What are your expectations for this season after the clubs 35 million spend? I personally see the same desperate situation as we did last season and in particular what we saw the back end of last season Weve basically replaced gayle with Wilson, brought in some depth in AM in Fraser and replaced the impressive willems with prospect Lewis.. These are improvements I'm not going to deny that, but in premier league terms and considering the quality additions at other clubs in all areas they really are marginal improvements. If we finish 13th again I'll be surprised, but I don't envisage the side picking up as many muggings as they did last season, but I don't see us getting relegated either... Just.. Prediction 15th. Sorry just how I see things and I hope to be proved wrong.. We can't play. Maybe another unlikey dip into the market would see my opinion change. Your thoughts predictions?
There is 2 more to come in. I will reserve judgement until I see who we sign and who we are to sell. As of now though I'm quietly optimistic of a solid if not spectacular season.
I’d like to think it’ll be less desperate this season. I’m somewhat thinking a return to the Pardew times. A little decent run here and there where the likes of ASM and Fraser have MOM games and we win looking ok, but with more than the occasional bad run due to poor squad management and extremely limited tactics. Players will likely keep playing for Bruce which should see us survive. There’s enough game passion and overall enthusiasm to bring some brighter football but I think we will still suffer some almighty hammerings . Like chaos, if we somehow add one or two more decent signings, even loans, then maybe we can take a shot at top 10 but I think we’re likely to be aiming best case at 11th. There are at least 10 better sides.
Last season was hardly desperate. We were comfortably safe soon after games restarted. Agree though that we will probably be looking at 10-15th. Hoping that we will see a much improved season from Longstaff, S. & Schar, with Lascelles getting back to the sort of form he was at under Rafa. Interesting to see whether there is actually a player inside Joelinton as well. Unlike you I rate Longstaff but he showed his potential in only a couple of games last season. Also Schar was a shadow of the previous season. Now that we have signed Matty Longstaff I would like to see him get more game time as well. Think we are slightly stronger with the signings made but its more about strength in depth. Not really sure why we loaned Woodman back to Swansea again. A season in the Championship should have meant he was either ready to come and play for us or up for sale, if we don't think he is good enough. With Dubravka being injured it would have been the prefect opportunity. We seem to have a habit of sending players out on loan with no future planning involved. Probably what comes of having Shola in charge of loans - wouldn't be surprised if he forgot where he put them.
What happened to the Holding loan? I think we are going to really struggle. Bottom six from the get go. But still survive. Dubs is injured for a good part of the start to the season. Gillespie- 5/10 not sure if he’s going to be any good but must start ahead of Darlow. Lewis- 6/10 but no upgrade on what we started with last season with Jetro. Hendrick- 6/10 average perm player. Might surprise us but is he better than what we have? Fraser- 6/10 he had a good season a while back but not that good last 2 seasons. Part of a relegated side. And he didn’t play. Wilson-7/10 not a bad signing but no better than Rondon. He’s old for the money WE spent and part of a relegated side. However if he hits the ground running we should be ok. But he does just replace Gayle. So all in all a 6/10 window which is better than normal but still only what is expected to keep up with the pack. We where told a spend of 35m and we have a spend of 35m so ok can’t complain there.
Interesting thoughts Expecting some predictions on where were finish by Saturday... It'll be interesting to see where people are right now with things.... Given the evil actions of the premier league and this little ripple of transfer activity..... It'll all resurface if we struggle..
Considering no player has left and we've brought in 3 first team players I would suggest we need to finish a minimum of 11th.
I think it'll be similar to last season but we have an easier first ten games so will have points on the board earlier. We'll never be fully clear of the relegation battle but I don't think we'll get drawn in. Prediction: 14th and 11 points clear of 18th.
Jetro is a big shame we couldn't keep hold of but Lewis does look a good prospect. Aside from that I think we are definitely in a better position than last year. Wilson and Fraser both have goals in them and have both played in the prem for some time now. Hendrick too has been a regular in a decent hard working Burnley team so I think considering I thought we would be doing next to no business because of this takeover uncertainty the club have done well.
I think we might be surprised. It was ****ing awful more than it wasn't last season and surely cannot be any worse this season. I think a finish between 13th and 8th is definitely possible.
