I’ve been looking at the transfer activity of our competitors and really, to date, we have nothing to worry about, discounting the teams we 100% expect to finish above us anyway such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, the other teams look rather weak and have lost talent rather than strengthened. Lets take a look:
Aston Villa: In – Nobody. Out – Ashley Young.
Blackburn: In – Nobody. Out – Phil Jones.
Bolton: In – Darren Pratley. Out – Daniel Sturridge, Johan Elmander.
Everton: In – Nobody.
Fulham: In – Nobody
Liverpool: In – Jordan Henderson. Average Joe player who doesn’t strengthen them in the least bit, but wastes valuable funds.
Norwich: In – Elliott Bennett, Bradley Johnson, Richie de Laet and Steve Morison. Doesn’t exactly scare me, and I see them finishing rock bottom.
QPR: In – Nobody. Out – Wayne Routeledge, who was great for them.
Stoke: In – Nobody.
Sunderland: In – Connor Wickham for £8m. Massively over-rated and over priced), Seb Larsson, Ji Dong-Won and Craig Gardener. Out – Jordan Henderson. On the whole they have probably improved slightly but not gained much.
Swansea: In – Danny Graham. Out – Darren Pratley. It kind of balances out and I see them being this seasons Hull/Blackpool with a quick start followed by a slow finish.
West Brom: In – Nobody. Out – Scott Carson.
Wigan: In – Nobody. Out – Probably Charles N’Zogbia.
Wolves: In – Dorus de Vries. Out – Nobody.
All in all, we have gained: Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba, and effectively Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling whilst shedding Kevin Nolan, which makes us slightly stronger in my opinion.
I expect us to at least finish above Wigan, West Brom, Swansea, QPR, Norwich, and Blackburn (for me the weakest Premier League we’ve seen in some time) which puts us into a minimum of 14th place…
We will be competing with the likes of Bolton, Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Stoke, and the Scum for that top seven/eight place in my opinion… and just how well we strengthen, or don’t weaken, in the next three weeks will decide that mini-league…
Final summary for us this season: Worst possible outcome we finish 14th. Best possible outcome we finish 7th.
Prediction: Bolton, Everton finish above us and we take 9th place… 🙂 … perhaps one lower if we lose Joey Barton and Jose Enrique without good replacements.
So by popular demand, have a muse over that courtesy of JJ. Agree? Disagree? Let us know.
anthony garndner hahahaha
its craig you del*ded people HAHAHAHAHAHHA
connor(Quote)
I expect us to at least finish above Wigan, West Brom, Swansea, QPR, Norwich, and Blackburn (for me the weakest Premier League we’ve seen in some time) which puts us into a minimum of 14th
what about aston villa , sunderland , bolton , everton and fulham?? we are loads better than them!!!
am i getting carried away again lol
Army69(Quote)
@toonsy
Supermac reckons 5under1and have got a steal in Connor Wickham for £8m. 😕
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Regarding the purpose of the blog & changing peoples minds….it’s one thing understanding other opinions & possibly changing your own as a result, it’s another thing being forced to change your opinion…
witters(Quote)
Connor fck off.
Good article Toonsy/JJ…Our squad has already improved loads since last season, just need a striker and a winger then I would be happy to shut the window – thats if Jose stays which is unlikely.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Didnt supermac call shearer a waste of money… 😉
CC(Quote)
The latter being something a cult would do… 😀
witters(Quote)
@CC
Did Supermac really say Shearer was a waste of money? 🙄
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Connor wickham may well be a steal. According to Ipswich he is a way off premiership starts at the moment and could be a starter for Sunderland in maybe 18months. Sounds like Phil Airey quality then.
Premandup(Quote)
@witters
You can’t force people to change their minds surely? Maybe that’s what the regime did with Carroll. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I see Dezza has spoke out on the 35m issue.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
@AndrewNUFC
Do you really think the squad will be as it is now when the window shuts? 😕
Too early to be happy fella. 😉
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Darlo tickets on sale now, might have a **** up 🙂
jay jay(Quote)
BSN9
I think Jose will leave, which will be a loss but not a huge one if we find a decent replacment. I believe Barton will stay this summer.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Bobby…it’s difficult (to force people to change their minds) but credit where credits due you give it a bl00dy good go! 😆
Or maybe that’s what Nolan & money did to change Carrolls mind… 🙄
witters(Quote)
Jay – Fancy making the trip to Leeds?
toonsy(Quote)
This is basically just an update on my ‘top 10 battle’ article. We have improved the most outside of the ‘untouchables’ player wise but we also then have the geling time it may take. This was always going to be a transition summer with the first chance for pards to put his mark on the side.
