Mid table mediocrity, relegation or challenging for top six?

[Dubai Mark]

I can't recall another preseason where I have found it so difficult to have a decent stab at how I think City will do in the forthcoming season.

The preseason results I never use, but tend to base my thoughts on how we did and ended the previous season, what we have lost or added in respect of the squad and the general strength of the league.

Based on that I'm not feeling over confident, sure it appears we have signed some decent players, but other than our new keeper and perhaps Rhodes, nothing has really excited me. The biggest challenge though is that the Championship which is a tough league anyway looks stronger this season and we have a team now that will certainly need time to bed in with all of the changes.

My genuine expectation is that our club when in the Championship should be challenging for a top six place and anything less is a huge disappointment regardless of rebuilding or reducing budgets, I still personally expect that when looking at our club compared to others.

Any one of the three options could happen of course, personally I very much doubt that we will be struggling against relegation, and right now feel the same about challenging for top six...............so, unfortunately even though I really havnt got a scooby I'm feeling that we will be in mid table mediocrity along with our friends down the road.......but would of course love it, really love it if we end up in that top six OTBC

 

[Fenway Frank]

In my opinion anyone that thinks we’re getting relegated should go and do something else with their time. Heart says playoffs, head says between 10th/ 6th and higher than the binners

 

[Number 9]

In my opinion anyone that thinks we’re getting relegated should go and do something else with their time. Heart says playoffs, head says between 10th/ 6th and higher than the binners

"Go and do something else with their time"

 

[hogesar]

Hopefully we finish top half, scoring more than last season and conceding less. That would at least show signs of improvement and buy the regime another season.

It's so hard to assess if we have enough for top 6 because a lot of our 'key' new players haven't even played in this league before.

 

[OldRobert]

Agree with hogesar. We must score more and concede less otherwise we stay static, and worse still we will probably finish lower than you know who, again. I would love to see top half finish, but head says unlikely. OTBC.

 

[GJP]

Yeah, we've got some decent players but I'm not sure we've got enough in the fullback areas or robust enough in midfield.

But it is hard to say until we see how the new recruits settle.

 

[David Evans]

So long as we are keeping pace with the top six I'll be happy, much like with England a renewed sense of hope will go a long way. I think any suggestion of the top 2 or bottom 3 are nonsense, my guess would be a 9th finish.

 

[morty]

So long as we are keeping pace with the top six I'll be happy, much like with England a renewed sense of hope will go a long way. I think any suggestion of the top 2 or bottom 3 are nonsense, my guess would be a 9th finish.

Aye, pretty much where I am really. I would like to see us in the playoffs, but there are a fair few teams who have splashed the cash again this summer, and you have to expect West Brom and Stoke to be strong. That said, it isn't always about how much money you spend.

Really I would settle for progress.

And finishing above the scum.

 

[David Evans]

Also important to remember we've had another summer with a high amount of ins and outs, with this many new faces, it might take some time to click as a team.

 

[morty]

Also important to remember we've had another summer with a high amount of ins and outs, with this many new faces, it might take some time to click as a team.

I fear some may not be so patient, unfortunately. The usual suspects are grumbling, and the season hasn't even started!

 

[dj161]

people were getting impatient in the second half of last season, if we have a slow start to this one (and we do have a tough start) I can see people getting really angsty, personally I'd hope for a top 10 finish and if we can make a push for the playoffs thats a bonus

 

[GJP]

Also important to remember we've had another summer with a high amount of ins and outs, with this many new faces, it might take some time to click as a team.

Like most clubs.

 

[Number 9]

Aye, pretty much where I am really. I would like to see us in the playoffs, but there are a fair few teams who have splashed the cash again this summer, and you have to expect West Brom and Stoke to be strong. That said, it isn't always about how much money you spend.

Really I would settle for progress.

And finishing above the scum.

How are you quantifying progress?
The financial situation is hugely better, that's progress?
Or is it a better league position?
Or is it good performances that excite and entertain the crowd?

 

[morty]

How are you quantifying progress?
The financial situation is hugely better, that's progress?
Or is it a better league position?
Or is it good performances that excite and entertain the crowd?

Primarily for the style and effectiveness of the football on the pitch. If thats right, then the league position follows on from it.

 

[Number 9]

Primarily for the style and effectiveness of the football on the pitch. If thats right, then the league position follows on from it.

Couple of our players should fit that description, Buendia for one, let's hope they can settle in the Championship and show what they're capable of.

 

[hogesar]

Like most clubs.

Yeah, not sure thats a viable excuse for us. We're a bit more than most but generally there's been lots of activity as shown here:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/championship/transfers/wettbewerb/GB2

 

[Fenway Frank]

Who will be the seasons scapegoat ?

 

[morty]

Who will be the seasons scapegoat ?

Tricky.

Play safe with Husband or maybe Stiepermann?

 

[GJP]

Tut tut. How negative. Surely we should be asking who the unsung hero will be.

 

[Canaryboy]

To be honest, I'm probably expecting mid-table again. Would be nice to finish above Ipswich though!

But who knows, sometimes teams punch above their weight and sometimes they under achieve. Just feels like we've got a mid-table squad to be honest.

And the transfer business isn't necessarily finished yet, I find it a bit weird that we hinted at another player arriving after Wildschut left and Marcus Maddison is still at Peterborough.... presumably we're still hoping to shift Oliviera and him leaving would free up some budget for somebody to come in?