I think it's a good competitive division this year, mostly because Watford/Muff/Norwich are significantly better than QPR/Burnley/Hull in my opinion.
I think Norwich look weak, bags of players who've failed at this level once. However they have the perfect first few games to get some points and confidence. Shame Bmuff play Villa too as someone will get some points and a good start.
There is huge expectation and therefore pressure on Bournemouth and Norwich's young managers; neither of them will lose their jobs if they get relegated. It's on them to keep their clubs up. If the Pozzos think that QSF isn't the right man to keep us up--at ANY time this season--they will get someone else in. I'm not a fan of chopping and changing coaches all the time, but when you look at our success last season, as well as Sunderland's escape acts the last few seasons (not to mention Saints and Swansea's success with different managers in the Prem), you've got to say this is a point in our favour over the course of the season. We may be favourites for the drop with the bookies, but the owners clearly don't agree--we won't see an underdog mentality from Watford this season.
Goody, more misrepresentation! I didn't say he was one of the most promising managers in Europe, I said he is 'one of the more promising in Europe'. At the same time, promise is what could happen, not what already has, so I don't see why performing at that level with that club in the Prem puts him so far away from being at that level of 'promise'? He's actually had a season and a half; a first half in which he stabilised a very questionable looking team that Laudrup had left behind, and in his first full season, came close to a European spot.
Happy to correct my slight misquote. I can't have Monk as one of the more promising managers in Europe based on one season in upper mid table. How many lists do you think he'd get on if Italian/Spanish/English clubs were asked to list 20 promising managers in Europe for prospective employment. His career footprint is close to zero at the moment.
I'm not convinced Eddie Howe is immune from the sack this season. Especially with Honest Harry no doubt wanting a swan song.
Not sure they'd sack golden boy, but I can see 'Arry being bought in as a "consultant" or "football director" to "work alongside him" if things don't go well.
I was just generally agreeing with the opinion that the Swans might struggle. The team that was posted was nothing to with me.
Yes, I know, hence my immediate edit acknowledging that! I was just trying to keep the discussion up to date by quoting the more recent opinion, perhaps it was a bit misleading, apologies if so.
Jason Burt of the Telegraph believed he was a genuine contender for Manager of the Season: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...cause-I-was-so-exposed-to-the-real-world.html But fairplay, I respect your opinion and we're all entitled to one, will be interesting to see how he pushes on, or indeed doesn't.
Monk did brilliantly last season and has purchased well. Swansea will be nowhere near the relegation zone.
Nahhhh, Berghuis over Gradel every day. Be gutted if we swapped the two and had to pay £3.5m more for someone 4 years older.
I'll reserve judgement until I know anything at all about Berghuis, but putting it like that I'd agree. If we had never been linked to Berghuis and bought Gradel, people would say he's a good player and doubly useful because he's HG. Time shall tell.
Gradel says he rejected us, D moscow and Lille to sign for Bournemouth. Not convinced tbh, I think he was probably on our shortlist but I'm not sure he was ever our first choice.
Can see Gino now. Pozzo to the work experience lad "Who am I meeting today?" Work experience lad: "It's Max Gradel Gino, he was pretty decent for me on Fifa" Pozzo: "Hmmm, my 8th choice..... Okay send him in" Gradel: "Alright bruv, I love the premiership, I'm well excited, and did you know I use to be at Leeds? They a massive club bruv" Pozzo thinks to himself 'Good grief who is this clown'... : "So, Max, Let's get the ball rolling here shall we? £5 a week, go away and have a think about it and please let me know" A week later, Gradel signs for Bournemouth.... Gradel: "I rejected Watford to sign here bruv, Watford? Don't disrespect me, I'd never sign for them, I did it for banter and met the mafia guy they have in charge, they are tinpot bruv" Pozzo: "Thank f**k, I thought there was a chance that creep may actually accept my offer, now where was I? Ah yes, I have a meeting with my good friend who's the agent of players like Ibrahimovic."
Definition of human nature... We're linked with a player...'oh he's meant to be quite good, would be a great signing'. He then rejects us...'oh he's not that good actually..never really wanted him in the first place'. He then signs for AFC Bournemouth...'he is the WORST player I ever heard us linked with..thank goodness we dodged a bullet there'!
He's utter **** and I look forward to Holebas or Nyom dominating him this season. Who the hell does he think he is? Bournemouth are ****ing tinpot anyway, they're a great match.
I've been in the throw money at Perotti / Vazquez camp all summer, not fussed over this guy Nothing in his cv suggests to me he's a top half prem player
Just watched a short interview with Gradel. Seems quite timid and softly spoken. Have you literally just added 'bruv' to every other sentence because he's black?
I can't find the bloody article I read the other day but Juve have apparently been quoted €28m for Vazquez. Time to let that one go me thinks. For now anyway....
Well we must have looked pretty stupid when we made our offer of 8 million euros plus Fabbrini and Battochio for one of Serie A's top performers last year. Strange that the Palermo president has come out and said that there have been no negotiations with any clubs at all yet we supposedly bothered to make two offers. You might have thought that they would have told us after our first risible offer that they wanted an extra 20 million euros. Of course, this is the trouble with completely unsourced rumours - anyone can make them up.
Not defensive, just stating the fact that if you ventured out the door once in a while, you'd see that a lot of youngsters - regardless of colour - say "bruv". Why wouldn't he say "bruv"? Quite a few footballers do.