Rorycn(Quote)
And the car sailed through its MOT in the end thanks to all the knowledge gleaned from one of the many superb Japanese companies about I’m the UK 🙂
I’m happy now 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
I got left behind on the last thread but apparently news from France saying PSG have accepted our offer for Erdinc. Just need to agree terms with the player – that’s if he wants to come of course. Remember no player can be FORCED to leave!
Toon Chicken(Quote)
@Andrew
Let’s not forget we had Andy Carroll last season.
We’ve lost the team capt and leading goalscorer.
If we lose Jose like you say, one of the best left backs in the premier.
Barton is a big influence in the dressing room and he is disgruntled.
4 of the new players have big question marks over their injuries. HBA, Ba, Gosling and Marveaux.
Not as rosy as you say IMO .
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Back to the thread. Can’t see the top 6 remaining the top 6 without being challenged as Spurs, Arsenal & Liverpool may well not be as strong as they think they are.
Who will mount the challange. If we are only looking at current squads and managers then we have to be one of the stronger ones of the 8 contenders from last season. However I would pick Villa, Fulham, W Brom & QPR to strengthen and become our challangers to Everton for that 7th spop.
Premandup(Quote)
@toonsy
Is that one of the great Japanese companies that you left? 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
if we get charles inzogbia then ide be 😆 and if we dont ile be 🙁 and a hope the fat person upstairs gives barton another contract at least a season
broonintoon(Quote)
Think its too early to do this article 😯
It should be repeated on 1st sept, for a more realistic diagnosis.
Alot more t/f activity will happen between then and now.
If Jose Enrique leaves, does anyone think we replace him with equal quality? Not likely is it?
An 11th -14th finish would be a good bet tbh.
Predictions for relegation:- Norwich, WBA, Wigan.
Scummers = 17th
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Connor
Why are Sunderland fans so interested in Newcastle blogs? I’ll bet my life Toon fans never go on Sunderland blogs… if there are any. Also, Toonsy did call him Craig. And maybe you should learn how to spell your own players’ surnames…. it’s not Garndner that’s for sure….
I’m happy with the transfers so far, but I won’t be happy unless we bring in another couple of defenders (right and left back) and another striker. If we do that, I’ll have no complaints, and we’ll be on the verge of winning the title next season 😉
Andy(Quote)
@witters
Not at all. I try to prevent you influencing the young and vulnerable.
I’m merely here to provide a balanced view and keep the harmony. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
You can throw Spurs and Arsenal into the mix.
Spurs in no one out Modric and Bale.
Arsenal in ?? out Fabregas, Clichy and Nasri.
Not a lot of cash out there outside of Chelsea City and Man U.
Liverpool have not spent wisely , they paid way over the top for Carroll and Henderson, Gerrard injured again too
Paul(Quote)
BB – In contrast, I think now is quite a good time for this article really. It may show some of the people that are waving their hands in the air screaming that we have improved thus far 🙂
Bobby – Yes, the company I had the bollocks to leave because some aspects of it (permanent nights, travelling) were making me unhappy. Not my fault I’m a go-getter that has the nouse to move about rather than be treat like a lemming all day, or a sheep, or whatever. BAAA BAAA 😆
I pity people like that. Not too much though as its their own doing.
toonsy(Quote)
bobby….I remember “supermac” writing in The Pink that Shearer was finished as a top striker years before he stopped playing 😯 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
@toonsy
As I have stated this is a Footy blog and it spoils it for others talking about work and related issues.
I’ve told you via email that your views on the average hard working person at these factories is totally distorted and worrying. 😉
Maybe they don’t want to drive a bus for peanuts because it won’t provide a good standard of living for their loved ones. 🙄
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
aye fair ’nuff Toonsy, I hear what you saying, but still would like to see another comparison done at end of transfer window.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Richie
I read it and agreed. 😆
He was finished as a top striker years before he retired.
Any other obvious info you would like to share with us? 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Gervinho having medical at Arsenal.
