Transfer window
Tick tock...less than a week to go till transfer window closes and we get to know what our squad looks like.
Currently it feels on a knife edge between a good transfer window and failure/ kids need a rocketfuel sponsor because we are going to need everyone with a running start if we don't get signings.
If we remain positive Wan Bisakka has settled in perfectly and means our biggest defensive weakness and point of failure last season has been fixed. James provides enthusiasm and energy and is a good influence on our forwards.
Squad review
Keeping DDG and getting a new long term and expensive contract is a minor risk, but i expect him to come back strong. In pre season he has looked steady.
Our CB position is already better with Tuanzebe potentially in the mix.
Midfield is a major concern, with heavy reliance on McTom, Periera and Fred to find their potential quickly. Maybe even Garner stepping in.
Forward line as above is energised, not least the inclusion of Greenwood who looks certain to get plenty of chances.
Creating clear goal scoring opportunities is without doubt our biggest concern. I think we have plenty of forward potential and extra fitness focus should by nature open up chances
AC Milan - last friendly
A nice final fixture in Cardiff at home to AC Milan this Saturday and then shit gets real very quick. This Saturday should be good, fitness should be reaching an optimal point. AC Milan getting there so more of a challenge than the inter game, albeit a weaker team.
PL Kick-off at home vs Chelsea - Sunday 11th 16.30
Chelsea play M'gladbach also this Saturday so similar recovery, but they maybe aren't as stretched as us.
This will be Lampard's first premier league fixture as a manager and what a way to kick off the season.
Arguably this is as good a time as any. We've had a good pre-season. The challenge will be keeping the Mount at bay who has had a very good pre season.
No Odoi should help! But Pulisic managed to get a couple vs Red Bull so there is some uncertainty with new faces despite their transfer ban.
We really need to start with a win.
2nd game Wolves away Monday 19th 20.00
A very tough 2nd game, but they have Europa league qualifying on the Thursday before this game on the Monday. This may actually make them more match fit as this will be their 4th competitive fixture.
Pre season they've done well to win all their games, including City on pens!
Wolves have done some real bits this summer. Kept their core together, including signing Jimenez. They've added Hong (midfield), Raphael Nya (defender from PSG), Leander Dendonker (midfield from Anderlecht) for £12m, Tsun Dai (midfield from Oxford United), Jesus Vallejo (defender loan from Real Madrid), Patrick Cutrone (£16.2m rise to £23m forward from Milan).
Yes I don't recognise many of these either, but Wolves do seem to be legendary at scouting so assume one or two of these will have an influence.
This game is massive for so many reasons. They beat us in the last 2 times we played them and only a draw in the home league fixture. To some extent you might call this a free hit...a chance to improve, but we have to if we are to make positive steps.
If we do make signings, chop chop this is probably the first game they can now be considered for, especially Maguire (if we get him). If we don't, this will be the game that causes a lot of angry United fans if we don't win. Wolves could be challenging us for top 4 if they start well so we really want to ensure its us with the momentum, not them.
3rd game - Palace at home Saturday 24th 15.00
Depending on how those first two games have gone, this could be smooth sailing or a banana skin. 2 losses and this game could be asking real early questions.
Their pre-season has been tame. Recently drawing to AFC wimbledon 2-2, beating Bristol City 5-0, lost to Nottingham Forest 1-0, lost to Barnet 6-2, lost to Young Boys 2-0, drew with FC Luzern 1-1. Really poor!
We've taken one of their best players. Zaha may still find a new home.
They've only signed Stephen Henderson (GK from Nottingham Forest for free) and Jordan Ayew (forward from Swansea for £3m). This is without any shadow of a doubt a must win.
It sounds mad, but if we didn't win this and lost the first two games, Green and Gold will be in full flow and don't be surprised to hear Ole out. Win those first two and expect Palace to be steam rolled and Ole to be seen as having royally stamped his mark on the team.
A strange knife edge of sorts (table knife)...again!
Completing August - Southampton away Saturday 31st at 12.30
It's one of those i almost don't even need to research, it's a must win and should be comfortable.
However, they did just beat Feyenoord 1-3 away, whoop! Before that they beat Guangzhou in China 0-4, Preston away 1-3 and drew with SCR Altach. Yep hardly a warm up!
They have spent some dosh:
Moussa Djenepo (£14m midfielder from standard liege) Che Adarms (£15m forward from Birmingham) Danny Ings (£18m forward from Liverpool). They have sold Matt Targett (defender to Villa for £14m) and Sam Gallagher (£5m forward to Blackburn)
Bottom line, even if we lose the first 3 games by some horrendous outcome, expect this to end the slide. They ended in 16th last season with 39 points.
Summary
A nice warm up. Straight in with a tough test, but friendlies against Inter, Spurs and Milan are a good foundation.
Don't be surprised for August to be a free pass for new signings. Chelsea will be too soon for anyone not already here. Wolves are arguably too stern a test to be starting new players. This is the downside about delaying things.
Maguire would be massive against Wolves and its a crying shame we won't get enough time for him to bed in. Partnerships in defence take lots of training sessions to get right before you can gamble in games.
Someone like a Dybala could probably slot in given his vast talent and the unknown entity factor with Wolves not necessarily knowing how to handle a player like him.
It's an exciting month one way or the other and should be a good test of how far we've come in one hard working pre season.
