I was feeling very optimistic as the first ball was kicked in our opener last season against Palace, only to quickly realise that 7 new faces and a manager's lack of ideas couldn't bring us the title, let alone Top 4. So it's with some surprise that, after witnessing our capitulations against some of the big sides last season, I genuinely think we have a shot at Top 4 this season. In pre-season Poch's system seems to be working, the boy Lamela could well deliver on some of his promise from a year ago, and I've always (quietly, mind) backed Soldado to score double-digits from open play - at least.
Combine these three facets with some very good signings so far (with more to come before deadline day, no doubt - and they should be welcomed if they arrive with PL experience and a genuine claim for a position in the side), and I think we're looking far better than we have in a couple of years. Yes, we still miss Bale and I think we need an out-and-out quality winger, but the side is looking far more settled and solid than it did under Sherwood or during AVB's abortive second season (well, half of it).
I can see City and Chelsea having a duopoly on the top two spots. Arsenal, based purely on their consistency and with the addition of Sanchez, are likely to be probable-to-highly-likely winners of the third or fourth berths. That leaves us against Liverpool and United...and I think Liverpool will struggle more this season as teams wise up to Rodgers' strategy, and as they have to balance CL football with the demands of the PL - all without Suarez. And as for United, we've all seen the stats that show LVG's club sides start slow - that lack of momentum may just open things up a bit for us, and embolden us forward.
Whatever happens, I just want to see us playing sexy football and scoring goals. COYS!
