Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[ChicagoLion]

Lets see how he does with his team without the idiot.

[Monty]

I think three other clubs would have to have massively disappointing seasons for Solskjaer to win the league; for us to finish top 6, a few would have to have mildly/fairly underwhelming seasons.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It was a mixed bag last year and he outwitted some of the best mangers, yet failed against others. So far he’s doing a fantastic job.

I could take a mixed bag if it wasn't so divided between 2020 and 2021. My fear and expectation is we'll have the same this season but this time we'll kick on after Xmas. That would leave Dean in a very vulnerable position come November December. That said, I never expected us to come out flying last season, so what do I know. He needs to lose the feast or famine reputation he's had since his days at Walsall.

[LeonW]

Top 4 was never really realistic, as to compete over 38 games with the likes of Man U, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea would take some doing. Outside of that though, it’s all pretty much of a muchness. Our main problem in my opinion is we’re saddled with a lower league manager who’s been given a third of a billion quid to spend but whose managerial ability really doesn’t warrant the faith the owners have shown him. He doesn’t have the tactical ability nor is he a draw for top players to get us into the top 6..

Arsenal have spent a shed load under Arteta and are going backwards. Arteta walked into Arsenal because he had a reputation as a good coach. Everton spent a shed load under Ancelotti and finished 12th and 10th in the last two seasons. Ancelotti has won leagues and champions leagues in multiple countries. Both of these are established premier league teams.

Smith took over a lopsided championship team in October, with  a number of players on loan and oldies with contracts expiring. Had one transfer window (which was the hardest one to do much in) and got us up following a record winning run. That included a win at Wembley; something we’ve been shocking at doing for 20 years.

He then helped rebuild the squad, improving almost every player we signed, keeping us up and then getting our best finish in over a decade.

Last season we thrashed the champions (managed by Jurgen Klopp) in performance that will always be remembered (especially by Klopp), beat Tottenham and Leicester away (managed by Rodgers), did the double over Arsenal and took 4 points off the eventual champions league winners. Keep in mind that the home win against Tuchel’s team was when they were desperate to win to help ensure they qualified for the champions league.

We got a British record fee for a player that was going to leave for not even a quarter of that when Smith took over and whom he improved.

And we’ve done all that whilst improving our league placing each season and broadly playing very good football, particular against teams that have bench players that would walk into the majority of teams in the Europe, let alone the premier league.

Does all that not warrant the faith from NSWE to see what else he might be able to do? And from us supporters as well for that matter?

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Arsenal have spent a shed load under Arteta and are going backwards. Arteta walked into Arsenal because he had a reputation as a good coach. Everton spent a shed load under Ancelotti and finished 12th and 10th in the last two seasons. Ancelotti has won leagues and champions leagues in multiple countries. Both of these are established premier league teams.

Smith took over a lopsided championship team in October, with  a number of players on loan and oldies with contracts expiring. Had one transfer window (which was the hardest one to do much in) and got us up following a record winning run. That included a win at Wembley; something we’ve been shocking at doing for 20 years.

He then helped rebuild the squad, improving almost every player we signed, keeping us up and then getting our best finish in over a decade.

Last season we thrashed the champions (managed by Jurgen Klopp) in performance that will always be remembered (especially by Klopp), beat Tottenham and Leicester away (managed by Rodgers), did the double over Arsenal and took 4 points off the eventual champions league winners. Keep in mind that the home win against Tuchel’s team was when they were desperate to win to help ensure they qualified for the champions league.

We got a British record fee for a player that was going to leave for not even a quarter of that when Smith took over and whom he improved.

And we’ve done all that whilst improving our league placing each season and broadly playing very good football, particular against teams that have bench players that would walk into the majority of teams in the Europe, let alone the premier league.

Does all that not warrant the faith from NSWE to see what else he might be able to do? And from us supporters as well for that matter?

Of course it does, but this is a crucial year for him.

[Ian.]

Excellent summary Leon.

[ez]

I don't think he has done himself any favours with comments like, we're 18 months away,  and, we're now stronger than last season. Those words may well come back to haunt him.

[Ian.]

It was a mixed bag last year and he outwitted some of the best mangers, yet failed against others. So far he’s doing a fantastic job.

I could take a mixed bag if it wasn't so divided between 2020 and 2021. My fear and expectation is we'll have the same this season but this time we'll kick on after Xmas. That would leave Dean in a very vulnerable position come November December. That said, I never expected us to come out flying last season, so what do I know. He needs to lose the feast or famine reputation he's had since his days at Walsall.

I know what you mean, that glorious start then a few ups and downs before that huge slump. It’s that mindset we need to lose after a couple defeats.

[Taylor]

Arsenal have spent a shed load under Arteta and are going backwards. Arteta walked into Arsenal because he had a reputation as a good coach. Everton spent a shed load under Ancelotti and finished 12th and 10th in the last two seasons. Ancelotti has won leagues and champions leagues in multiple countries. Both of these are established premier league teams.

Smith took over a lopsided championship team in October, with  a number of players on loan and oldies with contracts expiring. Had one transfer window (which was the hardest one to do much in) and got us up following a record winning run. That included a win at Wembley; something we’ve been shocking at doing for 20 years.

He then helped rebuild the squad, improving almost every player we signed, keeping us up and then getting our best finish in over a decade.

