Exactly only difference being was we sort of knew that we were going to finish top 10, we knew our squad our manager and our system, we had an identity as a young english based team that played in a impressive style, this season we've pretty much lost all that and are starting from scratch, so yeah you're right exactly like last season.
I think the team is stronger overall, I'm certainly excited by some of the players that we have bought. The only exit I'm really disappointed about (apart from my disappointment at the individuals in question) in Chambers, but I understand that it was one we had little choice in. My only real grumble is the timings, perhaps it was unavoidable, but all of the meltdown histrionics perhaps could have been spared if we had been a little faster in conducting our transfers. Perhaps this was time when Les and the team were negotiating targets with Ron, but it would have been nice to have had the replacements lined up to happen soon after the departures. Still, I'm very happy with the outcome and pleased that we haven't spent all of the booty yet too. Very happy with Koeman as an appointment, was sceptical to begin with, but he has shown great tactical awareness already, along with astute substitutions and the ability to change if needs be during a game. At the moment he even seems an upgrade over pochettino
based on that its actually worse last season we took 6 points from those 3 same fixtures this season only 4 points.
Bloody hell i'm glad i don't socialise with you guys it would be non stop bickering. I have given it 5/10 today as i don't see its possible to score it more than that after 3 games of football.
By September 1st: Shaw: Basically gone already. Lallana: Had started moaning and didn't want to play for us again. Lovren: Was eagerly jumping up and down ready to hand his transfer request in after the game. Lambert: Still looked a player that age was finally catching up with him. Chambers: Still had that release clause in his contract. Pochettino: Was still going around lying to the club and fans saying he will talk about signing a new contract in a few weeks. Many people knew since March time that Shaw and Lallana were going but some choose to ignore what people(that had heard it from people at the club etc) were saying. To come out of the transfer window getting rid of the players that didn't want to be here and bringing in decent players to replace them is worthy of more then a 5. Yes we still have to see how they do, but they have started off well. When was the last time we won away at West Ham 3-1? As for how would you say the squad is stronger back then. Yes I would have as it clearly is: Yoshida: is fourth choice. Hooiveld: is gone, that is stronger right? We now have 4 people( not including youth) that can play on the wingers that is stronger as well. Rodriguez Tadic Mane Long We now have two good if not great Gk's Forster Boruc And midfield is just as strong as last season. As a whole the squad is stronger, but the team still has to be given time to see if the first team is as strong.
Didn't say about the points. I ment about the playing crap against teams that come to defend at St Mary's. It happened a hell of a lot last season as well.
Ok look it doesn't matter who the first 3 games are i'll spell it out, I gave it a 5 as we have only played 3 games and we have signed 9 players 7 of which i haven't heard of 1 of which we payed 12 mill for and he's prob only worth 3 mill and the other one goes on loan every season. Yes i like the look of our squad on paper but will they actually be any good over 38 games, i haven't a clue. The difference between this season and last, is that in August last year i was very confident in a top 10 finish now i'm not as confident so how can the transfer window be rated as good at this point in the season.
Least you didn't judge it as a 1. Now that I don't understand at all. Least with a 5 you can say I am seeing what happens.
Nah i'm with you there, i'm quietly optimistic, i'm taking the approach that if the players all perform to their ability then top 10 is easily acheivable, if they don't then they've got to be pretty bad for us to be in a relegation fight, so somewhere between 16-11 would be minimum for me.
