Where will we finish in the 2021/22 season?

[Rustin Cohle]

The 2018 thread is here. The top prediction was first; we finished sixth. No one clicked sixth in the poll, though points to Chris for saying '6th, 7th, 8th... no chance of top 4.'

The 2019 thread is here. The joint top predictions were fifth and below eighth; we finished third. Six people clicked third in the poll, with GeniusCantona , Pixel , RAZ and Ole's Red Whiteknight03 Army all getting full marks for mentioning third in their posts. Chris didn't replicate his previous correct call, though he wasn't far off saying that we could get 4th if we had a couple of good signings after Maguire came in.

(The back four pages of the 2019 thread are particularly dispiriting - genuine talk of a bottom half finish around October time.)

The 2020 thread is here. The top prediction was seventh; we finished second, which only one anonymous person voted for. Kudos to Diablo Rouge for going for third amongst a sea of predictions we'd finish outside the top four.

[Stretty]

I’d say 3rd at best even if ole hits the ground running.

city
rents
utd/scouse
leicester,the arse,spuds

[Rustin Cohle]

I've gone fourth. City and Chelsea have top managers and probably still better squads, whereas Liverpool will surely bounce back this year and still have a better manager. That said, I could potentially see a genuine four-way title race for much of the season, so fourth this year could be more exciting than second last year if that makes sense?

[Stretty]

If we get one more signing in then CL quarters plus top 4 and one domestic pot has to be the bare minimum for ole keep his job.

[bushy1987]

Give us a top class manager with that squad and even with city's unlimited pot of gold, we could easily win that league, unfortunately we have ole in charge so 3rd place for me but I think we will win a domestic cup though

[king nothing]

I've gone 2nd again, but might review once the transfer window has closed!

[Stew]

We’ll finish second. Varane and Sancho are total game-changers for us. The real interest is whether it’s a ‘3 points off the top in late April’ 2nd, or a repeat of lasts years. Which would be nowhere near good enough.

[redcase]

We will come 3rd. City and Chelsea have bigger squads and a better manager. That leads me to be certain they'll lock up the top two spots.

Rents to me will win the league. Tuchel knows how to beat baldie. He's now got a team that's got a tast of winning. He's added a striker to replace the misfiring Werner. He most likely will add Kounde as well.

[Kamilo]

We will finish in a position that is satisfactory to the board…

[Karma]

4th or 5th.
Still relying on Bruno to stay fit every game.

[soapy]

I’m saying second. As stew said, Sancho and Varane will make a big difference. I also think Van De Beek will find his feet this season. Mason should get plenty of game time. Pogba and Martial are the question marks. They could both stay and have stellar seasons, but they could also both leave and not be replaced.

[Chris]

I'm gonna hold off until the end of the window. As it is now, 4th. Getting a midfielder could change this.

[redcase]

Aug 9, 2021 18:41:29 GMT soapy said:

I’m saying second. As stew said, Sancho and Varane will make a big difference. I also think Van De Beek will find his feet this season. Mason should get plenty of game time. Pogba and Martial are the question marks. They could both stay and have stellar seasons, but they could also both leave and not be replaced.

Van de Beek needs to get games to find his feet. That's entirely dependent on the manager. If we don't get a midfielder it's going to be the same dumb two defensive midfield lineup.

[dazjoe]

Gone 3rd, City even without Kane are too strong, with Kane they are unbeatable to a title. Chelsea will be better, Lukaku is still a parcel, but a useful parcel in that he'll get them goals against the shite, lack of goals hurt them last season, he'll grab a load against the bottom half of the table which will pick them a lot of points up.

Sancho and Varane are brilliant signings but still got question marks over other areas of the squad, and they can only paper over Ole's cracks to an extent.

Liverpool don't worry me, front 3 are getting old, midfield is average, defense will be better with VVD back but they still look only a couple of injuries away from falling apart.

[aussiegraham]

Anywhere, as long as it’s above the Scouse!

Realistically, 3rd is probably the best we can hope for with City and Chelsea’s managerial experience and overall (and markedly improved) quality.