Topic: Expectations For 2015/16 Season (Brenties Crystal-Ball Thread Mk. II)

[Mashy-rawr!nooo]

Barca come knocking for Coutinho as soon as the summer window opens and get him. He is replaced by Delph

  funny because I can exactly see this happening with Jack fucking Grealish being our midfielder dynamo purchase.

[Fruity]

I am not saying anything until I see Brentie's prediction

[Black Bull Nova]

I actually hope that no matter what we do - we give him the whole season.

I sincerely hope we are doing well enough to ensure we don't need to change, and in terms of being good enough that means a whole lot better than last year. As regards any change, that should be with one eye on the availability of a better alternative rather than sacking the manager and then looking around.

I will be honest and say that if we'd wanted a team hanging round outside the top 4 with a manager I could get behind I would have been happier with Kenny staying, Brendan was all about improvement but after getting off to a slow start, accelerating to a peak, we are back where we were. I suspect we can only improve and I really hope we do, good managers learn from the bad times as well as the good.

[redbyrdz]

The team will grow together and become more solid. We'll fight it out with Everton for 6th.


We'll also see a Joe Cole-type signing to keep the fans happy.



At the moment, can't see us do anything special next season. Though I do expect some youngish players to pick it up a bit and the team to look better overall, though I doubt it will bring us results.

[Black Bull Nova]

Could we just beat Chelsea, once, I've forgotten what it feels like.

[Roady]

Ok obviously a lot depends on signings.and im prepared to be shot down here.but im going for a top four finish,ill say third.thats on the assumption we get sturridge fit.he will be massive for us next season.im going to also say ings will surprise a few and step up to the mark.as will lallana.third in the league and the milk cup carling cup littlewoods cup or whatever it is called these days.think we are going to get a huge surprise signing too.if sterling goes that is.i can see us splashing the cash on a really top top quality player.so 3rd and a cup i reckon.

[stockdam]

My expectations are currently rock bottom but that may change if we get some excellent signings.

I think teams are sussing out how to play against us and I think we'll struggle to string together a long run of good form. I think Sturridge will again be out for a long period and we'll struggle again for goals.

I think we'll come 7th unless we strengthen during the summer.

[-Daws-]

top four or heads will roll basically.

That's exactly what it will be.

We have to make the Champions League, one way or another. It's odd because for much of my life this has been pretty much a formality but we had a great opportunity last summer and we pretty much squandered it. We must not make the same mistakes again. We have to get in the players the manager needs to take us back to a similar level to what we hit previously, and for my money that's the style we need to go back to.

It's an expectation from myself of Rodgers. I hope we target players who can stretch games and drag players around with their movement and pace. I don't think hanging onto possession is that key in this league. We need to handle the turnovers well and hit teams quickly when they give us the ball. Once we have a goal or two our more defensive passing game can come into play and we can rest on the ball.

It's an expectation because I think that's what we need to do. I don't think the way we played at the start of last season will work, even with better players and strikers. Play three at the back, press, hit teams directly when we win the ball with pacey, skillful forwards on the end of it. It's clearly what worked best for the best players we have here already.

[ShayGuevara]

Impossible to say until transfers are done really but if we don't hit the ground running for the first time ever under rodgers he won't be in a job come Xmas.

Whole fitness plan will have to change for this season and a few new additions, earlier in the window the better.

[hide5seek]

We'll definitely get top 8.

[Il Capitano]

Get a top striker in and we'll push for top four and beyond. The ball's in the transfer committee's court.

[johnny74]

*looks at thread title, looks at calendar, sees '4 June', rubs his eyes, sees thread title again*

Once Messi, Zlatan and Neuer arrive we'll walk the Premier League, with only Stoke giving us a serious run after their additions of Silva, Costa and Ronaldo. If we don't, I expect Brendan to get the boot next May and Guardiola to take his place after a disappointing 4th place finish in the Bundesliga.

Hard to disagree with that especially with the 140,000 at our new twin-pitch stadium.

And appointing Mourinho as assistant manager will help in doing the double over Sam Allardyce's Chelsea.

[Caligula?]

Get a top striker in and we'll push for top four and beyond. The ball's in the transfer committee's court.

We've just signed Danny Ings. 

[Fiasco]

I actually hope that no matter what we do - we give him the whole season. Wherever we may find ourselves in December - he should get the season. To hell with midseason chopping - it's no good. But I'm afraid that he's on such a tight leash right now, from supporters and media mostly, since we can only speculate about owners, that a poor start to our PL campaign, coupled with a less then impressive Europa group stage campaign and it'll be 'Day after Stoke II' with a vengeance. For more reasons we need to hit the ground running in August, then build on it as new players find their feet and as Sturridge returns.

I agree, although there is a line of course. If we are languishing about 10th and quite a way from the Champions League places then he'd be out the door.

