2013-14 Season Expectations

[GermanBlue 82]

Premier League is clearly the priority. José has the ability to bring some consistency in the squad which was one of the main issues this season. We didn't play that bad against the top oppositions, it was the losses and dropped points against WBA, West Ham, QPR, Southampton etc that broke our legs. If we can get some quality signings in like Cavani and a world-class CM, I'm sure we can challenge the title which should be our priority in my opinion.

After a disappointing last CL campaign I'm happy if we make it into the quarter finals. Depending on the opposition, we'll have to see if the semi is necessarry. I'm sure we'll make it at least to Wembley in the FA Cup. I don't care about the Capital One Cup, but I'm sure José wants to win it all.

I would not be too disappointed if we don't lift a trophy at the end of next season, but surely we have a chance. What we should be focussing on, is bringing consistency and depth into the squad. I'd love to see us performing an unique kind of playing like that fast counter-attacking football José has always loved.

[Jype 6,398]

Title challenge, comfortable top3 finish at the very least

Champions League QFs

FA Cup semis

League Cup doesn't matter

Win the USC

Priority should be to cement our position as potential title winners with the Manchester clubs from 2014 onwards and any success in the coming season is a bonus. All this depends on the new signings of course, if we succeed in the market my expectations may be a bit higher by the start of the season.

[edetarod 2,155]

38 1-0's is the league would do me

[Leif 6,006]

Regarding the Champions League next season, the likes of Milan, Barcelona (even with Neymar IMO), Madrid (unless they get some proper top in like Ancelotti), Arsenal, Dortmund etc. all seem to be falling while our players our only getting better. Even PSG have looked weak in the league this season and with Monaco now in Ligue 1 they'll have to focus even more on the league.

I think if we were to get lucky and avoid Juventus + Man City/United later on in the competition we could be having another Chelsea - Bayern final.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Regarding the Champions League next season, the likes of Milan, Barcelona (even with Neymar IMO), Madrid (unless they get some proper top in like Ancelotti), Arsenal, Dortmund etc. all seem to be falling while our players our only getting better. Even PSG have looked weak in the league this season and with Monaco now in Ligue 1 they'll have to focus even more on the league.

I think if we were to get lucky and avoid Juventus + Man City/United later on in the competition we could be having another Chelsea - Bayern final.

Nope, it doesnt work like that!

Barcelona will get better with the introduction of Neymar and a proper CB, but above all, is Messi being Messi that will place them amongst the top contenders once again. Madrid without Mourinho is a better team in itself, a decent coach and maybe Suarez will definitely make a difference. Milan wont lose any players from what we know and Allegri will be more experienced. Arsenal cant get any worse, lol, and Wenger is thought to go big (for their standards) in the transfer market (Julio Cesar, Higuain, etc). Dortmund, until now, has only lost two players and if they go for the likes of Romarinho/Bernard and Dzeko, I would say they are still a threat to anyone. Juventus will get their striker and will be completed. ManCity are free of Mancini and that is already one huge step towards UCL. And Bayern, well, is Bayern!

Chelsea will absurdly improve and we will be equally fighting with the best teams in all competitions. Mourinho, the new players and the more experienced Hazard, Oscar, etc will prove to be a great combination. However, it is not as easy as you say...

[Jase 43,479]

This are probably minimum expectations for next season. So, yeah...

Premier League - A title challenge

After watching the two Manchester clubs dominate and fight out for the Premier League title in the last 3 seasons, would expect us to mount at the very least a strong title challenge for next season. With Mourinho's impending return and a couple of key additions to the squad including boosting the squad depth, am expecting us to close the gap at the top to about 5 points(?). And certainly hope we don't get dragged into any sort of battle for a Top 4 position like what happened in the past 2 seasons. That would be a major disappointment.

Champions League - Quarter Finalist/Semi Finalist

After the debacle of last season exiting the group stage as the champions, am expecting us to progress from the group stage this time around and get to the quarter finals at the very least, if not the semi finals depending on the luck in the draw. Not too confident that we can progress beyond that stage at this moment. Not easy at the moment with all the usual big suspects to get to those stages and it will also have to depend on the transfers in and out of the club, not just us but also others.

FA Cup - Semi Final

Given our domination in the FA Cup, am expecting at the very least another appearance in the semi final. Then again, maybe I should expect us to win this competition, again.

League Cup - Winner

Last season was our best chance to win the competition given all of the big teams were already knocked out by the time we play the semi finals. We should have gone on to win it until Ivanovic decided to be a santa claus and gifted Swansea two pathetic goals. It's not the most important of trophies but the last time we won this trophy was back in 2007. Too long now that we have not got our hands on this. So, definitely want to see us win this cup again!

