After watching a few of the so called strugglers near the bottom ,apart from us,assuming Sheff Utd and Luton are bankers to go down I reckon most of the ones from 10th to 16th have improved no end since the last time we were in the Prem,and all seem to be a lot better managed,Everton ,played 3 ,lost 3 ,goals none are pretty dier ,so who else can we rely on to be as bad as Everton?

Too early

Luton, Sheffield, Everton and Wolves to fight it out with Forest and Bournemouth looking over their shoulder.

Those happen to be the bookies odds too, with the rest of us less likely. Of the rest of us I have a sneaky feeling Palace without Zaha may steuggle and Brentford’s bubble will burst soon.

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:08 pm

Luton, Sheffield, Everton and Wolves to fight it out with Forest and Bournemouth looking over their shoulder.

Those happen to be the bookies odds too, with the rest of us less likely. Of the rest of us I have a sneaky feeling Palace without Zaha may steuggle and Brentford’s bubble will burst soon.

Forest looked good today against Manure ,and Wolves looked good against Manure,and they also beat Everton,Would love Manure ,and Everton to go down.

A full strength Everton aren't that bad but an under strength Everton are dreadful.

we are at just as much risk as anyone outside the big guns of going down, to quote Dyche the margins are very tight at this level

Luton Sheff U Everton for me. Too early to comment on us but no points from next 2 will put us in early trouble and no idea how Brighton are near the top based on today. No easy games for sure. Even Luton gave Chelsea a game despite the result

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:06 pm

we are at just as much risk as anyone outside the big guns of going down, to quote Dyche the margins are very tight at this level

We aren't, honestly we are not.

The talent in our squad coupled with the manager means no.

Our biggest problem is keeping Kompany because it's no secret that this guy is good.

Everton have been dreadful for years especially given what they spend. A year in championship would probably be a blessing for them in the long term. Nothing I’ve seen so far that makes me think we can’t have a good season.

Luton, Everton, Sheffield and Bournemouth. Forest and Wolves just above those 4.

equinox wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:13 pm

We aren't, honestly we are not.

The talent in our squad coupled with the manager means no.

Our biggest problem is keeping Kompany because it's no secret that this guy is good.

we've played one game, we've not scored a goal but we looked very good in plenty of it though. 'm not saying we will drop or struggle but I'm not daft enough to think just because we've spent money and have a good manager that it will be a walk in the park, it's going to be just as tough for us to win games as everyone outside the big boys. I do hope you are correct though, I enjoyed the stress free aspect of last season and would like another !!

Apart from the opening game, we hardly set the world alight for a good number of games. Not only did we draw almost every game, we got our ar#e handed to us on a plate by Sheffield. It wasn't until Sunderland away that things truly picked up and that was at championship level.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:19 pm

we've played one game, we've not scored a goal but we looked very good in plenty of it though. 'm not saying we will drop or struggle but I'm not daft enough to think just because we've spent money and have a good manager that it will be a walk in the park, it's going to be just as tough for us to win games as everyone outside the big boys. I do hope you are correct though, I enjoyed the stress free aspect of last season and would like another !!

Talk to me tomorrow mate when we've taken a decent Villa team to the cleaners.

We're good, very good.

Now we are here I realise I have no idea how we are going to perform against the other 17. 19 less SU and Luton. I need to get the first 7 or 8 over first.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:31 pm

Apart from the opening game, we hardly set the world alight for a good number of games. Not only did we draw almost every game, we got our ar#e handed to us on a plate by Sheffield. It wasn't until Sunderland away that things truly picked up and that was at championship level.

You do realise that after losing 1-0 to Watford we were not behind for even a second during the next 11 games before Sunderland but frustratingly gave away a lot of last minute goals. I doubt even Man City could match that record although no—one in the media even noticed. We were far superior to the rest of the division pretty much from minute one but we had to learn to see out games. Vinny sounds much more confident this season and that gives me a feeling of intense optimism. I can’t be alone surely?

equinox wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:13 pm

Our biggest problem is keeping Kompany because it's no secret that this guy is good.

I think this is the biggest question this season for me. Is Kompany good enough to manage in the PL?

I think he is and hope I'm right

I'm just hoping we sort out our problem at defending set pieces. Confident that if we can do that we will do well.

