What would be a successful season?

[andoverred]

The key aim this season is to beat the teams at the bottom end. We struggled last season to beat the likes of Sunderland and Birmingham. This is where points were dropped. Our results against the 'top 6' were, with the odd exception, very good.

Take into account however, that Chelski, Liverpool, and Spurs have improved their squads. Difficult to judge the arse as more players have left and they lack depth at the back. One could argue that our squad has improved with the return of Scholes, Ole, and Heinze.

Without further squad improvement, I think we will struggle to finish in the top 3. However, a couple of shrewd signings will swing the pendulum in our direction.

Man U have always had good Cup pedigree. Therefore, I expect a strong challenge in at least one of the domestic cup competitions; FA Cup winners would be nice

A decent run in Europe may be helped by the Italian scandal, but Barcelona, Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea will be strong contenders. Depending on the players that come in, I would expect at least the 1/4 finals.

In summary, we're gonna win the treble baby! ;D

[chiff]

vainredbugger said:

I think, on the premise that we are a team in rebuilding, a successful season for us would be to improve on last year's performance in general.

By that, i mean that they if we get further than we did last year in CL, more points in the EPL, concede less goals, play better against the Sunderlands, win at least the Carling Cup again.

In all fairness, we did well last season considering we were supposed to be crap in midfield. So i think that this season if we can at least improve on last season, that should be applauded by the fans.

Also, i seem to get the impression that many of our own fans are writing our chances off even before a ball is kicked for the EPL. C'mon, we gotta believe in the team. Anything can happen in football and our chances are as good as Chelsea's. It is especially important for the fans to remain upbeat, that spirit is going to be the last bastion of United if the worst case happens.

Sorry about this - I'm not having a go at you personally but you have come in at the end of a "debate".
I do wish that people understood what a forum is. It's a meeting of people where views are exchanged. Now this happens to be a forum consisting of Utd supporters and because there are a lot of them , it's only to be expected that they have different views. Now this isn't the Stretford and we're not playing City, we're actually talking about football. If it was and the fans were muttering, complaining, being pessimistic then you would be 100% correct. We should be behind our team. But that's less than 2 hours a week out of 168 and at the moment, we haven't even got that.
So we chat. And some of us find it interesting what other people say. I enjoyed a short discussion about Chelsea last night with rooneylichous but that doesn't mean we're about to become "Blues" or that we're any less loyal. It doesn't mean that because we reviewed their strength in depth that we couldn't see a weakness. Yes, to a certain extent, I and some others are writing off our chances next season. We've done it because we think that the playing field isn't level; the signings so far haven't materialised and so on. So that on the balance of evidence as we see it we 're not there YET.
So this is the place to be objective and if ,you like, pessimistic. Not Old Trafford. Put your point of view. Cos this is the place for it. Forget crap forums like 606 - that's full of wannabees. And enjoy the break cos come mid-August, you'll get no rest then

[vainredbugger]

chiff said:

Sorry about this - I'm not having a go at you personally but you have come in at the end of a "debate".
I do wish that people understood what a forum is. It's a meeting of people where views are exchanged. Now this happens to be a forum consisting of Utd supporters and because there are a lot of them , it's only to be expected that they have different views. Now this isn't the Stretford and we're not playing City, we're actually talking about football. If it was and the fans were muttering, complaining, being pessimistic then you would be 100% correct. We should be behind our team. But that's less than 2 hours a week out of 168 and at the moment, we haven't even got that.
So we chat. And some of us find it interesting what other people say. I enjoyed a short discussion about Chelsea last night with rooneylichous but that doesn't mean we're about to become "Blues" or that we're any less loyal. It doesn't mean that because we reviewed their strength in depth that we couldn't see a weakness. Yes, to a certain extent, I and some others are writing off our chances next season. We've done it because we think that the playing field isn't level; the signings so far haven't materialised and so on. So that on the balance of evidence as we see it we 're not there YET.
So this is the place to be objective and if ,you like, pessimistic. Not Old Trafford. Put your point of view. Cos this is the place for it. Forget crap forums like 606 - that's full of wannabees. And enjoy the break cos come mid-August, you'll get no rest then

I definitely agree with you about a forum being a place to air one's opinion. I think you might have mistaken me; I am not taking a dig at the fans, nor am I suggesting that the fans are disloyal. Perhaps i did not put my point across well.

I have never been to OT (though I wish I can have the chance to) so I do not know what the atmosphere there is like. Also you are right: I have read a couple of forums and there seem to be quite a bit of pessimism, especially with the fact we have no transfers yet, with the ronaldo issue etc. It's good to know that despite the differences and displeasure at some of the things going on at OT, the fans will still rally behind the players when the season kicks off.

Actually, do you guys reckon that any of the players come to read the forums? Would be interesting to know how they feel after reading all the opinions.

