What should be the realistic expectations for 2020-21?

Tony247

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Now the season is almost over and many of us see that the club is moving in a right direction. We are also expecting to fill up 2 or 3 key positions in the transfer market.

We also expect some of the squad members to be offloaded in the next couple of months.

Pogba's contract, Goalkeeper conundrum are the things we expect to get sorted out sooner than later. At the same time there is an excitement to see promising academy players like Mejbri, Mengi to get more chances next season under Ole.

Given all this, what should be our realistic expectations from Ole and his squad next season?

In my point of view, I would consider next season a success and right direction if we achieve the following:
1. Top 2 finish in PL
2. At least qtr final in CL
3. Either of FA cup or Carabao cup
 
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Now the season is over and many of us see that the club is moving in a right direction. We are also expecting to fill up 2 or 3 key positions in the transfer market.

We also expect some of the squad members to be offloaded in the next couple of months.

Pogba's contract, Goalkeeper conundrum are the things we expect to get sorted out sooner than later. At the same time there is an excitement to see promising academy players like Mejbri, Mengi to get more chances next season under Ole.

Given all this, what should be our realistic expectations from Ole and his squad next season?

In my point of view, I would consider next season a success and right direction if we achieve the following:
1. Top 2 finish in PL
2. At least qtr final in CL
3. Either of FA cup or Carabao cup
We scraped 3rd this season, which ultimately was a good achievement.

I don’t see us breaking into the top 2 next season, but we should be looking to get a lot closer. Otherwise I agree with you.

Title challenge the season after.
 

FrankWhite

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Now the season is almost over and many of us see that the club is moving in a right direction. We are also expecting to fill up 2 or 3 key positions in the transfer market.

We also expect some of the squad members to be offloaded in the next couple of months.

Pogba's contract, Goalkeeper conundrum are the things we expect to get sorted out sooner than later. At the same time there is an excitement to see promising academy players like Mejbri, Mengi to get more chances next season under Ole.

Given all this, what should be our realistic expectations from Ole and his squad next season?

In my point of view, I would consider next season a success and right direction if we achieve the following:
1. Top 2 finish in PL
2. At least qtr final in CL
3. Either of FA cup or Carabao cup
I think reaching semi finals in the champions league may be a little easier than finishing 2nd.
Especially since this was a poor season for city and I am expecting them to be better next year. A 75 to 80 points expectation is more realistic though I don't think It'll be enough for 2nd.
Also we need to reassess this once transfer business is completed as a lot hinges on it.
 
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charlenefan

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1. 75-80 points in PL
2. Trophy
3. Decent run in CL - obviously depending on opposition
4. Clear, well executed brand of footy throughout season
I agree with this though not sure you can target a trophy though given you're basically talking about the league cup (are we even in it next season?) and the FA Cup and they'll be other sides potentially better than us who will also target them

The points thing is the most crucial thing, 75-85 points would mark tangible clear progression
 

CM10

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Consolidating ourselves as the 3rd best team in the country, possibly pushing for 2nd if one of City or Liverpool has a bit of an off season. And being competitive in the cup competitions.

Those expectations could vary slightly depending on what we and others do in the transfer market though.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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I'd take 3rd again if it meant finishing within 10 points of the champions. Other than that, with a good enough transfer window, the team has enough talent to make the semi finals of the champions league.
 

SoCross

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We scraped 3rd this season, which ultimately was a good achievement.

I don’t see us breaking into the top 2 next season, but we should be looking to get a lot closer. Otherwise I agree with you.

Title challenge the season after.
Realistically, expectation should be to close the gap between us and City & Liverpool. Lowered expectations for a club of our stature but we need to be realistic.

However, said expectations depend on what sort of investment we are making in the squad. If we get Sancho, Grealish, a more mobile DM than Matic and a CB to challenge the current partnership...I think its reasonable to have our expectations higher with a title challenge/being in shout of winning going into the final few weeks.

Shades of the 05/06 season...young stars maturing. The right additions will take us a long way.
 
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Realistically, expectation should be to close the gap between us and City & Liverpool. Lowered expectations for a club of our stature but we need to be realistic.

