I am actually more confident this season. It was a massive blow to lose richarlison, but there are definite positives:
- We shouldn't have the amount of injuries again that we had last season. That was a freak occurrence and led to us being in a relegation fight
- Benitez is gone. I can't see us losing the sheer number of games that we did last season
- We have another CB, which means we are better at the back and hopefully Keane and holgate are kept away from the starting 11 a bit more often now.
- The teams around us are significantly weaker. Leeds and Brentford have lost their best players. Southampton are dreadful and don't look like improving.
- we are being linked with some younger, hungrier players who will make a big difference to the team. I think some of our players are decent but need grafters in the team with them. We will hopefully get that if we land any of the names we are being linked with.
I'm not saying we are going to be challenging for Europe, but the team we have should be mid-table.