Strengthened massively in midfield. No change in forwards. Defence is funny, great players brought in but way too weak on numbers. 6 defenders, two of which you expect to pull up at any time. Big ask not to be a defensive mess once injuries and suspensions kick in.
I think graham will still go on loan to the championship, emergency loan or whatever. Cabral should have been loaned just to ease his wage bill.
It was underwhelming, but we look better going forward and stronger at the back despite still being a tad fragile there. Better team spirit and play and maybe the lack of disruption will be worth much more than any big money flashes in the pan.
Feel much better now that our midfield has been strengthened with attackers and the new kid Coates or Vergini could be eased into centre half if needed. Still have fair wedge to use in January if needed. Don't think we have been stingey, just not been taken in by over pricing.
I think a lot of people forget this. Borini scored 10 goals but 7 or 8 of them were penalties last season. We normally get 2 pens a season if we're lucky! And I agree - Giaccherini is a better option. Just wish he was quick. Anyone know how quick Alvarez is?
Side by side comparison - the b its in brackets are my opinion and nothing more This Season ---------------------------------- Last Season Goalkeepers (Stronger this season) 25 Vito Mannone ----------------------------- Vito Mannone 1 Costel Pantilimon --------------------------- Kieren Westwood 13 Jordan Pickford ---------------------------- Oscar Ustari Defenders (Weaker this season) - Mainly in numbers - with no injuries we'd be fine! 2 Billy Jones ---------------------------------- Celutska 3 Patrick van Aanholt ------------------------- Alonso 5 Wes Brown --------------------------------- Wes Brown 16 John O'Shea ------------------------------- John O'Shea 27 Santiago Vergini --------------------------- Santiago Vergini TBC Sebastian Coates ------------------------ Phil Bardsley ---------------------------------------------- Andrea Dossena ---------------------------------------------- Valentin Roberge ---------------------------------------------- Carlos Cuellar Midfielders (Stronger I think) 8 Jack Rodwell -------------------------------- Jack Colback 14 Jordi Gomez ------------------------------- Craig Gardner 30 Will Buckley ------------------------------- Ki Seung Yeung 7 Sebastian Larsson -------------------------- Seb Larsson 11 Adam Johnson ----------------------------- Adam Johnson 23 Emanuele Giaccherini ----------------------- Emanuele Giaccherini 4 Liam Bridcutt ------------------------------- Liam Bridcutt 6 Lee Cattermole ----------------------------- Lee Cattermole 18 Charis Mavrias ---------------------------- Charis Mavrias 41 Duncan Watmore ------------------------- El=Hadji Ba(On this side as he's out on loan) TBC Ricardo Alvarez -------------------------- Strikers 9 Steven Fletcher ---------------------------- Steven Flethcer 10 Connor Wickham --------------------------- Connor Wickham 17 Jozy Altidore ------------------------------- Jozy Altidore 19 Danny Graham ------------------------------ Danny Graham -----------------------------------------------Ignacio Scocco Short up front and in defence - but OK in midfield I think. Apparently Alvarez can play as a striker but his normal position is an AM position - although I can't confirm or deny this as I haven't seen him play. Perhaps some of our more travelled bunch can let me know!
It will be interesting to see if alverez plays in seb's position or in the left attacking slot? Giacc' looks to be pressing for a start. Does he get the left attacking birth? Seems Gus has some decisions to make.
I'm surprised we let Roberge go considering the lack of defenders! Because from my understanding he didn't exactly disgrace himself last season what little he did play! Anybody know what his wages were????
Were stronger and this is why: Cattermole has inproved massively under Poyet Wickham has improved massively under Poyet 2 players who were anonymous for the first part of last season. Colback, Gardner and Ki replaced with Rodwell, Gomez & Alvarez. Alonso was only signed in Jan we have PVA from the start of the season this time. The same goes for Vergini. The same goes for Bridcutt who had personal issues when he first signed but looks perfect cover for catts. Fletcher is fit. Giacc has had a season in the league and looks a much better prospect. To be honest were missing Borini but I think Buckley could be even better. It took Borini a while to get going, Buckley has hit the ground running and to me looks a very good player with loads of potential. Time to sort the starting 11 out. Needs to be something like this: Mannone Vergini Jos Brown PVA Catts Rodwell AJ Alvarez Giacc Whickham
Spot on Smug, Poyet has his players who will play his system and a January transfer window to fine tune any issues, our progress should be gradual and continuous. Yes strikers win games and we don't have a 20 goal a season man up top, but we will get more goals from the midfield with the pace and height we have brought in.
this "20 goal a season striker" is a myth. Only 3 players scored 20 or more league goals last season and one of them was a midfielder (Toure) Sturridge and Suarez the only 2. Suarez has been sold for £75m +baggage and Sturridge would set you back at least half of that. Aguero and Rooney got 17 each (£100m worth between them), then Bony, Giroud and Dzeko with 16. Look at the ilk of strikers that score that many - Lukaku got 15 and he has just been sold for nearly £30m. I reckon only 3 players will again break the 20 league goals this season. And I don't think Sturridge will get 20 personally without Suarez next to him.
I agree! If one of our strikers gets around 10 league goals this season I would suggest that it would keep us up, so long as the midfield chip in, which I expect they will!!! Even if our 3 strikers get around 5 league goals each, that would go a long way towards safety also! I just blooming hope they pull their fingers out!
Shout me down if you like but josy will be our top striker. In the 1st 3 games he had about 45 mins in total but created more than the other 2 put together. Flech has turned into a butterfly just flutters about. Giacc will be our top man poss 10 goals this season.
Against United Wickham was outstanding. Missed a good chance but we've seen an awful lot of top players do that. I just can't see enough in Jozy tro score goals and that's what we need. Just my opinion though. Fletcher is pish. We should've tried to give him to Bruce for £5m and gone and signed someone better!
I agree with you Marcus, there are very few about and the ones that are about, would cost £50m+. That was my point, we don't have a 20 goal a season player (I am not concerned with other clubs) but because of the way Poyet hopes to play and the players he has brought in, the goals will come from the midfield with 8-10 goal contributions from Fletcher and/or Wickham, hopefully it will be enough.
