GhostOfDixie
Player Valuation: £70m
We should have built on the top 4 finish but we never. Not in terms of attainment, but personnel wise we definitely improved.
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We should have built on the top 4 finish but we never. Not in terms of attainment, but personnel wise we definitely improved.
kenada_blue
Welcome to Barcelonaton FC
This.
But I cant see it changing anytime soon and I think Pienaar will be our Lescott/AJ for next summer…maybe even Yakubu getting the boot (adding to the strikers Moyes likes to keep for 2 seasons then gets rid).
Untill we’ve got financial muscle to keep players and fight to buy players, we’ll just go in a circle of “what could’ve been if this went this way…” which has been happening since we qualified for the Champions League.
GhostOfDixie
Player Valuation: £70m
my god your depressing.
kenada_blue
Welcome to Barcelonaton FC
What? For stating the obvious.You even said we never capitalised on qualifying for the Champions League.
Ever since then its been "oooh didnt we do well. Next season we should improve on that" and what happens? Not much. Even to a point where we blame one thing or another (not winning games we should've, not getting players in pre-season, injuries, selling players to buy other players etc etc). It goes round and round.
The point where we can keep key players and bolster the squad with class, then we can talk about champions league and league titles.
I honestly think we'd be in the bottom 3 by now if we didnt sell Lescott. Fancy our injuries ontop of the fact we'd probably sign the 1 player if we had kept him?
Seamus Colemole
Previously deathbyropeandglass
You even said we never capitalised on qualifying for the Champions League.
Ever since then its been "oooh didnt we do well. Next season we should improve on that" and what happens? Not much. Even to a point where we blame one thing or another (not winning games we should've, not getting players in pre-season, injuries, selling players to buy other players etc etc). It goes round and round.
The point where we can keep key players and bolster the squad with class, then we can talk about champions league and league titles.
I honestly think we'd be in the bottom 3 by now if we didnt sell Lescott. Fancy our injuries ontop of the fact we'd probably sign the 1 player if we had kept him?
But you're forgetting that our awful start was down to the fact Lescott wanted to leave and all the other players got a sulk on over it.
Or something.
Cena
Player Valuation: £70m
I've gotta admit, i think this is Pienaar's last season in a blue shirt. Hope i'm wrong but he will be off to an Arsenal or Spanish team. If he goes, he's a bad snide because we rescued his career when he was in the dumps at Dortmund.
The only reason i think it's his last is because he wants CL footy, he has gone on record and said that
The only reason i think it's his last is because he wants CL footy, he has gone on record and said that
kenada_blue
Welcome to Barcelonaton FC
Ah...mainly down to the fact we couldnt even make him have second thoughts about moving.
Its players such as him, or even the world class players, who will always ask "what's in it for me?" When an Everton player starts to think that, there's not much we can do to keep him.
Columbia6
Player Valuation: £8m
We have our strongest squad in my lifetime (21 years), whilst the Premier League seems to have dipped in quality. If we strengthen this summer (I know, I know....) next season could be one to remember, especially considering it looks very possible that we will not be in Europe (although personally I still think we will).
In a sell-to-buy scenario, as we will most likely be subject to, who would people sell? Obviously it would be a person you think we could get on without, but also someone that would raise cash. No 'I'd sell Osman and bring in Messi'...
I'd be willing to sell Yakubu and (unpopular opinion) Pienaar if it meant we got in decent partners for Saha and Jags, although that does leave us with Osman on the wing
With Mikel back, we'd still have 9 guys who can realistically fill the 4/5 midfield spots, and as much as I do rate Pienaar, the gain from this would be greater than the loss.
If this happens, hopefully Pienaar blows people away at the World Cup and adds £10-15m to his pricetag...
In a sell-to-buy scenario, as we will most likely be subject to, who would people sell? Obviously it would be a person you think we could get on without, but also someone that would raise cash. No 'I'd sell Osman and bring in Messi'...
I'd be willing to sell Yakubu and (unpopular opinion) Pienaar if it meant we got in decent partners for Saha and Jags, although that does leave us with Osman on the wing
With Mikel back, we'd still have 9 guys who can realistically fill the 4/5 midfield spots, and as much as I do rate Pienaar, the gain from this would be greater than the loss.
If this happens, hopefully Pienaar blows people away at the World Cup and adds £10-15m to his pricetag...
