"The match is far from over and on September 1 let’s have a conversation." - Ralph Krueger, July 2014 So, Ralph called for the fans to be patient and wait for "September One" before judging the summer of 2014. The window has shut, so here goes. Players are classified based on our 4-3-3 system, so anyone who plays in the front 3 is classified as an 'attacker' rather than a 'midfielder'. Only players listed under 'first team' on the club website are included. Those listed who are not present at the club, have been excluded. Manager: Ronald Koeman Goalkeepers Fraser Forster Artur Boruc Kelvin Davis Paulo Gazzaniga Cody Cropper Defenders Nathaniel Clyne Toby Alderweireld José Fonte Florin Gardoș Maya Yoshida Ryan Bertrand Matt Targett Midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin Victor Wanyama Steven Davis James Ward-Prowse Jack Cork Harrison Reed Forwards Jay Rodriguez Graziano Pellè Shane Long Dušan Tadić Sadio Mané Sam Gallagher Emmanuel Mayuka Lloyd Isgrove Sam McQueen Ralph Krueger: "Our goal is to finish this transfer window where you can say, ‘Actually they’ve got a plus now. They are a stronger team than they were before’" So, have Ralph and Les delivered on this...? DTLW
On paper - yes, but we need to see how the squad gels. As I said on the other thread I'm confident, but we'll know more in a few weeks. Early signs at West Ham and Liverpool are good.
It's a from me. We had the guts torn out of us, but by some miracle we've ended up in a pretty good place.
I was one who did trust that Morgan and JRod would stay...because they made the promise without weasel words. Would be suicide if they let them go. We haven't seen two of the players (presumably they've gone through), but I think the team has strengthened. Especially pleased with Tadic and Forster and have high hopes of Pelle.
This post just about sums it up. A big fat middle finger to all the media who wrote us off and revelled while watching us "get destroyed." Nice job. Oh and by the way, we have the same points as we did after three games last season and this from a 'make shift' squad that is still learning about each other.
I would say we had our head cut off......although we have been perhaps a bit lucky to have built a new one. Or at least we are building one. Is it my imagination or do we look stronger on paper at least?
Just a reminder - In Shane Long (Hull City) £12M Dusan Tadic (FC Twente) £10.9M Sadio Mané (Red Bull Salzburg) £10M Fraser Forster (Celtic) £10M Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord) £8.8M Florin Gardos (Steaua Bucharest) £5.98M Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea) Loan Saphir Taider (Inter Milan) Loan Tony Alderweireld (Atlético Madrid) Loan Out Luke Shaw (Manchester United) £27M Adam Lallana (Liverpool) £25M Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) £20M Calum Chambers (Arsenal) £16M Rickie Lambert (Liverpool) £4M Tom Leggett (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Isaac Nehemie (Aston Villa) Undisclosed Billy Sharp (Leeds) Nominal Andy Robinson (Bolton Wanderers) Free Danny Fox (Nottingham Forest) Free Lee Barnard (Southend) Free Dani Osvaldo (Inter) Loan Jordan Turnbull (Swindon) Loan Jack Stephens (Swindon) Loan Jake Sinclair (Hibernian) Loan Gaston Ramirez (Hull City) Loan Jos Hooiveld (Norwich City) Loan Jamal Branker Released Matt Young Released Joe Curtis Released Guly do Prado Released Jonathan Forte Released Saphir Taider (Inter Milan) Released
Definitely been the most eventful window I can ever remember for us, think we look in pretty good shape but too early to say whether we are stronger or not. We'll know more on that front by new year and we'll have to be patient while we gel.
Jesus christ how true is that, seems a long time ago now that Chambers was confirmed as our 5th departure.
Plenty of options for lineups depending on the opposition, and plenty of "Plan B" options. The improved squad depth means we can be competitive in cup games without jeopardising league match fitness levels. Yes, we're definitely better off, I'd say.
So in very simple terms its: Tadic for Lallana Pelle for Lambert Alderweireld for Lovren Gardos for Hooiveld Mane for Ramirez Bertrand for Shaw Long for Guly and Forster in and Chambers out aswell, and about £20(?)m money to hopefully invest at a later date Not terrible on paper, but far too early to make a call on how good/bad the window has been
A lot of players we've not seen play yet, so reluctant to bring out the bunting, but i'm not going to say we're weaker Goalkeeper - Improved - Boruc as reluctant back up perhaps Defence - Negative - Losing two incredibly promising young English defenders and a top class centre back in Lovren is a massive blow. Alderweireld is an excellent signing, Gardos is an unknown quality at present and Bertrand has done very well. The main positive is in the bank balance - £66m in and only £6m spent so far Midfield - Level - No Change here and remains our strongest area of the pitch. Keeping Morgan is massive as he is our best player Attack - Improved(Depth) - Lambert & Lallana have been massive players over the last few seasons and will be a miss, but Tadic has started very well and Pelle though not as good on the ball, looks like he can hold his own in the league. Long and Mane will add depth to this area of the pitch and we now have more options, especially when Jay returns
Well done Ralph. I doubted you when you arrived. I still doubt you. But you've certainly gained a point in the positive column. Onwards.
