Originally Posted by
jon1959
A well researched and thoughtful piece again, Paul.
I have lost most of my pre-season optimism when the club and manager were saying all the right things - because we then saw the new playing system fail to deliver in a few matches, the academy staff cuts were leaked, Marshall was sold and the black dog settled over all CCFC messageboards and forums.
However, I am still hopeful of a reasonably safe season - upper mid table, fitness and new playing style embedded and working, real evidence of youth players having a route to the first team, and more entertaining performances than we got used to under Slade. That means I have a (maybe naively) more positive assessment of the squad than you have given. I hope we sign another keeper (free agent with experience - ex Premier League?), that we get the formula right in the midfield (O'Keefe and Huws may be key) and that the work on the training ground shows on matchdays.
I'm very happy with the signings of Immers, Huws and Lambert. I am hopeful that the rest come good, even if there has been a 'period of adjustment' for some.
On the opinions of other clubs' fans when we have signed one of their ex-players, I think they're generally worth the square route of naff all. What was it our lot said when Dimi departed? Try convincing Boro fans of that view now.