Junior Hoilett

The Norwich approach is different from the QPR approach, nothing wrong with that and last season proved that it worked. It's a fine line not overcooking it and signing a Bellamy with knackered knees on £80k a week. No one needs that.

Surely the Norwich model embraces younger players or players maybe not playing to the level they could. That's admirable.

Incidentally we've just had Buzsaky turn down a 1 year contract extension as he wants regular first team football and is now a free agent. Genuinely talented attacking midfielder and the sort of player who could inject creativity for not much money and CH is possibly the man to do it. That's the sort of player you need not sol Campbell!!!!!!

Good luck

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence, it's much appreciated, I agree with your assessment of Buz, but we're well covered in the AM department, what we need much more is a DM, capable of holding and breaking up play!

On a side note, I'm very pleased that we (you and I) have sorted out our differences, if only you could pass on the mantle to the two or three stirrers, I'm sure you know who I mean! Sincere good wishes for the new season!

 

well I hope you are well of the mark Bellamy is a has been, woodgate is a cripple we need young players, we dont need global appeal we need East Anglian appeal, the rest of the football world can go fry in its pit of misery and debt

 

Dave you're still a **** but at least you're our ****!

Seriously though I do think that Swansea will collapse now Rodgers is after Allen etc etc and I think SSS could strike you lot as you're no longer a suprise package. Could be a tough season. Who's replacing naughton?

 

Looks like Whittaker atm!

 

Not sure I agree with your assessment, as we have a new manager who I'm sure will have a different playing style, plus as I've said previously our recruits of last season (and the players who've been with us since our league one days) now have 'Premier League experience!!'


I see no value to be gained from bringing a 'big name' as WLOH keeps suggesting. All it would do is take up a vaulable place in the squad and could even upset the entire squad ethos.

 

ignoring whole-lot-of-bollocks comments throughout this thread, i do find it interesting that norwich and swansea are being talked about with second season syndrome, yet not qpr. why is this exactly? we proved last year that ours and swansea's philosophy works better than that of the qpr structure, yet they are carrying theirs on and so are we, so why will it suddenly be our undoing? it can't be because we have a new manager because technically so do qpr. oh yes, that's right - neither ourselves or swansea play in london - that'll be the real reason.

honestly, its laughable! qpr have as much chance of struggling next season as we and swansea do.

 

Can someone PM me when WLoH gets banned again please - going for a temp holiday!

 

That's a mighty large chip on your shoulder.

 

i assure there is not! if you can give me one good, logical reason why swansea and norwich are seemingly 'doomed' according to the national media, yet qpr are fine, then go ahead. i don't say it because i feel unhappy that we are thrown into the relegation mix ourselves, but why aren't qpr too? they give the reason '2nd season syndrome' so why does it only affect two of the three clubs? it has always been the case that clubs in london get 'levered' up to a higher status in the media than more provincial clubs. west ham are a prime example - they are deemed safe by the media next season, yet saints and reading are expected to finish below them. this is not based on any logical footballing rationale.

 

What have I done? This threa dhas had some lively debate even if you disagree with my opinions.

(Also, banned again? I was never banned in the first place...)

 

Charlie Austin anyone? Good age, good record - Rodriguez stole the limelight a bit last season but he had a pretty good season...

 

I expect us to be in the mix too, certainly no higher than 13th, and I think West Ham will be no higher than 17th. A journo would presumably look at is as a case of Swans and Norwich doing excellently last season but probably being a bit weaker overall going into this season than last with the managers going and replaced by, on paper, weaker options, with a less settled preparation than last year. Hughes is seen, rightly or wrongly, as a better manager than Hughton and, for now, Laudrup too. We've brought a few in that will strengthen the squad if not too much the team. As I said, I expect us to be much closer the bottom than the top but logically, given the ridiculous season we had last year, we should improve and it will be difficult for yourselves and Swansea to achieve to the same level as last year without the same managers.

I'm not saying I agree with that but I guess that's how they're seeing it. I think we'll all be between 12th and 16th personally. West Ham are a special case as half the media support them.

 

My prediction for next season:

1) Manchester United
2) Manchester City
3) Chelsea
4) Arsenal
5) Spurs
6) Everton
7) Newcastle
8) Liverpool
9) Stoke (urgh, unfortunately)
10) Villa inspired by Lambo
11) Sunderland
12) West Ham (think they'll do Ok, experienced boring manager and some good players)
13) QPR (Making some good signings and top manager)
14) Fulham (Again making some decent signings, good manager)
15) Norwich (Will be happy with this)
16) Swansea (Second season syndrome but I think they'll just about be OK)
17) Southampton (Think they'll JUST scrape by)
18) West Brom (Think they'll struggle without Woy and will be the suprise strugglers)
19) Wigan (Been saying it for years and they keep proving me wrong but this year I think they'll fall, losing more good players)
20) Reading (Think they'll fight bravely but lack the talent, plus they are a dull club)


Looking at that its clear that everyone below Newcastle in 7th are pretty poor. Weak, weak premier league which gives us a great chance of surviving!

 

I don't share your optimism for West Ham, Stoke or Sunderland.

 

Stoke might not fare that well but with their sort of football and tactics their home form is generally pretty good. I feel Sunderland have an Ok squad and very good manager and will do alright if not spectacular. West Ham still have some prem players, a good support and a manger who knows the premiership inside out. Cant see them going down tbh...

What do you think the table will look like and why?

 

1.) City (just too good now with a reasonably settled squad)
2.) United
3.) Chelsea
4.) Liverpool (think Rodgers will do the business and his, imo boring, style will work well)
5.) Arsenal
6.) Spurs
7.) Everton
8.) Newcastle
9.) Fulham
10.) Southampton (think they'll be the ones to continue the momentum- excellent manager)
11.) Villa
12.) Sunderland (you're probably about right actually, given the amount of dross in the league)
13.) QPR
14.) Norwich
15.) West Brom
16.) Stoke
17.) West Ham
18.) Swansea (just don't see it working out with the players and manager brought in)
19.) Reading
20.) Wigan

 

For me (although this is off topic now)

1. Man City
2. Chelsea
2. Man United
4. Arsenal
5. Newcastle
6. Spurs
7. Liverpool
8. Fulham
9. Everton
10. Sunderland
11. Stoke
12. Villa
13. Norwich
14. QPR
15. Southampton
16. Swansea
17. Wigan
18. West Ham
19. West Brom
20. Reading

 

I think Spurs will actually beat Arsenal if RVP goes and we'll leapfrog a couple of team if we sign Woodgate. BUt other than that I stick by mine. Agree that Rodgers style is boring but disagree taht they will finish 4th. So many average players who wont suit his style and are signing averag eplayers like Borini...