Tough start for the season

[Lasse]

Tough start, so it seems to me we could have some pressure from the media come October:

August: Wolves&Bburn away, Villa&Spurs home: 5 points
September: Wigan&City away, Pool home: 1-3 points

So, if not having away form perfect right from the start we could face having under point-per-match after first two months.

If we survive these it gets a whole lot easier:

Oct: Stoke&Sunderland away, Fulham&Arsenal home: 9 points
Nov: Toffees&Burnley away, Hull home: 6 points

After the first 5 of December´s 6 matches we´re at halfway and having altogether 28-30 points as we´ll be getting 7 points from these: ManU, Chelsea&Pompey away, Bham&Bolton home.

Not bad. If only we survive from the start, we´ll be holding a Euro place at the halfway. And we will, Cole&Clarke having their first summer camp with the lads, Gabs, Cole, Dyer & Ashton fit plus Parker & Behrami in September.

Just hope this window doesn´t bring us any negative surprises (Green,Upson). But then again, no one is unreplacable.

[west_ham]

In terms of the squad we have our current lineup is:

Green, Kurucz

Illunga, Upson, Tomkins, Collins, Spector, Gabbidon, Lopez(?)

Collison, Parker, Behrami, Noble, Jiminez, Savio, Stanislas, Boa Morte, Dyer

Cole, Ashton


Other possible signings:
Neill, Kovac, Mancini

Exluding (because Duxbury says they will go straight back out on loan):
Faubert, Davenport

Youngsters:
Payne, Hines, N'Gala, Spence

So we are a bit thin on strikers, the RB position and good cover for Green. Some of the midfielders could be pushed up front with the strikers, i.e. Savio, Jiminez, Dyer. But I still think we need at least one more recognised striker.

If Zola manages to fill the gaps in the squad then I think we should be well equipped to handle those tough fixtures.

[Lasse]

Haven´t read a word from the Mancini affair. The last was that clubs were close but negotiations with the players himself only about to start. Has anyone read/heard anything more?

Faubert+Davenport will be gone and I hope Neill too, as he might be prepared for only one years stay.

One addition to the fixture list: we´re having only 8 home matches first half. This makes the need of solid&tight formation and discipline even more important.

[norwaytips]

Lasse. Your maths is not good mate. 4 games in August, 3 points a game is twelve points, not five. :D

The Mancini thing. The clubs have agreed a deal. Mancini has one or two other irons in the fire with CL teams, but as yet; no 'good CL teams. He has been on honeymoon and is now weighing up his options. (This means he's hoping for another offer from a 'good' CL side) Lots of politics involved, but I think we'll get him, providing none of the big 8 come in for him.

I also heard that neither Mancini, nor Jiminez, is the 'big' player that Dux was referring to.:confused: The only answer my brother got, when he asked who it was, was a wry smile and a shoulder shrug.:confused:

[Lasse]

Must be Neill...

[Footstomper]

Tough start

August: Wolves&Bburn away, Villa&Spurs home
September: Wigan&City away

Oct: Stoke&Sunderland away, Fulham&Arsenal home
Nov: Toffees&Burnley away


Just hope this window doesn´t bring us any negative surprises (Green,Upson). But then again, no one is unreplacable.

We have to play two teams at once? Seems a tad unfair and would definitely leave us at a disadvantage. Frankly I'm surprised the FA allowed it. Probably a move against the Mafia control exercised by the sinister Trevor Brooking

http://channelbee.com/football/show/video/614

[Lasse]

Well actually at home it isn´t that big a problem and e.g. Boa would probably be thrilled playing Fulham & Arsenal. 32 own players there so his percentage on succesful passes should be at least ...ehh.. 32?

BUT! Can´t figure out how to cope with the away matches???

[Footstomper]

Well actually at home it isn´t that big a problem and e.g. Boa would probably be thrilled playing Fulham & Arsenal. 32 own players there so his percentage on succesful passes should be at least ...ehh.. 32?

BUT! Can´t figure out how to cope with the away matches???
Are we allowed weapons?

[Lasse]

Think only magic could save us there but at least against the Potters we just couldn´t have a change.

Biological weapons:
What if we threatened to give Faubert for free to any winning side? OR: make a deal with Neill for 120k a week and give HIM for free after that? Pity we don´t have Kia anymore in our payroll. We could´ve given him - and even paid some money for that.

Or: could we perhaps threaten to hint Blades they might have chances to sue any winning side and claim compensation? You know, they surely would.