Obviously time will tell but who on paper do you think has done the best business in the premier league? Now im discounting Chelsea and Man City as they have silly money. I think Norwich for me have done some good business at decent prices too. Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper could be a very good strike pairing and Leroy Fer should add some steel to their midfield. They've also signed TWO left backs, Olssen from Blackburn who I've always liked (where were we) and Garrido has signed permanently. They managed 11th last year and look stronger now so they'll be gunning for the top half. Who is it for you?
Swansea being in Europe has meant they can kick on and attract better players and also bolster their squad, out of your big top 6 teams I can really see Swansea becoming top 6 contenders in 2/3 years if they keep Laudruap, so long as they finish around 8-10th as well as doing admirable in Europe this year. They are the model club for anyone outside of the top 6, only this summer have we realized how much money/time we have wasted.
Norwich for me like. The fact that so many pundits have tipped them to struggle is beyond me They really do get paid for doing **** all. Some cracking signings with a half decent manager. Should join us in blissful, hassle free mid table.
Excellent.. Swansea Good... Norwich (van wolfswinkel, garrido and hooper) which should see them comfortably 12-14 place and Southampton have strengthened well defensively with Wanyama and Lovren. And we have strengthened all over the pitch. Bad and the Ugly.. The Mags... one player on loan!!! he's injured and may go missing later this season. oops.. and if spurs got rid of Bale and brought in 2 or 3 world class players they could kick on to a champion league spot.
Norwich will be safe, but won't get in the top ten. They have reinforced well, but that is ignoring that they overchieved last season. Soton have gone under the radar for me, despite some large fees. Pochettino seems to know his stuff.
Norwich & Spurs have had the best window for me. Nearly all players signed by both of those teams are better than what they already have which is the only way to improve. You lads have had a good clearout too, I think Altidore will be a good signing and the Italian lad impressed me at the confederations cup. In the dark about most of your other players but letting go of Bramble, Graham, McClean etc can only be a positive. As for us we only have one player and he is a loan, but he's a very good player and we have an option to buy too. If we get another striker and a winger we'll have had a good window for me. All iff's and but's though until September 2.
Agreed. I think they're a certainty for the drop, closely followed by Hull. After that it could be anyone from about 10 teams depending on injuries, suspensions etc.
I think Stoke will struggle, I have a feeling Swansea will struggle this season, similar to Newcastle last season with Europe and their squad is not huge a few injuries they will struggle- not relegation struggle but most pundits seem to think they will be very high up the table did they see their form at the end of last season.
I really hope neither of these sack their managers for under achieving. Surely getting into the premier league is the most important target not staying up - for smaller clubs like this then yoyo is probably the best they can hope for - if they don't break the bank then they shouldn't be getting rid.
WBA to struggle unless they sign some quality. Losing Lukaku will have a dramatic effect on them for me. Anelka is talented but he is 34 and is bound to pick up injuries/need rest. Odemwingie still wants out and Vydra is an unknown at this level. I just think Lukaku is a monster and made others look good. Norwich have done well to get quality in. Wolfswinkel, Fer, Hooper, Redmond, Olsson is good work. They're a bit light up front if they get injuries I suppose. I think Swansea have bought well but also look light up top if they get injuries. Bony looks a monster though. Although not the quickest Laudrup has pace around him. With the Europa it'll depend on how they approach it all. If they go for it in Europe I think they'll hit the same wall as most of the teams who have had a go (Everton, Fulham, Newcastle, Stoke) Liverpool have strengthened well. Real depth in the front line, particularly if these reports about Suarez agreeing to stay are true. Suarez, Sturridge, Aapas, Alberto, Borini looks like it has goals. Got some cracking young players too like Wisdom, Sterling. Obviously they nicked Mignolet of you lot and he is quality. I think Coutinho is a massive talent. They look as though they'll defo sign a replacement for Downing with Willian being mentioned (top class) and cover for Enrique. They got Kolo Toure to fill the gap left by Carragher. They don't like they have many weaknesses and still have intent to sign. Sunderland have done the right thing too. Its all very well the pundits musing over whether it will all gel etc but it needed to happen. It might work, it might not, but far better to try than sit back and hope. Spurs have added some quality with Soldado, Paulinho and Chadli. Still a monster blow if Bale goes though. Man U found it with Ronaldo, when so much goes through one player, you can't help but set your team up to play a certain way. Lose that player and you have to adapt.
Yeah I agree. It's ricidulous that Reading sacked McDermott last season. You need to yoyo such as West Brom for a few years sometimes before you're in a position to consolidate in the Prem. I mean it's not like Reading spent mega bucks or anything. I know Sunderland fans aren't a fan of him but there's no denying Bruce did a cracking job in getting Hull promoted as there were plenty of clubs with a bigger budget than them in the Championship last season. If they come rock bottom his job should be safe. It's almost like manager's of newly promoted clubs get fired for getting promotion. Sometimes I think they'd be better off making the playoffs each season and just missing out rather than earning promotion (along with getting their club millions and millions) and going down the following season and losing their job in the process.
SAFC. I think we will be the surprise team in the EPL this season. Once Fletch is match fit I can see us giving a couple of teams a 4 or 5-0 thrashing
Any Sunderland fans want a sporting bet? I bet Andy King's Crown Jewels (Leicester mod) that we would finish above Leicester last season. the loser had to have the other team's badge as their avatar for the following season). http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/114538-The-General-Chat-Thread Any takers? I do think that we should have 3- 1 (i.e. 3 Mackems to take the bet considering that you are a much bigger club than we are and you are an established Premier League side).