Blubus bow
Player Valuation: £100k
Isn't this pretty much what we said last season? We wrote off the beginning of the season, til the Wigan game; then after that we were pretty decent, watch for next season we all thought, we couldn't make the mistakes again! This season has been a carbon copy almost, transfers left til the last minute and a shocking first half of the season, the only difference is we're still in europe! The signs are there that the season will improve, it can't get any worse?! (famous last words). But for once I would like to see a settled pre season, no last minute drama.
Rook
Player Valuation: £80m
If there is ever a year in which say 3/4 of the biggest spending teams don't make the C-League then I'll say its a more level playing field.
Still Utd is banged up as bad as us but even if say 75 percent of their starting 11 goes down their B team will still consist of 8-10 internationals. And they are 2nd!
Chelsea could field a top 4 team if Lampard, Drogba and Essien broke their legs tomorrow even with Cech playing like the perhaps the worst keeper in the prem and the most overrated player in the prem at CB.
We have Saha and Yak as starters and Vaughn, Jo and Anichebe (Cahill/Fellani as well) on the bench. We have it pretty good if a couple get hurt (not all like this year but say 2). However say City can bring in off the bench Bellamy, Santa Cruz and Robinho.
The most glaring difference between the haves and have nots are Liverpool. I've never in my life seen them this bad and yet with a good run over the holidays they are back in 4th. Hell Villa is playing well but they did last year and finished 6th despite throwing the UEFA cup match.
The top 5 money teams could win the league, the rest, even the rich teams like Villa and Spurs, have to kill themselves to finish 4th for the chance to get a terrible draw in the C-league qualifiers.
Still Utd is banged up as bad as us but even if say 75 percent of their starting 11 goes down their B team will still consist of 8-10 internationals. And they are 2nd!
Chelsea could field a top 4 team if Lampard, Drogba and Essien broke their legs tomorrow even with Cech playing like the perhaps the worst keeper in the prem and the most overrated player in the prem at CB.
We have Saha and Yak as starters and Vaughn, Jo and Anichebe (Cahill/Fellani as well) on the bench. We have it pretty good if a couple get hurt (not all like this year but say 2). However say City can bring in off the bench Bellamy, Santa Cruz and Robinho.
The most glaring difference between the haves and have nots are Liverpool. I've never in my life seen them this bad and yet with a good run over the holidays they are back in 4th. Hell Villa is playing well but they did last year and finished 6th despite throwing the UEFA cup match.
The top 5 money teams could win the league, the rest, even the rich teams like Villa and Spurs, have to kill themselves to finish 4th for the chance to get a terrible draw in the C-league qualifiers.
I think we have missed a big opportunity this year, the league is wide open. If we hadn't had the injury problems we've had, I think we would have been looking at a 4th place finish by the end of the season.
4th place leads to CL obviously, and that leads to exposure and a big pay day. I'm pretty sure I'm right in saying that Moysey said himself, that if we could get two seasons in the CL we'd be in a position financially to push on. Look at the RS, it's CL money and exposure that's helped them for the last few seasons. Once they don't have that to fall back on, which they wont next year, I reckon they'll dwindle big time. Unfortunately they've always got the possibility of some Middle Eastern someone or another bailing them out.
As for the posts writing Yak off a bit, a friend of mine had an achilles injury and it wasn't as severe as the Yaks. He was a boxer, screwed his movement up totally for well over 12 months. What you're seeing from Yak is what that type of injury does to you, he'll be a different player again next season. If it wasn't for our lack of quality up front this season, Saha excluded, I doubt you'd see Yak playing until next season. He'd be just concentrating on his fitness, achilles movement, and playing some reserve games. It really is a nasty injury to come back from. Don't write him off he's not finished by a long shot.
I think the worrying thing about whats happening in the Prem is the way that the clubs are lining up financially. Arsenal now have a £100 million per season revenue stream in their stadium, Man U already had one, Chelski are circa £70 mil per season if memory serves me correctly, and now Shittey will be loaded too.
I think that the rest will be struggling with those four financially in years to come.
4th place leads to CL obviously, and that leads to exposure and a big pay day. I'm pretty sure I'm right in saying that Moysey said himself, that if we could get two seasons in the CL we'd be in a position financially to push on. Look at the RS, it's CL money and exposure that's helped them for the last few seasons. Once they don't have that to fall back on, which they wont next year, I reckon they'll dwindle big time. Unfortunately they've always got the possibility of some Middle Eastern someone or another bailing them out.
