Is the season f*cked?

[Corner 456]

It depends what you mean. We were never going to win the league or the CL but we could finish top-4, get into the next round of the CL and maybe win one of the cups. I think the fast start gave people unrealistic expectations. We didn't the proper depth or balance in the squad from day one.

This pretty much sums it up perfectly.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Before the season, I thought winning the CWC, one of the domestic cups and a top 3 finish would be a successful season. The bright start made me hopeful but 6 games without a win in the PL made me remember that this is a transition season.

[EdenHazard 163]

Before the season, I thought winning the CWC, one of the domestic cups and a top 3 finish would be a successful season. The bright start made me hopeful but 6 games without a win in the PL made me remember that this is a transition season.

Sums it up great, FIFA Club World Cup. Fa Cup, Capital One Cup (Not bothered if we don't win it, But its a trophy end of the day which will cheer the players up) and top four. That for me would be a good season. Unless we buy a decent striker and proper centre-midfielder. We won't be challenging for major titles such as the League and the Champions League.

[manpe 10,861]

Benitez is fixing our defence at the moment, attack is suffering as a consequence (it suffered already before Rafa came in tbf), but at least we're making some progress now. He figured out quickly that Cahill and Luiz can't work together, this decision has massively improved our defence imo. All we need to do now is scrape a win or two, build up some confidence and fitness (as per Rafa's words it could be better and it shows) and hopefully we'll be entering the new year with improved defensive and offensive play to keep us where we are at the moment, fingers crossed.

This season is far from fucked. We're in a good position in the league, we just have to grind on to keep us there. The only thing that is potentially fucked is our Champions League bid, but it's not definite yet. No need for this thread at all.

[Corner 456]

Benitez is fixing our defence at the moment, attack is suffering as a consequence (it suffered already before Rafa came in tbf), but at least we're making some progress now. He figured out quickly that Cahill and Luiz can't work together, this decision has massively improved our defence imo. All we need to do now is scrape a win or two, build up some confidence and fitness (as per Rafa's words it could be better and it shows) and hopefully we'll be entering the new year with improved defensive and offensive play to keep us where we are at the moment, fingers crossed.

This season is far from fucked. We're in a good position in the league, we just have to grind on to keep us there. The only thing that is potentially fucked is our Champions League bid, but it's not definite yet. No need for this thread at all.

I agree. Fixing the defence was always going to be the starting point when Rafa took over, and it makes sense to build from there.

After all, this is a transitional season. We just needs to figure out the workings of what we're aiming towards.

[Backstreet09 499]

We will win the League , their are still so many matches left to playy , Plus we will easily win the CWC and the League Cup . We just need a miracle to save our champions leaguee bid

[didierforever 7,349]

Benitez is fixing our defence at the moment, attack is suffering as a consequence (it suffered already before Rafa came in tbf), but at least we're making some progress now. He figured out quickly that Cahill and Luiz can't work together, this decision has massively improved our defence imo. All we need to do now is scrape a win or two, build up some confidence and fitness (as per Rafa's words it could be better and it shows) and hopefully we'll be entering the new year with improved defensive and offensive play to keep us where we are at the moment, fingers crossed.

Tonight we hit a bus. I can see us being much more ruthless against more open teams.

.

i dont think our attack has taken a hit under benitez, it has been going down hill for sometime now.

we have not scored in the last 3 games.

against wba it was a header (lucky one) by hazard.

against liverpool a JT header from a corner.

against shakhtar we might have had 3 goals but the 1st one was a lucky torres goal, 2nd one was a magical oscar goal, and 3rd one from a corner again.

against swansea , moses from a corner.

so i dont think we have actually scored a goal from a proper attack. we have not built anythin. and unless we take out torres and our over reliance on MAZACAR, i truly yhink we are fucked.

[Henrique 9,133]

The season was fucked when RDM got the job, we were left with a manager that is not a manager at all, since the board never have him the chance to buy the players he wanted, so we were left with Oscar, Hazard, Marin...a u21 team.

[Strike 7,305]

I thought we were playing better football under RDM itself. AFTER hiring RDM, the board shouldn't have sacked him. Once again, we are unsettled in the middle of a season. Benitez playing Bertrand in midfield again. What a joke!

