So now we know what all of the squads are going to look like this season - well until January at least. I think we have come out of the whole exercise in a better state. We have more strength at the back. We look sharp and fluid up front. It also helps that we are top of the league! It looks as though our buys have always been to compliment what we already had. I believe this is important as we have a better chance of maximising this season the progress we made towards the end of the last because the new players will integrate to our play rather than there be a revolution of styles. I'm still not sure where I am with the Suarez thing. I'm instinctively glad that the management stood strong and won the battle of wills - this bodes very well for the future. Part of me would still want Suarez out of the club. But another part of me can't wait for the next 2 matches to be complete and see him ripping defences apart again! I doubt we will ever know the truth but is he now a red or will he want away again in January or June? However, at the moment I'm quietly confident of us having a very good season. How good remains to be seen.
There's a sense of quiet optimism around the club at the minute after our impressive start to the season. Granted, we could have had more difficult opening fixtures but we have to beat whoever is in front of us and we did that. For once, we actually go into the season with a settled squad and manager. No more revolution and overhauls. We're 'slowly' progressing with each window, shifting out the crap whilst improving the squad with some shrewd signings. I feel we were one top class attacker (Mkhitiryan or Willian) away from having the perfect window but I can't complain. I hear you on Suarez - despite the stats, our attack is better with Suarez in. Replace Aspas with Suarez and we'll be in a better position. I hope we can win the remaining games before he returns as it will show him that we're not dependable on him and he can't go around disrespecting us. Put him in his place a little. Hopefully we do get rid of him at the end of the season because we've seen how ruthless he is if he wants to leave.
I can understand where he was coming from tbh. Although he couldn't have gone about it in a worse way which I will never forget - there was truth in that he gave absolutely everything and was superb all season (up until the bite) and we were no where near champions league spots. I think if January comes and we are right up there he will be committed to the cause in getting us there. But then again, he may stab us all in the back again.
How the team deals with losing will be important, it's great that we are undefeated and I hope we can build up a good string of results but when we do lose a game we need to react well and go on another run of good results.
I think there is a definitely a team spirit and unity now - you could see that in the first game when Mig saved the penalty, and they all went crazy.
In my opinion, sorting out the defence was the most important thing. Not just in terms of keeping things tight at the back, but also by playing a higher line so we can press teams more effectively. Hopefully with the signings we have made, we can do this now.
It is going to be nice if we can have a good winning run, but sometime disappointment do happen. Teams are now looking to be the first to beat us. I can quote Rafa Benitez he said "good team do not lose two in a roll"
1. suarez... if rodgers uses him differently than before... Ie not as the false 9 bollox but leaves sturridge alone and puts suarez wide and moses wide and coutinho in the middle. then we'll see. 2. please give credit to ayre. after all the bolloxology about him being amateur hour or too slow you can see we did our best. frankly got refused by a few that we'll be better off without and we got in who we could.
I always said there are many and complex reasons behind our transfer "failures" and it doesn't mean the board are useless. I think we've done very well given what we had to work with. The good start to the season can't have hurt with the later signings either. After the debacle with the Kenny/Comolli signings I think we've now swept away that feeling that we're a soft touch, and if that means we may have missed out on a target, I still think it benefits us in the long run. As for Drac, if he picks up where he left off I'll be happy. The summer shenanigans won't be forgotten exactly, but I won't be holding them against him. He's there to play football, not win a popularity contest, so as long as he continues to rip up defences, I'm happy.
You lot have had a good window, kept hold of Jaws, parted with some of your expensive dead wood & brought in some good replacements imo. I hate to say it, but I can see you having a really good season.
tobes we need to earn that good season yet... confidence is up though and confidence is a great thing.
I've seen 2 out of your 3 games so far, both very different, but you won both, which is ultimately all that matters. Winning breeds confidence & a good early season start can often create a level of momentum that can carry you along for months. The one thing that could upset your applecart is ironically the return of your best player..........
happy with what we brought in at the back as well, only thing is what happened to the Given situation?, only depressing thing is we still have Jones as backup.
I agree with the higher line. the further up you can compress things the less space there is between lines for teams to play in. as for jones... look we had someone and we fired them out for the sake of their wages so we were never going to give given his 60k per week were we. jones is ok cos minger is 24. jones can si tall year and then not have his contract renewed. he costs a small amount in prem terms.
over confidence = complacency. confidence = knowing you can do it and then delivering the work to back it up.
