03 Sep 2026 00:24:28
Well now everybody is set.
City look like the strongest squad on paper.
Goals all over the squad and real depth in most positions. Good keeper and above average defenders. If the new manager gets them to gel quickly then I'd make them favourites.
Arsenal I'm not so sure. I think they will regret some of their outs and won't score enough goals to win the league again imo.
Chelsea again I'm not so sure they have only 1 game a week and that will play in their favour. Martinez was a great signing imo. I think like us their defence will be their weak point.
I'm not sure who their midfield will be.
Liverpool worse off than us for defenders much worse imo!
Midfield looks pretty sparce. Attack looks good and full of pace out wide which suits isak put their defence is manky.
Spurs. Will improve in sure but will be vulnerable while they are all finding their own feet. It's practically a new team and squad.
Villa again lots and lots of ins and outs. Emery will sort them quickly enough but have they replaced what they've lost I don't think so
Then ourselves. I think our play will be better than last season.
I'm happy that we've improved our midfield considerably.
I'm happy with our attack. Personally I'd have preferred one or both of Zirkzee or Rashford to have moved and a different striker come in. But on the whole I'm happy going into the season with what we have. It's up to Carrick to get the blend right and the goals coming regularly.
Keepers look solid.
Defence. Well there is not much to be said. Full back options are poor.
Cb's are too hit n miss on form and availability.
Again its up to Carrick and the likes of Yoro, Heaven and maybe even Dorgu to step up. I think Yoro will break through and become our 1st choice Deligt also needs a run uninjured.
Brentford and Brighton could be snapping at the heels of the big clubs in thunt for a European spot.
Arsenal and United have the most settled squads it will be interesting to see how quickly all the others gel and find consistency.
Big question marks over most, smaller question marks over City and Arsenal both are probably a level above.
I think it will be a great season with lots of ups and downs odd results and as competitive as we've seen for quite a while.
03 Sep 2026 00:49:26
I think our starting eleven is actually weaker this season than it was last. None of our midfield signings are better than Cas (at least not yet), and Maguire and Shaw (who already weren't really good enough for a team with title-winning ambitions) are both one year older. Hopefully Sesko having a full year of EPL experience under his belt can make up for this somewhat (I'd say the same about Heaven and Yoro, but the manager doesn't seem to trust either of them, for whatever reason).
The two teams above us have both strengthened, further widening the gap, and Chelsea will be nipping at our heels (Spurs too, if they can start to gel quickly).
On paper, I think Villa are weaker this year than last, but I can see Newcastle pushing for top four this time around despite some big outgoings. Liverpool are a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment. They haven't strengthened dramatically, but if their signings from last summer can start to find a bit of form, I can see them competing for a Champions League spot as well.
All in all, I think we'll perform worse this season than we did last, both due to the clubs around us getting stronger and the increased demands on the squad that come with playing twice a week.
03 Sep 2026 03:43:20
How come City have not been punished for FFP, and yet they can buy & sell like nobody's business. Very fishy.
03 Sep 2026 04:18:47
I think we are weaker than last season. On current showings, I just hope that Baleba turns out a good signing, but he had half a decent season for Brighton and one awful season, so that may take time. The other two are, well, squad players, so Cass in the team made us stronger than this new midfield. Defence is another year older and slower, and now our 1 and only striker seems to be picking up injuries far too much for a 22 year old.
If we get 3rd or above, I'd be ecstatic. Doubt we get anywhere in the CL, maybe a semi of a domestic cup. I don't get all this attackers one transfer window, midfield next, then defenders 3rd year; by the time we get to defence some attackers will leave, it's ridiculous.
03 Sep 2026 06:08:47
I expect Chelsea to win the league comfortably this year. Plenty of goals in the team and one game a week.
03 Sep 2026 07:55:06
I think our unsteady defence is centrally slow, out wide open, and vulnerable. The centre of midfield does not have a ball winner; ball players, but not a No6 holder. I think people believe Baleba is that one, but I am not sure he is.
Up front, we have one central striker when fit. As we saw at Hull, we struggle with a low block, and Hulls defenders are not top level.
We are a couple of injuries from a big problem: LB and scoring goals. Legs and defensive midfield, porous central defence lacking a leader.
Positives are Cunha and Mbeumo, with Sesko to come; perhaps Baleba and Mainoo can make good runs.
I feel we will win more than lose, but Top 5 is our realistic target; anything more is a bonus.
03 Sep 2026 10:40:18
I've enjoyed watching Chelsea so far - they look like they might do well. Not sure whether any team will win anything comfortably, though. I'd be surprised if they, City and Arsenal, aren't in the top three, based on the last few games, leaving another scrap for 4-5th between everyone else again.
03 Sep 2026 12:13:12
I still think 3rd is up for grabs, City and Arsenal to fight it out for the title.
I think Mainoo will have a very good season. I expect Baleba to have a new lease of life, and for them to be the main MF. We also have depth with Tielemans and Santos to cover the extra games.
Up front, Rashford is back, like it or not, and Lacey looks ready to get proper game time, so again we have more options.
In defence, if Mdl and Martinez can stay fit, I don't see CB as an issue, we have depth, albeit you may want to argue about the quality.
Full backs remain the challenge. I don't think Dalot is awesome, but nor do I think he is as dreadful as some believe, same for Shaw. Depth is the problem, and we shall see if that hurts us.
If Baleba shows his '25 form, then that athleticism and muscle will have a huge impact.
If Rashford does knuckle down, maybe we will see a return to some sort of form.
If Sesko gets properly fit, he might make a real difference.
Of course, if my Grammy had wheels she'd be a bicycle.
03 Sep 2026 14:05:51
Or maybe a scooter?
03 Sep 2026 15:27:32
I'm a little worried about the defence, but I think we will be okay, and it could be a blessing for Amass as we may be forced to use him more often, and he could prove himself. I do like the look of him.
With the midfield, Baleba is most certainly a ball-winning midfielder, and I feel that he and Mainoo complement each other very well.
Mainoo looked exceptional v Ipswich, and I think he is a very, very strong midfielder.
Overall, I give the window a 6.5. Of course, a LB and CB would've been brilliant, but it is what it is, and we have to see how we get on. I think the squad depth is greater than last season.
03 Sep 2026 16:21:18
How anyone can think the Mdl and Martinez are the answer to the CBs is beyond me. Firstly, neither can stay fit, so getting them both fit at the same time for any prolonged period is wishful thinking.
How long is it even going to take Mdl to get match fitness? Will he come back to a decent level after surgery? Will he break down again?
Martinez, will he get any quicker? Nope.
Will he grow? Nope. Will he not be so rash in the tackle again? Nope. And you think this is a good duo? I have what you're taking, please...
03 Sep 2026 21:39:22
Good enough to get 3rd last season between them.