Season 1/5 over, positives so far

[richardhubbard]

We are about 1/5th of the way through the season and unbeaten in the league and 7th , so what positive conclusions can we draw so far under mctaggart reign.

1) Return of Gabby, who with the departure of Milner, Downing and Young is starting to look a star.
2) Defence is as solid as its been in last 4 years and Hutton looks an Ok buy.
3) Given looks the top class keeper , and a steal at 3.5m
4) Bannan looks a class act and could become a top class player
5) Ireland seems interested and we seen moments of his talent
6) Bent if fit will get goals
7) Delph on saturday looked decent enough and with time will improve
Areas of improvement required- NZgobia needs to get involved, looks like a move to a bigger club he is struggling. Albrighton and Delf now need to step up
Its not the disaster it could be yet, and I Mctaggart will probably drag us towards eighth like he did with them lot , it won't be pretty but could be ok

[Brend'Watkins]

Warnock had his best game for us on Saturday for about 2 years.

[not3bad]

Since Alex Ferguson is practically Taggart in disguise and Mcleish is a ginge, not sure the nickname works.

[richardhubbard]

How about McGinge

[QBVILLA]

McMinge

[Zhong Yi]

Gabby and Bent can be a formidable partnership this season and like everyone else in football seems to think - the signing of Given was a masterstroke.

at this point i'd be tempted to say a top six - eight finish is in order as the fixture list has been kind enough for not-sir-alex to actually assemble his best team without losing a league match.

[N'ZMAV]

How about McLeish?

[Concrete John]

A bit early of this type of thread, but so far it's gone well.

Highlights - Given & Gabby
As we expected - strong defence
Could do better - attacking intent
Disappointment - N'Zogbia

[QBVILLA]

Positives for me are the signing of Given.The resurgent Dunne and the fact Gabby is looking like a real player now.I wasn't happy with the appointment of the manager but the way he has conducted himself is also a positive.

[nick harper]

Petrov has had a new lease of life. Thought he was excellent again on Saturday.

[Dante Lavelli]

Joint best defence in the league I think.  So he deserves credit for that.

From the start, I had this season down as one of transition so it is good that Delph and Bannan have had a fair amount of pitch time.  They may never be the stars we want but at least AMc is giving them a run so we will know with greater certainty next summer.

I would like to see Clark phased into the team too but appreciate a larger points cushion might be required.

Overall I'd give our league start a 7/10.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

In no particular order:

Unbeaten
McLeish
Gabby
Warnock
Given
Bannan
We still have Bent (not that he was going anywhere, but he's just a positive)
Dunne & Collins

[not3bad]

Overall I'd give our league start a 7/10.

I'm gonna be stingier and say 6.5

[pauliewalnuts]

Warnock had his best game for us on Saturday for about 2 years.

Good point.

I thought he played very well on Saturday.

[PaulWinch again]

We are unbeaten and our level of performance has been improving, particularly Saturday. Gabby has been fantastic, Bannan looks a great prospect and Ireland is even started to show glimpses of his ability.