Tick tock...less than a week to go till transfer window closes and we get to know what our squad looks like.
Currently it feels on a knife edge between a good transfer window and failure/ kids need a rocketfuel sponsor because we are going to need everyone with a running start if we don't get signings.
If we remain positive Wan Bisakka has settled in perfectly and means our biggest defensive weakness and point of failure last season has been fixed. James provides enthusiasm and energy and is a good influence on our forwards.
Squad review
Keeping DDG and getting a new long term and expensive contract is a minor risk, but i expect him to come back strong. In pre season he has looked steady.
Our CB position is already better with Tuanzebe potentially in the mix.
Midfield is a major concern, with heavy reliance on McTom, Periera and Fred to find their potential quickly. Maybe even Garner stepping in.
Forward line as above is energised, not least the inclusion of Greenwood who looks certain to get plenty of chances.
Creating clear goal scoring opportunities is without doubt our biggest concern. I think we have plenty of forward potential and extra fitness focus should by nature open up chances
AC Milan - last friendly
A nice final fixture in Cardiff at home to AC Milan this Saturday and then shit gets real very quick. This Saturday should be good, fitness should be reaching an optimal point. AC Milan getting there so more of a challenge than the inter game, albeit a weaker team.
PL Kick-off at home vs Chelsea - Sunday 11th 16.30
Chelsea play M'gladbach also this Saturday so similar recovery, but they maybe aren't as stretched as us.
This will be Lampard's first premier league fixture as a manager and what a way to kick off the season.
Arguably this is as good a time as any. We've had a good pre-season. The challenge will be keeping the Mount at bay who has had a very good pre season.
No Odoi should help! But Pulisic managed to get a couple vs Red Bull so there is some uncertainty with new faces despite their transfer ban.
We really need to start with a win.
2nd game Wolves away Monday 19th 20.00
A very tough 2nd game, but they have Europa league qualifying on the Thursday before this game on the Monday. This may actually make them more match fit as this will be their 4th competitive fixture.
Pre season they've done well to win all their games, including City on pens!
Wolves have done some real bits this summer. Kept their core together, including signing Jimenez. They've added Hong (midfield), Raphael Nya (defender from PSG), Leander Dendonker (midfield from Anderlecht) for £12m, Tsun Dai (midfield from Oxford United), Jesus Vallejo (defender loan from Real Madrid), Patrick Cutrone (£16.2m rise to £23m forward from Milan).
Yes I don't recognise many of these either, but Wolves do seem to be legendary at scouting so assume one or two of these will have an influence.
This game is massive for so many reasons. They beat us in the last 2 times we played them and only a draw in the home league fixture. To some extent you might call this a free hit...a chance to improve, but we have to if we are to make positive steps.
If we do make signings, chop chop this is probably the first game they can now be considered for, especially Maguire (if we get him). If we don't, this will be the game that causes a lot of angry United fans if we don't win. Wolves could be challenging us for top 4 if they start well so we really want to ensure its us with the momentum, not them.
3rd game - Palace at home Saturday 24th 15.00
Depending on how those first two games have gone, this could be smooth sailing or a banana skin. 2 losses and this game could be asking real early questions.
Their pre-season has been tame. Recently drawing to AFC wimbledon 2-2, beating Bristol City 5-0, lost to Nottingham Forest 1-0, lost to Barnet 6-2, lost to Young Boys 2-0, drew with FC Luzern 1-1. Really poor!
We've taken one of their best players. Zaha may still find a new home.
They've only signed Stephen Henderson (GK from Nottingham Forest for free) and Jordan Ayew (forward from Swansea for £3m). This is without any shadow of a doubt a must win.
It sounds mad, but if we didn't win this and lost the first two games, Green and Gold will be in full flow and don't be surprised to hear Ole out. Win those first two and expect Palace to be steam rolled and Ole to be seen as having royally stamped his mark on the team.
A strange knife edge of sorts (table knife)...again!
Completing August - Southampton away Saturday 31st at 12.30
It's one of those i almost don't even need to research, it's a must win and should be comfortable.
However, they did just beat Feyenoord 1-3 away, whoop! Before that they beat Guangzhou in China 0-4, Preston away 1-3 and drew with SCR Altach. Yep hardly a warm up!
They have spent some dosh:
Moussa Djenepo (£14m midfielder from standard liege) Che Adarms (£15m forward from Birmingham) Danny Ings (£18m forward from Liverpool). They have sold Matt Targett (defender to Villa for £14m) and Sam Gallagher (£5m forward to Blackburn)
Bottom line, even if we lose the first 3 games by some horrendous outcome, expect this to end the slide. They ended in 16th last season with 39 points.
Summary
A nice warm up. Straight in with a tough test, but friendlies against Inter, Spurs and Milan are a good foundation.
Don't be surprised for August to be a free pass for new signings. Chelsea will be too soon for anyone not already here. Wolves are arguably too stern a test to be starting new players. This is the downside about delaying things.
Maguire would be massive against Wolves and its a crying shame we won't get enough time for him to bed in. Partnerships in defence take lots of training sessions to get right before you can gamble in games.
Someone like a Dybala could probably slot in given his vast talent and the unknown entity factor with Wolves not necessarily knowing how to handle a player like him.
It's an exciting month one way or the other and should be a good test of how far we've come in one hard working pre season.
