Morning all. Has the match been announced as sold out? Looking forward to seeing how we set up and perform against the favourites for promotion. First games always still have a touch of preseason learning about them, especially in this heat. Think it will be a draw.
Is that expect all three or hope Mike? Would be phenomenal if we get two or three more quality additions but I was very concerned by ARs comments about the need to sell Viera to balance the books. I thought the American cash injection would mean those days were gone.
I know what you mean I think he was saying it so that it would look good when we signed further playersand his partners won't like the fact that he clearly stated that their money would be spent on new recruits I think you can say he said it with his Tonge IN CHEEK!
Marcos, club still needs to balance the books under FFP rules, which limit the amount of losses an owner can make. Unless you’re Brum it seems who can ignore a transfer embargo and receive a letter of “disappointment”.
Morning all here we go again beautiful day,full of optimism hope we all still feel the same come 6-30pm. Really hope bielsa plays his strongest team from the start. If they tire then sub them but let's not start with the dross that finished last season,they've had their chance. I agree about jansson starting if not we could be 2 or 3 down before we know where we are. Regarding the radrizanni interview it sounds and looks to me like he's lining up to bail out at the end of this season if we don't go up. Think that's why we're getting majority of loan players no big transfer fee only wages. If he does decide to go I really hope he does the right thing by the club and find us an owner that has got the funds to move the club forward. Anyway good luck to the boys today and the rest of the season.
a up lads, Stoke fan in peace. I havent got a clue whats going to happen today. We have been very poor pre season and the problems we had when we were relegated are still there. May the best team win.
Afternoon Marcos et al - the nagging fear of a gubbing stems from the fact that we don't know how Bielsa's philosophy and formation will translate to the rigours of the Championship, and given the players we have available. I think Bielsa will win the undying admiration of the fans by pulling a sneakie and playing Jansson. Oh, and we'll win 2-0. What? A man can dream....
We’ve played mainly poor opposition preseason, strange thing is the probable starting 11 if you exclude new signings have only played two games together. Most of us are hoping the new signings start, if they do then it’s game on, if they don’t your season might get off to a flyer. I genuinely believe now is a good time to play us, we’re going to take time to get used to a new formation and tactics and a high tempo game, something that might not last too long in the heat.
I don't think the heat will be a problem for our guys. Might be for Stoke. Think about it - our guys have been training in a heatwave for weeks now. Not just the usual level of training we've been used to, but all day, 3 session jobs. None of your lunchtime finishes that everyone else does these days, including Stoke. You only have to look at our first pre season match. 90 minutes completed by all of the players. No subs! That was nearly a month ago, so imagine the fitness level now. The heat will be our ally, not our enemy. Betcha Stoke wish they could say that!
Not sure if I'm excited or more nervous really don't know what to expect having not seeing any preseason games. Setting off at 3 so fidgeting about like a kid waiting to open a Christmas present. Hope it's something I asked for and not some cheap copy
First game of season can go either way while teams try to find their feet early. Depends on what team and formation Bielsa plays. Bielsa's formation/s will catch many teams on blindside, but second half of season will see them get wise to how he plays.
