Another HIAG flash-poll, folks! Again, your choice is limited to a simple yes or no, even though, like me, most of you would probably qualify whichever answer you choose with some degree of caution or reservation. For my own part, I am voting yes, because (a) I like the four signings we've made so far, (b) Bale signing a new contract is a massive boost to squad morale, and (c) I get the feeling that AVB is looking to give our forgotten young players a chance to prove themselves. I also get the impression that AVB's greater tactical skills can only be a good thing for our squad, and our chances of landing other key players. Yes, I still retain very strong reservations that AVB is the right man for us, but I cannot fault the man so far, and I feel that I must give him a chance to prove to us that his failings at the Chavs was more to do with CFC than AVB. So, I'm going to vote yes for now. It'll be interesting to see what you chaps think.
Voted yes. I think AVB has much to offer the club, despite his shortcomings at Chelsea. We've made good signings to strengthen our squad and the likes of Vertonghen and Sig should potentially seriously challenge for starting 11 places. VdV appears to have committed and Bale and Ade are secured. If we can sort out Modric either by somehow persuading him to stay or by getting a replacement then my 'yes' view will be only further strengthened. I'm cautiously optimistic. A new coach is always a gamble so we'll have to wait for a while to see whether this move by Levy is actually vindicated but I see few reasons to be negative about our future.
I will vote yes for the same reasons as you HIAG, but the proof of the pudding etc. This is a big gamble by Levy and well done to him for having the balls to try it. It certainly makes the new season interesting. Will it work? I don't know tbh, but it sounds right so far.
Your doomed did you not see the thread that intelligent Saints fan made! Ha only jokes not so sure about AVB after his showing at Chelsea. Your doing well in the transfer market though. Wouldn't be surprised to see you over take the gunners this year.
Getting players in early in pre-season is progress in itself. Plus: * the ones already mentioned * new training ground * some decent prospects coming through * new ground seemingly going ahead * a decent new kit
Yes vote from me too.... A fast U-turn as I did not want AVB as our next manager, but so far he - and the club - have said and done all the right things. Whether this materialises into success we will have to wait and see, but I hope that we all give sufficient time to assess and not jump on any AVB-out bandwagon if we don't get anything much from the first few games.
Voted Yes. We seem to be doing all the right things. If we can address out tactical shortcomings from last year, I think we have good reasons for optimism.
I voted yes but with any change there is always a risk. I sat on the fence with regard to Harry Redknapp's appointment in the first place and never really climbed down. For a long time I thought it was better the devil you know all the time things were going OK. However, I figured that he was not going to take us much further so in my mind his days were numbered. Timing was always the issue. Redknapp had his good points but was never the complete package. AVB was not my first choice, Jurgen Klopp would have been first with AVB second. A manger needs to be able to attract top names so that ruled out Moyes, Martinez and Blanc. The manager then needs to play exciting football. That rules out Capello. Thirdly, the manager needs to be able to work within a budget, Guardiola is unproven with finances. Furthermore, the manager needs to give youth a chance, rotate and have a degree of tactical nous and have the support of all of his players. Klopp fits all four conditions whilst there are doubts with AVB. However, most people with any common sense have figured that AVB received no support at Chelsea and hence had an impossible job. He stands more of a chance at Spurs. I hope that Levy gives AVB his full support WHATEVER the results providing they are WITHIN REASON. Obviously if the potential of relegation raised it's ugly head as with Ramos, action would be required. However, a top four finish or else is a stupid target. When new players are introduced to a team things often take a little time to gel. Man U often have slow starts but finish well. Out target should be to finish well. If we miss out on the top four because we start slowly it does not matter in the first season. AVB will be attacked by the press, guaranteed, they see it as a weakness. Levy needs to reconise this and nip it in the bud. Press conferences/interviews need to be managed, if we lose then perhaps Sherwood should do the interviews to take the pressure off AVB. So far so good but this must continue. Once the season starts it will get more difficult. I'm looking forward to next season. A victory in one of the cup tournaments and a top six finish would be a good season providing we finish well. A trophy and a top four finish would be superb and above my expections for AVB's first season. I would hope to challenge for the title in his second season.
Agree with this deedub - but as I mentioned above, whilst the press attacks will inevitably come if there is no instant success, I am more concerned with comments on this board requiring success against Newcastle on Day 1. We need to be patient because integrating new faces into what has been a pretty settled first 14 is never going to be straightforward.
We can only wait and see what shape he puts out in his first game in charge, I expect a big change from what we're used to though. If it clicks straight away, great, but I doubt it, so patience must be given if the start isn't as we'd wish.
I am prepared to give AVB until Christmas to prove to me that he knows (a) what he's doing, and (b) the direction in which he's taking us. I do not expect him to have won every game, or to have us sitting pretty in the top 4. I do, however, expect him to show that he understands the strengths and weaknesses in our squad, and how the game is played in the EPL, and that he can learn from his mistakes in each game and adapt his tactics to ensure that the chance of repetition of those mistakes is cut to a minimum. If he can show me all of that, I'll be happy, where ever we finish in the table, since he will have succeeded in convincing me that our long-term success is guaranteed.
The important thing is we're getting the important business done early - Vertonghen, Sigurdsson and Ade all brought in during pre-season training, not when the season had already started as we'd been doing in previous seasons, and we've also been smart in tying up Bale's contract early instead of letting that become a saga.
Never felt this confident going into a season, although I've only been around for the Premier League era. Closest I've felt to this confident was the year we signed Bassong and Crouch, and finished 4th overall, although there was another 2 players signed in that window from Sheffield... Needless to say, that year we signed F all (Not counting Walker) and still got fourth, so the way we've started this year leaves me very much optimistic not only for the season ahead, but for the next 5/10 seasons.
Any fan would be happy with us getting a new world class training ground, bale signing a contract, signings made early and the arrival of actual coaches so that is positive. However the manner in which we perform on the pitch, the team ethic we show and the results are what matters, so until I see actual results, actual end product then I'm not going to get carried away just because we have a sports science guy on board, or the players have a fancy new training ground to practice in. Like i've said before the most important man at the club is the manager and for all this to fall into place it needs the right man to implement it, lead the team and i've made my views clear on avb many a time yet am just going to judge him on what he does for us.
I had to rush away due to a family crisis so hello gang and I've missed a bit of news. HIAG,who are the four signings?. I'd like you tp please answer that before I post my full views. In brief the only unsatisfactory signing of the three that I know about is AVB,I do not consider him to be the right man for the job.
Same. He wasn't my first choice, but he's said all the right things so far (especially about learning from his mistakes at Chelsea), so let's hope he proves us doubters wrong and Levy right. Very happy with everything else, can't wait for the season to start!
it is a yes from me..i wanted him from the off and he has impressed so far with his demeanour and the way he seems like he is eager for success....hungry beasts have joined each other,that is THFC,AVB and success starved top drawer players and that can only be good for us with the right backing...i agree with all the positive sentiments of the posters above.
Sigurdsson (taken from under the very noses of 'Pool) Vertonghen (Dutch player of the year, last season, taken from under the very noses of AFC) Adebayor (signed cheaply from £ity - compared with what they paid for him) Zeki Fryers (19 year old wunderkindt, stolen from United) Plus, both Bale and Caulker have signed new contracts.
