[Albion] Where will we finish in the league?

[el punal]

I’m going with a slightly uncomfortable 15th…

Roberto, for all his faults, had a certain aura and clearly commanded respect from his charges… his tactics were rigid, yet at their best, fluid… he acted and felt like a maverick and had huge respect from his betters… which, although could be viewed with a cynical edge, felt genuine enough.

I worry about a this new era, players are coming in ever more to make names for themselves and move on… and I’m struggling to genuinely warm to Fabian … that’s not to say he’s going to fail, but I’m not convinced it’ll be plain sailing and/or fanfare stuff…

My major concern relates to his judgement from preseason of who can cut it in the PL squad. Based on the level he’s previously had success at he might be in danger of overestimating some of our younger players, whilst fundamentally underestimating the actual quality of the PL… watching it and coaching in it are clearly two separate realities and looking at the ‘quality’ we’ve faced in pre-season, well, I’m not convinced that we should be expecting Ayari et al to be ready…

He clearly likes hussle, which we all do … the problem is maintaining high energy levels week in week out, whilst delivering a system that can cope defensively… I’m a bit worried he might be opting for all bustle and expecting that to overcome top level quality… I have other serious doubts tactically too, especially with such a high press and a squad not blessed with central defensive pace… even dropping a CDM in to cover quick counters doesn’t fill me full of confidence that we’re not going to get ripped apart… Everton will be very interesting

I’m more worried about this season than any since the last CH season.

As with anything new you’re stepping into the unknown. Personally, I would rather take a punt on Fab and his team, style and tactics than some moribund, middle of the road journeyman who is going to play safe, boring moribund football.

We are Brighton after all, left field and off the radar, we do not do the norm. Long may that be.

 

[boik]

We have been looking increasingly defensively fragile over the last few seasons. I don't see anything to see that changing. I think we will struggle (compared with recent seasons anyway). We may flirt with being pulled into the relegation battle but will ease away from it.

You don't think a year older Baleba plus weiffer up to speed is going to improve us defensively? Might take a little while, but I'm optimistic.

 

[Kosh]

As with anything new you’re stepping into the unknown. Personally, I would rather take a punt on Fab and his team, style and tactics than some moribund, middle of the road journeyman who is going to play safe, boring moribund football.

We are Brighton after all, left field and off the radar, we do not do the norm. Long may that be.

I don’t disagree, and looking at the options we had I guess Fabian fits our model and disposition better than most.

It’ll be far from easy, but it never is… I just hope we see some pragmatism from our young coach if his favoured system proves too cavalier… we shall see

 

[Left Footer]

Put 12th but difficult to gauge at this time, maybe once the window shuts it'll be easier.
Clearly a lot of outgoings still to happen.

 

[Perfidious Albion]

I have not voted, how can we predict an exact position?
I am always hopeful of good things and I would love another top ten finish but I fear that we may struggle.. The loss of Lallana and Gross will be felt by the team, in the dressing rooom as well as on field. As for new signings? Well , we don’t know……
The pre season has not been good IMHO , the Japan trip no doubt was a commercial success but hardly good preparation for the League.
FabH has said that there is more to be done, well he has one game only before the Premiership…..

 

[Javeaseagull]

The more I think about where we will finish the more I realise I don’t have a clue. That is, I think, how it should be. More than position in the league I would quite like to win something in my life time. I am very old!

 

[Coldwaltham Seagull]

Interesting to read some of the wildly different, and in some cases very reactionary views based on a couple of pre-season games(what's new?!)

Predicting an exact finish is nigh on impossible but somewhere in the range of 8th-12th, maintaining consistency despite the changes in personnel would represent a decent season I think

 

[Oh_aye]

I went for 15th. Not sure I totally believe that (or want to) and we could have a really surprising, excellent season.

I just think its a lot to ask of a really young inexperienced manager. I do think we might come flying out of the blocks, but can't see a situation where we don't have a really sticky patch and without enough nous to dig us out for a while.

 

[el punal]

The more I think about where we will finish the more I realise I don’t have a clue. That is, I think, how it should be. More than position in the league I would quite like to win something in my life time. I am very old!

You mean to say you weren’t around when we became Champions of England back 1910?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I think we will struggle, far too many long term injuries again, selling the best players, 16th

 

[kevo]

Impossible to predict with a new and very young manager who is completely untested at this level. The new signings look potentially very promising, but they could flop against top opposition, and we've also just lost one of our most influential players. Injuries could also play a massive part, as they did last season. However, I have faith in TB and his aim to establish us as a "Top Ten Club". We just dropped outside of that last year of course, but without the extra demands of the European matches, I've gone for an optimistic 9th.

 

[Mellotron]

8th - we'll have an incredible early run (Europe will look very likely) as teams will have no idea how to set up against Hurzball, then slowly they'll start to figure out ways to play us, we'll get walloped a few times by some of the big sides (but equally we will wallop a couple of the relative "minnows" of the league), and finally settle in 8th.

A decent first season for Fabian.

 

[Gully Forever]

As the squad stands 16th. Still need midfield reinforcements

From what i've seen at QPR we don't have one that will compete in the premier league.

 

[Gully Forever]

20th. The players are crap. The tactics are all wrong. Hurzeler hasn’t got a clue. The new kit is terrible. Why doesn’t Bloom spend money on players. The new fan zone is a complete waste of money. Blah! Blah! Blah!

P.S. All the above is based on a pot pourri of comments and opinions which various people have made. I’ve decided to put all this bollocks into a big bollocks box only to be opened at the end of the season. Thank you.

True, But i'd rather have very low expectations at this point, then be one of those supporters who are in shock and crying about it if it all goes wrong. If Bloom got his recruiment priorities all wrong. I.e Looking to make a profit on player positions we already have covered. Rather then areas where we can't find gems but that we desperatly need quality replacements.. Example 10 wingers full of potential profit, But Midfield with no depth.

 

[el punal]

True, But i'd rather have very low expectations at this point, then be one of those supporters who are in shock and crying about it if it all goes wrong. If Bloom got his recruiment priorities all wrong. I.e Looking to make a profit on player positions we already have covered. Rather then areas where we can't find gems but that we desperatly need quality replacements.. Example 10 wingers full of potential profit, But Midfield with no depth.

There’s just one answer to all of the above - we wait and see. Hopefully, all will click very quickly or it will be a case of patience for everything to work out eventually. It’ll still be fun though.

 

[Washie]

I think we will have a shit start to the season, but as the players get fitter and understand the tactics more, we will go on a run second half of the season

 

[American Seagle]

You don't think a year older Baleba plus weiffer up to speed is going to improve us defensively? Might take a little while, but I'm optimistic.

Maybe. But I suspect it won't happen until the second half of the season. We are also a little lacking in depth at center back unless one of the kids comes through well. Right back is still an issue depth wise unless Lamptey stays fit.

 

[Albion my Albion]

Maybe we should be able to amend these position in the PL predictions at this time?

I really hope mine is wrong. And probably will be.