If you want to know how early in the season it is, check out who's top.

Early season form has done nothing to change my mind that there is an awful lot of clubs that will struggle this season

Commy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:02 pm

I'm just hoping we sort out our problem at defending set pieces. Confident that if we can do that we will do well.

I think that out of all Premier league managers, Burnley's may be the best at defensive coaching. I do agree, we will be fine.

Are Everton too big a club for a relegation struggle ?
Well not on recent history they arnt...they are in the mix with a good few others.

Aclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:33 pm

Are Everton too big a club for a relegation struggle ?

Now that Dyche kept them up last season I think most will be willing Everton to be relegated this season. . We loved you Dyche but that time has passed and your team look doomed !

Everton had 23 shots against Fulham and 15 today against Wolves. With Sa making 7 saves.

A goal wrongly disallowed for Tarky against Fulham and another disallowed today. Although I haven't seen today's yet.

Once they get a striker they will be fine.

I think your bottom 10 as things stand are 7 or 8 of them.
Luton, Blades, Everton, Bournemouth, Wolves, Forrest, Fulham, Palace.

Oh! And us.

Lots can happen over the remaining 2 windows. Injuries, etc. Everton look doomed unless they get someone who can finish but they looked OK otherwise, today.

I'm a little nervous. Our next two games are against teams who look the part early season. I hope we don't get through without any points. I wish we had offered to play Luton at home last weekend just for a chance of getting three points on the board.

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:08 pm

Luton, Sheffield, Everton and Wolves to fight it out with Forest and Bournemouth looking over their shoulder.

Those happen to be the bookies odds too, with the rest of us less likely. Of the rest of us I have a sneaky feeling Palace without Zaha may steuggle and Brentford’s bubble will burst soon.

For sure palace will suffer without zahas creativity but towards the end he was getting injured a lot & they was actually doing better without him, if olise picks up where he left off they should be ok, question marks over whether Franca will make any impact as a unknown, Brentford look pretty solid even without toney, a lot is made & said when cult like figures leave clubs but it can galvanise clubs after becoming over reliant on certain players, subconsciously them players are actually holding the clubs back & stalling future progress, it'll be interesting to see how spurs get on without Kane but they don't seem to be doing too badly, still early days to be making rash predictions.

Perm any 10 from 15.

Let's be honest, we're very much an unknown quantity to ourselves let alone other teams, fans or the bookies.

It'll take several weeks or even months for a pattern to emerge.

There are only a few men who know the starting eleven we'll be moving towards namely VK and his staff. And even then we know our boss quite often switches things.

Everton have started as poorly as they were playing until the last few games as last season. However, they appear to have created chances today and against Fulham. They desperately need a fit Calvert-Lewin but sadly for the lad that's beginning to look unrealistic. They must sign a goalscorer this week. Let's hope they don't.

Aclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:33 pm

Are Everton too big a club for a relegation struggle ?
Well not on recent history they arnt...they are in the mix with a good few others.

Size of the club is irrelevant.

What the players do on the pitch is what’s important.

If Everton can’t find a winning formula, they are toast.

Everton's luck might run out 1 day but how many times is the same thing said before it begins to sound like a broken record.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:31 pm

Apart from the opening game, we hardly set the world alight for a good number of games. Not only did we draw almost every game, we got our ar#e handed to us on a plate by Sheffield. It wasn't until Sunderland away that things truly picked up and that was at championship level.

Blimey, that's one pessimistic review. How many did we actually lose? Sheffield United was a freak game. Yes, we conceded some silly goals, but this was a radically different team playing a radically different style of football. We've made a few signings, and we're a level up, but the style will be ingrained now. We'll lose a few this year but I believe we'll be safe.

Surprised more haven't highlighted Bournemouth. Not getting the early results, and their big money signings are injured for at least a couple of months. Wolves will be down there too - they were battered today by Everton and only their toothlessness and goalkeeping heroics kept them in it.

Interesting thread from Nick Harris on relegation

https://twitter.com/sportingintel/statu ... 4774722561

Hopefully not us, but we are only 1 game in so it’s really hard to say how we will fair. I do wish we would get a left back sorted ASAP though and if rumours are true about signing Bakayoko or something similar then you would hope we would be okay.