However, said expectations depend on what sort of investment we are making in the squad. If we get Sancho, Grealish, a more mobile DM than Matic and a CB to challenge the current partnership...I think its reasonable to have our expectations higher with a title challenge/being in shout of winning going into the final few weeks.

Shades of the 05/06 season...young stars maturing. The right additions will take us a long way.
I think we should be a lot closer, but we need a hell of a lot to get close to Liverpool and City, and I expect City to spend big this summer.

I expect us to get a lot closer, I’m excited for the new season.
 

Tony247

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Considering the turnaround we had in last 14 matches I am bit more optimistic. 14 matches is more than 1/3rd of a season and is a good sample to judge. Add to that more signings and we should be good for challenging the title, although I am not expecting us to win it.
 

OleBoiii

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There are two very important variables still to consider: transfer window and injuries. The latter is impossible to predict so we can ignore it, but the former is still to come. I'll reserve my judgement until the transfer market is closed.

If we sign no one, then we can hardly expect more than top 4. Hell, even top 4 is no guarantee then.
 

prateik

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75+ points in the league..
Improving the squad ..
Generally just moving in the right direction.
 

SoCross

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I think we should be a lot closer, but we need a hell of a lot to get close to Liverpool and City, and I expect City to spend big this summer.

I expect us to get a lot closer, I’m excited for the new season.
Same here man...that 5-0 bollocking we gave Fulham on the first day! I think we are very very close. Hope Ed doesn't compromise.
 

Untd55

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- Top four is a must. (I don't particularly care about 3rd or 4th) I doubt we will get the top 2 next season. I think City will win the league next season with Liverpool dropping off, but it won't be enough for us to catch up.
- CL - Quarter Finals (Depends on the draw obviously, but I think the competition will get too strong after this)
- FA Cup/League Cup - I think we should win one of these.

I think that is a realistic minimum expectation myself. Anything less would be a bit disappointing.
 

Mr Smith

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Our 2019-20 season isn't over yet. Can we at least wait until the new season starts and we know what the squad looks like?
 

FatherWolff

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I don’t think point total and so on is anything to predict. Every year is different.

But we should get more consistent performances. We should be closer to the top two. We should be in top four. I want to se players develop and get better. I want to see the team play better. We should see some real progress like we have this year.

But to do that we need players. We need at least three top players in the summer and two in the January window.
 

Buster15

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It very much depends on how successful we are in the transfer market.
The points gap to Liverpool is a major hurdle. But that hurdle is an opportunity.
 

MrSingh2002

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2nd in the league
1/4 final Champions League
One domestic cup

If he does that and makes the appropriate transfer signings like Sancho, attacking left back, centre back, whilst selling Jones, Smalling, Mata and Sanchez minimum.

If he does all that he should be guaranteed more time in the job and given a new contract. Anything less and he should be subject to the same criticism and action that LVG and Jose were. LVG had won the FA cup and Jose had a 2nd place in the league (miracle), the league cup and Europa League trophies to show in their first two seasons in charge.

Ole has a chance at the Europa this year after buying the centre back that Jose wanted. Next season he needs to deliver after no doubt making another 3 or 4 signings.
 

Tony247

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- Top four is a must. (I don't particularly care about 3rd or 4th) I doubt we will get the top 2 next season. I think City will win the league next season with Liverpool dropping off, but it won't be enough for us to catch up.
We are genuinely top 4 teams in PL right now. I do not believe it was a fluke to finish 3rd, in fact it was very disappointing to see us outside of 4 for such a long time during the season, and may be for various reasons.

Hence, I expect us to raise the bar and challenge top 2 next season. As other posters said it lot depend on our transfers in coming weeks. But assuming we get it right we should be aiming higher. And I am not discounting the fact that city and chelsea too will improve next season. It is going to be really thrilling and close.
 

roonster09

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We have very good first 11, so with few good additions for both first 11 and squad we should look for comfortable top 4 finish, with improvement in all areas.
 

Untd55

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We are genuinely top 4 teams in PL right now. I do not believe it was a fluke to finish 3rd, in fact it was very disappointing to see us outside of 4 for such a long time during the season, and may be for various reasons.

