10 Aug 2026 11:23:01
Putting aside all the transfer discussions for a moment, the team had been looking sharp in pre-season, and we still have players to come back.
I know it's only pre-season, but over several games you start to get a feel for things, and so far the feels are good.
Lammens, Cunha, Sesko, and Martinez still to play, but the team has a good shape, a high press, and a lot of energy.
We got a lot of points under Carrick last year, but performances were often dull and uninspiring. I'm hoping for more excitement this year.
10 Aug 2026 12:02:47
You can see what the team is trying to do under Carrick. He started to implement a different style last season, but with games and all the distractions, it is hard to put that into place during a season.
This pre-season, you can see he and his coaches have used the time to embed a style of play, and we are looking good for it. It might be that it's better to start the season mostly with the players who have been here for all/most of the pre-season, and then slowly integrate the late arrivals into the team after they've had more time to train with this new style and with this new squad.
There is a reason why 10 of the 20 EPL teams have replaced their manager over the summer, to give them the best chance to train their new squads in the tactics they want them to play.
Carrick, in that regard, has a slight advantage over those managers, having had longer to assess his squad, to implement his style, and to have a more informed input into the summer recruitment.
I'm really looking forward to this season. I have a good feeling about it.
10 Aug 2026 12:13:58
I agree, Shaps, a more dynamic style of play would be very welcome.
I also hope a couple of youngsters get some proper game time, Lacey and Tyler Fletch.
The club rates them very highly, so let's give them a run, and let's be patient with them. Not every youngster is a Rooney, Owen, or Rashford who all looked great in their teens.
10 Aug 2026 17:06:35
I'm looking forward to the session, AJH.
Not sure how we will do, lots of unknowns.
Hopeful but not confident is how I feel.
10 Aug 2026 19:51:59
I want to be positive and then I think about how I usually analyse the season ahead and our rivals. I ask myself how many of our players would get into the first teams of last year's top two teams ahead of their players.
On that basis, looking at our current squad, who do you think would get into Arsenal and City's first teams? For me, I think only Bruno is a definite.
That tells me we have a way to go yet.
Arsenal, especially, are doing what we used to do... that is, buying excellent players so that they almost have two equally capable first teams. We still don't have one. Early days, but def too early to get ahead of ourselves.
I hope Carrick gets the tools and has the skills to bring us back to where we were. Should be an interesting ride.
10 Aug 2026 21:20:27
Given we haven't signed all that we were hoping for, my hope is that we use the season to integrate the youth prospects that we feel are destined to make it and bring them closer to a permanent role for next season.
If they were smart, whilst managing expectations is paramount, they could focus on areas of future need (CB), and work through what we have coming through to see which players are going to make it.
Give them all a taster of first team action, and see who kicks on to make it theirs.
I do also firmly believe that, because we have a stable squad and an easy start, we could build momentum and be in a good position come Xmas.
10 Aug 2026 21:32:11
JBR, on paper it looks easy, but it's not an easy league. Very few easy wins.
10 Aug 2026 22:07:17
What did you think when you analysed at the start of last session salford?
If city lose rodri they will have lost the best coach and best midfielder in the world and Silva. On plus side for them semenyo is turning into a beast. Its hard to know how it will pan out there. Lots of great players but big change with the coach
Arsenal will be strong again but can they defend their title i'm not so sure.
Chelsea new system great coach 3 at the back i think they will do a lot better.
Spurs good coach new team practically i think they will do much better. Ups and downs but much better maybe a cup win.
Villa I think will drop off a bit.
Liverpool Its hard to know. Good coach new system. He will want more signings. Look weak in their defence but i'd expect wirtz and isaak to do well. Solbz was probably the best midfielder in the league over last 2 seasons imo with rodri injured. I expect they will need to score plenty to make up for their back 4 unless they sign well before end of window.
Imo we are stronger than last season and we will sign more before the window closes. Lots more games to deal with. Can Carrick maintain the momentum he built up?
