I reckon we will finish 3rd.
I can't see past City and Chelsea for the top spots, they have strengthened their squads considerably... not necessarily the first XI but their back up are of a quality that most can't afford in their first XI. If it clicks at City they could even have the potential to genuinely battle on 4 fronts. As for Chelsea, Mourinho made a point of saying that they weren't ready last season and went on record as saying that this year will be their title charge. And if Costa even produces half of what he did for Atletico last season it will be an improvement for them up top. All bias aside, right now, I think those two are just that bit stronger than the rest of the challengers.
I don't see Arsenal as any stronger than last season, and unless they replace Vermalen then I see them as weaker to be honest and once again without a real leader as captain. I expect the usual quick start and annual implosion around February.
The mancs are still in their honeymoon period with Van Gaal. I do think he will have them well drilled and they will be harder to beat but aside from their Rooney, Van Persie and Mata they still lack the quality of player they used to have in abundance. I also don't think you can lose the knowledge and experience of Vidic and Ferdinand at center half and not expect to struggle? I think they will challenge for Top 4 and will end up in a race with Arsenal for 4th and maybe even Everton?
The bitters actually have the look of a team going forward for the first time in years. Tying down the likes of Barkley and signing Barry and Lukaku permanently are signs of intent. I know very little about this Besic lad but apparently he has some quality to him. If they go out of the cups early and have a clear focus on the league they will add plenty of twists and turns. I don't think they have the quality of the "Big 5" but on their day they will cause upsets.
I think Spurs will fall flat on their faces. They have failed to strengthen an already imbalanced side. Maybe Levy is losing interest? I think Pocchetino took on a poisoned chalice and he is being set up to fail. I reckon Newcastle will beat them to 7th.
As for us... I think the added challenge of Champions League football will have a huge affect on us. Obviously it's a competition we want to do well in, and (Group draw permitting) a relatively "easy" group could set us up nicely in the league. Otherwise we need to be patient and accept some mistakes will be made away at Palace etc. after an away game in Europe mid week. I would expect us to get through to the knock out stages and that will take it's own toll on us, another 8 games minimum, 4 of which across europe. We also tend to forget we were knocked out of the cups very early last season, allowing us to focus solely on the league. Brendan will know it's trophies that matter, and if he thinks we have a good shot at winning a cup and finishing Top 3 he will go for it, and rightly so.
Everyone knows what we're about now, we're not a surprise package anymore. Teams are going to look to lock us out and we are going to have a few frustrating games. Our mantra last season seemed very much a case of "We're going to outscore you". This season that won't be as straight forward and to truly progress we will need to plug the holes at the back, Lovren and Manquillo look like good starts at that. I don't want to bang the Suarez drum, but there are goals to replace. I fully expect Sterling, Coutinho and Henderson to up their goals this season as well as the new arrivals.
If we can keep everyone fit, play the we know we can consistently and keep Anfield the fortress we have made it, then I would like to see a strong cup run, progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and 3rd in the League, to me that would be a success this year. When Brendan came in it was year 0. Starting over, we have been a team in transition and growing. One good title challenge doesn't mean we're the finished article. We are still growing and developing, and if we want to fight for and win the league on a consistent basis then we first have to gain Champions League football on a consistent basis, and build from there.
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