We've become weaker because we lost our second most creative player and arguably our primary attacking outlet in Pienaar and didn't replace him. Not only this but we've failed to add to our squad again while the rest of the league have, we'd be at best no worse off than last season if everyone else stood still too but they haven't.
Our hope this season is that a lot of players who didn't turn up last season have big years like Arteta, Rodwell and Saha (3 good games in February doesn't count) and to a lesser extent, Jagielka. One or two of the young players making the first team standard would be helpful too like Mageye, Barkley and Vellios.
Overall I think the key to our season is David Moyes, hard summer or not he needs to get over the bad habits that held us back last year like his negative tactics, favouritism in team selection and tactical changes that come too late.