Just read this from a Spurs supporter on the Liverpool board. 'It's going to be interesting watching you play this season. My own view is that, whilst you've spent a lot of money, you haven't really strengthened that much, and that a lot of your new players are average, at best. I remain to be convinced, and will readily admit I'm wrong if that proves to be the case. I certainly don't think you can judge yourselves by having beaten the Gooners, as they are a pale shadow of what they used to be, and are not going to finish higher than 6th this season, and could finish even lower. I think this is going to be Wenger's last season in charge of them. 4th & 5th will be contested between our two clubs, so the real crunch match, for each of us, is going to be the two games that we play each other. I think United, City, & Chelsea will occupy the top three slots, in that order. Stoke and Sunderland will be the stalking horses, this season. There are going to be some shocking score-lines to look forward to, that's for sure.' Hope he's right. Nice to see that neutrals (and many of you) are not as pessimistic as I am.
I'll offer up another neutral opinion for you to go with that very anti-Arsenal one. Spurs are going to have to prepare themselves for their worst season for years, their top CM has made it plainly obvious that he is being made to play for Spurs against his will, and won't reproduce anything near the calibre of football he is capable of. His buddy on the left Bale, only looked half decent last season in the flashy Champions League games he took part in, which is THE ONLY REASON Citeh, or any big club didn't take him off Spurs. Gallas is a year older, Woodgate has gone and Dawson has been hammered confidence-wise by losing his place in the national side to Cahill AND Jones. They have a mercenary striker in Adebayor on loan to boot with no-hope Jermaine, the only decent striker they have gets benched for most of the season. They were absolutely embarrassed by Utd kids and then a week later by citeh. Sunderland's main strikers are Gyan who obviously wants to leave, and really had the transfer window stayed open another few days he would have left. Bendtner is a striker that couldn't get in the CURRENT Arsenal side, which is as poor an Arsenal side as I've seen in many years. Your club policy is to buy 'em cheap and stack 'em high. Your manager has forgotten that his BEST time in charge of Sunderland was when a Utd kid was on top form, along with his two quality (happy) strike partners last season. To replicate that, you need a £20m top class addition, and then another one. How can he expect the same results from an unknown Dong and a Connor Who? Both teams should finish mid table.
"Sunderland's main strikers are Gyan who obviously wants to leave, and really had the transfer window stayed open another few days he would have left." I'm sure Gyan has known for quite some time when the window was due to shut. Why would he wait for it to close and then decide he wants out? As for Bendner. You could be rite then again he's hardly had a chance lately at Arsenal. A good run of games could see him flourish along side Gyan. Time will tell.
I don't think we will be 'stalking horses' for atleast another year. You can't turn over 10 players and expect to progress. This season is about molding that squad together and finding a formula that works. This season is sadly again about stability. Hopefully we won't be looking over our shoulders too much after poor runs like the last two years. Then next season hopefully we can keep the crux of this team together and address the areas we need to with two or three quality additions. left winger, striker and if possible one of those left back thingys.
While my faith in Bruce has dropped at break neck speed, I maintain our squad is a decent one. We have had a massive turnaround in players and I do feel we need a little time to gel, but I think the mix of youth Dong and Whickam will be helped by the experience of Brown and O'Shea. I just wish Bruce has the tactical nous to play an attacking formation instead of this......lets not get beat...attitude. So frustrating. Its good to see fans of other clubs also see we have the players to do ok tho'
