Thoughts on staying up? Expectations?

[RepressedRoyal]

Good post this, well done OP. Here is what I think.

We have made seemingly well judged signings so far, players who have either something to prove or a strong team ethic. McDermott has the "Bounce" ethic which has won me over massively since I read the book by Mathew Syed, the theory being that with the right character and determination to succeed, possibilities are endless. There has been a lot of understandable concern on here regarding Defoe, but for what it's worth, I think he would be a huge signing as I think he widely is misunderstood as a professional. That said, I guess he is still an extremely doubtful acquisition.

Judging by his purchasing and the type of player he wants, it is pretty obvious the strategy that McDermott is undertaking, it is a formula he trusts and so he should. Whether it works on a higher playing field remains to be seen, but right now I have a lot of faith that we will end up in a mid table position comfortably above the Saints, WBA, Swansea, Norwich and Wigan.

Expect a few thrashings along the way, but I really think we are capable of mid table, possibly higher with a 20 goal a season man like Defoe.

I'm going for 12th

[royalsteve]

I know it's still too soon to make a fair assessment, but I've been asking myself, had another newly promoted team brought in McCleary, Pogrebnyak, Guthrie, Shorey and Mariappa, I'd be expecting them to stay up.

Last season we saw Norwich sign a number of Championship players, and ISTR League 1 player(s). I can't recall the last side I saw promoted to the Premier League that brought in the quality that we have (so far).

It sounds very much like we are indeed speaking to Defoe. We've spoken to unlikely but ambitious targets in Hoilet and Sigurdsson, neither of which we likely to come but the intent we've shown is perhaps even more exciting than getting them.

* So, have your expectations for next season changed?
* Where are you thinking we can finish?
* How does it feel to finally have a club that is ambitious beyond anything we ever expected?

Me?

+ I expect us to stay up now.
+ 12th
+ Still pinching myself to be honest. It'll really hit home when the players run out, and also when we see the stadium being expanded.

QPR bought some good players, though some i think were overrated and i wouldnt have in the team - barton for one

i am hoping we will finish just above 15th and just avoid the relegation scrap

[royalsteve]

Realistically, we are going to be in a relegation battle. I think we can stay up but I think any of the following 3 teams could go down:

Reading
West Ham
Southampton
Norwich
Swansea
Villa
Wigan
QPR
West Brom
Sunderland
Stoke

All I can say is that I hope it will be an interesting season and that we at least make a good go of it.

id add Fulham too

[RobRoyal]

I think we will finish in the top half of the league. I'm planning to put a few quid on it when it gets offered up.

Odds are already up from blue square and 888 - 9/1. I think that offers good value and fancy a small wager.

Bookies have us as favourites to go down. I find that unbelievable considering our signings to date and the obvious fact that we're looking to strengthen further.

[Jackson Corner]

Bottom six 50/50 we stay up.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Norwich, Swansea and Reading are my three to go down.

If we can deliver and stay up that will be fantastic season as I believe we will push on from there and establish ourselves in the Premiership for seasons to come just like Fulham and Stoke have done.

Should we be relegated we need to make sure we good enough to come straight back up for a third championship title.

[RFCUK]

I'm going for an easy relegation avoidance, as I'm looking at the teams in the league this season, and I can't see others playing that well:

I think Villa may be the 'big name' casualty this year, along with QPR & finally Wigan. I just think with our activity and weakness of others, there's no way we'll be relegated..

[Ian Royal]

One thing I'll add is that our team is significantly inferior to the last one that got us promoted. Ok, on a player by player basis we're not doing too badly in comparison. But when it comes to the partnerships across the pitch and the team as a whole, it's nowhere near IMO. Particularly when you consider that the team that started against Middlesbrough was basically the same as our first team the year before.

That sort of familiarity with each other's game is a big plus. Having three strikers all capable of scoring goals at the higher level who already know their prospective partners and supply routes well is a huge advantage to where we are at the moment. Having the same commanding back 5 is a huge advantage, this season we could have anything from only 2 of last season's back 5 starting. And 2 of those back 5 weren't automatic picks all season either.

Anyway, this is why I think any hope of a top half finish is naive and extremely faint.

[Big Ern]

I think we will be OK this season. Certainly appear to be worse teams than us. Also think 2 of last years promoted teams may struggle now they have lost their managers, so a bit of "Second Season Syndrome" potentially. We have an excellent manager, a tight group of players and have added some good solid performers to the squad.

All in all I am far more confident about this season then I was at the start of our first ever season in the Prem.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I am completely undecided about what will happen this season. I think we've given ourselves a fighting chance with the signings we've made.

What I like more about this team is the dogged determination to grind out a result. I also think the team spirit is stronger.

I do worry about the pace of our back line & think if we sit too deep & hang on like we did at the back end of last season we could be in trouble.

I don't share the opinion that the league is easier this year. I actually think a lot of the shit has been weeded out & a lot of teams will strengthen.

I reckon the bottom third of the league will be Reading, Norwich, Swansea, Saints, Wigan, Fulham perhaps Stoke & Sunderland too. If we can finish near the top of that pack I'd be delighted.

If we can do W,D,L every 3 games that would be a truly fantastic season.

Bloody excited though I know that much!! Bring it on!

[LongThrowSpecialist]

I expect to stay up. My main worry is that even though we won loads the second half of the season, we were actually outplayed and outpassed in the majority of games, and if that happens in the Prem I'd expect us to lose. It'll be intersting whether McDonut tries to change our style of play - either way exciting times ahead!

I can't remember the last time we weren't outplayed or outpassed in the Prem(Stoke)

It's not how many time you pass the ball prettily 2 yards to your fellow centre back, it's about scoring at least one more goal than your opposition.