Much has been said over the past weeks about the age of some of our players or their ability to keep fit espicially with their injury records. Add to this another rumour that Jimmy Bullard is having talks, which I personally believe because nearly all the other solid rumours have worked out even if we didn't sign them. Finally we are apparently looking to take on the Egyptian Alhy Fathy a completely unknown for me, I certainly have never heard of him. Add to the mix our existing unfashionable "misfits" as NW called our squad it would appear we are on the weak side; espicially to outsiders. NW has referred to Blackpool and how we can go one step further and also not so strangely to Bolton as a model to base our latest stay in the Premiership. If you can remember Sam Allardyce built he's freshly promoted Bolton team and furnished with extremely unfashionable players that were either written off or too old and past it, he also went into the overseas market and found alot of these players, these players were good in their day and had even played at international level. Also he made sure that there was a tough spine in the team not the most technically gifted but as you say "could put themselves about". In short, on paper a team that looked favourites for relagation but could play a bit, and hold their own enough to grind out results. All of this is from memory so I don't have a list of players or dates and I am sure you will correct me. But don't you think it is starting to look a bit familiar?
I can't believe the timing of Northholt's post I would have posted an hour ago without interuptions. Quote:- "I look at Saturday's opponents, Bolton, and they are the type of club we are looking to emulate. They have been in the Premier League, stayed there and built on it. If we can match their success the future is good."
I saw this and thought that article inspired it, one problem would be the style that Bolton used to get established. Would be a problem for the purists.
I don't think the purists are going to get much of a say this year; it's going to be a backs to the wall all hands on deck out of the sick bed type of struggle. We will survive (I feel) but it won't be easy.
Well said Flanman. Remember the way the Dons defied everyone's expectations every year? It is possible but the odds are stacked against us.
I made a similar post yesterday insofar as, considering the restrictions, NW has done a fantastic job and at least put us in with a fighting chance. Still wish we had more pace through the team but I guess that just means the defence can't push up to the half way line.
They could reach the halfway line and get back quickly if we could install a hidden two speed reversible travelator strip just inside each sideline. If not then you're right.
I think a big difference with the PL these days as to when Bolton first came up is that it is a much stronger league now. Four or five years ago so many of the matches were bankers involving the big four, nowadays there are far fewer easy games because the rest of the teams are now stronger and capable of taking points off the top teams. This is where we are gonna find it tough, sides in the bottom half are no pushover and we will have to be on our game to get anything, I hope we can make Loftus Road a fortress like last season as I think that really will hold the key to survival.
Five live 7.30 they're discussing premier league apart from current top 6; that means we're likely to get a mention (and Bolton)
The purists don't really have much say - all NW and the rest of the club are aiming for this season will be 17th or higher - which would suit most of us. It ain't gonna be pretty, and there'll be a few chewed fingernails along the way, but if we survive, then we'll all be celebrating come the end of the season. Hopefully by then we'll have some decent owners who'll be willing to put some money in for transfers to move us up the table in the coming years.
