I do that kind of thing...

Fully agreed on the OP though, I was all for boycotting after Rafa and Perez had gone as I thought it was going to be the last few summers where we're stripped with no replacements. As it is we've kept every key player behind the forwards which is massive (still can't believe we've kept Hayden) and spent bucket loads up top, I don't see how people aren't excited. Carroll is a weird little Sibierski style bonus...

Remember Colo wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:51 pm

Tsi wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:40 pm

Starting the pre season tour in China without a manager as well as losing our top scorers had me very worried about the season to come.
I think we've made some good additions to the squad breaking our transfer record again and feel pretty optimistic going into the season.
Like Blue & Maroon said a lot will depend on how the new signings start and settle in to the prem lge i just hope that if they do take a while to settle our fans don't get on their backs but i won't hold my breath if the melts that are scunny mags are anything to go by.

I'm glad we at least have a pretty stable group of CBs, CMs and GK, so even if the new forward signings are a still a little slow off the mark, we should be staying in matches. New defenders to the league pose a bigger risk at the back than forwards at the front.

Totally agree Defence is sorted. We now have some injection into our attack.

Remember Colo wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:51 pm

Tsi wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:40 pm

Starting the pre season tour in China without a manager as well as losing our top scorers had me very worried about the season to come.
I think we've made some good additions to the squad breaking our transfer record again and feel pretty optimistic going into the season.
Like Blue & Maroon said a lot will depend on how the new signings start and settle in to the prem lge i just hope that if they do take a while to settle our fans don't get on their backs but i won't hold my breath if the melts that are scunny mags are anything to go by.

I'm glad we at least have a pretty stable group of CBs, CMs and GK, so even if the new forward signings are a still a little slow off the mark, we should be staying in matches. New defenders to the league pose a bigger risk at the back than forwards at the front.

Agree, Colly said it on another thread about our defence which summed it up.

Timidily hoping we're average

Tsi wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 7:40 pm

Starting the pre season tour in China without a manager as well as losing our top scorers had me very worried about the season to come.
I think we've made some good additions to the squad breaking our transfer record again and feel pretty optimistic going into the season.
Like Blue & Maroon said a lot will depend on how the new signings start and settle in to the prem lge i just hope that if they do take a while to settle our fans don't get on their backs but i won't hold my breath if the melts that are scunny mags are anything to go by.

I'm glad we at least have a pretty stable group of CBs, CMs and GK, so even if the new forward signings are a still a little slow off the mark, we should be staying in matches. New defenders to the league pose a bigger risk at the back than forwards at the front.

Starting the pre season tour in China without a manager as well as losing our top scorers had me very worried about the season to come.
I think we've made some good additions to the squad breaking our transfer record again and feel pretty optimistic going into the season.
Like Blue & Maroon said a lot will depend on how the new signings start and settle in to the prem lge i just hope that if they do take a while to settle our fans don't get on their backs but i won't hold my breath if the melts that are scunny mags are anything to go by.

Bodacious Benny wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 08, 2019 6:01 pm

Yeah, early on I was pissed off and certain we’d go down, but I’m happy with the window and pre season.

This. Time will tell.. and the Arsenal game will be a indicator on how we are planning to set up tactically and what approach we're taking in terms of playing style. I hope it's a attacking, balanced and positive one because with the players we have we definitely suit a counter-attacking fast pace style but at the time we have quality footballers who can pass, move and run to play a attractive slick style of possession football such as Longstaff, Shelvey, Schar, Lejune, Maximim, Miggy and Joelinton. With Rafa sometimes we were too cautious and defensive which made us fall back which allowed teams to get onto us and we'll crumble under pressure but then we saw towards the end of the season with the front three of Perez, Rondon and Miggy we looked brighter and positive as we pressured teams on the front foot.

Cautious optimism. A lot depends on how the new signings start.

Yeah, early on I was pissed off and certain we’d go down, but I’m happy with the window and pre season.

^ That just about perfectly sums up my feelings too.

So now that pre season and the transfer window has concluded. What are everyone's thoughts?

After Rafa left, Perez was sold and the takeover fizzled out (again), I was raging.

But now, I'm mildly optimistic. Not that we'll be pushing for the top ten, but that we might have an alright season without the dread of relegation and enjoy some of it.

The last couple of pre season games have been encouraging. The team sounds like they're behind Bruce. And we've bolstered our squad with some seemingly good additions in which we needed strengthening.

Joelinton. 40 mil (although probably in installments) for someone who is a bit raw but looks like he could also set the premier league alight.

Maximillion could be ben arfa mark 2.

Willems is a very decent upgrade on what we have already.

Krafth is a mixed bag from what I've heard but sounds very keen and hopefully he can be Schar mark 2.

And then Carroll. An excellent piece of business I think with the contract he's on. Playing for us again will make him much more hungry to impress.

I'm still nervous. But also, for the first time in a while, just a little bit excited for the upcoming season.