Premier League 20/21 - Early Thoughts

[Norman Deeley]

I know 19/20 hasn't finished but I’m starting this thread as I’ve been in Leeds today and chanced to chat to a couple of Leeds fans. They’re convinced they’ll be top six, “no fucking bother.” They’re also certain they’re the best team to ever win the Championship.

I’ve watched a fair bit of Leeds on telly this season and I yo-yo between thinking they could do quite well with Bielsa’s approach (see Sheffield United this year) and then other times I don’t think they have a single player of real Premier League quality.

Not for one minute do I think they’ll get relegated, but top 6? No chance.

But top 6 is going to be a challenge for Wolves next year. Two places are booked and Chelsea will improve, I think. Man United will get enough VAR decisions to be in the mix, and then there’s Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester…

 

[sycophantia]

The few times I've seen Leeds this season, they've mostly been better than the opposition but nothing special.....mid table I think

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Chelsea are going to be ridiculous going forward, especially if they get Havertz in. However, they are doing nothing about their deficiencies at the back. They have already conceded over fifty goals this season. Could be a fun watch but they will remain inconsistent.

 

[Tony Towner]

Leeds will surprise a few teams because of the intensity they play at. They'll also have a period in the season when Bielsa has them blowing out of their arses and they'll lose a few just like the last couple of seasons. They won't be Top 6, but don't see a relegation battle either. They are already better than Brighton and whichever of the bottom 4 stay up before strengthening. Their manager will be the deciding factor in players choosing to go to them, centre forward is a priority.

Too early to comment on us.

 

[Del Woppio]

Without recruitment we'll be 5-7 next season.

If we can add a starting centre-back, a centre midfielder capable of playing with and occasionally instead of Joao(depending on formation/fixture), and a forward to take the pressure off (with a view to eventually replacing) Raul, I think we'll be 3rd or 4th, at around 68-70 points.

 

[YoungWolf]

Think Leeds will be top half. West Brom like Villa this season but spend less money, so they have a lot of work to do.

Interested to see how sides like Southampton and Brighton strengthen as they have underperformed in terms of points totals IMO. Though Brighton finished the season playing for draws, in the first half of the season they were pretty good I thought.

Newcastle and Palace the opposite, very lucky not to be in relegation battles!

On us - early to comment but centre back is top priority for me. Be interesting to see if we go for a forward and what type of forward. We definitely thought we could get Abraham until Lampard came in, but wonder if he might be available now. Equally, we'd have to play 352 to play him AND Raul which is what caused issues for Cutrone's game time (and Cutrone and Abraham are similar in terms of they get in lots of good goalscoring positions but don't neccesarily contribute to build up play like Raul does).

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

My feelings pretty much echo that. Big summer ahead.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Not a big fan of Abraham tbh. His general play is horrible.

 

[Tony Towner]

Not a big fan of Abraham tbh. His general play is horrible.

Neither am I, that said he played well at Molineux this year and they were more than tap ins. If 352 is the way forwards, then the attacking midfielder is number one priority, then a wing back that can cross the ball from the right (maybe Jonny), you'd need Vinagre on the left as your full backs will be going outside more often.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

I think anything above 7th is too big of a challenge again for us next season. There will be 15 teams capable of beating anyone on their day, but we are not as consistent as the big 6. They have too many great players. Liverpool, City, Utd, and maybe Chelsea will be well clear, with Arsenal having a much better time in Arteta's first full season. Spurs perhaps the weakest but still better than us unless Jose throws a season long tantrum.

And I think we will continue to draw too many games that we could/should win.

 

[HanDoJin]

I too met a vocally over-confident Leeds fan the other day. I suspect they are not outliers. They'll do fine I'm sure but West Brom and whoever joins them will live like Villa this season without serious improvements. Everton will be the really interesting one for me -can't imagine Ancelotti penning any sort of contract without assurances of incoming players...and Calvert-Lewin is a forward that looks like he could really come on in leaps and bounds under the right guidance.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Southampton are going to be interesting. If Ings continues like this season they could do well. If he doesn’t they could bomb.

Arsenal are going to be pretty skint. Arteta is already screaming for funds and I don’t think Kroenke is going to oblige.

 

[AndyWolves]

No idea whether Leeds will do well or not

They play with such intensity but that may also be their downfall. Premier league teams should be better at retaining possession so all that chasing about will catch up with them. Also, it may be easier to pull them out of position and exploit gaps.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Teams to go or be in trouble in the bottom third.
Palace
WBA
Sheffield United. 2020 was their pinnacle without extra depth. You can't just keep running on spirit and endeavour.
Brighton
Leicester. Yep Rogers bubble appears to have burst and they look bloody ordinary at both ends of the park. Vardy will be 103 next year as well. I would not be surprised if they were bottom third. Should stay up though.
Whoever wins the play offs. They all look capable of conceding.

