Surprise Player

[Clampy]

Gardner has to be in with a shout, mind you, there's a lot of choice in the middle of the park.

I would like to see Gardner given 6 months on loan in the Championship to regain fitness and confidence then bring him back second half of the season stronger for it.

I would as well although it might depend who we have left for cover if or when Ireland and Bannan leave.

[eastie]

I think that if Delph gets an early goal he can get into double figures, and turn into the midfield general we've lacked since Andy Townsend.

There's a few more goals in him but i'm not sure about double figures.

Cant see it either - if he gets 4 or 5 it will be a big improvement.

[not3bad]

Hutton

[Legion]

Yes, I'm surprised he's still a Villa player aswell.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it's kind of make or break for Gardner now, given the time left on his contract he needs to make an impact with us now.

[supertom]

Bacuna (mattata) or Tonev.

[Mark H]

What is so refreshing is going through a young squad list of players and thinking how many options we have (ignoring the players like Ireland et al that will be gone) - The bright future is nearly here !

[olaftab]

Great thread. Well done for starting it Chipsticks.

[dekko]

I'm gonna say Delph.  I think towards the end of last season he was really beginning to show promise and if he can start smashing in 25 yard screamers like he used to do at Leeds I think he'll become a new fan-favourite.

I also think Bennett will win over a lot of his critics this season - theres nothing wrong with his game that experience on the pitch and time in the gym won't fix.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm gonna say Delph.  I think towards the end of last season he was really beginning to show promise and if he can start smashing in 25 yard screamers like he used to do at Leeds I think he'll become a new fan-favourite.

I also think Bennett will win over a lot of his critics this season - theres nothing wrong with his game that experience on the pitch and time in the gym won't fix.

I think the success of Bennet will be quite linked to that of Delph.  The more games Delph played last year the fitter and more comfortable he became.  In the last couple of months he was covering every proverbial blade of grass and as a result providing Bennet with a fair amount of protection (especially compared to Ireland/Nzogbia and others who played in in our muddled midfield during the first 2/3rds of the season).

[dekko]

I think the success of Bennet will be quite linked to that of Delph.  The more games Delph played last year the fitter and more comfortable he became.  In the last couple of months he was covering every proverbial blade of grass and as a result providing Bennet with a fair amount of protection (especially compared to Ireland/Nzogbia and others who played in in our muddled midfield during the first 2/3rds of the season).

Good point.  I also think Luna's arrival might light a fire under his backside...

[TonyD]

Gabby to get over 25 goals.

[olaftab]

No THAT would be a surprise.

[eastie]

I like Bennett and rate him highly but I do think luna will prove to be a real asset and may well establish himself in the left back role .

It's good to have 2 decent options as Bennett looked out on his feet at times last season but i don't think Stevens was a good option .

[Irish villain]

Forget surprise players! I think we will be the surprise team.

We were followers under MON, running around after the League's established journeymen trying to be something. Under TSM we just looked lost- selling players and buying more cloggers like Hutton. Last year we looked like a club having a fresh start. In fact, we looked like a (footballing) patient coming out of intensive care and learning how to play proper football again. You got the sense it would take time and it would be a work-in-progress.

This pre-season feels so different. We now have our own, distinct footballing strategy and a manager ruthlessly going about implementing it. We have plenty of new faces, more competitition for places and something of a stronger psychology. You can see a siege mentality developing at the club with players and management focussed on the strategy and sticking to the script. You can even sense it in the pre-season training pics today. This squad and this manager mean business and most importantly have self-belief.

We will shock a few teams this year. I can just sense it. Surprise player: Tonev to chip in with a few screamers.