Performances will be important - at least in terms of progression - but performances alone won't save him. If we start slow-ish and gradually get better and it's evident in terms of style and so forth then he'll be given time to take us from say 8th up to 4th or whatever it may be. But if it's similar to last season and there is no real direction then that won't be good.

Potentially there are many scenarios, dozens upon dozens. Depending on who we get in both on the coaching staff and as players it is difficult to really have an idea what next season might bring. Now I'm not overly optimistic, but football is a crazy game. Real Madrid might come in with an offer of some cash and Benzema for Sterling, we might then go and get a couple of players like Kovacic and Kondogbia. Should that happen we'd all be optimistic. It probably won't, but we really don't know what will happen in terms of personnel.

[fannybattersbookclub]

If BR and Co work hard on the defence and get everyone's mind set on defending when under pressure, Liverpool may have a half decent season.

[Pistolero]

*looks at thread title, looks at calendar, sees '4 June', rubs his eyes, sees thread title again*

prefuckincisely....take off the replica tops and just enjoy the summer ffs....

[johnsmithlfc]

.....eagerly anticipates Brentie and his magical abilities.


In all seriousness it's not looking great for us based on signings and rumours.
The teams above us will strengthen and cracking that top 4 becomes ever more difficult, our strategy of buy em cheap stack em high (in terms of young talent) will obviously pay off now and again but it seems absurd when at the end of last season we needed 3 - 4 real quality first team players who could come in and strengthen and possibly complete the team.
Sadly we bought 2 strikers completely unsuited to the way we'd been playing and 2 other saints players we didn't actually need for sums that could have bought far better players.

I have zero faith in anything transfer related at the club so it's difficult to see anything hugely positive for the season ahead, this could all change with a couple of top signings.
Milner - to be fair - is a good signing because he brings bags of experience and guile and is a tireless player, something we're sadly lacking.

We could put a cup run together domestically but we really need to up our game in the EL.
We also need to start playing players in their natural or suited positions.
If we don't have the right players for some positions then buy some and sell others.

I think we'll have a similar season to this one...unremarkable and mostly frustrating.


As I said this could all change if we bring in 3 (or so) key players of real quality and the Right kind of player and Milner is start (I also think Ings may do quite well) so hopefully things will look more positive after the window shuts.
Although seriously..how many times have we heard that?
"The window is still open, let's wait and see". Or "If Lovren is our only defensive signing then we can moan" or "Maybe x player is just a smokescreen and we're really bringing in Messi"

We like to delude ourselves and keep thinking that we really are bringing in top quality players but it's not likely is it?
Yes I know why we can't, we don't pay the wages, we're not a big draw, No CL, an unknown manager in world football etc etc etc...but Christ we're still a fucking fantastic club and some of the top players in world football would fucking love to play here....but hey, why bid for them when we have all the mid table PL clubs we can raid and pay 3 times more for a player with far less ability and potential because they're "Prem Proven"

Prediction this season....meh.

(unless we sign some other top quality players)

[kcbworth]

My expectations are currently rock bottom but that may change if we get some excellent signings.

I think teams are sussing out how to play against us and I think we'll struggle to string together a long run of good form. I think Sturridge will again be out for a long period and we'll struggle again for goals.

I think we'll come 7th unless we strengthen during the summer.

Trying to figure out who you are post username change - which btw seeing your TWAT effort, seems very fair

[Red_Irishman]

prefuckincisely....take off the replica tops and just enjoy the summer ffs....

If you read the OP it states that I hoped there would be an on-going discussion based on how we progress during the summer. If you don't like the idea of the thread I'd suggest you avoid it. 

[Art Vandelay]

If Rodgers lasts the full season, and if we don't have a truly world class transfer or two lined up then I think 5th/6th will be what we're looking at come the end of the season.

[Black Bull Nova]

Arsenal, City, United and Chelsea will improve as will Spurs

We will improve, faster than Spurs but slower than the above mentioned 4

As a consequence 5th although I remain to be persuaded by the actions of the club in relation to staff and players coming in.

[kkjellquist]

There are 4 teams that will absolutely be miles ahead of us on talent....Chelsea, City, Arsenal, and United.  BR has shown no ability at all to win big games against these 4 consistently. 

Frankly I don't see anything changing next season.

Europa - should certainly make it out of the group, but we will struggle more than we should.  Will lose to the first team we face that wants it more.

Domestic cups - we will make it to the quarters or semis depending on the draw.  But we will struggle against teams we should smash, and we will lose to the first decent PL side we face.

League - 5th-8th without a doubt.  We will win a run of games against the weaker squads, get our hopes up with a win or two against a big spender, but fail when it really counts against Chelsea, Arsenal, etc. 

New assistants and some 2nd tier talent added isn't going to scare anyone. 

