There has been a fair amount of negativity in this place of late and I have certainly contributed to some of it (see the Benteke transfer thread for plenty of complaining) but as the season draws near it's my nature to think more positively about things despite having some reservations. So here are a few of my reasons for feeling Positive along with a good few, 'if's and 'maybes'.
1/ We've added starters to this squad. Last summer we definitely needed extra bodies to deal with playing in four competitions (remember we had a very small squad the year before) but the lads coming in were just that, extra bodies. It was a scatter gun approach that was ill thought out. This window there has been no hanging around, it feels like targets have been identified and the club have just gone out and got them. FSG take a bunch of stick (plenty of it from me) but everybody must have been impressed at the way we steamed in and nabbed Firmino. But not just him, I look at our transfers this summer and I'm guessing we are talking four first-team players in Milner, Firmino, Clyne and Benteke. We were shi...t last year. Put four new players in your starting line-up and you become a completely different side. Milner has settled quickly and already looks like he will give us a solid 7-8 out of 10 every week, I like Clyne a lot, I've watched a bunch of tape on Firmino and I believe he will be superb. More on Benteke later!
2/ if Benteke works we could be pretty decent yanno. Shedding off my doubts about the lad and the impact on our style of play. IF Brendan CAN get this guy moving, running channels, busting a gut, bullying defenders and pressing the ball we could be in a really good place. We know the lad can score goals, he can score all types, tap-ins, headers, long shots. If Brendan can merge some of his strengths WITH our quick passing, hight tempo approach we could be awesome as an attacking side. I think it will be difficult but if he gets it right......
3/ The new coaching staff. Brave move moving on Pascoe and Marsh. We all thought it was down to the owners but Brendan has come out and said it was his call. I like that he has done it, it's a gutsy decision. 4 new starters in the first 11 and a brand new coaching set-up. Let's see if it pays off.
4/ going back to those extra bodies we recruited last summer. I've got high hopes for two of them. I think we can all agree that Can shows a lot of promise. I still think he is a little overweight and would like to see him get about the pitch a bit quicker but he has all the attributes to play box to box or PERHAPS to play the sitting role (throwing in the odd rampaging dribble from deep) although I'm not sure his long-term future is at this spot. The 2nd is Adam Lallana. No pre-season last year and a few niggly injuries throughout the season, he showed some glimpses but not enough end product. He looks pretty sharp this pre-season and has grabbed himself a couple of goals. I don't think he'll start every game in the EPL but I fancy him to pay back a bit of the transfer fee this season.
5/ Jordan Ibe. Sky is the limit for this kid. If your old enough your good enough they say, well this kid is good enough. I'm very sorry to have seen Sterling go but this kid will have most reds forgetting Sterling (if they haven't already). I suspect Brendan will try and protect the kid by playing him off the bench but he will be too good to leave there. I bet he is a first team fixture by mid-season.
6/ more kids coming through. Really impressed with the youngster Gomez from Charlton. Won't be surprised to see him get a start at Stoke. Looks really promising, strong in the tackle, attacks the ball in the air and comfortable on the ball. Rossiter looks stronger this pre-season and is the one I'd tip to come through next, I like this kid (I think everybody does)
6/ The Gerrard effect. Who knows if it will be a good thing or not. Stevie was Captain of this club for so many years, I can't remember a player having the arm band for so long at any other club (Adams, Terry, Keane maybe?). Such an iconic player, He casted a pretty big shadow and maybe we will see a few players grow now that the responsibility is to be shared. Henderson appears to be the one who may benefit the most but it may have an effect on others in the side as well.
7/ The Roof! I know it's not intrinsically linked to the performance of the players this season but after years of talk, stadium designs and Texan Bullshi.....t its exciting to know that the stadium is finally getting bigger.
Onwards and upwards and roll on the new season you Redmen!
« Last Edit: Jul 27, 2015 04:33:40 am by ayrton77 »
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