Mac said in his first news conference that it would take 3 transfer windows to begin to rebuild the club. Whilst we've bought well IMHO I think phase 3 will be the more critical of the 3. For me, all efforts need to turn to the defence... with one eye on a CF. I therefore think we should get rid of Taylor (Willo has now gone also) and go out and buy a LB, two CB's and possibly an orthodox RB... so effectively a new defence. Looking at our offensive options Gouff, Obertan, Riviere and Cisse need moving on. I'd then be happy with one major CF signing and, if he proves himself, Doumbia on a permanent deal also. We'd then have: NEW CF Doumbia Perez Mitrovic Armstrong Not a bad team at all. Of course this all rests on us staying in the PL so this is purely speculative thinking at this juncture.......
Get them signed up. They can all do the job in the championship when Sissoko, Gini etc dick off #forwardplanning
We're targeted on the drop like a heat-seeker. Sadly the inability of Charnley, Carr, MA and McClaren to sort out a guaranteed Prem goal scorer, LB and CB has most likely done for us. Sadly it's too early to be thinking about phase 3.
It's a huge call to say the next transfer window is bigger than the last one was. If Berahino scores the winner against us at the weekend I'll disagree even more than i do right now!! I love that we've pulled our finger out and are finally bringing players in but the lack of defensive re-inforcements or a proven PL striker seemed to be the biggest issue and then we spend another £50m without addressing either!
Look there are some good players here and you know some would leave and shine at other clubs - most neutral fans would say 'Christ, McClaren really is **** taking this team down - there not that bad'. You say that now - you just wait for some of the arseholes that will turn out for us in the Championship. Pratley the midfield general, Keogh at centre half and Shola as our lone striker. Then you'll be begging for those players back.
I've tried to find the post with the two 'elevens' we now have and it looked ok. It didn't look like a relegation squad.
Beat West Brom at the weekend and we're out of the bottom 3 (unless Norwich actually win a game!). We don't deserve to be but we're still in with a real shout at avoiding relegation, it's still in our hands and will be for months yet. No need to panic, but we've consistently not done enough this season.
I don't think the club will go down, but purely because at some point they'll have to see sense and be rid of Macca.
Phase 3 should be building a tunnel under St James, so all the players can escape at half-time on Saturday, when we are 2-0 down to WBA!!
Fail to win on Saturday and we are in deep ****. No pulling punches. 'We played well and were unlucky' no longer cuts it. I would take us playing **** and winning games at the moment to get us safe.
Berahino to win the game for baggies its absolutely nailed on. You must all be starting to accept 1 we sold our best players 2. We are getting relegated
If Tiote is definitely getting sold in the next few days then we should start him and give him explicit instructions to go out and cripple Berahino in the first minute.