As for the posts writing Yak off a bit, a friend of mine had an achilles injury and it wasn't as severe as the Yaks. He was a boxer, screwed his movement up totally for well over 12 months. What you're seeing from Yak is what that type of injury does to you, he'll be a different player again next season. If it wasn't for our lack of quality up front this season, Saha excluded, I doubt you'd see Yak playing until next season. He'd be just concentrating on his fitness, achilles movement, and playing some reserve games. It really is a nasty injury to come back from. Don't write him off he's not finished by a long shot.
I think the worrying thing about whats happening in the Prem is the way that the clubs are lining up financially. Arsenal now have a £100 million per season revenue stream in their stadium, Man U already had one, Chelski are circa £70 mil per season if memory serves me correctly, and now Shittey will be loaded too.
I think that the rest will be struggling with those four financially in years to come.
Rook
Player Valuation: £80m
The way qualifying is set up in the C-League, a team like us who finishes 4th will most likelyl have a super-tough 50-50 tie in qualifying.
The truth for me is that Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, City Spurs, Villa, [Poor language removed] and Everton all have the potential to qualify for the C.L. We all know the problems we have had and in many ways we have swapped seasons with Spurs. I am encouraged with Spurs and Villa doing so well they certaintly arent head and shoulders above us and with a fit squad i wouldnt be afraid of many teams in the league. Villa have found a gem in Milner in the centre. Young and Downing are terrific and Dunne pound for pound has been the signing of the season. Another 20 goal a season striker and they will be mustard. Spurs progress is the result of good management and happy players IMO if they get a couple of good strong centre backs and bread and butter midfeilders they will push on.
If i were pushed i think Arsenal could dominate over the next few years, maybe even this - its just unrealised potential at the moment but they are getting stronger and stronger - injuries havnt helped them. But you never bet against quality and talent and for me they have the most talented squad in the league. I also know whats coming through there and Aoran Ramsey and Jack WIlshire will probably be the two best players in the League in a couple of seasons. Stick them in with Arshavein and Fabergas and its quite frighting really.
Utd need to invest and i think they will - Fergie is canny, equally i feel Chelsea will need to in the coming one or two seasons as well, as legs will catch up with the remnents of the team Mourihnno built - both will invest but may lead to a transitional period for both.
As for the Sh**E - well lets pray they dont sack Rafael, there will be a massive smile on my face the day Steevie G laar retires and doesnt have a title to his name.
Im more wary of City now, Manchini comes with a decent pedigree and from what he says he seems to have a good insight in to the realites of the game and a sensible plan for City. Ive no doubt he may open the chequebook in the nex two transfer windows which could see them unsettled. It remains to be seen wheather he will get the time to implement his philospey. Though i like what he has said so far - he talks sense! What a player he was!!!
As for us - i havent written of the season yet. Its possible we can push on and be competitive for the top six. We all know the injury problems, but there are other problems to. Despite what people think I think we badly miss Lescott as well as Jags of course. But our success has always been built on a talented and mean back line that this year has been decimated. We havent kept a clean sheet in the league in 12 games and our goals against record is abysmall. I know people will always want forwards, wingers and creative midfeilders but the construstion of a new mean defence is paramount and priority no 1 for me. We would have won many games this season with a decent backline.
That said its a team game and we have to as a team defend better and close down space, its a delicate balance between being creative and defending and one we just havnt strunck yet - between, injuries, form, consistncey, fatique and the wrong fixtures at the wrong time.
But there is much to be hopefull for, even if we dont acheive what we are used to this season, it may be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward. I can see a lot of positives to take from this season the emergence and the blooding of some talented youngsters will stand the squad in good stead, the miles on the clock specificly Rodwell, Coleman and Duffy have put in have undoubhtedly made the squad stronger. With the point needing to be made that much of that is home growen talent. For me Billy is a terrific player, he has shown us glimpses of how he can play, he is not the player everyone was expecting but he is going to prove a star when he adjusts and he and the team can settle, he hs p[rovided us with something we hve cried out for, for years a third creative outlet. Pienaar has turned into one of the best players in the league - he has improved 30 % since Arteta has been out and its mouth watering to think of he and Arteta in the same team with Billy, a new holy trinity? In Saha and Yak we have two of the most top drawer forwards in the league. The midfield needs another two or three players, a Mikel clone in the Trochowski mould would be great, a strong midfeild battler someone like Sulley Muntari and cover for Billy and Pienaar could see this squad challenge for the top four regularly. Does anyone else remember Moyes saying last season how he may have to have a top 10 finish last season to bring some of the talent through - maybe thats now - though i havnt given up hope yet.
