Yeah we've made some good signings but this is more concerning Swansea, Southampton, Norwich and in a way, Sunderland! Swansea knew that they had to do something with regards to spending money so to keep Michael Laudrup as the manager and they have. They've made loads of signings with the most noticeable one Wilfried Bony from Vitesse! He's a top player and weren't we linked with him at some stage? Southampton have signed Wanyama who is a to player from Celtic and also Lovren from Lyon! Some good signings there to add to a good squad. I think they'll do well next season. Sunderland with Di Canio are chugging along nicely and have signed some good squad players and are now looking at some top Italian players. Just signed a lad from Juventus today which really shows some intent. Di Canio and his regime seem to be working well thus far! But I'm most impressed with Norwich. They've stayed up 2 years in a row which is tough to do coming up from the championship. And now they're almost debt free/ pretty much debt free and are making some cracking signings! Van Wolfswinkel is a top player and Fer is class! No disrespect but they're signings I'd expect from a team challenging for Europe! Credit where credit is due and they've done good. Both them and Swansea have done well since coming up. It just goes to show... next season will be a very interesting one in all areas of the league.
Next season should be really exciting, as mentioned Norwich were sorely lacking goals last season but have seemed to have resolved the problem, Swansea have bought well and even Cardiff are going for really good players. Sunderland look like they are changing thier whole 1st team so they may be the new QPR or do really well. I am personnally looking forward to the pairing of Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama which has the potential of being one of the strongest pairings in the league. Wanyama would have been perfect for you guys, as you have a great offensive midfield, but lack that defensive player to cover for Ramirez when he darts forward. The calibre of player that Southampton are being linked with is really turning heads, to think 2 years ago we were being turned down by League 1 players but are now after (if you belive the press) players like Leandro Damiao and Ever Banega
Wel we know the feeling! I remember being told that a billionaire was going to be buying our club! It was a shock but it showed that the club meant intention etc. and I see that with Southampton. I think Norwich will do well now with their attack. Same with Swansea. Yep... Sunderland is a risk but I think Di Canio will work wonders and not do a QPR...
Alright fellas, Sunderland fan here, hope you're all well. Now now lets not be comparing us to QPR. Giaccherini has signed a very very reasonable 25k a week contract and only cost us £6.5m. Our top earner is on less than 50k a week. the Fact is we started July with 2 senior cbs and no full backs shows we were threadbare under MoN with little first team quality and no depth whatsoever. Very different from QPR, We could start slowly but with fitness as a backbone and atlast some quality and attacking width, I think we'll finish strong. We're very happy with the direction the club going
Aha my thoughts exactly! Didn't win a single one last season... Always 1 or 2 teams that screw me over!
I don't think you'll do a QPR at all tbh. It's a very different situation. QPR were panic buying. Just splashing the cash and putting players together in the hope that they'd do well. And in doing so spending millions on the wage bill too! Di Canio isn't stupid. He knows exactly what he's doing and he is a brilliant choice of manager for you fellas. I think you'll come 11th... Can see it being very close at the bottom again this season because Villa, Cardiff, you, Norwich, Southampton... All been in the transfer market. Hull and Palace have too but not to the same extent imo but I'm sure that will change!
Jury is still out on Paolo with most of us, 8 games isn't enough to judge him yet. We back him of course, to the hilt. Should do fine cause his attention to detail is staggering and his emphasis on fitness and tactics can only be a good thing. He did get record breaking marks in his coaching badges. It's our new DoF Roberto Di Fanti and Chief Scout Valentino Angeloni (With his inter targets portfolio) That's working wonders at the moment. More big names in the pipeline too. We had a physically weak team last season, this season we're looking strong and powerful. Norwich are looking really good.
McNally, Norwich's CEO, is an expert in stagecoach transfer robberies. Next up on our shopping list is our beloved feeder club, Leeds United (a.k.a Feeds United), who have provided us with a player in each of the last 4 transfer windows (Johnson Summer 11, Howson January 12, Snodgrass Summer 12, Becchio January 13), Their fans literally hate us as we've poached their best players regularly. Next up is Sam Bryam. We suffered badly last year with Ruddy's injury when he was out from mid-november till early-may (6 months) and a severe lack of depth in the strikers department, aside from the exhausted, knackered, playing every single game, Grant Holt. Redmond provides the much awaited competition for Pilkington. RvW has a fantastic record across the european leagues and we will hopefully see Becchio (scored 20 championship goals by Jan - class!), who was used just 6 times (mostly sub) since his january move. Fer solves the final piece of the puzzle in midfield and will probably be deployed next to Bradley Johnson. Ruddy Whittaker-Turner-Bassong-Olsson Fer-Johnson Snodgrass-Hoolahan-Pilkington RvW Our club's path over the last 4 years has been a breathtaking experience. From last in League 1 on the opening day having lost 7-1 at home, to finishing 12th and 11th in successive PL seasons, to being debt-free (unique among PL clubs - RvW's fee of 8.5m came from last season's transfer kitty) having paid off the last £12m in 12/13. Looking bright! Given that I also support Chelsea, I would be keen to see us take Lucas Piazon on loan for the season. Schwarzer, Van Ginkel and Schurrle are good signings. Add in De Rossi, Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid have just signed a £34m DM to effectively replace him) and Rooney/Sneijder and I will be very happy! Thorgan Hazard will be the next emerging star this season (at his new loaned club), great reports coming out of Belgium last season.
As Chelsea is your 2nd team you must know Chelsea are debt free too so it is not unique. A statement from Chelsea read: “Following previous conversions of half of the debt, the remainder of the interest-free loans from the parent company, whose ultimate controlling party is Roman Abramovich, have been converted into equity making the group effectively debt free.”
I think the 3-0 victory at Newcastle certainly made him a fan favourite. I can't comment too much on the backroom staff as I don't know too much about them. But it seems you're heading in the right direction. Staying up last season was huge for you. You should now progress up the league. Will be interesting to see that's for sure. I agree. Norwich are looking very impressive.
Yep that side you mention is not one that will be fighting relegation. I consider Norwich as my second team due to family living nearby. You're looking very very good. Your rise from league 1 and that thrashing by Colchester has been very impressive. I was delighted when you went up at Fratton Park as well. You have a huge fan base. Passionate fans. You're debt free. Have some top players. And a good manager. You'll do very well next season. As for us... I'd like De Rossi and Rooney. Get them and I think we'll win the league.
