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Transfer Talk - 2018/19 Season

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Posted October 19, 2018 07:59 · last edited October 19, 2018 11:30

valeo wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad, and with your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie in Kurto, and good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.  If no improvement, I would think Rudan will try the newer recruits there as well, before trying to buy someone in January window.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to win our first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

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Unknown editor edited October 19, 2018 11:30
valeo wrote:
AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad, and with your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie in Kurto, and good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to win our first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

Unknown editor edited October 19, 2018 11:28
valeo wrote:
AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad or your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie in Kurto, and good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to win our first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

Unknown editor edited October 19, 2018 08:05
valeo wrote:
AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad or your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie, good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to win our first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

Unknown editor edited October 19, 2018 08:04
valeo wrote:
AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad or your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie, good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to have a good first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

Unknown editor edited October 19, 2018 08:03
valeo wrote:
AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad or your notion of "the worst squad".

We have a decent goalie, good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO.

I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So perhaps we need to be mindful of how our midfield shapes up - teams like Newcastle or Sydney are likely to exploit any weakness they notice. But I would expect Singh to be reliable and he may find good partnerships on the field with others.

I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to have a good first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.