As for the title. I have a horrible feeling about Man United even under Ole. Lampard and Chelsea could recruit well and are better going forward and surely Arsenal are due a better year. I reckon Mourinho will be gone from spurs so no telling what they will do.

Don't know about us . A lot depends on who stays and that will depend on what we as a club can offer. Noeurope and we might lose some significant players. Europe and we should be able to recruit and strengthen.

 

[sycophantia]

Sheff Utd will be mid table, Leicester will be at least top half. As for us, think we will be challenging for Europe again but it will be tougher, Spurs, Arsenal will be better than this season. Its going to be interesting, assuming Liverpool, City, Man U, Chelsea top 4, that leaves Us, Spurs, Arsenal, Leicester and possibly a surprise other team going for 2 European places. Maybe Southampton if they can keep Ings and add a couple of decent players?

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

I have watched Leeds a lot this season inhave a bar regular thats a mad Leeds Fan, safe to say I have seem most of their games.

They are a long way from the best team from the Championship not even the best over the last 2 years Norwich, Sheff U, and Villa were all as good as and in the case of Sheff U and Norwich better..

They need a centre foward no matter what the question Bamford is not the answer. There back 4 are average at best, Costa we know about.

Albion will almost certainly struggle,i have them.and the winners dead certs for relegation, leeds will just survive due to the funds that will be available.

As for us, mout's is getting no younger with the current squad I would suggest we will finish around 5th, 6th, 7th.

With the right recruitment which I am confident Nuno can pull of , we could challenge for 4th, 5th

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Leeds will benefit from playing far fewer games in the PL but I’d be amazed if they get above 8th place. I’d
be very worried if I was a Palace fan unless they bring in 2 or 3 players that hit the ground running. Couple of teams it’s very hard to predict how they’ll do are Everton and West Ham.

Hopefully a couple of the so-called Big Six underperform again. Chelsea are bringing good players in but no guarantee that they’ll play well together, Spurs could underperform if they start badly and Mourinho goes into sulk mode.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Right let’s look at this. A lot of interesting stuff

Teams to go or be in trouble in the bottom third.
Palace this is a great call. Zaha is falling off a cliff and no one else in the squad is offering much. Ayew looks cack. Without recruitment Woy has a tough job there.
WBA cast iron doomed. £20m budget doesn’t come close to helping them
Sheffield United. 2020 was their pinnacle without extra depth. You can't just keep running on spirit and endeavour.Not for me. They should be fine. Lower than this season but a mid table performance.
Brighton This depends on Potter and his coaching. Also they will desperately need a forward as Murray is Methuselah
Leicester. Yep Rogers bubble appears to have burst and they look bloody ordinary at both ends of the park. Vardy will be 103 next year as well. I would not be surprised if they were bottom third. Should stay up though. mid table at worst
Whoever wins the play offs. They all look capable of conceding.whoever comes through will be favourites for the drop. It’s like that every year. Wouldnt be surprised if they end up above Albion, but the dotted line may be a different matter

As for the title. I have a horrible feeling about Man United even under Ole.not a chance Lampard and Chelsea could recruit well and are better going forward Chelsea need a keeper and a defenceand surely Arsenal are due a better yeari dont think Arteta is getting the budget to solve their issues. I reckon Mourinho will be gone from spurs so no telling what they will do.spurs is a genuine no idea moment. Will Mourinho drag something out of that squad or fall out with it?

Don't know about us . A lot depends on who stays and that will depend on what we as a club can offer. Noeurope and we might lose some significant players. Europe and we should be able to recruit and strengthen we will be very good. How good we will have to wait and see.

.

 

[Sniffer]

If Villa stay up they will struggle again. If the Brummie Greg Louganis goes they’ll be devoid of quality and need 5-6 upgrades to make them competitive. They’ll be plenty of others shopping in the same market too.

W**t B**m and the play off winners to go straight back down with Palace/Brighton/Leeds or Villa joining them.

I fancy us to be 6th to 9th.

 

[Wolf of Ashford]

Villa is an interesting one of they stay up. They have the mega rich owners, but are they interested in pushing the club on or was it just a good deal to pick a club up that was on its knees. If they're serious about pushing on, they'll sack Smith and get a good manager in. If they keep Smith then I think they'll just be admitting their ambition is little more than to just stay in the league.

As for us, I do think that Nuno has recognised that we were maybe a little too cautious in some games which has lead to too many draws. I don't think we'll suddenly go all kamikaze but I think he will unleash our forwards a bit more which will hopefully see us competing for the top 4 with a bit more intent.

I don't believe United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs are going to take big leaps forward.
They will spend of course, but we have the best manager compared to that lot...... and that is a big thing in our favour