So have we made progress? That seems like a ridiculous question to ask but i think we have, we just need to put all the peices of the jigsaw together - if and when their available. We have built a really strong and talented first 11 - 15 players the agenda now has to be to build on that and create a hugely talented squad of 22 players - thats were Spurs, City, Villa, Chelsea, Utd, and Arsenal have the jump on us.
Personally if possible i would add the following:
Trochowski
Moses
Shawcross
Eagles
Muntari!
(I know, I know)!!
Would be absolutle gravey!
Like i say one step backwards to take two forward!!!
Come on you blues!
If i were pushed i think Arsenal could dominate over the next few years, maybe even this - its just unrealised potential at the moment but they are getting stronger and stronger - injuries havnt helped them. But you never bet against quality and talent and for me they have the most talented squad in the league. I also know whats coming through there and Aoran Ramsey and Jack WIlshire will probably be the two best players in the League in a couple of seasons. Stick them in with Arshavein and Fabergas and its quite frighting really.
Utd need to invest and i think they will - Fergie is canny, equally i feel Chelsea will need to in the coming one or two seasons as well, as legs will catch up with the remnents of the team Mourihnno built - both will invest but may lead to a transitional period for both.
As for the Sh**E - well lets pray they dont sack Rafael, there will be a massive smile on my face the day Steevie G laar retires and doesnt have a title to his name.
Im more wary of City now, Manchini comes with a decent pedigree and from what he says he seems to have a good insight in to the realites of the game and a sensible plan for City. Ive no doubt he may open the chequebook in the nex two transfer windows which could see them unsettled. It remains to be seen wheather he will get the time to implement his philospey. Though i like what he has said so far - he talks sense! What a player he was!!!
As for us - i havent written of the season yet. Its possible we can push on and be competitive for the top six. We all know the injury problems, but there are other problems to. Despite what people think I think we badly miss Lescott as well as Jags of course. But our success has always been built on a talented and mean back line that this year has been decimated. We havent kept a clean sheet in the league in 12 games and our goals against record is abysmall. I know people will always want forwards, wingers and creative midfeilders but the construstion of a new mean defence is paramount and priority no 1 for me. We would have won many games this season with a decent backline.
That said its a team game and we have to as a team defend better and close down space, its a delicate balance between being creative and defending and one we just havnt strunck yet - between, injuries, form, consistncey, fatique and the wrong fixtures at the wrong time.
But there is much to be hopefull for, even if we dont acheive what we are used to this season, it may be a case of taking one step back to take two steps forward. I can see a lot of positives to take from this season the emergence and the blooding of some talented youngsters will stand the squad in good stead, the miles on the clock specificly Rodwell, Coleman and Duffy have put in have undoubhtedly made the squad stronger. With the point needing to be made that much of that is home growen talent. For me Billy is a terrific player, he has shown us glimpses of how he can play, he is not the player everyone was expecting but he is going to prove a star when he adjusts and he and the team can settle, he hs p[rovided us with something we hve cried out for, for years a third creative outlet. Pienaar has turned into one of the best players in the league - he has improved 30 % since Arteta has been out and its mouth watering to think of he and Arteta in the same team with Billy, a new holy trinity? In Saha and Yak we have two of the most top drawer forwards in the league. The midfield needs another two or three players, a Mikel clone in the Trochowski mould would be great, a strong midfeild battler someone like Sulley Muntari and cover for Billy and Pienaar could see this squad challenge for the top four regularly. Does anyone else remember Moyes saying last season how he may have to have a top 10 finish last season to bring some of the talent through - maybe thats now - though i havnt given up hope yet.
So have we made progress? That seems like a ridiculous question to ask but i think we have, we just need to put all the peices of the jigsaw together - if and when their available. We have built a really strong and talented first 11 - 15 players the agenda now has to be to build on that and create a hugely talented squad of 22 players - thats were Spurs, City, Villa, Chelsea, Utd, and Arsenal have the jump on us.
Personally if possible i would add the following:
Trochowski
Moses
Shawcross
Eagles
Muntari!
(I know, I know)!!
Would be absolutle gravey!
Like i say one step backwards to take two forward!!!
Come on you blues!
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