Fatwax

That is a bit mental, like.

We have a paper thin squad containing a number of notoriously unfit players, some players made from glass and a fair number of players who just don't qualify for the level we should aspire to (strangely, these are mainly the fitter ones). We've known this for months. If you believe injuries will be a valid excuse for poor results be my guest, but not for me they won't, as it has been glaringly obvious for quite a while that this squad needed some major reconstruction work done to it, not just a new layer of paint.. I am still hoping we are getting the work done that needs doing (i.e. being patient like you and others have been saying time and time again we should), but it sounds to me like the optimists themselves are starting to doubt whether the club will do what is needed and are trying to get some excuses in early. And oh, I don't think any game is a write-off before a ball is kicked. An ambitious club going places should certainly not be worried about going away to clubs that finished higher than them last season, because there shouldn't be too much pressure and with some positivity why would an upset be impossible..? Football cliche phrase #75: paper thin squad. Sure, it'd be nice to replace every player we don't like and have a super duper squad that entertains, flows and dazzles but this is reality and we'll have to take gradual steps. Our squad isn't as bad as is being made out by some. We've got some brittle players, but fuck me.. Keegan got a midfield of Barton, Butt & Geremi playing good, spanking the likes of Tottenham and giving good value for money against Chelsea for 45 minutes - and to be fair that only went tits up when Smith emerged. I do agree with the arguement that the midfield caused alot of unnecesary pressure on the defense last season but at the same time I think that we'e lacked a leader at the back and hopefully Colo will be that, leading by example and pushing on for the win. So far this close season, although we haven't signed the likes of Deco & Hery (I am who seriously thought these kinda signings were a possibility anyway?) we have definatly improved by getting rid of 4 players that essentially never played for us with 4 players that have good injury records and appear to have ability on the ball - something we lack. And yeah, I reckon we'll get lubed up and pounded by Man U for our first fixture. That's not being pessimistic, that's being realistic and believing that we won't turn into the Brazil starting XI in a matter of months.

Hmmm, probably more use on the wing considering N'Zogbia insisting to never pass when it's blatantly obvious when he should, Duffs lack of ability to beat the first man and Milners gash crossing. It'd be interesting to see though.

Michael Owen. We're due that sob story.

Don't know what the situation is in Argentina but only something like 15% of Spain speak English.. Wouldn't be surprised if he could knock out a few sentances. Can only help the defence too, with Beye, Bassong & Faye speaking French & Enrique and Coloccini speaking Spanish. Rumour has it that the club shops made a bulk order of C's.

Aye, they got relegated too. Probably best to stick with losing the first game.

I can see Alan Smith & Milner being good at golf actually, there's little movement involved and it's not a team game. With a reasonably fit squad, an extra 2 or 3 signings of the calibre of Jonas would be alright I think, depending on the positions of the players being brought in of course.

Stop subbing keepers! argh! Change the striker!

But Modric and Woodgate didn't sign, so it doesn't count. That isn't ambition. Oh wait, I live in the land of facts. It does count.

I'd love to see Wullies face if he was sat next to a regular every home game with a Duff shirt. That'd just be comedy gold. Every cheer would get a twitch, building up slowly.

Shorey not! Wouldn't mind him here. Alright player.

He'd implode.

He played average at Hartlepool, scored three, didn't look upto much at Doncaster and looked fairly bright yesterday.. could be alright to have around the squad, but I'm still far from convinced, given his supposed wages.

Hmmm, due to Shola's shock injury, I'd probably go for a 4-3-3 type, with 2 wingers pushing up. FM classic. Harper Beye Cacapa Taylor Enrique Butt Guthrie N'Zogbia Milner Duff Smith Not particularly impressed with that squad, but with Milner & Duff cutting in there'd probably be more chance of a goal. Butt covering the back 4, with short passes to Guthrie & N'Zogbia who'd cover the middle of the park. Smith is useless but might get a deflected header in by lucky accident.

Where you seen that? I was on a Spurs board and they were all going on about him being like Pirlo, Iniesta etc.

They were agreed ages ago I think. Then Depor upped the bid and it all kicked off.

Nah Dave, if you say it in a different language it's not jinxing it. Well known fact.

I can never bring myself to hate Roeder. Heart always in the right place and all that. Saying that he was also one of the few managers to ever get anything out of Shola.. got him playing acceptable at one point. Hmmm, just looking on Wiki & it says that the season under Roeder he didn't score any Premiership goals, but I specifically remember him scoring a blatantly offside goal against Everton from a set piece.. or was that someone else?

ahora necesitamos el mediocampista y un voleador solo! coloccini es muy grande

Better than the group who were posting threads telling Keegan to step down about 7 games in. Pathetic. Not aimed at you by the way.

Our lack of striking options is a something of a worry. Tuned in at about the 35 minute mark, but heard good things about Spidey & our overrall play - anyone got much to add?

Butt Haha

So its been reported from the Spanish media that we've definately signed him. Fee agreed between both clubs, player etc.? That the jist of it?

Nah, if the signing is as close as it's been made out to be the player will be in the stands tonight and announced tomorrow. Either that or something will be mentioned on Setanta during the match. Unless I'm wide of the mark.