What the **** is going on?

[BubbleGum_McClure]

If there is 10m to spend then I'd do an Everton (Barry) and set aside a chunk of that if we could get Milner on loan from Man City with a view to a permanent transfer once the new owners are in place.

Milner isn't happy at Man City and we might just be able to entice him back with increased investment from new owners. It would automatically strengthen our midfield and probably secure our Premiership status for another season.

I'd also look into getting Ashley Young back on loan as well for a season to supply Bent and when fit Kozak and Benteke.

[RussellC]

I think I'd agree with that. I would take Lescott, Morrison and probably Olsson (regrettably) into our starting XI, with Beharino and Foster at a push. We still have a better starting XI, player for player.

I'd have said Lescott, Mulumbu and whichever of Morrison or Sessegnon is currently on form.

I wouldn't swap Guzan for Foster, Berahino for Kozak or Benteke and certainly not Olsson for Vlaar.

I'd have Vlaar, Lescott and Olsson in a back 3 and would consider playing Berahino in place of either Gabby or Weimann. I'd be happy with either Guzan or Foster, don't think there's anything between them.

It does raise an interesting question though - do you think there's the potential for Benteke and Kozak to form a successful partnership, or will Kozak largely be used as Benteke's understudy when both fit?

James Morrison and Olsson. Is this a joke?
Morrison has one good game in 20, and that is only if one of his 100 shots hits the back of the net for once.

Olsson has been dire for 2 years now, maybe even 3.
Living of past reputations outside the club, but all my mates lost faith in him a long time ago.

I presume that you've seen Karim El Ahmadi and Nathan Baker play?

[Ads]

Burnley WBA and us to go is 40/1. For insurance purposes may have £30 on it.

The Albion are actually strengthening

I loved the own goal they scored last night in their defeat at Port Vale. T'was chuckle inducing.

[placeforparks]

If there is 10m to spend then I'd do an Everton (Barry) and set aside a chunk of that if we could get Milner on loan from Man City with a view to a permanent transfer once the new owners are in place.

i'd love milner back, but he's in the last year of the contract and it would suit man city to do a permanent deal.

sure there would be clubs with far deeper pockets than us who would stump up the cash for a permanent transfer if he was made available.

[ez]

Really we need the previously bomb squaded players to make Lambert look foolish.

[Matt Collins]

If definitely take James Morrison. I think he's a good player. and we don't have his sort

[silhillvilla]

If definitely take James Morrison. I think he's a good player. and we don't have his sort

Yes he's decent.

[Steve67]

This thread is in danger of turning into the transfer speculation thread. Wtf is going on? An owner who doesn't want the club, a Manager out of his depth, not being supported. Complete shambles, however, a good quality signing might change all that. Hopefully, this is why Randy dropped by the other day.

[Deano's Mullet]

I've never looked to a new season with lower expectations than I have at the moment. If any other club had the owner, manager and players that we have, I'd have them down as certainties for relegation.

this

[SamTheMouse]

What is going on is...nothing. Until the new owner hoves into view. And that's the problem. If I can venture a (shit) analogy here, we're a bit like a man who was on a nice swanky boat but has fallen overboard, and is treading water until help arrives.

The trouble is, even before we fell over the side, we were knackered. With a heart condition. And dodgy knees. And we'd had a skinful. And we're in the middle of nowhere. And the boat's radio is up the swanee. And there are sharks and jellyfish and stuff.

Basically, we're fooked. Question answered, lock the thread!

[ajmant]

SamTheMouse sums it up perfectly.

[RussellC]

The biggest worry for me, above the ownership, the management, the lack of funds, the injuries, is that I don;t think we have a decent coach in our ranks.

Sure, we don't have a brilliant squad, but we have enough players of Premiership quality to make us a Premiership Team. I just saw such little evidence that the players were being coached, either individually or tactically, last season that it scares me shitless going into next.

I've watched all of the pre-season games and the basic stuff's still there. We don't look like we've ever rehearsed what to do when we have a throw-in, in any area of the pitch. We still pass the ball around the back-line at such a slow tempo that it invites the opposition to close us down in our own defensive third and we end-up just launching a long ball upfield. When the ball is out of play there's no talking between the players, no organising. When we concede a goal, there's not even an inquest. No-one looks remotely pissed-off.

I'd hoped that Roy Keane would bring some tactical nous, some will-to-win or, at the very least, end the acceptance of not winning that we have. I'm not going to write off that hope on the back of some pre-season games, but I can't help but be worried. Very worried.

[Gregorys Boy]

Yeah, What the **** is going on?!  A random thread which is just rehashing a number of points already made, set up only the other day and has already got to a 4th page! You guys are once again excelling yourselves  

The only thing I will respond to is the comment about Given.  A little unfair, he looked out of sorts in the Euros two years back because of injury.   And when he has played for us has normally played behind a poor back four.  He isn't the keeper he once was and I don't see him as a first choice now, but as a back up he is fine.  Steer is still young, and the loan in only three months so I don't see the issue with that one.

[Chris Smith]

Mother, mother there's too many of you crying...

Sorry, just wanted to shoehorn Marvin Gaye in given the thread title.

I have no great hopes for the season but I am prepared to at least wait until we actually start losing matches to declare it a write off. We need everything to go for us in terms of players not leaving, new signings and people staying fit but if, and it's a big if, all that happens I think we will hold our own in respectable mid table until Don Corleone comes in and spend trillions.

My optimism might be influenced by the sun shining, having some time off work and a good night out planned for tomorrow. Next week, with the season starting and the inevitable rain that ushers in with a return to work looming, things might seem very different.

[Gregorys Boy]

Mother, mother there's too many of you crying...

Sorry, just wanted to shoehorn Marvin Gaye in given the thread title.

I have no great hopes for the season but I am prepared to at least wait until we actually start losing matches to declare it a write off. We need everything to go for us in terms of players not leaving, new signings and people staying fit but if, and it's a big if, all that happens I think we will hold our own in respectable mid table until Don Corleone comes in and spend trillions.

My optimism might be influenced by the sun shining, having some time off work and a good night out planned for tomorrow. Next week, with the season starting and the inevitable rain that ushers in with a return to work looming, things might seem very different.

Chris my friend you are not playing the internet game!  The idea is to be as depressing as you can now, just post for the sake of posting.  Then when we actually have a decent start to the season (with Hutton slamming a screamer in at Stoke) to post fewer times, but make up for it by beclaiming your love for Lambert, the players, and our chances of getting top six and winning some cup!