10 Feb 2015 19:41:11
I really believe we can stay up now with the remaining fixtures and our slight improvement in form. However, exactly one year ago I put a post on that created some reaction that I will say was less than supportive. Even you Ed025 labelled it as negative and unwarranted. Others were even more scathing. I repeat the basis of that post now. We have a rapidly ageing squad that consists of (and this was 12 months ago) of 7 or 8 players who will be past their best at the end of 2015. The players I listed were: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Alcaraz, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar. and at the time Barry was only on loan. One year later and my fears have been further compounded by the addition and subsequent removal of Eto'o and the permanent signing of Barry. I added that when a squad endures a complete overhaul of such magnitude, it takes at least 6 months to settle down and get results. I gave Sunderland as the classic example and they were rooted to the foot of the table at the time. Certain posters said such comments as, "utter tosh". They added that Chelsea and Man City had undergone such changes and were doing ok. This is not quite true, because these two squads were changed at a rate of 3 or 4 players per season. They also have many players on loan who have been integrated into their squads on a drip basis. in and out of the squad as necessary. eg Chelsea have 26 players signed but out on loan. Anyway, back to the facts. Martinez seems to have a policy of not looking too far for players (Besic excepted) and all his signings to date have been what I would call "easy signings". Compare that with Moyes signing from local Irish league, 1 player from a couple of relegated teams, Greek League unknown League 1 players etc. As well as the 7 or 8 mentioned above, we will also soon need to replace Eto'o .possibly Mirallas, Jags, McGeady (he just seems not good enough) Kone, Atsu (will no doubt return to Chelsea) and Garbutt if rumours are true. I make that a total of possibly 15 players leaving in the next season. It also makes no allowance for long term injuries of which every squad suffers at least one or two a season. No squad can adjust to this level of change and cope. I blame Martinez for replacing Anichebe with Kone. Also bringing in Barry, Alcaraz and Eto'o all of which were at best short term solutions to boost numbers. Now the killer bit.Even if we survive relegation this season, I really doubt that Martinez has the ability to bring in 15 players of quality to keep us remaining in the Premiership next season. In fact I doubt there is a manager out there with that ability. The damage is already done. Call me negative, but I predicted our current situation in a post dated 26th Feb 2014 against a backdrop of abuse and criticism. I am a very sad Blue.
Oh ffs I give up.
10 Feb 2015 22:52:31
Please get your coat
Degsy, are you El Bob's evil twin and total opposite? Come on mate things are not total doom, there are 5 or 6 kids coming through that should be there or there about's come next season for a start.
Nostradamus strikes again! I predict 9 out of 10 people will have read only 2 lines of that post before scrolling to the bottom seeing who posted it and realising they made the right choice! Turn it in Degsy and stop with these I predicted posts Please. Thanks.
11 Feb 2015 01:00:33
Same old story from DP complete with whinge to prove he's 'right'. Nice to see that he hasn't specifically mentioned Swan this time. This is a banter site - don't expect everyone to agree and stop crying when they don't.
Fair play guys. Even my son is saying I am a miserable git.but I can't help my gut feelings. The way I look at it and see things developing means I am really down about the state of the club.to try and turn it into a positive. the only way I can imagine a different scenario is that we survive this season, immediately sack RM, bring in a new manager and start the wholesale changes needed. In a best situation scenario, we squeeze more seasons out of Jags, Osman, Howard (who stays as number 2 to Robles), Mirallas signs a new contract, McGeady's form improves and Garbutt signs a new contract. That would mean we only lose 9 players to age. Still too many in my opinion, but manageable over say 2 seasons. Surely if I put this more positive slant on things, you can see where my concerns are coming from? Got to go. mogadons await me!
11 Feb 2015 10:50:25
This is the reason I retired my original name Degsybluenose, got mixed up too many times
Well I suppose I could have come on and said: Everything is going great. Barkley and McGeady will soon develop a magical understanding and when they do Lukaku will reap the benefits. Barry and Kone and Osman and Pienaar have at least 5 years each left in them due to the new super vitamin drug which they are taking. Alcaraz had no pace to start with so whatever pace he loses with age will make no difference anyway. Eto'o was crap andwe won't miss his goals, Mirallas will see the light as will Garbutt.and due to refs being totally fair to us we will not suffer another injury for the next two years. Kone will turn into a youthful goalscorng machine as will Lennon when he looks a bit happier signing his 8 year contract extension. Sky will change the terms of the new TV deal to ensure EFC get at least 50% of the 5 billion. Would that make everyone happier?