👆 Source 1, Source 2 + Photoshop
At the end of each season, I like to review expected data (expected goals, expected conceded and expected points) to see how the Premier League season would have ended if teams had achieved their "expected" levels.
This season will be no different but before writing that post, I read through last season's "What Ifs?" which contained a few predictions, expectations and discussions in the comments. This post revisits some of those talking points...
Antonio Conte
Having made an instant impact after taking over at Tottenham, his "what if" 3rd place finish left me excited about how they would perform this season with me saying...
I'm particularly looking forward to ... and if Spurs can challenge Man City and Liverpool.
...as well as saying...
I'm looking forward to Spurs next season. They've made some good signings although if Son Heung-Min goes to Real Madrid, things won't be looking so good!
@frafiomatale was more cautious though, knowing the Italian well...
I am curious to see what Conte will do next year with Tottenham: usually his best year is his first, but not having coached the team from the start he might well surprise.
Spurs started the season well, continuing from the good work Conte did last season but there was always criticism regarding their boring, defensive approach. When results started to suffer and Conte's behaviour became increasingly erratic (the guy seemed desperate to get sacked), he was finally relieved of his duties. Perhaps surprisingly, Spurs were still 4th in the table at the time although just 2 points ahead of Newcastle who had 2 games in hand.
The sacking didn't change their trajectory, seeing them finish 8th and missing out on European football altogether. Amid increasing talk about Spurs being rotten throughout, they've struggled to appoint a top class manager and have settled for Celtic's Ange Postecoglou - I'll be very surprised if he survives a full season at White Hart Lane.
Eddie Howe
In a similar vein to Antonio Conte, I was also optimistic about Eddie Howe's season at Newcastle...
Given how they've strengthened during the summer, they could well be challenging for Europe over 2022/23.
...concluding with...
I'm particularly looking forward to how Newcastle get on next season...
This time, Newcastle didn't disappoint. Additions to their defence in the form of Nick Pope and Sven Botman, having previously signed Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn, gave Newcastle the joint meanest defence in the league (along with Man City), conceding 33 goals.
Further forward, despite injuries, Alexander Isak provided some guile in attack to accompany the resurgent Miguel Almiron and (sometimes) fit again Callum Wilson. Joelinton's change of role into Central Midfield has also proved to be a master stroke with the Brazilian having his best season in England so far alongside Bruno Guimarães.
The team is well balanced, organised and quick in attack - fully deserving of their 4th placed finish and Champions League football for the first time in over 20 years, hopefully creating more memories like this...
It'll be interesting to see how Newcastle add to their squad this summer to cater for the addition of high intensity European football next season.
Manchester United
Man Utd didn't get a mention in last season's article due to the huge disappointment surrounding the woeful Ralf Rangnick. But with @eosxiomara and @olawalium amongst Steemit's Man Utd fan base, they appeared heavily in the comments, with @olawalium saying...
Exactly and also so many dead wood players are still on the books. They are wasting time chasing high profile De Jong. We need players who don't necessarily have the big name tag but would sweat for the jersey on the pitch.
...with Cristiano Ronaldo being a player that many considered as dead wood as it got. His departure breathed a new lease of life into Man Utd and fans will also be optimistic about the future under Erik ten Hag.
They achieved an interesting blend of signings - the love him or hate him Brazilian, Antony (🤡), has the potential to set the Premier League alight, assuming that he stops spinning around long enough to do something good....
...Paul Scholes' expression is great...
The experience that Casimero and Eriksen provided in Midfield made a huge difference and despite his tiny size, Lisandro Martínez was briefly discussed as one of the best Centre Backs in the league. The signing of Wout Weghorst still confuses me though.
There are still weaknesses and plenty of dead wood still to dispose of but the direction is good and their 3rd place finish was well deserved... although a real title challenge still feels some way off.
