I have a feeling we may be pleasantly surprised this season. We are spending the next month recruiting to what is a decent side. we will have a squad capable of picking up points throughout the first 3-4 months of the campaign and then we will start getting player back which will be like new signings giving us that boost. Everybody is saying about the transfer budget but just look at Leicester, Bournemouth who have managed to perform way above there budgets would suggest. I think we lost our way last season because egos took over. Going to places like Bolton thinking we are going to walk games and get turned over. this season will be a different ball game. when we played in the playoffs, nobody gave us a chance against derby but we made them look like a very very average championship team. with every game this season being a scrap for points and the players knowing the value of every point. Plus i would prefer to go into a campaign with a squad of core players who have been together and experienced the highs and lows together and are willing to fight for each other, rather than sign a bunch of high paid mercenaries who when the going gets tough in the season, will down tools knowing they will be able to move on regardless of the fate of the club. Negredo for Middlesborough is a huge signing but will he have the fight needed? I'm not too sure.
The thing with injuries is, it often gives someone the chance to step up and make a name for himself to an unsuspecting audience outside of the club. I wouldnt be surprised if it was Harry or even Tom in a back 3.
Jesus H Christ. Plenty of back room sh-t hitting the fan yes but common...The club has risen from the football scrapheap lads. Think about it. Consecutive promotions,four Wembley apperances,two play off final wins in front of millions all over the World,winning 2-0 in an FA Cup final, first ever European football and importantly,those famous and unique Back n Amber stripes being recognised all around the World. Here we are on the World greatest football show peice starting grid yet again,yet the mood amonst some of you is like the club has just done a Pompey ffs. Don't let these two mongrels currently in charge of affairs take a chunk of your pride lads,remember this. Chairman come and go and yes,sometimes the stains they leave take some shifting,but our football club has seen darker days than whats going on now and yet here we are,living the dream again lads. Stick with the club I say,it's all to easy to lose it completely and jump ship when it's all going Pete Tong,the lads on the park need YOUR support more than ever now and whilst it's all currently hard to swallow,that has to come first IMO. Rant over..
Blast from the past alert. "All the lads n LASSES there all had smiling faces GOING DOWN THE BOOOFRY ROOOAD...to see the City aces. Remember that one?
I just looked up the lyrics to the original and we're not named as a team that sing a revised version. Tsk. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaydon_Races
Has anybody thought it would be in the best interest for the Allams to actually invest in the team? if they are selling it, it will be much more valuable if it has a long term vision and squad to remain in the premier league. Thats probably the reason they are trying to pull through some signings to breed confidence into the potential buyers that the club they are buying has a long term plan of staying in the premier league. If they where to sell the club now, they would struggle to get amount of money they want based on the team they have. By investing in the team now, Using long term payment plans with clubs to finance the deals, they will increase the value of the club to a level they are happy with and would be investing little of their own money, just using the finances which are forecasted in the future. I predict we will finish on 39 points this season.
yeah it would be prudent for them to invest in the team, but I cant see that happening.................. can you?
Agreed, not sure how they don't see it in their best interests to invest in the team. If they splashed, say, 50m on new players, then come September, whoever comes in for the club can be pointed to those purchases and told the club will now cost them 50m more - or even more if we're doing well on the pitch.
Ive already said I think Lester will be in a relegation battle this season. I wouldve definitely had a bet on them if the odds werent so tight -12/1 for the defending champs to go down? It should be 50/1 minimum.
