July 12, 200521 yr No new additions to date apart from some keeper who arrives in January and Diouf who we already had in last seasons squad. Hierro gone, Candella gone, and a few other squad players gone. Are we making an assault on the Championship or what?
July 13, 200521 yr No new additions to date apart from some keeper who arrives in January and Diouf who we already had in last seasons squad. Hierro gone, Candella gone, and a few other squad players gone. Are we making an assault on the Championship or what? so how 'weakened' are we ? the players you mention made no impact in first half of the season. we certainly aint strengthened...but weakened ?
July 13, 200521 yr No new additions to date apart from some keeper who arrives in January and Diouf who we already had in last seasons squad. Hierro gone, Candella gone, and a few other squad players gone. Are we making an assault on the Championship or what? so how 'weakened' are we ? the players you mention made no impact in first half of the season. we certainly aint strengthened...but weakened ? I'd say that the "squad" has been severely weakened; we have lost many back-ups for positions. The 1st team has not really been weakened apart from Hierro, BUT we were lucky last term with injuries - if we get a ruck load this year we may have to use youth as opposed to fairly established replacements that weren't needed that much last term - Barness, Cesar etc etc...
July 13, 200521 yr No new additions to date apart from some keeper who arrives in January and Diouf who we already had in last seasons squad. Hierro gone, Candella gone, and a few other squad players gone. Are we making an assault on the Championship or what? so how 'weakened' are we ? the players you mention made no impact in first half of the season. we certainly aint strengthened...but weakened ? I'd say that the "squad" has been severely weakened; we have lost many back-ups for positions. The 1st team has not really been weakened apart from Hierro, BUT we were lucky last term with injuries - if we get a ruck load this year we may have to use youth as opposed to fairly established replacements that weren't needed that much last term - Barness, Cesar etc etc... i think my optimism comes from forgetting about transfer window. when is last date we can sign players ?
July 13, 200521 yr Still over a month to go to the start of the season and about two months to go until the transfer window shuts. Sam knows what he is doing, there is no point signing players for the sake of it as it may mean when a good player comes to light you dont have the room to get him. We can run until January with the squad we have, and look again in January if needed when suspensions & injuries usually kick in. Its not as if we have not been trying to sign players which would have been worse. If things would have gone to plan on one or two of the signings like Hamman we would have all been happy. In sam we trust.
July 13, 200521 yr On t'official site Sam reckons he'll have 2 or 3 wrapped up this week (which'll probably include Walker). Fingers crossed.
July 13, 200521 yr The squad is definitely lighter than last season and weaker than it was on the last day of the season. However, there is still 7 weeks until deadline day and I'm sure Sam will find at least 4 or 5 more players to add to the two already signed. Hierro apart, the first team is the same as last season. Candela wasn't as good as Gardner IMO anyway. But we have these players now: Jussi Al Ali Habsi to come in Jan. Hunt Ben Haim Jaidi N'Gotty Gardner Stelios Nolan Campo Okocha Speed Kaku Fadiga Davies Diouf Pedersen Vaz Te We probably need a keeper on a short term deal till Jan ie on loan. 2 defenders 2 midfielders 1 striker In Sam we have faith.
July 13, 200521 yr We probably need a keeper on a short term deal till Jan ie on loan.2 defenders 2 midfielders 1 striker In Sam we have faith. Which it looks like the Walker and Faye will sign (if they can sort his WP) will leave: 2 defenders, 1 midfielder, 1 striker. Still think Camara is the answer to the striker position and would be within our budget (especially if its right that the only thing putting him off belamy was the style of play!!) Doesn't seem that hard now after all does it and if we didnt get the three remaining players and had another look in Jan I would not be too concerned? In Sam we trust.
July 13, 200521 yr Kaku hasn't left yet and whilst Joey O'Brien is now part of the first team squad, i can't see him playing much of a role until January when we loan him to a Championship side (Derby) who he then joins on a free!
July 13, 200521 yr with ngotty banned for 3 games at start defence is looking very light. would hate to think the clown could end up playing there again. actually if gardener is injured we only have 3 defenders..... was n't worried.....but now........ :?
July 13, 200521 yr GK Walker on short term deal DEF Dellas (free from Roma) Kyrgiakos (??1M) MID Faye (Loan) plus another. ATT Ellington (??1m) Camara (??3m) ??5m outlay but decent squad.
July 13, 200521 yr GK Walker on short term dealDEF Dellas (free from Roma) Kyrgiakos (??1M) MID Faye (Loan) plus another. ATT Ellington (??1m) Camara (??3m) ??5m outlay but decent squad. Would be happy with all those - think we need Camara or Ellington (Camara IMO - although someone said Sam wants English - is this because of the new uefa rules?) - as we have Davies and Diouf, and only play with 1 up front anyway!! Dont think it works having four strikers who all want to play at the club.
July 13, 200521 yr with ngotty banned for 3 games at start defence is looking very light. would hate to think the clown could end up playing there again. actually if gardener is injured we only have 3 defenders..... was n't worried.....but now........ :? speed can play left back if need be starting line up as team stands: _______jussi________ hunt jaidi taliban speed _okocha campo nolan_ stelios__davies__diouf
July 13, 200521 yr The full back positions concern me We have basically no cover. Bruno is not a full back anymore. Barness was a good player to have, could play either side and do a job. Maybe he wanted to go tho. The difficulty at this stage is that players will be asking for 1st team spots - e.g. Vignal who has gone to Portsmouth would have been a good signing, but probably wants 1st team football. I believe Sam will sign cover later, when players are getting a bit nervy about finding a club and their demands drop. There is no point signing cover players on good money, because injury notwithstanding I believe we have our first XI already. I'd have liked Dacourt or Hamann to replace Hierro but hopefully Campo will come back strong. In fairness, end of last season I thought if we got EHD signed up that'd do for me...but I didn't anticipate Barness and Candela going
July 13, 200521 yr Allardyce is also said to be interested in Figo (??1.5m), Dacourt (??1m) and Zalayeta (loan), all of whoim aren't yet fixed up with new clubs.
July 13, 200521 yr Allardyce is also said to be interested in Figo (??1.5m), Dacourt (??1m) and Zalayeta (loan), all of whoim aren't yet fixed up with new clubs. Again three good shouts which I would be happy with.
July 13, 200521 yr and we've lost two players to Portsmouth! How have we lost them to Portsmouth? It just shows Pompey are picking up on our cast-offs. There aren't too many Pompey players who would get in our first team.
July 13, 200521 yr we've lost them cause we haven't got them and Pompey have! Which basically means: We didn't want them so Portsmouth have!
July 13, 200521 yr everyone knows Mickey we got shafted on the Robert deal WE DID WANT him but he went to Pompey instead cause of their manager.
July 13, 200521 yr & theres that Coco fella from Inter we've been linked with ... he's a left back ain't he ?
July 13, 200521 yr & theres that Coco fella from Inter we've been linked with ... he's a left back ain't he ? quality but I won't hold my breath!
July 13, 200521 yr everyone knows Mickey we got shafted on the Robert deal WE DID WANT him but he went to Pompey instead cause of their manager. i did nt know that btw cheers for hotel details it was ok, miles better than the one the others got, for the same price. :D/
No new additions to date apart from some keeper who arrives in January and Diouf who we already had in last seasons squad. Hierro gone, Candella gone, and a few other squad players gone. Are we making an assault on the Championship or what?