maqroll Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) Okore, Cole, Richardson, Senderos, Grealish, Gardner, along with Bent and Hutton...all "new" players basically, and Grealish looks especially promising. Benteke and Kozak due back soon... I think that despite the uncertainty regarding the sale and the bare bones player investment, we are looking a stronger side than this time last year. We have a good blend of youth and experience, and I think if we can get a few decent results early on, the team won't be under that constant pressure of last season. I don't believe we are real relegation candidates this year, and I couldn't say that last year. 5.5/10 Edited August 17, 2014 by limpid added poll 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinnyVilla Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I'm fairly optimistic. I think Richardson will do a job, and N'Zogbia will provide a boost. Hoping Vlaar stays put, and I think he will. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyvilla Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Before yesterday i was optimistic , looking at the compeition for places i thought a 10th - 12th place finish was possible , but yesterday was as bad as anything last season.Worried now that a slow and difficult start may set the rot in 5/10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted August 3, 2014 Author Share Posted August 3, 2014 I'm fairly optimistic. I think Richardson will do a job, and N'Zogbia will provide a boost. Hoping Vlaar stays put, and I think he will. Ooh, I forgot Charles. 6/10! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villarocker Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) I'm not sure what I prefer, players who are "young and hungry" who, despite the fact they lack the experience and quality, might just give their all for the shirt - or - the bomb squad, who have experience but are probably so dismayed at their treatment by the club that they may not really give a toss about it. Having said that, those players may just have to perform to attract themselves a new employer. Either way, it is not a good situation to be in. For me, we are in a worse position than last season because we'll be starting without our best player. I can see us being in the bottom 6 by Christmas and after that is all down to whether Lerner wants to invest some money in order to keep a Premier League club up for sale. If he doesn't we will have every chance of becoming a Championship club. Edited August 3, 2014 by villarocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 We have a poor squad We have acquired poor players this summer We will not be improving the quality any more thus summer The decent players we have are at risk of leaving We are going down 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodders Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 would have gone 5.5-6 before I watched the gronigen game. I know it was only a pre-season game, but trust me, that was wretched stuff, so many basics, so poorly understood. We will be part of about 10 average to crap sides who could finish anywhere from 11th down. At the moment, however, my optimism is at 4. Not convinced we'll do any better than 15th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Was feeling cautiously optimistic for 11th-15th place midtable obscurity this season until yesterday's match.... However, yesterday we started without the likes of Guzan, Vlaar and Okore in defence with no proper LB playing either. Due to playing 45 minutes against Chesterfield, the likes of Bacuna, CNZ, KEA and Grealish didn't come on until 65-70 minutes either. I can see CNZ (and possibly both KEA and Bacuna) making the starting line up against Stoke. So far this pre-season, we still haven't started with our 'current' best starting line-up, due to WC commitments, slight knocks and rotation - if we were dicked yesterday with our best line-up, I'd be more worried. IMO we need at least 4 players, as we cannot rely on Bennett, Stevens or Clark as a LB, Herd is no CB or DM and we're still lacking quality out wide (CNZ and Grealish the only two bright lights). IF (and it's a big IF) we can bring in at least a DM and an AM before the season starts, combined with Kozak (Sept) and Benteke (Oct) returning fit and retaining Vlaar we should be alright. I think we need 5-6 points from our first three matches, as September is going to be a rough ride. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 (edited) If Vlaar leaves then that will probably mean that our defence is considerably weaker than last season which is a fundamental cause of concern. If it were not for that then I'd be confident of survival even with the incompetent buffoon in charge. Edited August 3, 2014 by Isa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 What a difference a yr makes. This time last yr I was optimistic following the form at the end of the previous season. Now I'm really not looking forward to the season starting. A manager who I think us tactically inept, who can't get the best out if his players. Our best player missing the start of the season and probably a lot more (wouldn't be surprised if he is over pushing himself to come back early and gets injured again). Our 2 other attackers who seem to be managers favourite still not offering anything to the team. A defence that still hasn't been organised. A piss poor light weight midfield that can't dictate a game and opposition just walk through. New signings uninspiring. Grealish and Nzog if played in the correct positions could be bright sparks, but I don't think that the manager will utilise them fully. Only teams I see worse are burnley and west brom and we'll be joining them in the championship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 The manager is by far and away our biggest problem. My optimism today? 3/10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 The manager is by far and away our biggest problem. My optimism today? 3/10 He really isn't - our owner is and has been the biggest problem. Lambert, is not perfect I agree but there are bigger issues at our floundering club and they lie at the feet of our current 'custodian'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 i would take 16th if offered to me now, cant see us doing any better than that i am afraid. teams are spending big while we spend peanuts. cant afford to do that at this level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Somethings not right when being optimistic means you don't think we'll get relegated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 We have a poor squad We have acquired poor players this summer We will not be improving the quality any more thus summer The decent players we have are at risk of leaving We are going down Sums up my feelings too, I fear relegation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGrath1874 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I'm going to put on my annual £20 for Villa to win the league. UTV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Contrary to what others think I believe we have a good squad with the encouraging blend of youth and experience. The start to the season is important that we are around midtable before we get Benteke fit then hopefully we can push on to try and get back to where we belong in the top half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick76 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Praying for 17th, anything above would be a bonus. Problems with tactics, problems with injuries and problems with confidence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I don't know where the goals will come from while Benteke is out, and I don't think we'll see him fully fit until after New Year anyway. Our midfield is physically weak and easily bullied. Our defence is suspect and our best defender will probably leave. So, another year long relegation battle with us playing tedious football awaits. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macandally Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 I hope for the best but fear the worst. 4/10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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