It's such a killer that it's been left so late, too. If it is someone like damaio, I wouldn't mind betting that the bloke can't speak a word of English. That, coupled with the fact he wouldn't know his team mates or how they play football, is just asking for trouble.
We have expertly built a reputation under Levy as the most prudent/tightest club in European football. Like the bloke who goes missing when it's his round in the pub. We have suffered , as the club could have signed some great players but would never pay that extra million. These players are now out of our reach on price. How stupid is that ? This season coming looks it could be a return to mid table kings. To be fair AVB has been sold a dead duck if ENIC don't change their sober policy. Defoe should be sold on. He is useless as a loan striker but very good with page 3, celebrity, manufactured pop stars. I have always been amazed how are micro multi millionaire forward does it. Levy may pull another master-stroke in the last minute of the transfer window with the return of Frazier Campbell. Lessons never seem to be learn't.
He'd struggle to adjust to the league and lifestyle, as virtually all South American players do have a period of adjustment, if they manage it at all. The language barrier shouldn't be such an issue for us though, as we've got a few players that speak Portuguese and the manager and some coaches do, too.
This I can't see us getting top 6 as things stand. I dunno really what to say, maybe it's Levy's long term plan to let AVB build a squad up over a few seasons to be competing again for top 4 by the time the (probable) new stadium comes along. If not, it's going to be a wumfest on here for the coming season. Mods, get ready.
If we get top 6, and have a good crack at the CC and the Europa then we will be doing ok. But 8months ago we were looking champs league certs, and our ambitions were to win the league. so our ambitions have dropped somewhat.
It's a shamble and a disgrace. There is no way now that we're going to have a new striker or keeper properly integrated with the first team for Toon. The keeper I can live with, but the striker situation is not acceptable. I think AVB is going to look a real patsy on Saturday night as Harry's mates rip him into him after Toon have turned us over. I simply can't believe what ENIC are doing to him. I'm no fan of theirs, but I thought they surely would have backed the manager they brought in after sacking 'darling Harold'. Words almost fail me.
we could get a hiding at Newcastle this weekend. we'll end up having having loads of possession but no end product, resulting in us getting beaten by some clinical play from Newcastle. i can see it now.... we'll pass pass pass pass pass, lose the ball in the final 3rd as we'll look completely lost, then be under pressure. .....and repeat process for 90 mins. A Draw will be a fantastic result.
Though I agree that not having a striker integrated into the team by the Toon game looks almost inevitable (unless Ade signs), I'm more optimistic--or, to be precise, I'm going to wait till the transfer window closes to start giving up hope. A lot of things are likely to happen between now and then.
i think everyone knows there'll be movement towards the end of the window RWAEB. I think it's the fact that we're starting a season so weak, that's pissed most people off.
We MUST MUST MUST have a crack a the Europa League this year. The final is being played in Holland exactly 50 years to the day when we became the first British club to win a European trophy. Lifting the trophy would be a rather fitting way of celebrating our historic victory.
We're barely even discussed the outcome at the end of the season, should we not show our ambition now. I can't even begin to think about it.
You won't be getting a hiding off us. Tiote, Cabaye and Ben Arfa will be missing and Colo could also miss out. This match is probably going to be your easiest match of the season
Sorry to hear that, but great news for us. I might upgrade my prediction to 0-0 then as i don't think we could score in a brothel right now
I bet if you offered both managers a draw, AVB would take it and Pardew wouldn't. Toon are slight favourites ATM, home advantage is a large plus for them regardless of team line ups. http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/newcastle-v-tottenham/winner
You could say that about most teams playing the team that finished right next to them in the table. Eg, City vs Utd i'm sure Fergie would take a draw. Utd vs City and Mancini would prob take a draw (hmmm, mind you they dicked on them last year, bad example, you get my point i'm sure)
Not losing away to your rivals is the way to consistancy. Utd have been relatively poor against the old top 4 for years, but still win titles as they beat the wigans, norwich's etc.
