Well here we are again. Only a couple of days to go until we start another season at the top table and we’ll head up to Sunderland with a good degree of optimism for the year ahead. But what are our expectations? Do we expect to push on and break into the top eight or are we only hoping to avoid “Second season syndrome” and finish 17th. Personally I’d take a comfortable mid table finish.
The key will be to make a good start and with an opening fixture list that is kinder than last year this should be achievable. In fact in our first three games we will be playing teams that we will be competing with for those mid table spots, Sunderland, Blackburn and Bolton. It’s those games that will define our season as points against the top six will be very hard to come by. We’ve also got our own mini West Midlands league to look forward to with The Albion joining in this season. It’s good for the region and will give us plenty of big games this year.
I would expect the team that starts the season to be similar to last season with Foster replacing Hart and Zigic coming in for Benitez. Hopefully there will be other new signings to bolster a squad that still needs strengthening in a lot of areas. Wide midfield and both fullback positions need cover. I’d like to see Michel get more games and for Alex McLeish to try experimenting a little with the formation if required. I think Zigic will offer more of an attacking threat than Chucho did although I hope we don’t go too long ball. I’d them to start with Jerome as the big man’s partner although I have a feeling that Garry O’Connor may get a start after doing well in pre-season. The defence needs to be strong again and this is one area of concern as we did start to concede a lot more towards the end of last season and Scott Dann in particular looked a bit shaky.
As well as a comfortable mid-table finish I would like to see us acheive the following this year.
– Beat the Villa. It’s been too long and we were definitely unlucky last year. We are playing them at their place first this season which may make a difference.
– Beat somebody by more than one goal. It would be nice to be able to relax for the last ten minutes of a game and it helps the goal difference.
– Do well in the Carling Cup. I can understand why sometimes it can be seen as a low priority but it’s our best chance of a trip to Wembley and should be treated with respect.
I’d also like us to score more goals and sell more tickets. Not asking for too much am I!
Overall let’s have some fun and show everyone that we deserve to be a Premier League club for the long term.
Come on you Blue Boys!
Add sign a couple of players at least on loan!!
and tie up Mcleish’s contract – how long does it take?!! we seem to be stalling on everything
The news about Camoranesi this morning does not sound good. It sounds like he was offered a salary gross but with our ‘fair’ tax system it gets cut in half so it sounds like he’s returned to Italy. What do these guys expect at 33? The Dembele deal seems to be dragging on and although I have been calling for patience, I have to confess to getting a bit edgy with the season only a couple of days away. We still have no full back cover and this is a concern having been highlighted as a priority since the end of last season.
KRO SOTV
Sounds like reasonable expectations to me. I can’t wait for the season to start now!!
Oh great! Dembele and Camoranesi deals both off. Hopeful of fresh blood next week! I would have been very optimistic with those two on board but now? We need to glean some points from our early games otherwise it could be a struggle. 🙁
Looks like the deal for Fabio Grosso was a load of hot air too! So it would appear there are no targets at present; at least that we know about. 🙁