Tuesday 29 July 2008
Bougherra off then, but who else?
With Pardew making it abundantly clear that we will see more players depart before the deadline, if not before the season opener, I wonder he was referring to.
"I expect to lose a couple more players, not because I want to, but because I have to. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring in a couple to replace them, but whether I can bring players in of the same level remains to be seen." Cheery stuff.
West Brom have made a bid to prise away Magic from summer-long favourites Real Betis. The board will be hoping that will lift the price I am sure, but Pards comments might have done the exact opposite.
Just last week the manager was saying that he hoped to bring in a new face, or two, but it obviously appears he and the new powers that be in the boardroom - Chappell and Waggott, think differently, although at the Bloggers meeting in June, it was said that we would begin the season with two senior pro's for each position, plus the kids. Not at centre-half we won't when Magic departs.
Pardew will be working with a smaller squad, and that is no bad thing, injuries willing, although we already have a couple. With this division always being a level playing field, the relegated three aside in regards to resources, then on paper I still feel we have as good as chance as any, it's just that Pardew will need to convince us all that he is the best, if not one of the best, motivators, team builders and coaches in the division.
So, who could be the other player(s) to leave. Faye? Oh, please god. ZZ? Aren't their work permit implications, plus he could be in China until after the transfer deadline. Thomas? I actually thought someone like Hull would have him, or Fulham but then it does appear that he has finally got his fat harris into pre-season, and I've heard good reports. A cynic would say this is for other reasons of course. Fortune will surely now stay another season. And then there are players like Sinclair or Christensen, just to loosen the wage bill a bit further.
All in all, it sounds like pre-season has gone well, I hope whatever happens in the next 10 days does not take our eyes of the importance of a good start. ¶ 17:56
"I expect to lose a couple more players, not because I want to, but because I have to. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring in a couple to replace them, but whether I can bring players in of the same level remains to be seen." Cheery stuff.
West Brom have made a bid to prise away Magic from summer-long favourites Real Betis. The board will be hoping that will lift the price I am sure, but Pards comments might have done the exact opposite.
Just last week the manager was saying that he hoped to bring in a new face, or two, but it obviously appears he and the new powers that be in the boardroom - Chappell and Waggott, think differently, although at the Bloggers meeting in June, it was said that we would begin the season with two senior pro's for each position, plus the kids. Not at centre-half we won't when Magic departs.
Pardew will be working with a smaller squad, and that is no bad thing, injuries willing, although we already have a couple. With this division always being a level playing field, the relegated three aside in regards to resources, then on paper I still feel we have as good as chance as any, it's just that Pardew will need to convince us all that he is the best, if not one of the best, motivators, team builders and coaches in the division.
So, who could be the other player(s) to leave. Faye? Oh, please god. ZZ? Aren't their work permit implications, plus he could be in China until after the transfer deadline. Thomas? I actually thought someone like Hull would have him, or Fulham but then it does appear that he has finally got his fat harris into pre-season, and I've heard good reports. A cynic would say this is for other reasons of course. Fortune will surely now stay another season. And then there are players like Sinclair or Christensen, just to loosen the wage bill a bit further.
All in all, it sounds like pre-season has gone well, I hope whatever happens in the next 10 days does not take our eyes of the importance of a good start. ¶ 17:56
