VP89
Pogba's biggest fan
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2015
- Messages
- 31,671
I think it's fair to say that we had expected a plan to bridge the gap between ourselves and the 2 sides above us next season. Perhaps not completely but considerably enough to warrant some sort of challenge, as it's Ole's 3rd season in charge with some transfer windows for him & Ed to work in their players.
As we evaluate the current state of the market, 1) Chelsea, a side that matched us for points last season, have improved massively on paper 2)There is a strong likelihood Liverpool will plug one of their few weaknesses with Thiago and 3) Excluding an outside chance of City getting Messi, we can expect a center back of Koulibali's ilk to be wrapped up which will improve them.
As we revert back to ourselves, we can all agree that we are shy of more than just a star right winger, and even this target is taking it's sweet time to reach some conclusion one way or another. I still think we will get Sancho over the line, but am personally starting to accept that this may be the only piece of business we complete.
If we accept a scenario where we get Sancho, Liverpool get Thiago, City get their center back + 1-2 others, and Chelsea we already know: should we reasonably really expect Ole to bridge the gap as per the progression plan? It might be that we fall further away, given how well Chelsea have recruited.
Is it a reasonable expectation for any other manager if not Ole? Finally if the answer is that we should re-evaluate our expectations in light of how other teams have strengthened/will strengthen, then should we not focus our attention more on the dire state of how Woodward has handled the (lack of) DoF situation? This to me at least is more a root of the problem!
As we evaluate the current state of the market, 1) Chelsea, a side that matched us for points last season, have improved massively on paper 2)There is a strong likelihood Liverpool will plug one of their few weaknesses with Thiago and 3) Excluding an outside chance of City getting Messi, we can expect a center back of Koulibali's ilk to be wrapped up which will improve them.
As we revert back to ourselves, we can all agree that we are shy of more than just a star right winger, and even this target is taking it's sweet time to reach some conclusion one way or another. I still think we will get Sancho over the line, but am personally starting to accept that this may be the only piece of business we complete.
If we accept a scenario where we get Sancho, Liverpool get Thiago, City get their center back + 1-2 others, and Chelsea we already know: should we reasonably really expect Ole to bridge the gap as per the progression plan? It might be that we fall further away, given how well Chelsea have recruited.
Is it a reasonable expectation for any other manager if not Ole? Finally if the answer is that we should re-evaluate our expectations in light of how other teams have strengthened/will strengthen, then should we not focus our attention more on the dire state of how Woodward has handled the (lack of) DoF situation? This to me at least is more a root of the problem!