Luton could well be in trouble and are clearly one of the favourites to drop, although it will be interesting to see how they go at home.

I do think it’s Everton’s turn to drop. They have been circling the whirlpool for too long now with a poor side and no money to spend. Sheff U will also drop in my opinion as I just can’t see where their goals are going to come from.

Ampth7 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:32 am

Hopefully not us, but we are only 1 game in so it’s really hard to say how we will fair. I do wish we would get a left back sorted ASAP though and if rumours are true about signing Bakayoko or something similar then you would hope we would be okay.

Luton could well be in trouble and are clearly one of the favourites to drop, although it will be interesting to see how they go at home.

I do think it’s Everton’s turn to drop. They have been circling the whirlpool for too long now with a poor side and no money to spend. Sheff U will also drop in my opinion as I just can’t see where their goals are going to come from.

Problem with Everton and in-spite of FFP if they're struggling at Xmas Dyche will have been potted, and a new manager will be in and they’ll buy big in January including probably doing a Newcastle and pinching the best players from their relegation rivals

BleedingClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:36 am

Problem with Everton and inspire of FFP if their struggling at Xmas Dyche will have been potted, and a new manager will be in and they’ll buy big in January including probably doing a Newcastle and pinching the best players from their relegation rivals

Interested point. I can certainly see Dyche being chopped if they continue to struggle, but I can’t see them spending big in January because I genuinely believe that they simply don’t have the money. New stadium to build and they have been under the microscope for a while now regarding their finances.

Ampth7 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:39 am

Interested point. I can certainly see Dyche being chopped if they continue to struggle, but I can’t see them spending big in January because I genuinely believe that they simply don’t have the money. New stadium to build and they have been under the microscope for a while now regarding their finances.

You should be right, but…..

I think Luton, Sheffield united, Everton., Burnley, Fulham and Bournemouth and Wolves any of those 3...

Everton look so poor it’s almost beyond belief , their squad has been stripped . Luton and Sheff Utd have a huge struggle ahead and Bournemouth look very lightweight .After that who knows , Us, forest , and possibly Wolves . We’ll be ok .

The next three games will tell us if we have an uphill battle to stay in the PL.

Today should be a good indicator of our level for this season.

Villa look to be a decent team that should finish around high mid table.

Swizzlestick wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:21 am

Blimey, that's one pessimistic review. How many did we actually lose? Sheffield United was a freak game. Yes, we conceded some silly goals, but this was a radically different team playing a radically different style of football. We've made a few signings, and we're a level up, but the style will be ingrained now. We'll lose a few this year but I believe we'll be safe.

Surprised more haven't highlighted Bournemouth. Not getting the early results, and their big money signings are injured for at least a couple of months. Wolves will be down there too - they were battered today by Everton and only their toothlessness and goalkeeping heroics kept them in it.

I'm simply of the view that it may take us a while to find our rhythm, but am extremely confident that we will finish at least mid table. I'll be delighted if we get off to a flyer.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:57 am

I'm simply of the view that it may take us a while to find our rhythm, but am extremely confident that we will finish at least mid table. I'll be delighted if we get off to a flyer.

I agree with this. I think, much like last year, that it will take several weeks before we see this side come to fruition. We have a lot of new signings, many of whom are inexperienced and we probably still have a few more incomings still to come.

Personally, I’m not going to use today as too much of a barometer for the season as a whole especially if we lose.

BleedingClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:45 am

You should be right, but…..

Watch this space I guess?

Forest performance wise will be the most likely indicator of how we do this season.

AlargeClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 27, 2023 9:34 am

Everton look so poor it’s almost beyond belief , their squad has been stripped . Luton and Sheff Utd have a huge struggle ahead and Bournemouth look very lightweight .After that who knows , Us, forest , and possibly Wolves . We’ll be ok .

I disagree a bit with the Everton poor bit,they was crap at villa.But the two home games I’ve watched on the highlights how they have not got six points out of them is crazy.I think sometimes fans have to hold there hands up and say we are laying well but not getting the rub of the green I would accept that if it was Burnley.

equinox wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:36 pm

Talk to me tomorrow mate when we've taken a decent Villa team to the cleaners.

We're good, very good.