Player for Player...

[Washington_mackem]

Come on then SMB, take a serious look at our squad...

Are we weaker than last year?

In terms of who we have signed, who we have sold and who we still have... I think we are looking better as a squad now, than at the same stage last year.

Just something to think about for some of the doubters.

Mignolet Vs Fulop - No brainier for me Fulop was very poor, average at best, and young Simon has shown some promise over pre season. We all know Gordon is number 1, but i think Mignolet is a better back up than Fulop.

Bardsley Vs Onouha vs Angeleri vs El Beckham - Bardo at this stage last year was our first choice RB, which thinking about that now, is fairly scary! Onouha is looking as good as done, so fingers are crossed!
Out the four in that position Onouha is head and shoulders the best, i just hope there is some sort of option to make his stay permanent after the loan deal.

Ferdinand Vs Bramble - After I've taken a step back, and thought about Bramble, i cant help but think about what good business it is. 1M for a player, who yes, is prone to the odd balls up, but also a player with over 200 premier league appearances is damn good value for money.

Cana Vs Riveros - Ive highlighted both, because of the fact Lorik was very, very good when he first arrived... He did seem to fade, also Riveros looked very good at the world cup, but I'm still reserving judgment.

If welbeck goes through, then i think we have missed a trick signing him for Jones, especially on loan. As far as Jones going to Stoke, i think that is a daft sale too!
Had he gone to someone like Bolton, fair enough, that wouldn't hurt us in terms of football, however, i think the fact that Stoke's style will suit Kenweyne it could well turn out to hurt us next season.

BUT...
In terms of squad depth and strength, we are a million miles further on now, compared to last year. The bench last year Vs. Bolton was :
Gordon, Edwards, Nosworthy, Healy, Leadbitter.

Excluding Gordon, the other 4 aren't with the club now, and in their place are better talents that will help give us stability later in the season if injuries hit us as hard as last year.


I would love to see us offer Man City 7M for Bellamy, just to see what type of resolve they have over him, as he clearly stated yesterday, that in order to play football he would go anywhere!

Referring back to my original question, No, we aren't, we are much stronger than last season.
All in all, i trust Brucey as his past record with signings have been second to none... and i look forward to another successful season in the premier league.

3 points Saturday please lads

[SexyMackemBastard]

Fully fit we are stronger in defence, about the same in midfield but weaker up front. If he can get a good, creative midfielder in and a reliable striker we will be stronger. But my confidence in that happening wanes every day.