It's not really worse than last season, Ivar isn't far behind McAuley, I'd say it's about the same and that's before we bring anyone else in. And yes he will be an important player. He's moving his family to Ipswich and he's not likely to be recalled just for a jiggle to Schwarzer. As far as attacking goes we've undoubtedly improved. But the job is only half done and that's why no-one's getting carried away.
Of course its worse. You've just admitted yourself that Ingimarsson is behind McAuley and you haven't got anybody else in.
As far as I know Carra the league season hasn't kicked off yet and the transfer window doesn't close until the end of August! But of course I bow down to your superior knowledge in these matters!
It remains to be seen whether you will bring in anyone of note to fill that horrible void in your defence. As the season gets nearer, you will find it more and more difficult to bring in anyone decent without having to pay over the odds. While we're bowing, I bow to your superior knowledge regarding our squad for our return to the Premier League.
i'm of the opinion there aren't many decent centre halves around these days. i think thats one reason why leicester went crazy and signed mills for £5.5m. he is excellent at championship level but for that price i'd want a proven international centre half. i think we've had problems identifying new defenders. i'm delighted with de laet - he has good awareness and has great pace but i'd be hard pushed if i was jewell to find two decent centre halves at this stage. i heard ipswich were linked with stearman who is one of the most arrogant human beings on the planet. he certainly feels he is world class... i'm afraid he isn't. as for odds, of course city are one of the favourites for the drop. whoever is promoted is always favourite. it was noticeable last year though we were ranked higher by bookies to gain promotion than ipswich, despite having come up from league one! i expect some were surprised by that but looking at the teams on paper it made sense. ipswich haven't really improved this summer but they have got a better keeper (if they can keep him) and a striker who could net 15 goals with decent service. problem is, they have no service as their midfield is one paced and lacks vision. a good keeper still needs a good defence in front of it - otherwise he will be too isolated. you don't have that. as i predicted before, ipswich will finish mid-table where they usually do. if they push for top six i'm sure they can't ask for much more than that considering the total mess they were in under keane! as for us, we need to finish above three teams - it isn't impossible.
"We needed to finish above three teams-it wasn't impossible." possibly the epitaph of every relegated team every season!
Better to be up the tree and possibly fall, only to climb again, than be at the bottom of the tree and never be able to climb it.
Macauly was a poor centre half total shadypants and i'm glad he is gone Intheremyson is much better...
I'm sure you know that once you reach a certain age that when it comes to it its best to save yourself for the serious games.
We've signed two defensive players and a keeper. So yes we have improved/changed our defence. As was proven last season both our keepers have rickets in them, Stockdale by all accounts hasn't. And that will mean a lot to anyone who stands in front of him. I consider Bowyer to be an upgrade on Norris and Chops and Emanual Thomas to be more a threat that Scotland and Priskin so other than Defensive Mid I cant see anywhere were we are worse off. We haven't had a right back in years so that's no difference. As for what we do this season, it's anyone's guess but I fancy we won't be sitting precariously above the relegation zone for much of it.
Your probably right we will win most games easily but when we have a toughy he will be ready nice of you to point this out Crud one.
Oh so he needs to be playing in the tough games? Surely you don't expect a pensioner to play over 40 games? Poor old bugger.
Our squads lightyears ahead of last seasons, try and belittle us all you want but lets look at the facts - Headless chicken Norris gone, class act Bowyer in Chopra added to attack to replace a complete misfiring line of strikers Stockdale = better than any of our keepers by a country mile Ingimarrson ( IF FIT ) better than McAuley and and actually passes the ball on the deck Jewell over Keane............ nuff said ! Wickham gone = everyone heaping pressure onto an 18 year old gone. We'll be a lot better than we were last season. The leagues not as good either, I'm more than happy with where we're currently at. If we can add the extra 3 / 4 players we hope to add, I think this could be a great season.
