There's the belief we freshly finished 2nd and there's hidden potential in the squad but we did it the total opposite of what ETH will be trying to implement. Nothing from that team should be assumed to carry over in a different style, not even the leading names.
Can ETH get us scoring 80 league goals in his first season?
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Preach!
The only teams that have done this in the last 10 years are City and Liverpool plus us in 12-13 and Spurs in 16-17. All far better squads than what we have.
We've arguably got less attacking talent right now than at any point in the last 10 years. It's not going to happen.
We've arguably got less attacking talent right now than at any point in the last 10 years. It's not going to happen.
The question should be with upgrades to our midfield/defence will we be able to create chances and score 80+ goals?
Last season there were a few very wasteful chances, Bruno being a massive culprit (Could've easily added 8 to his tally), Elanga missed some and Rashford being Rashford, but we still would've been way off that mark.
Is this Midfield and Forward line capable?
Ronaldo
Sancho-Bruno-Elanga/Rashford/?
FDJ----VDB/Fred
If ETH plays the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 we could see some very slick plays from the team above but there's too many variables so a ballpark of 70 would be a good start
Last season there were a few very wasteful chances, Bruno being a massive culprit (Could've easily added 8 to his tally), Elanga missed some and Rashford being Rashford, but we still would've been way off that mark.
Is this Midfield and Forward line capable?
Ronaldo
Sancho-Bruno-Elanga/Rashford/?
FDJ----VDB/Fred
If ETH plays the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 we could see some very slick plays from the team above but there's too many variables so a ballpark of 70 would be a good start
Sure.
That's 2 goals per game.
With Darwin, Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford and Bruno there's enough fire power to get that.
That's 2 goals per game.
With Darwin, Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford and Bruno there's enough fire power to get that.
Sign Nunez and Gnabry, we'll score 90+
That puts it into context well. It's not going to happen.
First things first, we need to put 3 wins together on the bounce at some point next season!
Based off anything other than last season, we do have multiple goalscorers in the squad. But then, we've only broken 70 once since SAF, so 80 in year one of ETH seems far-fetched.
Based off anything other than last season, we do have multiple goalscorers in the squad. But then, we've only broken 70 once since SAF, so 80 in year one of ETH seems far-fetched.
Based on the current squad, no chance.
Things may look different after Ten Hag signs a fee players though. I think these sort of numbers will be his target for season 2.
Things may look different after Ten Hag signs a fee players though. I think these sort of numbers will be his target for season 2.
Exactly. Our forwards are awful.
The answer is yes.
Tbf 73 is a bit misleading as we scored 9 goals in one game. 73 with them 9 shared across other games would be much better obviously.
Yes, but we will concede 60.
70 is more realistic with some defensive balance.
70 is more realistic with some defensive balance.
Can he get us conceding less than 40 is more to the point.
No it isn’t because scoring goals is more important than not conceding then.
If we're talking PL only, no chance.
Yay more excuses to discredit Ole!
I don’t care really for his first year but I do care what’s the net. We have zero this finished season! Zero, almost negative!!!
In dreams only
If we won every game 1-0 we would have 38 goals with 114 points. I would prefer that to 80 goals. Every game 2-0 and 76 goals. Either of those would be better but four games with 3-0s in there and it’s 80 goals. Would rather us be seen as a defensive fortress
Are you sure, you wouldn't be happier following some other club?
Yep, we should be aiming to concede 0 goals next season.
Too soon, but I think he'll comfortably get to 70 and a 30+ GD
Absolutely no chance. High 60s is what we will realistically get, he is not a magician and the squad he inherited is completely broken.
New Striker is never getting 15. Did you watch him last season?
First touch poor , Can't hold the ball up and his 1 on 1s with the keeper were abysmal. 13 at the very best
Ten Hag's passing drills with Ajax. Can you picture our squad running this drill? 
Literally is screaming at them to keep it on the floor!
Literally is screaming at them to keep it on the floor!
With this bunch? Not a chance.
If we buy two attackers in addition to a couple of midfielders who can pass the ball then we’ll be in a much better position, however. Let’s see how the transfer market goes.
If we buy two attackers in addition to a couple of midfielders who can pass the ball then we’ll be in a much better position, however. Let’s see how the transfer market goes.
No way 80...More like 60..
In theory we have always had the players especially over the past 5 years. But in reality we never spread the goals around enough. Look at City and Liverpool, their CB/FB starters and rotation have contributed 18 goals between them. I don’t think our midfield have contributed that much.
So for it to happen, it be less about the striker and more about the defenders, CM’s & wide attacking players getting their fair share.
Based on last season squad
Varane / Maguire score 6 combined
Lindalof / Bailey 4 combined
Shaw,.Telles, AWB, Dalot 6 combined that’s 16 goals from 8 defensive players.
Fred 5
McTominay 4
Pogba 6
15 goals from our CMs
Fernandes 15
Rashford 10
Sancho 15
Ronaldo 20
That’s over 80 goals there. Can tweak figures a bit minus some here, and goals for Cavani, Elanga, Mata etc
So for it to happen, it be less about the striker and more about the defenders, CM’s & wide attacking players getting their fair share.
Based on last season squad
Varane / Maguire score 6 combined
Lindalof / Bailey 4 combined
Shaw,.Telles, AWB, Dalot 6 combined that’s 16 goals from 8 defensive players.
Fred 5
McTominay 4
Pogba 6
15 goals from our CMs
Fernandes 15
Rashford 10
Sancho 15
Ronaldo 20
That’s over 80 goals there. Can tweak figures a bit minus some here, and goals for Cavani, Elanga, Mata etc
Defenders can easily score 3-4 with better coaching of set-pieces. Liverpool got 11 goals off Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson and Trent this season.
We really don't need any more left-sided attackers.
Gnabry is one of those rare attackers who, when people say he can play both sides, it isn’t bullshit.
I'd say if Ronaldo remains fit for at least 80% of the season, we'll score mid 70s
I currently can not see us doing that. We don’t have enough strikers and are wingers are shite
Fair point.
If he can implement the football he wants to play 70+ could be achievable. 80 would be superb first season.
As of now we have a very weak squad. Lots of players leaving and no signs of any replacements. ETH will have to perform miracles to get the current squad scoring lots of goals. This could all change if we pull our finger out and get signing some players but will still be a mammoth task.
I think GD rather than GS should be a targetted improvement.
I think if Ten Hag gets us to between +30-40 GD, we’ll be well on the way to a comfortable top 4 place
I think if Ten Hag gets us to between +30-40 GD, we’ll be well on the way to a comfortable top 4 place
This.
GD>GS
We finished on zero for God's sake, Spurs had the lowest GD out of the top 4 and even that was +29, not to mention the top 2 both almost had +70 GD.
We have a lot more work to do than just finishing.
We don't have the players (at the moment at least). First focus should be to teach them to play football. Then to stop conceding silly goals. Then try to not be profligate.