[the_red_pill]

*looks at thread title, looks at calendar, sees '4 June', rubs his eyes, sees thread title again*

Once Messi, Zlatan and Neuer arrive we'll walk the Premier League, with only Stoke giving us a serious run after their additions of Silva, Costa and Ronaldo. If we don't, I expect Brendan to get the boot next May and Guardiola to take his place after a disappointing 4th place finish in the Bundesliga.

Really felt like I was in The Twilight Zone until you came along mate.

So... I'm not dreaming then..

[deano2727]

As it stands, we would have a chance for 4th, as I dont believe there is much between ourselves and United. Sadly, I can see them making a couple of big name signings, increasing the gap. We arent going to be making any big name signings. We are going to have to shop in a lesser market and hope the players we buy hit the ground running.

If Sturridge stays fit, we get in another striker worthy of starting for Liverpool, the likes of Markovic and Lallana start showing their quality on a consistent basis, and we tighten up our defence a bit - then there is no reason we cant mount a serious challenge for 4th place. 4th is the best we can expect, other than an unexpected unbelievable season from one or two attacking players. Im not sure who, but the only ones I could think of would be Sturridge, Coutinho, Ibe, maybe Markovic at a push and any potential signings.

Realistically, Im going to say we will finish 5th, we will get to the quarter finals of the Europa league, Semi finals of League cup and quarter finals of FA cup. Which would be classed as a failure in my eyes (and probably the boards too). Its still early days though, we can hope we improve our side with some good signings.

[Mighty_Red]

Well judging by the predictions, I'm guessing the suicide rates of RAWKites will go through the roof. Hopefully this will leave a small but committed hardcore of fans that can enjoy life win lose or draw

[Lazy Gun]

The transfer window isnt open yet.  Impossible to say how we might do till its closed.  I'd suggest everyone to wait till then but we know that's not happening 😀

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

We are going to have to shop in a lesser market and hope the players we buy hit the ground running.

We chose to shop in a lesser market.

[deano2727]

We chose to shop in a lesser market.

We arent going to be getting the top tier players of the world even if we decided we wanted them. We couldnt get them last year after just missing out on the title, we arent going to get them after finishing 6th.  Thats the harsh reality. Anyway, its not the place to discuss this.

[stockdam]

Trying to figure out who you are post username change - which btw seeing your TWAT effort, seems very fair

Tis a bit harsh that. It's silly season and anything goes until the new season starts. Oh and donate some money to RAWK to keep the forum going.

[gregorio]

Still too early

[L666KOP]

I think we'll surprise everyone.

3rd.

 

Still think so.
 

[ThepepeReina]

Based on that post, i only care about what Brentie has to say on the matter?

[Stussy]

No expectations. Don't know what to expect.

Only have hope that we'll make some good signings and play with the handbrake off. Just want some excitement after this deadening season just gone.

[Black Bull Nova]

We chose to shop in a lesser market.

Two transfers in and we've undercut poundland twice (so far)

[Miltonred]

Bit early for this isn't it?
It hasn't stopped the shithouses from spreading their misery though I see!

I expect us to win the league, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League. I also think Danny Ings might be decent with arrows and could win the World Darts Championship.
Kevin Keegan will win Superstars again as well.

It's going to be great year!

[kcbworth]

Tis a bit harsh that. It's silly season and anything goes until the new season starts. Oh and donate some money to RAWK to keep the forum going.

Spices life up a bit Good for a laugh if nothing else.

[gjr1]

Didn't see anything special last season.

If we can score more goals top 4 should be attainable.

[john_mac]

I believe that Harinder is building an Ark, there's gonna be some stormy weather in here, so get ready to pair up

[Solomon Grundy]

Bit early for this isn't it?
It hasn't stopped the shithouses from spreading their misery though I see!

I expect us to win the league, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League. I also think Danny Ings might be decent with arrows and could win the World Darts Championship.
Kevin Keegan will win Superstars again as well.

It's going to be great year!

That's more like it!

And your right, it's way too early to be making any sort of predictions.

[Fromola]

This season's top 4 will strengthen and it doesn't look like there will be any managerial upheaval at any of them.  Poch is in his second season with Spurs and they should be stronger and better organised this time around. 

If we don't lose Sterling, it's likely that he'll huff and puff and not give the performances he's capable of - or he could go to a rival.  We still haven't replaced Suarez and now we're hoping to replace Gerrard and maybe Sterling as well in this window. I have little faith that our 'Transfer Committee' will rectify one of these gaps, nevermind 3.

I think there's too many positions in the team that are weak.  Morale is shite and the fans aren't 100% on the managers side.

Sorry to be negative, but I think 5th or 6th is our lot, with maybe one of the domestic cups at best.  Hope I'm wrong.

Pretty much. We're becoming Tottenham.