Off-season transfer window thread (soccer)

I think people are missing a trick here. We were the 5th best attacking side in the league last season statistically (and I'm fairly sure no-one who watched us play would argue), but we were ranked 17th in defense. So far we've improved massively going forward and almost not at all in defense. Even if we land Lescott, we still have backup I do NOT feel confident relying on to compete. I love Dunne like a brother but his performances in pre-season have me seriously questioning him, though I'm prepared to let that slide for now and see how he goes.

Then there's the RB position, which we have both Micah and Zab for. Zab is too slow for a full-back and has very poor delivery going forward. He's beaten by everyone with a lick of speed and hence is a liability as a fullback as most wingers are pacey. He'll play some midfield this season. Richards is quick but honestly, he's even worse going forward than Zab and struts around like he ****ing owns the world. He hasn't put in an ounce of effort since making his first England squad and ****ing that slut in a toilet with his mate.

We're going to ship goals galore this season, and some may say "you'll score plenty" but that's not certain.

Ade: Scores in spurts, misses many chances.
RSC: as if he won't spend the whole season injured
Tevez: amazingly hard worker and solid player but never better than a 1-in-3 guy.
Robby: woefully inconsistent at times, prone to missing the easiest of chances (Liverpool at Eastlands, anyone? missed an open net from <1m out).
Bellamy: see RSC and combine it with Tevez.

So honestly, I'm not sure we can afford to concede at least a goal a game and still win, ESPECIALLY away from home.

 

Ireland will score, and I'm not worried about scoring per se, I was just pointing out that there are flaws going forward as well.

And honestly, where will SWP play? He doesn't make my starting lineup, that's for sure. He'll interchange with Ireland (if we don't buy a replacement for Elano) and perhaps a bit with Tevez, but he won't be first choice.

 

I'd call City for 6th - 9th IMO. I'd expect them to achieve a euro spot but I just don't see them nudging ahead, a wildcard team like Villa, Tottenham, Everton will still surpass them to reasons unknown.

 

Enough to jump from 17th to 4th? I don't think so Tim.

Assuming we play 4-1-2-2-1 then we will definitely need the RB and LB to get forward as much as possible. Especially for Ade and RSC playing in the center. Tevez, SWP and Robinho cannot cross, and they will be playing the wings, so therefore we need them to come from somewhere. Bridge is a great crosser of the ball, but Richards and Zab are terrible.

Barry will not play as the DM, he will play LCM and slip into LB when Bridge is going forward. De Jong will start the season at the base of midfield, perhaps replaced/rotated with Kompany (after he returns from injury) and Zabaleta (if he loses form).

I don't disagree, I was just making a point.

 

The side I see lining up:

Richards-Toure-?-Bridge
de Jong
Ireland-Barry
Tevez-Robinho
Adebayor.