Your expectations

[Bill 13,717]

27 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

Once GvB implemented his own the following season, we were awful in that regard. 

That's so true

[weebluedevil 1,239]

My expectation is that we will not qualify for the Champions League, it's too soon I'm afraid. 

However, I would expect us to get through the EL groups into the knock-out stages, if we don't get a really tough draw. Despite missing out on the financial riches, it would at least provide some exciting European nights which, for the new squad, would do their confidence the world of good. Therefore, I'm not going to be too disappointed if we miss out on the CL and won't see it as a failure, so long as we can do well in the EL.  

 

Domestically (league only), I think we're well equipped mid to front but the concern is defensively we don't have strength in depth and I feel that's going to be our biggest issue. I'd rate our chances 50/50 based on what we've seen, I'd like to be more optimistic but it will depends on Goldson and Souttar staying injury free and Ridvan and/or Sterling learning fast. Cups are anyones guess, but they will be important and I'd be wanting to win at least one of them too. 

 

Prediction: 

Lose in CL 3rd Qualifying round. Finish 2nd in EL group stage, knock-outs through last 16. 

Win League Title and League Cup. 

 

Something to build on.

 

I'd be keen to know what others think if we don't win anything this season. Will Beale be given a couple of seasons to see the fruits of his rebuild? ....Probably for another thread though. 

[Ted McMinnime 356]

As per my post yesterday, after pre season close. I'll try to remain optimistic. In summary:

 

SPFL Champions? It's certainly possible. I do believe we can run them close. We must sustain the winning mentality against the others, which we did largely last season after MB's appointment. We certainly have better attacking players though doubts remain on our defensive fragility.

 

CL / EL hopes? Another EL run is possible. CL qualification is in the balance. May just come too soon in terms of new squad players bedding in.

 

Domestic Cups? I disagree with the notion they are unimportant. We need to win 1 or both of these. In probability it means beating that Mhob at S/F or Final stage. Capturing these engenders a successful winning mentality. Players want silverware. Success breeds success. Failure in this respect, just piles on more agony, if we don't win then we know who will!

 

One final point. We all must hope for a season where serious injury to players is minimal. The injury plague was unbelievable in the last one. Look across at our rivals. McGregor for a while and C-Vickers at the end of the season. I can't recall many more. It could make a huge difference.

[rbr 1,256]

last season there were only , I believe 3 goals conceded more than Celtic , however we scored over 20 less than them , thats whats cost us , if we can convert only 10 % more of the same amount of  chances that we created last year we will win this league .

 

There are players that have left that brought me great moments and memories over their time at the club , but they simply didnt produce last year , we now have serious options up front , yes at the back we are a bit all over the place at the moment but if we can get the midfield sorted out that will help massively . As per usual with us there is a massive over reaction to any negative , we need to hold out nerve .

 

Last controversial personal point , I still think it would be better for us to be in the Europa league given this world club championship possibility , but thats just my opinion .Given the changes to the champions league next year we need to win the title , end off .  

[Blue Moon 1,280]

Am I right in thinking the CL will be moving to a new format and to access that we need to win the League this year?

[rbr 1,256]

9 minutes ago, Blue Moon said:

Am I right in thinking the CL will be moving to a new format and to access that we need to win the League this year?

Its definitely moving to a new format , however you need to be a Philadelphia lawyer to understand the 2nd place route

[Graeme Ro55 749]

3 hours ago, Rousseau said:

No spankings, though.

 

It's not about being better or worse. 

 

I think that SG and MB can set up a team to defend and frustrate better opponents. I don't think GvB had that knack - even his great victories saw us concede goals.

 

I believe it's fairly well-known that the players criticised GvB for not giving them instructions on the opponents. I can't remember where, though; it came out after GvB left. That criticism wouldn't be levelled at MB.

 

I maintain that if MB was in charge for our CL run, we wouldn't have shipped 5, 6 or 7 goals. We still would have lost, though: it was a tough group. 

Seems very unlikely he never gave them instructions on the opponents. If memory serves one of the first guys he brought in was the video guy. 

[Rousseau 10,489]

8 hours ago, Graeme Ro55 said:

Seems very unlikely he never gave them instructions on the opponents. If memory serves one of the first guys he brought in was the video guy. 

That's just what I remember reading; that it was inadequate information on our opponents. I don't recall where I read it. 

[Sutton_blows_goats 5,199]

44 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

That's just what I remember reading; that it was inadequate information on our opponents. I don't recall where I read it. 

Didn’t he famously say something along the lines of being better against teams in the next match as after he seen them he figured them out. Would kind of back that up. Dunno how he just couldn’t watch them before we played them and be ready for the first game 😂

[Tannochsidebear 2,405]

17 hours ago, Rousseau said:

I also believe that GvB's run was built upon the fitness work done by Gerrard's team. Once GvB implemented his own the following season, we were awful in that regard. 

I might not agree with your point above but I definitely agree with this comment. I am expecting to see huge improvements in this area this season.