Last season we thrashed the champions (managed by Jurgen Klopp) in performance that will always be remembered (especially by Klopp), beat Tottenham and Leicester away (managed by Rodgers), did the double over Arsenal and took 4 points off the eventual champions league winners. Keep in mind that the home win against Tuchel’s team was when they were desperate to win to help ensure they qualified for the champions league.

We got a British record fee for a player that was going to leave for not even a quarter of that when Smith took over and whom he improved.

And we’ve done all that whilst improving our league placing each season and broadly playing very good football, particular against teams that have bench players that would walk into the majority of teams in the Europe, let alone the premier league.

Does all that not warrant the faith from NSWE to see what else he might be able to do? And from us supporters as well for that matter?

Of course it does, but this is a crucial year for him.

Not disputed, but I think the first post was a reaction to Risso’s frankly ridiculous comment that we are “saddled with a lower league manager”.

[Dante Lavelli]

Top 4 was never really realistic, as to compete over 38 games with the likes of Man U, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea would take some doing. Outside of that though, it’s all pretty much of a muchness. Our main problem in my opinion is we’re saddled with a lower league manager who’s been given a third of a billion quid to spend but whose managerial ability really doesn’t warrant the faith the owners have shown him. He doesn’t have the tactical ability nor is he a draw for top players to get us into the top 6..

Arsenal have spent a shed load under Arteta and are going backwards. Arteta walked into Arsenal because he had a reputation as a good coach. Everton spent a shed load under Ancelotti and finished 12th and 10th in the last two seasons. Ancelotti has won leagues and champions leagues in multiple countries. Both of these are established premier league teams.

Smith took over a lopsided championship team in October, with  a number of players on loan and oldies with contracts expiring. Had one transfer window (which was the hardest one to do much in) and got us up following a record winning run. That included a win at Wembley; something we’ve been shocking at doing for 20 years.

He then helped rebuild the squad, improving almost every player we signed, keeping us up and then getting our best finish in over a decade.

Last season we thrashed the champions (managed by Jurgen Klopp) in performance that will always be remembered (especially by Klopp), beat Tottenham and Leicester away (managed by Rodgers), did the double over Arsenal and took 4 points off the eventual champions league winners. Keep in mind that the home win against Tuchel’s team was when they were desperate to win to help ensure they qualified for the champions league.

We got a British record fee for a player that was going to leave for not even a quarter of that when Smith took over and whom he improved.

And we’ve done all that whilst improving our league placing each season and broadly playing very good football, particular against teams that have bench players that would walk into the majority of teams in the Europe, let alone the premier league.

Does all that not warrant the faith from NSWE to see what else he might be able to do? And from us supporters as well for that matter?

Excellent post and good to be reminded how far we have progressed.  The critical bit for me is that most players have improved under his coaching;  that alone means he has credit in the bank for another 12 months.

[Risso]

Top 4 was never really realistic, as to compete over 38 games with the likes of Man U, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea would take some doing. Outside of that though, it’s all pretty much of a muchness. Our main problem in my opinion is we’re saddled with a lower league manager who’s been given a third of a billion quid to spend but whose managerial ability really doesn’t warrant the faith the owners have shown him. He doesn’t have the tactical ability nor is he a draw for top players to get us into the top 6..

Well this seasons a huge one for Smith and if he improves us yet again from the last, your view is flawed. If we manage to finish in the top half he’s done another remarkable job.

It was a mixed bag last year and he outwitted some of the best mangers, yet failed against others. So far he’s doing a fantastic job.

Top half would be remarkable? After spending the thick end of half a billion quid? Bielsa managed it first go last season, and Leeds haven't spent anything like the amounts we have.

[dave.woodhall]

It was a mixed bag last year and he outwitted some of the best mangers, yet failed against others. So far he’s doing a fantastic job.

I could take a mixed bag if it wasn't so divided between 2020 and 2021. My fear and expectation is we'll have the same this season but this time we'll kick on after Xmas. That would leave Dean in a very vulnerable position come November December. That said, I never expected us to come out flying last season, so what do I know. He needs to lose the feast or famine reputation he's had since his days at Walsall.

I know what you mean, that glorious start then a few ups and downs before that huge slump. It’s that mindset we need to lose after a couple defeats.

Maybe Ratboy's departure means that the players no longer have a ready-made excuse for losing.

[john e]

I don't think he has done himself any favours with comments like, we're 18 months away,  and, we're now stronger than last season. Those words may well come back to haunt him.

Disagree
I hate it when managers are at big clubs and are fully backed yet still dumb down
I’d much rather have a positive manager who’s secure in his ability saying where he thinks we can go

[Ian.]

Top 4 was never really realistic, as to compete over 38 games with the likes of Man U, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea would take some doing. Outside of that though, it’s all pretty much of a muchness. Our main problem in my opinion is we’re saddled with a lower league manager who’s been given a third of a billion quid to spend but whose managerial ability really doesn’t warrant the faith the owners have shown him. He doesn’t have the tactical ability nor is he a draw for top players to get us into the top 6..

Well this seasons a huge one for Smith and if he improves us yet again from the last, your view is flawed. If we manage to finish in the top half he’s done another remarkable job.

It was a mixed bag last year and he outwitted some of the best mangers, yet failed against others. So far he’s doing a fantastic job.

Top half would be remarkable? After spending the thick end of half a billion quid? Bielsa managed it first go last season, and Leeds haven't spent anything like the amounts we have.

Absolutely yes, it would be and I reckon we will do too.

[Monty]

I think top half should legitimately be expected this season. Tenth at least seems reasonable.