[rewdie]

Well heres my 2 pence

Second in the prem
FA cup
Quarter finals in the CL

Thats based on if we are second and it came down to the last day for example, we will have matched Chelsea, have European qualification and our teamw ould have been gelled hence stronger next year

TBH I think we can only afford 3 losses and 4 draws at the absolute most we cannot afford to drop any points, we will have to see, the season I think we could have is

1st in prem
Quarter - Semi finals champs league
FA cup

Theres alot goes into the Champs league, who we draw etc and also a lot of luck but i dont see Semi as too far off, with Milan and Juve out and Real probably just a bunch of strs who struggle together, I see Barca as the top threat with Sheva at Chelsea being a good move CL wise

I think my second list is really dependent on how we can gel together and iof we can stay strong which I think we can, a 9 game win streak would be a perfect start lol and also of we can beat all the big boys at the beginning of the season it will give us a much better chance

[chiff]

rewdie said:

Well heres my 2 pence

Second in the prem
FA cup
Quarter finals in the CL

Thats based on if we are second and it came down to the last day for example, we will have matched Chelsea, have European qualification and our teamw ould have been gelled hence stronger next year

TBH I think we can only afford 3 losses and 4 draws at the absolute most we cannot afford to drop any points, we will have to see, the season I think we could have is

1st in prem
Quarter - Semi finals champs league
FA cup

Theres alot goes into the Champs league, who we draw etc and also a lot of luck but i dont see Semi as too far off, with Milan and Juve out and Real probably just a bunch of strs who struggle together, I see Barca as the top threat with Sheva at Chelsea being a good move CL wise

I think my second list is really dependent on how we can gel together and iof we can stay strong which I think we can, a 9 game win streak would be a perfect start lol and also of we can beat all the big boys at the beginning of the season it will give us a much better chance

Well blow me down, I agree with Rewdie - must be the first. Strangely though I think that the CL might be easier to win than the Prem. If Liverpool and Arsenal can get to the final, it proves the point. I think it's all down to Class v Cover. To win any league, you have to be able to cope with everything - including an injury list the size of a Casualty cast list - and you can buy that. Buy 24 good players and yopu'll be OK. But to win the CL or any cup, you only have to perform 5 or 6 times. And you can't buy that. Play well like we do against the Tops, and we've got a decent chance. Like Rewd says you need a bit of luck, (a lot in some recent cases) but given class players who can turn on the odd brilliant performance, you'll win cup competitions.

Again I don't see Real as major competitors this year, but Barca have strengthened a top notch side. But against Arsenal they still looked ordinary. Inter could be a bigger problem. The ripples from the bent 4 will mean that the balance in Italy will shift towards Milan and with 15 points start or whatever over AC, they'll not be stretched in the league. Not saying that FIFA's bent but I bet Chavski get Barca again ;D.

I'm actually starting to believe we could do well in Europe, especially if we still have Ronny

[Crilly]

victoryismine said:

First of all, I am not sure if this has already been posted, I apologise in advance if it has.

Obviously, everyone wants to win the league mostly and probably would prefer that to the Champions League. Personally though, I don't think we have the team this year to beat Chelsea. We have a pretty good team, as we did have 83 points last year and that would win the league in a lot of seasons. If we get the same amount of points this year, I think it would be a good performance. However, if Chelsea get 91 points like last year or 95 the year before, I think you would have to hold your hand up and say well played. What I would like is that they don't put in some of the embarassing performances like the 0-0 against Sunderland.

So if we can do the following, I would be happy:

- Push Chelsea reasonable close
- Win the FA Cup (I really don't think the League Cup is worth much)
- Have a decent run in Europe, quarterfinals at least, because let's face it, we need the money. Two consecutive major failures in Europe won't be nice on the bank account.
- And also, I would like them to play attacking football. They did that last year more so than in 2004/2005 and I would hope for even more. We don't have the players for a 1-0 result and I say bring on the 4-3 wins.

Of course, if they manage to win the league, that would be great.

No that does NOT constitute a GOOD season! not by any strecth of the imagination, only teams like c i t e h would consider that a succesful campaign, we are MANCHESTER UNITED incase you forgot.

[victoryismine]

crilly said:

No that does NOT constitute a GOOD season! not by any strecth of the imagination, only teams like c i t e h would consider that a succesful campaign, we are MANCHESTER UNITED incase you forgot.

Well...no, 2nd placed in the league, FA Cup winners and a good European run won't be a good season for Manchester City, it would be a miracle.

We are Manchester United, but we are not going to win the league every year just because we are Manchester United, as there are 19 other clubs. I just think Chelsea have a better team than us this year, and while I do think we have a shot, I really can't see Chelsea doing worse than the 91 points last year by adding Shevchenko and Ballack. I think they will have to do at least 10 points worse than last year for us to have a good shot.

[Red Yank]

victoryismine said:

Well...no, 2nd placed in the league, FA Cup winners and a good European run won't be a good season for Manchester City, it would be a miracle.

We are Manchester United, but we are not going to win the league every year just because we are Manchester United, as there are 19 other clubs. I just think Chelsea have a better team than us this year, and while I do think we have a shot, I really can't see Chelsea doing worse than the 91 points last year by adding Shevchenko and Ballack. I think they will have to do at least 10 points worse than last year for us to have a good shot.

...or we can improve on our consistency and beat them by a 2-3 point spread. No doubt the chavs have gotten themselves a few more rent boys to show off, but despite all their signings over the past few years they're not invincible. Now if they would have had an undefeated run like the gooners did AND got Ballack and Shevchenko for good measure then I'd be a bit more concerned. Now I'm not a dreamer and am aware that our challenge will be a big one, as much as we may not like them they've got great players, but it's not impossible to come out on top...there are a lot of things that can happen....Sheva and Crespo get into a fist fight over who scored the prettiest goal? hmm..