Optimistic or still pessimistic

[ktvillan]

I agree with what Mazrim said above. Pre seasons are no reliable indicator of what's to come, and we still need more players.  I'm slightly less optimistic than I  was a week or two ago.  We'll obviously miss Benteke should he go, and some of the clubs I thought might struggle have been targeting and bringing in some very decent players, perhaps a bit more proven than most of our new signings.  Still it's still hard to say who will hit it off in the PL and I'd be surprised if we don't bring in at least two or three more signings.   

[villadelph]

When we were signing kids left and right I was beginning to become more and more optimistic. But of late I'm just not feeling confident. Benteke leaving obviously has a lot to do with that, but I'm also worried that the kids won't mesh together and the fact that we still have very little Premier League experience. I don't think we have enough leaders in the dressing room.

We need to start the season off well, or else it's going to be another rocky campaign. I want to find a way to establish ourselves in the table this year. I may just be impatient and waiting for this squad to turn the corner and become a force, but only time will tell.

I just hope this youth policy works.

[Irish villain]

It has certainty been a rocky few weeks.

I think this summer shows that if you end up farting around the relegation places for a couple of years it can start to stick to you. We desperately need to re-establish ourselves this season. Another season of struggle would be disastrous.

[silhillvilla]

Hopefully Helenius will slot in seemlessly if alien ears leaves

[villadelph]

Hopefully Helenius will slot in seemlessly if alien ears leaves

I hope so too. With Andi and Nicklas up front, and Tonev (who likes to shoot) and Gabby outside we could certainly put up a decent scoring tally this season. But the middle of the park really needs to hold their own. I think Westwood and Sylla will do great this year but we need an attacking presence through the middle.

[Matt Collins]

I seem to be in line with others. The benteke situation and others' signings have shaken my confidence.

The way we replace benteke is going to be crucial. As will improving our defence. I doubt we'll sign more defenders so I think it's down to training and drills. While its only ore season, from what I've seen so far on AVTV we still seem to have the defensive organisation of a chimps tea party. But let's see how we do when it really gets started.

I'd like benteke gone and two attacking signings in or well underway in the next ten days.

I just don't buy the argument that we hold all the cards at all. I really find it difficult to see benteke playing for us again now after what's passed. I think he'll go to spurs and we just cannot afford for this to drag on. Levy will know this, hence his tactics I think (no bid still, scare us into biting). The question is, can we afford to get into a staring contest?

It would be perverse if we held out for an extra few million but as a result ended up with an ineffectual strike force and plenty of cash in the bank.

[LeeB]

Hopefully Helenius will slot in seemlessly if alien ears leaves

I hope so too. With Andi and Nicklas up front, and Tonev (who likes to shoot) and Gabby outside we could certainly put up a decent scoring tally this season. But the middle of the park really needs to hold their own. I think Westwood and Sylla will do great this year but we need an attacking presence through the middle.

That will be your namesake.

[danlanza]

Alien Ears. I love it. Everytime i see it posted i have to laugh.

[Villafirst]

Hopefully Helenius will slot in seemlessly if alien ears leaves

We can't rely on Helenius as he's still very young - if Judas goes we simply have to buy a proven goalscorer to replace him. Benteke scored or contributed 43% of our goals last season, and that will be very difficult to replace.

[Ads]

Regardless of Benteke staying or going, I think we are in for a more established, albeit young, number 10. I think that kind of addition can only be a good thing in terms of adding creativity and extra goals from midfield.

Add in the purchases and we have a decent sized squad of currently unknown ability.

I don’t think I am taking too much of a leap by suggesting Okore is going to be first choice and from the limited amount I have seen, his pace and strength should be an improvement.

Sylla being here the entire season will help the back four too.

If Benteke does go, then he will be replaced. Its hard to believe we will get somebody that is going to score 23 goals, but then I am sure nobody (Benteke included) believed he would bag that amount anyway. As long as the new man can score 15 (no mean feat) and also be the big focal point, where Andi and Gabby, the number 10 etc can play off him, then we will be fine.

I am feeling positive about the forthcoming campaign and looking forward to some of these new youngster surprising me with what they can do.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Both, other middling clubs have spent bigger and brought in players that should hit the ground running whilst we've gone down the unproven track again. Nothing wrong with that but with all the money in the game now you'd have to say a few proven signings would hardly break the bank

A proven striker and attacking midfielder still seem essential to me. If not then at the very best i'd expect a mid to lower table finish yet again.

[Billy Walker]

I'm optimistic.  Comparing and contrasting where we are now to this time last year I actually feel we have a stronger squad regardless of Benteke staying or going. 

[jonzy85]

The Benteke situation has certainly put a dampener on things. It needs to be resolved asap, so that we can re-invest the money.

2 more signings in or around the 8-10 million mark would ratchet up the optimism no end.

I am still worried about our defence though. I don't think Lambert is going to bring another defender who could go straight into the team. Another youngster or 2 maybe, but as it stands, I think we are going to concede a lot of goals again.

[myf]

Im fearful of yet another dog fight which will be proper depressing

[itbrvilla]

Im fearful of yet another dog fight which will be proper depressing

Yeah just said the same in the transfer thread.  We need better and more developed/experienced players to mix with the promising youth.