I wouldn't expect Ancelotti or Pep to take this team and get a result vs Brighton or Spurs. A front three of Harrison, who has been relegated. Doucoure, who has been relegated. McNeil, who has been relegated. Behind a striker who wants off. With Gana Gueye after his last contract is earned, and Tim - time will tell.
NDiaye and Lindstrom could prove revelations - who knows? But to expect them to make a massive difference is optimistic to say the least.
I think Dyche overachieved with this team last season - I've said plenty, only Moyes has had a better individual managerial achievement at this club in our Premier League era. I don't expect that level of accomplishment as standard.
Why do you expect a team that has been in a relegation fight for 3 seasons on the spin because of an inability to score goals, to suddenly be sound because of NDiaye and Lindstrom?
Again - averaged 41 points 3 seasons on the spin. We only hit 40+ points after 34 games last season.
This club/fans will be stressing about relegation until we hit 40 points.
Which is why I've said repeatedly all summer - it's another season of bad blood pressure
See, I never expected results out of Brighton and Spurs, well maybe a home draw at a push to Brighton, it's about the performances and our inability to keep scores down so far.
You can't whinge about our front 3 when the manager picks it against all logic. I'm expecting
Ndiaye and Lindstrom to be better than the likes of Doucoure and Harrison and I'd love to actually find out.
He is a manager completely set in his ways and hamstringing himself by picking favourites for no reason.
No sane manager picks Keane over
O'Brien. None. Don't care if
O'Brien is seen as a bit fresh still, we would accept his errors because we'd understand he's learning and being developed.
We are in for another rough season but we should, SHOULD be comfortable at least. None of this praying for 17th garbage. We are better than that and better managers get more from this squad.
If Bournemouth smash us, what will you say? That it's to be expected?