Final league finish next season

[mazrimsbruv]

We have now been told that Downing's replacement will be the last signing we will make this summer.

Sorry to pick out one particular part of your post, but no, we haven't!

Except you're not sorry at all John, as you're usually all over my posts like a rash, often within minutes of me posting.

As for your reply, you can believe what you like. I don't think McLeish could have been any more clear. Again, the level of denial of many H&V posters would be comical, were it not so very sad. It's like Brian's followers in the Monty Python film.

I don't need statements from the Board or the Manager to tell me what direction they are taking the Club in, because actions speak louder than words and their actions this summer tell me everything I need to know. Now McLeish has added words into the equation and many of you still refuse to accept it.

[Concrete John]

That's uncalled for.  I remember we had a decent debate/argument on the transfer thread last week, but other than that I don't recall ever being overly engaged by most of what you post.

But if you're trying to create a situation where I completely ignore you from now then congratulations - you've succeeded!

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I don't need statements from the Board or the Manager to tell me what direction they are taking the Club in, because actions speak louder than words and their actions this summer tell me everything I need to know.

Indeed.
Only one month ago the General was telling everybody to 'Watch Randy's actions in the next couple of weeks as he'll show that actions speak louder than words.'

Another two weeks after his two week prediction and fuck all has happened.

[mazrimsbruv]

That's uncalled for.  I remember we had a decent debate/argument on the transfer thread last week, but other than that I don't recall ever being overly engaged by most of what you post.

But if you're trying to create a situation where I completely ignore you from now then congratulations - you've succeeded!

Apologies John.

I was going for sarcasm / irony and obviously failed on both counts!

I wasn't trying to create that situation but if you want to ignore my posts that's fine.

[Merv]

I don't need statements from the Board or the Manager to tell me what direction they are taking the Club in, because actions speak louder than words and their actions this summer tell me everything I need to know. Now McLeish has added words into the equation and many of you still refuse to accept it.

Good comment. All pre-season hope and optimism is gradually being eroded and I think we're being told to expect very little this coming season. As ever, since May, I await being pleasantly surprised but now I'm thinking my lowest transfer expectations won't be met - that we'll even spend what we've generated from sales/wage savings.

As it stands, defence isn't being improved and midfield looks light, hence my prediction of 12th to 16th.

[Concrete John]

Fair enough - irony/sarcasm can be difficult to pick up in the written format.  No hard feelings

As for your reply, you can believe what you like. I don't think McLeish could have been any more clear. Again, the level of denial of many H&V posters would be comical, were it not so very sad. It's like Brian's followers in the Monty Python film.

I don't need statements from the Board or the Manager to tell me what direction they are taking the Club in, because actions speak louder than words and their actions this summer tell me everything I need to know. Now McLeish has added words into the equation and many of you still refuse to accept it.

Going back to the actual point, I'd be VERY surprised if only one more player were to come in this summer.  I think N'Zogbia will go through this week and then we'll see a halt to spending as we enter the pre-season programme and then decide what, if anything, else we need.  That's not to say how many or of what quality, but I think it's in three stages; a) immediate requirements, b) squad assessment and then c) further strengthening. 

[villa74]

I think to be fair to AM with the players that have left the club and what money he has available to re-invest along with the kids etc 10th would be a good result but realistically 12th place finish.

[DeKuip]

Wasn't the comment from McLeish that we should only expect one more signing "pre-season", and that the players already here will be given their chance.
As the season starts 18 days before the window shuts I expect we'll be doing a bit more business on or around deadline day when you can often get a bit more for the money.

In answer to thread title - I think we'll be one of the clubs in the frame for positions 7th to 12th, and we would have been whether it was Ancelotti, Benitez, Alex Ferguson or McLeish in charge.

[GJH]

No higher than 12th - Mid table dreamers!

Your supposed to strengthen your squad each year to achieve things in this league, at the moment its pretty weak.

[ez]

10th i reckon. No chance of McLeish getting sacked. Humble pie too big.

[GJH]

Ok, its coming up to March/April time we're 3 points above the drop zone with the bad run of games coming up.

What happens then? sack him or back him if you are Lerner?

[hilts_coolerking]

All depends on Bent - if he has a good season we could get 7th or 8th, assuming our defenders are switched on.  But if he gets a bad injury early on we could really struggle.

This is my worry about having sold Downing and Young and, as yet, not having replaced them: last season, if Bent didn't score, we could at least look to one of those two to try to do something special.  Now if Bent doesn't score I worry where the goals are going to come from.  Albrighton maybe, Bannan possibly, but it's asking a lot of those two to replace Young and Downing's goals and assists.  I'm assuming the 'one player' McLeish was talking about yesterday will be bought to fill that gap but it remains to be seen who that is and how effective he is.

[cheltenhamlion]

We still have a fit and firing Gabby to throw in to the pot this year mind. If he stays fit there are 15 goals right there.

[hilts_coolerking]

We still have a fit and firing Gabby to throw in to the pot this year mind. If he stays fit there are 15 goals right there.

Depends if we go 442.  He wont get many if he plays on the wing.

[Nirog72]

6th. Definitely.