UEFA Super Cup - Winner

Not gonna be easy this by any means against Bayern but we will not know how they would adapt to Guardiola's style when we play them. So, it could be to our advantage especially with this game to be played early on in the season. And after last season abysmal showing against Atletico, expecting us to put in more of a fight in this one and win the cup. Will be a good way to start the season too. Puts the players in a good frame of mind.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

This are probably minimum expectations for next season. So, yeah...

After watching the two Manchester clubs dominate and fight out for the Premier League title in the last 3 seasons

Actually only 2 seasons.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Win everything in true Jose fashion.

[Jase 43,479]

Actually only 2 seasons.

No, it's 3. We were never really in it in the 2010/11 and 2012/13 season. In the former, started well but faltered away badly. Made a late push but nowhere good enough in the end. Same goes with last season. Started the season very well but then faded away completely. As for the 11/12 season, don't think I need to say anything about it when it's obvious.

[Rmpr 8,977]

This are probably minimum expectations for next season. So, yeah...

Premier League - A title challenge

After watching the two Manchester clubs dominate and fight out for the Premier League title in the last 3 seasons, would expect us to mount at the very least a strong title challenge for next season. With Mourinho's impending return and a couple of key additions to the squad including boosting the squad depth, am expecting us to close the gap at the top to about 5 points(?). And certainly hope we don't get dragged into any sort of battle for a Top 4 position like what happened in the past 2 seasons. That would be a major disappointment.

Champions League - Quarter Finalist/Semi Finalist

After the debacle of last season exiting the group stage as the champions, am expecting us to progress from the group stage this time around and get to the quarter finals at the very least, if not the semi finals depending on the luck in the draw. Not too confident that we can progress beyond that stage at this moment. Not easy at the moment with all the usual big suspects to get to those stages and it will also have to depend on the transfers in and out of the club, not just us but also others.

FA Cup - Semi Final

Given our domination in the FA Cup, am expecting at the very least another appearance in the semi final. Then again, maybe I should expect us to win this competition, again.

League Cup - Winner

Last season was our best chance to win the competition given all of the big teams were already knocked out by the time we play the semi finals. We should have gone on to win it until Ivanovic decided to be a santa claus and gifted Swansea two pathetic goals. It's not the most important of trophies but the last time we won this trophy was back in 2007. Too long now that we have not got our hands on this. So, definitely want to see us win this cup again!

UEFA Super Cup - Winner

Not gonna be easy this by any means against Bayern but we will not know how they would adapt to Guardiola's style when we play them. So, it could be to our advantage especially with this game to be played early on in the season. And after last season abysmal showing against Atletico, expecting us to put in more of a fight in this one and win the cup. Will be a good way to start the season too. Puts the players in a good frame of mind.

Yeah, I guess you are right, but I would be happy with us 'only' winning EPL. I really, really want to celebrate it again.

I am not too worried about the rest though (including UCL). Of course I will want to win everything, but if we reach QFs of all the cups and lose with honour, I will be fine with...

[Jase 43,479]

Yeah, I guess you are right, but I would be happy with us 'only' winning EPL. I really, really want to celebrate it again.

I am not too worried about the rest though (including UCL). Of course I will want to win everything, but if we reach QFs of all the cups and lose with honour, I will be fine with...

Can go along with that. Am sick and tired of watching United, City then United winning the league title. Much will depend on what us and others do in the transfer market. If we get it right, then we can definitely mount of a strong and consistent title challenge and possibly win it. If not, say hello to the cups once more..

[Fernando 6,585]

Any improvement to this season will be good enough for me.

Come March and we are fighting for a top 4 it won't look good on the manager.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Think everybody's expectations are way too high...

Anywhere in top 3 is good for EPL - we finished 6th 2 seasons ago and 3rd this/last season - need to maintain that at least...

FA Cup is unpredictable - so Semis are realistic, same with COC...

Champs League - hmm getting out of the group will be first test, then anything after that I'm cool with.

As a team we need 3 signings at least and to integrate loan players back into the team - this wont happen overnight...

I'm cautiously optimistic though

[didierforever 7,349]

after watching the interview i change my opinion. plus i am not just expecting this but predicting too

PL- winners

CoC- winners

FA cup - winners

CL- quarter finals.

domestic treble coming thru...

[Mr_President 404]

Realistically, I think we should be at least putting in a decent title challenge and aim for one of the domestic cups + as far as possible in the CL. The problem with saying at least a quarter/semi in the CL (or any knockout competition for that matter)is that you can easily draw the eventual winners/finalists in the round of 16 etc - there is always an element of luck. As Jose said in his interview, to win the CL you need a little "click", sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. Therefore, if we got knocked out by Bayern in the Ro16 I don't think that would constitute a failure of a season on its own.

Also, another important factor by which to measure a season as successful would be how the team has progressed and improved (not only individually but collectively). E.g. tightening up the defence, getting our no.9 to score goals, retaining possession better etc. I believe Mourinho also touched on this in his interview.

Overall, I'd be happy seeing our team play some good football whilst not leaking too many goals and always making improvements for the future.. that is most important.