That actually is a fair criticism and its good to have you over here creating debate boys. You're very welcome.
The only thing I would say is that the incoming players are undoubtedly of a better quality than the outgoing ones and I remember Hughes' first season in charge at Fulham saw them not win in their first 10 or something, then storm up the league. Everton have done that year on year for a long time now also. I just hope that's the case with us and that we kick into gear sooner rather than later.
I see you boys have agreed a fee with Steven Fletcher? What do you think about that?
Thanks for taking it the way it was supposed to be
You remind me of ourselves when we were first starting out getting established in the premier after years of being the yo yo club. We came up with Keane and threw millions at players, paying 8m for the likes of Anton Ferdinand! Crazy. The situation is though, again you were in a similar position as us. Had the odd good player here and there, but not really any top players. You have to break the mould and by doing that you have to over-spend to get the big established premier league players. You have to pay big wages to get these big players to an 'unfashionable club' and 'smaller club' because by doing that it also lifts the profile of the club and then makes it easier to target better players in the future now.
I have my doubts about Hughes, just like I did Bruce and every other manager that played under Fergie. They get the big jobs and money to spend, but none have any real class, nor will any of them go on to become top managers, imo.
It will take you time to gel, and the only advice I can give you is not to get carried away. First of all you need to become established and to achieve that you need to survive 3 seasons, so for the next couple of seasons if you are finishing low down the league, so what. Once you become established, it is easier to attract players then start pushing on to consolidate to a middle order team (like we are now). Once you are there then you are only 2 or 3 quality signings away from being a top half club and pushing for the cups and a place in Europe (like we are trying to do now). Be patient and don't forget where you were a few years ago and where you are heading. Build in stages.
Fletcher is a funny one mate, yes he is over-priced, but maybe that is because he is unfashionable? Every season he has hit double figures in the premier league, last season he scored the most headed goals in the league and also had the best goals to shots ratio in the league. He is a proven premier league player, which gives us a better chance of success with him then spending 1-2m less and getting some fancied named foreigner who could flop, like a lot do. He is a target man which we have been crying out for and O'Neil's sort of player. At the moment we haven't done the best deal BUT if Fletcher can bang 15+ in this season and continue like that, then it is an absolute bargain. Only time will tell I suppose.
Oh and if we bring Adam Johnson in as well, you may hear of giant white snowstorm like stuff all over the North East!
Good luck for the season.