I can very much see this being a team that goes on a long run of positive results. Not least because Still teams have done that before when they hit a rhythm and because I expect a patch when a forward (or forwards) find a purple patch with a bit of confidence. On paper the rest of our team is excellent at this level. I'm particularly pleased with the price we got Fellows for and for recognising full-back as a weakness and immediately doing something about it.
2/10 not enough Magic cynicism or Lincoln throwing enough ****s around. Could be upped to a 9 if Pompey beat us, which would be Ian’s perfect dream
I think the window has been very positive in that we've removed a lot of dead wood and replaced with (on paper) players that should be strong in this division and bring a better balance overall. I agree with the points about the team we had last time at this level. The likes of Stu, KWP, Che and Bedders were all PL players and perhaps we don't have that edge this time around. I do feel that that team was good enough to have done a lot better than fourth though, the playing style at times hampered some of our better players rather than allowing them to flourish. I also feel that the division doesn't look as strong this time around as then. Yes, Leicester and Ipswich will be strong but I think even they don't have quite as good a squad each as they did previously. What it does ultimately feel like is that we are getting a true fresh start ... and I'm all for that!
Think you have hit the nail on the head. It has been positive and we have given it a go. It may not work out, but if it doesn't, it isn't from the lack of effort from SR.
Don't think anyones ever disputed the effort from SR; its the sheer incompetence of their decisions we've historically had issues with
You are of course completely correct, but we’re into a new phase of SR history now, and Spors has hopefully turned things around. So far the signs are good, but there’s only one way to find out!
Hard to give a rating really until we see how well some of the signings do but it's certainly more towards positive than negative I'd say as it stands. Done really well to shift a lot of players out and freshen up the squad somewhat. Got loads of first team players who weren't really involved last season which is good I think although some will obviously be missed. Azaz and Fellows are excellent signings who you'd expect to contribute a lot and even if they don't then you can't really complain as on paper they were exactly what's needed. Think what could make or break this window is how good Jander is personally, as probably the one big concern is that other two signings in the spine of the team don't appear first team ready at this point. If he can step in quickly and have an immediate impact then that'll be a huge plus. Arguably of course the most important signing to get right was Still so hopefully he's up to it. The squad is definitely good enough for top 6 imo so that should be the minimum expectation.
I am going to watch Germany u21s in a minute. Will let you know if Quarshie gets on! Edit: has started the game Edit 2: Played the first half. Whole team changed for second. Looked fairly solid. Was mainly busy recycling the ball. Got booked - went to take a freekick and the Albanian kicked it away as he did… so Quarshie shoved him over.
Was speaking to someone at work today and he made an interesting point I hadn’t considered (and don’t think I’d heard anyone else mention either) Basically we were talking about our windows (he’s and Ipswich fan) and he said he didn’t like them selling Hutchinson to Forest as if they do go straight back up you have sold one of your PL quality players to a team that you likely will have in your sights to try and finish above next year. Was saying makes it all feel pointless if you’re losing your best players to just strengthen teams that you’d hope in 12 months time will be a team you need to finish above to have a chance of survival. Similar to us with Fernandes and Dibling. Not much you can do about it as when a PL team wants a player from a relegated side, regardless who it is, then you’re in trouble. Just thought it was an interesting point I hadn’t considered before. Even better it was negative one of course.