Hence, I expect us to raise the bar and challenge top 2 next season. As other posters said it lot depend on our transfers in coming weeks. But assuming we get it right we should be aiming higher. And I am not discounting the fact that city and chelsea too will improve next season. It is going to be really thrilling and close.
I just think the gap will be too much to close. I mean City weren't extraordinary this season with 9 losses but still managed to finish 15 points ahead of us. I think their performances will improve next season, which will make it an even harder job to close the gap.

I think the gap will be smaller, but I cannot see us challenging for the top 2 yet.

As you said, though, it depends on how the transfer windows go for each team. I can see City bringing in a new striker (Aguero gets injured too much), a new defender, and a replacement for David Silva. They have nothing to worry about with FFP, so I can see them blowing a load of cash.

Liverpool will strengthen; I cannot see them going another window with no signings. Still, I think their performance level will drop off a bit.

I think it is building to a point where we could possibly see four teams have a genuine shot at the title, though, but in the season after next. I hope I am wrong and it is next season, though.
 

SirAnderson

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So clear to see the different views of what is realistic. No wonder there is such animosity for each other on this forum by our fans, we are worlds apart on so many things football related.
 

Strelok

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Imo this thread is too early. Let's wait until the summer window closed and see how us and others would do then decide I think.
 

Santoryo

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Considering the turnaround we had in last 14 matches I am bit more optimistic. 14 matches is more than 1/3rd of a season and is a good sample to judge. Add to that more signings and we should be good for challenging the title, although I am not expecting us to win it.
I'm in the same boat. 14 games in quite a good sample to fairly judge a team progress and I believe We've been in title challenging form during that run or close to it and I believe without the fatigue component we would ave done eve better during our last few games. So factoring that plus some needed addition I see us surprising a lot of folks on these board because I expect us to be up there challenging or close to doing it next season. I'm not seeing a 10+ points gap between us and the league winner next season.

We've shown the ability to go on winning run and with proper scheduling and more depth I'm sure we could maintain such runs for longer periods. I expect our football to get back or closer to how we were doing post lock down before we got knackered. Overall the future is looking bright.
 

Chairman Steve

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Still early but I suppose some base ones will be more points next season, decent Champions League campaign (don’t get knocked out by a clearly inferior team in the knockouts and don’t qualify out of the groups) and ensure 4th in the league as the minimum goal.

But 4th may not be completely safe for a manager being replaced, depending on what transfers happen, what happens in the season of course, as well as if any alternative stand out managers are identified during the season.
 

Nou_Camp99

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- Comfortable top 4 finish and close the gap to the top 2. We know it's incredibly unlikely we will compete for the title but we can definitely close that 33pt gap. We've actually taken more pts than Liverpool since Bruno joined haven't we? Damage (huge) was done prior sadly.

- CL knockout phase

- Go for the FA cup but of course the luck of the draw hasn't been kind to us at all last few seasons. Wolves away against next season? Nailed on. Hahahaha
 

devips

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Next year's top two will be United and Chelsea. Liverpool will be outside top 4.
 

GBBQ

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Liverpool team have hit their peak and probably have one more season before their front 3 start to decline, so its theirs to lose.
City can now rebuild without fear of any kind of sanctions against them so expect some new shiney toys there too to make up for their poor showing this season
Chelsea have improved significantly over the season and have already secured Ziyech and Werner. Havertz and a keeper will likely be added too.

All things considered we need to be looking at comfortably top 4 (i.e. not leaving it to chance on the final day), close the gap on the winners, league cup or FA Cup would be good and knock outs of the champions league.
 

Giggsy13

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Our goal should be to get our highest point total since Fergie retired. We dropped so many points from winning positions this year: Wolves (a), dippers (h), Arsenal (h), SU (a), Southampton (h) immediately come to mind. If we correct that then there’s no reason we can’t finish with 80+ points, which would probably lock down 3rd. Winning either the league cup or FA cup are important too. Winning trophies in Fergie’s early days helped build the foundations for the title winning a team. We also can’t afford a poor showing in the champions league. QF appearance as the bare minimum. These are all achievable targets if we make the right signings this summer.