I think we will have one if the lowest point totals to win the league for quite a while and I can see 4 or 5 teams in with a realistic chance of winning it with 8 games to go.
I don't see a runaway winner or 2 horse race.
3 different winners over the last 3 seasons it wouldn't shock me if that trend continued with a 4th different winner.
There a big question marks over everybody with so many changes of manager. If you look at all the clubs I've mentioned above Carrick is the 3rd longest serving in the position. That's crazy.
Arsenal are the only real Smooth business as usual ones so imo favourites, the major question mark with them is can they play as champions?
Sunderland Brighton Brentford are all steady Eddie's with settled camps the former might struggle with euro football.
Newcastle i don't know what to think, their fans must be very disappointed with what's gone on.
More new coaches at Palace and forest i hope both do well.
I fear for all 3 promoted teams 1 or 2 usually have a hot start if they don't then its curtains.
Very competitive league. There a very few easy games and as I said above I think there will be a lower points total this season. I don't have true fear of Arsenal or city running away with it.
Hopefully it works out that way.
I think 12 games in is when you start getting a bit of shape to the table maybe it will be halfway through this year before we will see who is going to be in the mix.
Now go see city and Arsenal win their 1st 12 games?
10 Aug 2026 23:02:59
Hi Ken
So last year at the start of the season I was hopeful we would get a European place. Knew was no way we were good enough to win the league and frankly getting third was because other teams like Chelsea Liverpool and Villa were not great.
This year I feel Arsenal have bought well so far and the one position they really need is a top centre forward. Having won the league they will be focusing on the Champions League and it might stop them retaining the league title
City started a rebuild under Pep already last season. Yes they have lost him, Silva and probably Rodri but they have a manager who knows the club already. I think Cherki is a fabulous player and Foden who played poorly last season will be aching to show Tuchel what an error it was to omit him. Buying Elliot helps give then a strong midfield base for years to come. Guehi and Semenyo will feel more at home. Lastly as long as Haarland stays fit they will always be a threat.
Chelsea have a proper manager bought well and now have a fit and refreshed Palmer with Rodgers his bestie likely to test defences. Bringing in Henderson and Welbeck was a masterstoke as they will take of the dressing room high standards that the new manager will expect giving him time to get his ideas across to and improve the team. Samchez is a good keeper but if he learns to cut out stupid mistakes he will be a top one. Him and Centre backs might be their only weakness. Plus no European football enables more time to recover and take on board the managers ideas
So those at the moment are my likeliest top three
Liverpool are still short defensively although signing the Barca player on loan helps. The new manager will play Wirtz and Isaak in their proper positions and I expect them to score quite a few goals. Salah was on the decline last year but they need a good right winger
Villa have lost a few players signed some decent ones but not enough to win the title or come top three. They do have a very good manager so will be in the mix for a European place
Spurs could be the biggest surprise package if they gel quickly. A good manager who has been backed with quality signings plus they will have Madison and Bentacur firing on all cylinders. Might be a surprise challenger for third place but I expect them to be in the fight for a European place
That leaves us. We have made some good signings in midfield. Yet still we need players for left back, midfield dominant force and a striker. I see us getting into Europe again but not sure which competition
11 Aug 2026 00:01:35
Purely a gut prediction. Of course I want to be totally wrong!
I'm going for fifth this year.
Arsenal, Tottenham, City. I think they will be the top three for the reasons already stated.
The rest of the league will be carnage, with no real walkovers to be had, especially with United's propensity to play terribly against lower teams and not take advantage of the strange results elsewhere.
I think there will be a clear plan and more entertaining playing style compared to last year, but the results will elude us when it matters.
The following season, with hopefully some continuity, will be where the marked change will come as the new direction and mindset finally takes hold.
11 Aug 2026 00:53:25
Keefy, I think this year we will be better with the so called small teams. We have live breaking midfielders and a more settled attack. Hopefully Hall will join and help with stubborn defences too.