OK, expectations. First of all, I think we're done with incoming transfers. We may buy in January, but for now, we're done.
I expect and believe we will get top four, but just about. So 4th. The main reasons are the new arrivals. Clyne, Milner, Firmino and Benteke. All four of them should get to play in almost every game they're fit and thus we're stronger as a team. Last season our strikers were, to be short, useless. Let's remember this, our best striker in 14/15 was Sturridge on 4 league goals. And he was out injured 2/3 of the season. This season we'll be a good bit better than that. And that will be enough. Improvement, but not a spectacular season.
We'll get 20 wins and finish 4th on 70 points.
As always, the winners will get 25+ wins. I might as well guess on the winners too. Chelsea. Simply because I can't see Arsenal, Man U or Man C win it. If Aguero and Silva stay fit, City will challenge them, but won't win the title.
We'll score 70-75 league goals.
Europa League: past the group stage, but things will stop in the 1/4 Finals.
Domestic cups: Semis in one of the cups.
I expect us to play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with a diamond. Not 3-4-3.
Benteke to finish our top scorer. 16 league goals.
Player of the season: Coutinho, with Firmino as closest rival.
Now for the less measurable things. I believe this is a make or break season for quite a few at the club. Some players (Mignolet, Markovic, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Lallana to name some). For the Transfer Committee. Certainly for the manager. Honestly, I don't think Rodgers' position is that strong. It's in the past, but towards the end of last season, I think he lost something. Awareness or whatever. 1-3 to Palace and we didn't sub Gerrard in his last home game. Make of that what you want, but we lost when we could have made it a win, by making it all about Gerrard. Then the 1-6 to Stoke was shocking and embarrassing and I thought he'd be sacked. The effects will still be there and he'll soon be under pressure if results don't go our way. We need a good start. If we see improvements, no problem. If we stay in 5th or 6th, we'll start to think about a change of managers, because we see no progress.
Results will be key.
There are also other things, off the pitch, that will surface and run against Rodgers if results go wrong. The way we've built our squad is IMO not right. Too many players, too much spent on players outside the 11+7. Quantity over quality. We should be more ruthless and sort things quicker. Things like that can be OK in year one or two, but this is year four. Rodgers has signed almost everyone. It's his troop this. For us to have one of the youngest squads now is not really an acceptable excuse.
It's time to talk results and that's what we'll do.
Based on all this, I also predict that come May, we'll be mixed about how to go forward. 4th is an improvement, but is it enough? A title challenge and we'll be happy. We'll have something to show, something to believe in. Same if we win a trophy. 5th or worse and we'll have a new manager next summer. Certainly if we're trophyless.