[zolayes 14,489]

I agree. Fixing the defence was always going to be the starting point when Rafa took over, and it makes sense to build from there.

After all, this is a transitional season. We just needs to figure out the workings of what we're aiming towards.

by definition transition means a smooth and gradual change ,,,,this is our second season where the changes are anything but smooth

[Blue Armour 4,342]

"Transition" ? Isn't it clear from the rate at which we fire managers, that the board wants silverware as quickly as possible? They want teams to click as quickly as Mourinho's did in 2004....aint going to happen with a squad full of u23's...

[Pizy 18,538]

I pray, and I mean absolutely PRAY that we can finish in this 3rd spot.

Both Manc clubs are obviously better than we are due to their options up front so I can deal with them finishing above us as this is a rebuilding year. But imagine the shame if AVB goes to Spurs and finishes above us in his first season. Or what if Arsenal finish above us after having had their worst start in club history and their worst squad in decades. That would be fucking embarrassing.

This is why it's absolutely CRITICAL that we bring in some firepower in January. My dream scenario would be Falcao in with Torres going the other way + cash, and Fellaini. Then we can make a legitimate push for the league and have a genuinely formidable squad that is built for challenges in all fronts.

[Corner 456]

by definition transition means a smooth and gradual change ,,,,this is our second season where the changes are anything but smooth

Definition of transition: Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.

It doesn't have to be 'smooth'. No club could just decide to change it's whole philosophy and style of play and expect it to go smoothly. Only Abramovich seems to believe this. He wants to transition from one style to another, but expects to win trophies as well, and that's jus ridiculous.

[nachikethas 1,149]

the non football issues involving this club is more than any season before and is really embarrassing..interms of that i would definitely says YES.

[The only place to be 11,313]

This isn't a transition season anymore - this is a survival season.

If we can may it to the end of the season in the top four then that's a success now. Anything else is a bonus.

We have players out on loan getting good experience.They come back in the summer, we get a new manager and we start again. Clean slates for everyone and EVERY position is up for grabs.

Finishing fourth might not be that bad because it means more competitive games in pre-season to start building something new. Of course it has ramifications further down the line, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

This isn't going to be a fun season.

[Muzchap 8,966]

I do agree with RB that our players lack fitness - they always look fucked and blowing out their arse - compared to teams like Swansea / Norwich - who can chase the game for 90+ minutes... It's embarrasing...

So hope they get the rocket they need - anybody saying they're tired after 1/3rd of a season is taking the piss - these fuckers are paid MASSIVE sums to be fit and ready for work each week... Anything else and they should be fined or dropped IMHO... We need to start getting tough, we're an easy touch at the min - SAF wouldn't put up with this shit - why should we...

As for RB - 2 draws is expected - GOALS WIN GAMES - where the goals are coming from - I have no idea... Torres is dire, our midfielders couldn't score in a Brothel... Ramires has more chance of winning the lottery, than hitting the target...

So our season is pretty much on hold until Jan - when we need a new Striker... Sturridge being injured is a huge fucking blow...

[SeB 1,281]

It depends what you mean. We were never going to win the league or the CL but we could finish top-4, get into the next round of the CL and maybe win one of the cups. I think the fast start gave people unrealistic expectations. We didn't the proper depth or balance in the squad from day one.

Yes, that's exactly how I think it will happen. Top 4, maybe a Cup, that was what I expected right from the start considering we had nor the proper manager nor the sufficient squad.

But that's up to the sporting policy, how many seasons did we fuck up since Grant left and when we had Sheva, Pizarro, Anelka, Drogba ; SWP, Joe Cole, Malouda etc... ?

Up to now, there's

2008/2009 with knackered players

2009/2010 small squad, we almost missed out the title in march

2010/2011: small squad, knackered players, forced to bring on the emergency squad players we needed, panic buys

2011/2012: lack of organisation with AVB costed us a lot of energy

2012/2013: Same old story, small squad, knackered players. We'll be forced to sign panic buy players to ensure top 4

[Ollie 4,400]

If Man Utd and Man City were amazing and fucking everyone right left and centre i'd've accepted this but after the game we done Tottenham, i genuinely thought we were the best team in the league. Man Utd and Man City are not that special this season and we've blown a very big chance i believe.