My thoughts as we are approaching 2012/13 season

We've only got one pre-season game left, the draw for the Europa League is less that a week away, and the Premier League season starts two weeks today.

I'm a little edgey. But that's a bit normal, since we always look a bit rusty pre-season, mainly at the back.

I think our transfer window will be far from perfect, and It looks like we're going to have to hope that a few others step up to the mark.

Amalfitano and Abeid both look to me as if they could be cracking players, both look like canny midfielders, and we will need all the creativity and flair in midfield we can get.

I believe Raylor's deliveries into the box will be pivotal, and lead to important goals.

We should have won the game today, a perfectly good set play, good knock down from Saylor and Ameobi there to finish off.

Even if we don't get all the right players in, at least we have finding new routes to goal.

I'm quite happy, because we created some good chances and should have won, despite being without our best playermakers.

I'm optimistic but I think we're in for a bumpy ride next season.

 

I'm optimistic too, without the marquee signings.

Last summer we seemed to chase players all summer and never get them but we also signed unknown players who really stepped up to the mark. We may well have done this again.

I'm very happy that so far we have not lost anyone who was a real part of the team last season, I think Guthrie probably played the most games for us out of the departed players but I think a lot of us (myself included) were worried there would be a number of higher profile departures (Cabaye, Ba, Krul etc.). Of course there is still time, but I genuinely feel the players we have really want to play for us - I base this last statement on the reactions to rumours that we see from our players and also the evidence that they don't get into a strop when the move doesn't materialise.

I would like to see a couple more through the door though I am hugely confident in the player recruitment operations at NUFC and am of the opinion that if we don't sign someone it's because they simply weren't worth the asking price and that the management know exactly what we and how much risk we can take waiting. Again the evidence of this is there with the Cisse signing. There was only one striker who fit our structure available in the summer and we got him, we didn't then waste the money we had and signed Cisse in January and crucially we were able to acquit ourselves very well with what we had up until that point.

 

Should be a good 'un.

I'm not overly worried about the lack of new faces, if Pards thinks the ones we have got are good enough, then thats fine by me.

 

We're ridiculously weak in terms of back up at the front and at the back - If we don't bring anyone in then we could be in pretty serious trouble should injuries happen (or Senegal qualify for ACON).
The squad we had last season was too small, and now we've got more games to play and even fewer players.

I'm not optimistic at all.

 

We have Hartlepool and Cardiff friendlies left yeah??!

We've hung on to all our best players so far. We've signed some decent youngsters and had some players back from injuries. There is just under 4 weeks left to make signings. Arguably our squad is better than it was this time last year.

This negativity is starting to remind me of a certain MrTiote!

 

Always look on the bright side of life.

 

Champions league so my uncle mike said good luck you muppets

 

wow.... cool story bro...

 

this, except replaces 'Pards' with 'the player recruitment team' (or Carr et al as well as our gorgeous smiley boss )

 

I believe we'll get a couple of players in, in time. Remember the windows lasts till a couple of weeks into the season.

We just need another CB a fullback, and desirably another striker.

 

Let's hope so. Striker and CB have to take priority over FB though - Simpson is still here for another year and he is a decent player.