for at the weekend.
    Yeah he did well for Bolton last season too.

    Had a few games for us in preseason and typically had an absolute mare. If we want to keep him then I assume Baines gets one more season then he can come back as Digne's back-up.

    Oh he's at Wigan.

  9. #9
    Window Licker MikeHunt's Avatar
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    croatia
    If things go well...

    Within 6 points of Celtic and at least 8 ahead of 3rd place + a cup.

    Being realistic...

    Close second place and a cup final.

    Worst case scenario...

    Celtic treble treble...

    It's a big season for...

    Gerrard. He's saying the right things and building from the back but the loud fannies online will turn on him quickly if we have a run of shite results.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Glenn Middleton

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    Centre half and forward. Also get rid of Andy Haliday.

  10. #10
    Nerd Pervert Gary J's Avatar
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    uk
    If things go well...

    It will be a fucking miracle

    Being realistic...

    It's going to be a season of struggle. We arent as good as we were last season and we were pretty shit then. Harry Wilson isnt here to save us this time.

    Worst case scenario...

    The Allams stay and continue to fuck us over by selling Jarrod Bowen.

    It's a big season for...

    The fans and how much longer we can put up with those cunts of owners.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Fuck knows all our decent young kids fucked off to Vitesse with Slutsky


    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    The Allams to fuck off and a lot of overhauling in the squad.

  11. #11
    RFF CHAMPION 12/13
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    If things go well...
    Champions!

    Being realistic...
    Top 10 and pushing for playoff spot. We should kick on from last year, we didn't get a win until 8 games in, threw many points away and still had an outside chance of a playoff spot in the last month. This year we already won 5-1 and played some absurdly good football in the process, very few changes to a settled good team which hasn't been the case in recent years, where we've recruited well and played well but always peaked later in the year and then had a decent amount of turnover.

    Worst case scenario...
    Relegation, Matthew Benham gets hit by a bus and our new stadium collapses into a sinkhole

    It's a big season for...
    Josh McEachran, with Woods seemingly heading to Swansea he has the position to himself really and has shown he has all the talent that made him so hyped in the first place, needs to continue the form he showed when Woods was suspended end of last year and build on his performance in our brilliant first game. He is made of glass but it seems to be partly psychological at this point, last year he was stretchered off in a game in tears and started a week a later..

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...
    Chris Mepham
    Ollie Watkins

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...
    To not suddenly lose many players like the aformentioned Mepham and Watkins as Woods looks gone already. Not sure how likely that is to happen at this point. Someone will have to spend some serious money to get either. Hopefully Moses signs a contract and returns as he's been training for weeks.

  12. #12
    Simon
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    The commentator watching for 5 Live gave Watkins rave reviews on Saturday

  13. #13
    RFF CHAMPION 12/13
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    He looked unstoppable at times, on either flank neither full back could cope with him at all. Too strong, too quick, too skilful. Looks stronger and fitter than last year and he was brilliant then, has a big future.

  14. #14
    The Rosk
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    If things go well...

    Automatic promotion. We've still got a lot of good players in the squad.

    Being realistic...

    A fight for playoffs like last year, and then roll the dice from there.

    Worst case scenario...

    Finish midtable or at worst, a flirting with relegation after getting fucked by FFP and docked several points and everyone wants to leave and the fans boo every game.

    It's a big season for...

    Steve Bruce. He's been kept on by the "new owners" and if he doesn't take us up he is fucked and too old for this shit anymore. Had a lot of money wasted through him if he can't take us up.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Andre Green. Scored a lot in pre-season - exciting young player with the ball at his feet and was surprised he was only on the bench vs Hull last night.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    A centre half. Possibly a centre forward because Kodjia and Hogan are walking injuries. To keep Grealish and Chester. If we can get Snodgrass back on loan again that would be majestic.

  15. #15
    Simon
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    Give us Jack Grealish you shit.

  16. #16
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    If things go well...

    3rd place, the team plays as a unit and we win the Europa league.

    Being realistic...

    4th or 5th, depending on how quickly the team can gel and Emery can establish our best formation

    Worst case scenario...

    6th or lower, miles away from the CL places, Ramsey leaves on a free to Chelsea and Emery comes under pressure.

    It's a big season for...

    A lot of them but I would pick out Xhaka. Had a very mixed season last time out, with some proper coaching there is a good player there - now is the time to show that on a consistent basis.

    Others, Ozil (need some end product to justify the big contract), Mustafi (if he stays, surely this is last chance saloon), Bellerin (poor last season) and Kolasinac (jury is still out on him, especially in a back 4)

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Rhys Nelson. Has a great amount of natural talent, hopefully this is the season where he can really establish himself.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    Depends on who goes. If the Ramsey situation is not resolved, we should sell and replace him...not sure with who though. We have been linked with Nzonzi but not the same kind of player.

    We could also do with an out and out winger as we don't really have one of those (apart from maybe Nelson), but most of the gaps have been filled.

  17. #17
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    If things go well...We win the treble and have a good run in Europe ie qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League or reaching the later rounds of the Europa. Will need the luck of the draw for this to happen though.

    Being realistic... We win the league and get to the last 32 of the Europa League

    Worst case scenario... We finish 2nd and fail to quality for the EL group stage.

