Sunday, August 13, 2017

2017 -2018. JUST A LITTLE NERVOUS AT THE OFF !!!!

Last season fell a little way short of what we achieved under Mark Hughes management in the previous three seasons.Not by much, but there was a degree of doom and gloom.Many suggested that the legacy of solidity that he inherited from the Tony Pulis years was disappearing, and that we were about to enter uncharted waters.

During the close season further Pulis stalwarts have departed.Glen Whelan to Aston Villa, more significantly Jon Walters (and Bardsley) to Burnley.The latter in particular might return to haunt us this season in the Premiership.Similarly one of Hughes' major and successful acquisitions Arnautovic now with West Ham.£25m represents good business,but a mercurial talent difficult to replace.There is also late talk of Joe Allen possibly returning to Swansea City.

Arrivals include the seasoned Darren Fletcher from WBA, defender Zouma on loan from Chelsea, forward Choupo-Moting from the Bundesliga,plus young defender Josh Tymon from Hull City. Defender Bruno Martins Indi will prove to be a bargain from Porto at £7m, if last seasons loan form is repeated. Hopefully before the end of the transfer window there will be one or two further arrivals with the potential to take us above mid table.

Pre season would suggest that insufficient goals scored is still going to be an issue.We eventually acquired Berahino's services last season,but one pre season tap in goal is so far the extent of his contribution to our goal tally. 

Good luck to the team,the management,and the fans. Fingers crossed !!