And if anyone can correctly predict who it will be this year, we can call it .............. the foresight saga
It was so important that were promoted this year for so many reasons, but for me the most pleasing is that we are now so far ahead of Ipswich it's going to take them years if ever to catch up with us. We can now look forward to shopping in Harrods and John Lewis while they will be hunting for bargains in QD and Poundland for the foreseeable future. The future's bright, the future's a bright shade of yellow
Enjoyable though this is, for me the overriding factor is the continued development of Alex Neil the manager. I can't wait to see him against experienced, top international managers, to see how quickly he and his team adapt. I couldn't give a flying fook about the binners - unless they're relevant by being in the same division as us. Which, as KIO says, could be some time
I wonder where the club are in terms of scouting. In the last few years we've got our business done early, but the late end to our season, coupled with uncertainty all season over which league we would be in, has to have had an impact. Hopefully we can still make some quality additions early enough that they're fully integrated by the time the season starts.
McNally said that they had two lists, one for the Championship and the other for the PL. Presumably he's working on the PL list now while AN is away on holiday.
Papers report City weighing up a bid for Celtic defender Efe Ambrose. Anyone know anything about him?
Only what Wiki says: "Ambrose often played as a defensive midfielder for the Nigeria national football team and can also play as a centre back or right back, doing so in the Israeli Premier League at FC Ashdod. A ball playing centre-half, Efe is known for his composure in possession. He is also noted for the multiple somersaults he performs in celebration when he scores a goal." Obviously a player AN would know from the SPL. An advantage that the can play at CB, RB or DM. My concern is that he is right-sided rather than left-sided with the ability to play LB as well. Could be a good shout though. 46 caps for Nigeria is impressive. A younger Yobo?
Would rather have Virgil van Dijk but he would cost a serious amount of money. Probably worth it though.
Hooper on loan to Bolton? http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2015/05/31/bolton-to-head-queue-for-gary-hooper-loan.html
I dont undertsand why we would be thinking of getting rid of hooper, hopefully just journo gossip, i rate Hooper but maybe AN doesnt? he doesnt go from scoring 82 goals in 137 appearances during his time in Scotland to the scrap heap over night. I dont think hes been given a fair chance yet... He has a natural ability of knowing where the goal is and i think the service has been the problem for him. I would like to see Redmond given the free role behind Hooper, Redmond has proven hes better in this position and given some playing time together i could see that combo working. Both players are natural with the ball at their feet and Hooper has the knack of being in the right place at the right time, Redmond is very good at finding his way through and at threaded passes, i could see this working imo.
I think the problem with Hooper is he isn't really a lone striker. He's not got the physicality of Jerome to bully defenders and play direct football to, nor the pace of Grabban (or arguably Jerome) to worry defences and really work the channels well. In a strike partnership he works well, but I don't see us playing two up front much in the foreseeable future. So its whether he's happy with limited chances from the bench, or wants a move to be a regular starter. That said, I'm not sure Bolton would be what he's looking for, and its likely just paper gossip because Lennon is there.