    It's a big season for...Scott Sinclair. Last season he was a shell of the player who won awards the previous year and ended up losing his place. Maybe his nan could give him advice on how to get back terrorising Scottish defences again.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...They're not exactly unknown but our 3 young french guys (Dembele, Eduoard and Ntcham) are going on to bigger and better things. If they can stay fit they'll light up European football this year.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...2 centre halves. Boyata is more than likely leaving and while he's not exactly world class, our other defenders make him look like Franco Baresi. If we make the CL group stages without strengthening here we will outdo ourselves in the humiliation stakes.

  18. #18
    Window Licker MikeHunt's Avatar
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    croatia
    Quote Originally Posted by The Rosk View Post
    If things go well...

    Automatic promotion. We've still got a lot of good players in the squad.

    Being realistic...

    A fight for playoffs like last year, and then roll the dice from there.

    Worst case scenario...

    Finish midtable or at worst, a flirting with relegation after getting fucked by FFP and docked several points and everyone wants to leave and the fans boo every game.

    It's a big season for...

    Steve Bruce. He's been kept on by the "new owners" and if he doesn't take us up he is fucked and too old for this shit anymore. Had a lot of money wasted through him if he can't take us up.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...

    Andre Green. Scored a lot in pre-season - exciting young player with the ball at his feet and was surprised he was only on the bench vs Hull last night.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...

    A centre half. Possibly a centre forward because Kodjia and Hogan are walking injuries. To keep Grealish and Chester. If we can get Snodgrass back on loan again that would be majestic.
    Looks like you're about to get McGinn. You lucky swine.

  19. #19
    Football manager? Peter Griffin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by son_of_foley View Post
    If things go well... We win the league and the fa cup

    Being realistic... We finished in and around the last play off spot

    Worst case scenario... It goes to shit we sack Lampard and we just crumble

    It's a big season for... Mason Mount. Playing for his hero. Turned down the Bundesliga to come here chance to put a real marker down to play for Chelsea next year

    Keep an eye out for this young lad... Max Lowe may not count. If not Luke Thomas might be one closest to breaking through. Elsnik seems to have gone missing sadly

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need... to sell a lot of dead weight. A fucking load of it. A new CB would be nice too
    I mean pretty much this, I'd be more worried whether Frank can put up with Mel storming into the dressing room if things go tits up rather than being sacked.

    Mason Mount was ridiculous in the friendlies I watched just so so so good.

    Transfers? Well shifting about 25 forwards should do the trick. Experienced cover for Carson, And bin Forsyth off and sign a lb to cover/compete with Lowe.

  20. #20
    X Ringo's Avatar
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    If things go well... Top four. Win the FA Cup/Europa League. Sarri successfully implements his attacking style of play. Retain Kanté and Hazard and are in a good position to sign some top players and challenge on all fronts.

    Being realistic... Not sure there's any real reason to think we'll be much better than last season given we've so far made one signing and have brought in a new manager two weeks before the start of the season who's attempting to radically change our style of play. But that's okay. Or at least it would be if there wasn't the worry that the manager will be sacked and our best players will leave.

    Worst case scenario... The players don't adapt to the change in style. Sarri's sacked by Christmas. Hazard to Real Madrid in the Summer, Kanté to PSG.

    It's a big season for... A number of players really. Alvaro Morata obviously. Ruben Loftus-Cheek if he doesn't go on loan again. Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Zappacosta and Barkley. All of whom were signed last season and rarely impressed.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad... Has to be Callum Hudson-Odoi, who at 17 has been our most eye-catching player in pre-season. Sarri says he'll stay with the squad this season but who knows how many minutes he'll get. Ethan Ampadu is an incredible talent as well. You'd think he was one of the most experienced players on the pitch with how assured he always looks but he's only 18.

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need... A goalkeeper to replace Courtois. Looks like we're paying Kepa Arrizabalaga's release clause (£71m) which is a lot of money but probably the best option at this point. Most fans want to see RLC or Barkley given the chance to impress and fight for the third midfield spot but we're apparently signing Kovacic on loan as part of the Courtois deal so I expect he'll take that role, although we may also start with Fabregas in there. None of Morata, Batshuayi, Giroud or Abraham look like they'll get us enough goals right now but I think Morata will be given the chance to prove himself (he did look good until injuries derailed his season and he's struggled with confidence ever since). There's been talk of a late bid for Nabil Fekir but not from any particularly credible sources.

  21. #21
    The 'me' in 'team' Dreyski's Avatar
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    ukraine
    If things go well...Late push for the playoffs but just miss out, quarter-final of one of the cups.

    Being realistic...Most Rovers fans would be happy with 10th-15th as a base to work from.

    Worst case scenario...Key players get injured, our backups aren't good enough and we get relegated.

    It's a big season for...Bradley Dack. League one player of the season, fan favourite and probably first name on the teamsheet. Can he keep up the performances at the higher level, or will his head be turned by his 'celebrity' girlfriend? Also David Raya - many more performances like we saw last season and surely the Premier League/La Liga will come sniffing.

    Keep an eye out for this young lad...Mowbray doesn't tend to play young lads, but earlier in the summer we signed Jacob Davenport from Man City, where he captained the Elite Development squad. City fans reactions suggest we've got a good 'un, but whether he gets game time depends on how quickly Mowbray loses faith with Evans/Smallwood/both. He's also likely fighting for a spot with Lewis Travis, who has the whitest teeth in football

    Between now and Deadline Day, we need...One more centre-half, and a forward to help Danny Graham out. Another winger/wide-forward would be welcome, and if we can get deadwood like Hart/Caddis/Gladwin off the wage bill, all the better.

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