Hello Cardiff, we are LEEDS... Hi Bennifactor, blue prophet etc, here we are again, lets shake hands, muteral nod of appreciation etc, as tomorrow the season kicks off
Everybody seems to be tipping Brighton to be the "surprise package" this season, which would suggest that it wouldn't be so surprising to see them do well! I think the play-offs are a real possibility but we will have to wait and see. I am really excited for this season, got my season ticket in the post this morning!! There is a lot said of us losing so many players but it is important to consider who they've been replaced with! Burke OUT Conway IN - Conway looks a lot stronger and has a bit of pace with an eye for goal Chopra OUT Earnshaw IN - Earnie is proven at this level and he'll definitely be committed to the cause Bothroyd OUT Miller IN - Ok they're very different players and Jay is irreplaceable on our budget (IMO) but Miller is proven quality Bellamy OUT - Could yet be back (I'm an optimist) In midfield we've got Kiss (in for Oli) who looks an exciting prospect, rather than Gavin Rae we've got Gunnarsson and the experienced Cowie. JET was pretty useless as was Koumas so no real loss there. Our defence looks a lot stronger with Gerrard back from Hull and Taylor looking like the left-back we've been missing for a few years. Up front we've got Mason who looks like he has bags of potential and Gestade could be useful. We just a need a few more players (I'd say a wide-man is needed the most, hopefully it'll be Bellers!) to give us a bit more depth and I think we'll have a stronger squad than last seasons who should play with a bit more passion. Very excited
Well said ninian. You make some great points there. I'd just add that we may also benefit from likely changes in attitudes and a lessening of primadonnas at the club.
Ninian an excellent assessment of our TEAM Clingo, Gerrard gave an interview not long ago saying how the dressing room morale has changed and the EGOS have now disappeared (have no idea who he was on about though)
It looks as if Whitts is the chosen playmaker in midfield but I also think with what's around him, the work ethic and the intention to keep the ball on the floor, McPhail may have a big part to play as cover / off the bench. We may also get to see a few of the youngsters who only had bit parts under DJ. The youngsters will be like new signings as by DJ's choice they weren't available to us.
Ease up on the Turkish Kebab connections lads, we wouldn't like Kenny Miller to leave before a ball is kicked in anger would we
Of the 3 relegated teams I reckon the hammers have the best chance of promotion although they may not like the style of football Allardyce will play. I don't rate Hughton as a manager and think he will fall on his arse, the tangerines may be top 10 but I don't see them doing anything special. I still believe we'll be around 8th in December with the squad as it is today. Any more signings and if Bellers tips up may well mean I reassess my prediction. Getting really excited now and will be down the local to watch the game this afternoon C'mon bluebirds!
I tend to agree with Ninian's summary. (Well put young sir) Anything from 10th upwards will be a successful season IMHO. p.s. notice that Chops nicked 2 yesterday. Not to worry in the last few seasons he's started with a bang and then faded. Hope he doesn't come back to haunt us.
Cheers guys! Chopra will come back to haunt us, I'm sure of it! But mainly because we sold him to Ipswich, and I'm fairly certain that if we had Barca's first 11 we'd still get nothing from them! It just never seems to go our way against them.
