So I think it's fair to say that the majority of us have been frustrated with the lack of transfer activity thus far this season, even though as I type this our first sigining has been announced hours earlier. Thought it'd be interesting to compare the starting eleven that started and lost 4-2 to the eventual Champions Leicester, to what we're more than likely going to be starting with next week Vs. Man City, providing we make NO more signings. ------------------Pantilimon---------------------- Jones------Coates----Kaboul----van Aanholt ---------Catts----Rodwell----Larsson Johnson--------------------------------Lens -------------------Defoe------------------------ Compare that team to the following: ------------------Mannone---------------------- Jones------Kone----Kaboul----van Aanholt ---------Catts----Kirchoff----Rodwell Borini-------------------------------------Khazri -------------------Defoe------------------------ I honestly don't think that second team is far away from being a genuinely good mid table Premier League side. Stick Yann M'Vila in there for Rodwell and possibly another more attacking Centre Mid to play in front of Yann & Jan alongside a new right back, take Yedlin's form of last season and we'll be fine. We're playing catch up in the transfer market, but lets keep the faith, they've already pulled one signing out of the blue so here's to a couple more before next weekend.
Johnson and Lens starting at the same time?&! No wonder your FB's were well under the bus by the end of August. And From what I saw, Pantilimon never had anyone's back.
Cattermole, Rodwell and Jones. I don't want any of them in the first team, this season. I expect PVA to be critical to us this season and I've a feeling he's going to be our stand out player in a lot of games.
Massive improvement from PVA. Full marks to him for that. Still think Catts has a part to play. His commitment can rub off and I reckon there could be times when that`s sorely needed. Jones can **** off any time he likes and take Rodwell with him.
Rodders is still young and it was under Moysy he played bloody good football. Still time I believe for him to come good. Catts. A squad player only now and not an automatic choice. Jones. Scored against Newcastle so I wont ever knock him. PS, I lied about Jones he's rubbish.
The key now is signing Mvilla and a right back. Once that's done we can look at the luxury of a striker and attacking midfielder. I suspect those 2 positions could be loans.
Think the RB will be yedlin personally. I've been dreaming about us signing a proper creative CM for years now, more or less given up hope. I think khazri or lens may end up playing that role for us this year.
I think Khazri would be excellent in that position if we signed for example Januzaj who would be great on the left with PVA going past him.
Cattermole has been immense for us in our end of season relegation fights, however sadly he and JoS are no longer premiership quality. Both are adept at giving the ball away cheaply in key areas, one is far too rash and the other is painfully slow, no need to identify which is which. As for Rodders, epsom salts wouldn't move him.
The main point about Rodwell for me is that none of our previous managers could find a settled role for him and it could be that Moyes has the RB one in mind remembering he started a a CB at the beginning of his career.