Took some time for that deal to go thru didn’t it?
Maybe we still have a chance if he fails his medical 😯
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@BB
Class! I can picture Graham Carr outside the medical room at the emirates with his ear to a jar against the door! 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Great article but its very early days in yet. But it certaintly shows we ( imo ) have improved. We have to wait n see who comes n goes but im really lookin forward to next season. If players settle in , tat is going to be key , regardless of wat other clubs do we should be able to achieve top 10 next season. I really hope joey n jose stay as it would certainly help keep last season squad together wit tat bit of quality we have added. I really feel confident about season a head
johno toon(Quote)
Bobby…just one more bit, you must be as clueless as Supermac then 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Bobby – Is 30k a year really peanuts though? It beats the average wage, pays all my bills, holidays and even keeps this place running. The bonus is I’m happy. You can’t put a price in that 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Remember JOB stands for Just Over Broke
Premandup(Quote)
sunderland have also lost onouha, welbeck, mensah and muntari i think as they we’re all on loan
irish_al(Quote)
“All in all, we have gained: Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba, and effectively Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling ”
I see that devious Derek posts on here as well
Reinhard Heydrich(Quote)
Beardsleys Boots
Ye, I agree we can only judge at the end of the transfer window. The point I was making though was just that, we’re ahead of the majority of clubs at this point with regard to strengthening.
That may change dramatically, but as things stand, there is really no need to panic. 😀
JJ(Quote)
George Foreman made $150m promoting The’George Foreman Grill’
Keep your eye out for the new ‘David Haye Toe-ster.!!
batty(Quote)
Toonsy
“Regular commenter JJ left a comment on an article a few days back now which prompted requests from numerous people for it to made into it’s own article.”
You left out “and the incredibly good looking and intellegent”… 😆 😉
JJ(Quote)
JJ I take that fits in after “numerous”
Premandup(Quote)
JJ – True I did. With good reason 😆
toonsy(Quote)
“Bobby Shinton number 9 says:
July 6, 2011 at 11:54
@Richie
I read it and agreed. 😆
He was finished as a top striker years before he retired.
Any other obvious info you would like to share with us?”
He may have been finished as a top striker, but until perhaps, but he still got us 19 goals in 41 appearances as a 34 year old, and 14 in 41 as a 35 year old.
Not many have matched even his waning last two years since…
Not forgetting his leadership qualities and until his final season, he was without doubt the best striker at holding onto the ball (allowing the midfield to push up) in the Premier League.
But then you do speak a shower of sh# quite often, and believe you own cr#p… 😉 🙄
JJ(Quote)
Premandup 😉 😆
JJ(Quote)
jj…think it was about 97/98 when Supermac made those comments, which in later years he back peddled furiously on…..which he often does with his comments……another thing he has in common with bobby……or does he just “adjust his original thoughts” 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Wasn’t it just after he came back from his ankle break that SuperMac was spouting his drunken *****? Weak feeble man. Addict 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
hey guys!
Pictures of the new boys are up. And Jose looks happy in the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40191515@N05/sets/72157627129924450/
sunlounger(Quote)
toonsy
You drive a bus ??
CC(Quote)
Toonsy….yep
richietoon(Quote)
so can anyone write an article for this site then ?? ❗
roy cropper(Quote)
Cropper – People can send them in if they like. They usually get published. It’s about creating debate init? It doesn’t matter who writes it really in my opinion just as long as it’s creating healthy debate. There’s nee pedestals to perch on here man 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
think i might get me best pen oot then 😆
roy cropper(Quote)
Very narrow minded toonsy, calling Supermac.
He achieved something in his lifetime that we could only dream of.
Shagged over 50 page 3 models!! 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@toonsy
You say;
Wasn’t it just after he came back from his ankle break that SuperMac was spouting his drunken *****? Weak feable man. Addict.
Very profound Toonsy. 🙄
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Toonsy – i think you’re sick having a go like that at MacDonald. You’re obviously too young to have remembered him in his prime. His Knee trouble came about because of cortisone shots before games (for us).
i’ve got a bit of knee trouble and believe me – it hurts like hell
cheap shot mate – i’m unhappy with that
tattyheed(Quote)
nah – supermacs problems were caused by all the knee tremblers he had whilst playing for us
stevep(Quote)
bobby@56 😆
richietoon(Quote)