Now that the transfer window has shut, I think we are in a better position to predict where we will finish this year. I posted earlier in August a couple of posts: Season Preview Part 1: It’s all in the Mix and Where will we finish next year? [POLL]
In my first preview of the 2009/10 season, I described how I felt our mix of younger talent who have now become part of our backbone alongside the experienced likes of Green, Upson and Parker could prove to be a very powerful mix of players. Although that excited me, I felt that there was a real “flipside” to our prospects for this season, and that was dependant on how the transfer window panned out; particularly whether or not we could secure the services of a quality goalscorer.
It was clear before the season, and has been made more apparent after the first few games, that we needed to bring in a striker to accompany Cole up-front. And we did. We think, in Diamanti.
Zola himself agrees that he’s not sure how Diamanti will fit into the side exactly:
“He is a good player, but where I play him I don’t yet know. I have some ideas but I am waiting to see how he will fit in the team.”
This was my main concern about our side, that without a proven goalscorer up the top, the quality across the rest of our starting XI would not necessarily get us the results their performances deserved…because we can’t score!
Personally, I did (and still do) have a few nagging doubts, however the footage of his two goals from free-kicks in last night’s 6-0 friendly win against Birmingham hhave gone a long way to calming those initial worries!
Obviously we have also lost Collins and Savio; the former will be a huge loss in terms of him being an exceptionally talented, solid centre-half, however I’m confident that Tomkins and Gabiddon provide enough quality to more than compensate for the loss (don’t forget we did also bring in Manuel Da Costa). The Savio depature on the other hand did seem a little unusual, but I guess if he couldn’t settle, what could we do? I’ve no doubt he was a talented player and we’ve not heard the last of him yet.
Considering how the transfer window went, where will we finish?
So anyway, that brings me on to my second poll asking the same question; “Where will we finish this season?”
The results of the first poll, which attracted 600 votes produce the following split of opinion:
- 82% of people said that we expect anywhere from 5th-10th, 41% of which expect Europe and 41% don’t
- 12% think mid-table or lower obscurity
- 4% fancied Champions League
- 2% still holding out for the title
So here’s the poll again. If you think we will finish where you said before, then by all means vote the same – I am just interested to know how people think we will get on, post transfer window, with a striker!:
[poll:5]
Also, thanks to SBOBet!
I also think we all owe SBObet a massive thank you for coughing up the funds for Diamanti! See this from the Official Site
IRONS!
Sam
5 recent posts you may have missed
Wore these to every game this year. They may not be lucky, but they're comfy:
Sensible post. Agree with almost everything. Including your thanks to SBObet. I personally opened the account with them
.
I voted for midtable, as I do not see where will goals come from.
What I like about current management team is the fact, that they are not only targeting immediate success, but they are also building something for the future, despite beinge on very reduced transfer sources. I love our current reserve squad and I believe in the kids there.
Report This Comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
7th-10th would be another good season for us considering the limited funds we have ! but next season i think with a few of the younger lads with more games and general exp i think we will be ready for an assult of europa. in a way im glad we didnt make europa this season as i think we are far too thin on the ground and it might have interfeard with the most important thing of all ….to stay in the prem !! but in zola and clarke we trust IRONS IRONS IRONS !!!!!!
Report This Comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mid table obscurity mate, good luck to you. SCFC
.-= northy´s last blog ..Rip Roaring Profile – Stoketshirts.co.uk =-.
Report This Comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Last season, the midfield were terrific. Scotty was the heartbeat of the side, Jack came on in leaps and bounds and looks every bit a quality prem level player, and Behrami would have pushed for HOTY if it wasn’t for his horrible injury. Junior started showing glimpses of form and Noble has more to offer than he showed in a relatively poor outing last term.
Now we’ve added to that mix with the so far impressive Luis Jiminez, a recovered[?] and potentially match-winning Kieron Dyer. And Diamanti announced his arrival in “the hole” vs Birmingham the other night.
Takling of the Birmingham reserves game, both of the new full backs got rave reviews from most who went. As did the new portugeezer CB.
So….. bearing all that in mind, I’d expect us to push on a bit from last year!
A notion created in no small part by the massive increase in quality options, and more importantly COVER, in all positions across the middle. And the already known glut of options at CB.
Our only “problem” is up top. Cole, as much as I dislike his style and lack of control or composure, is our only genuine option. But…. with Dyer, Jiminez and Diamanti all able to cover to an extent, and Nouble etc ready to try to step up we’re not as woefully inept as we were last season (DDM & DT FFS)
Add Franco to that mix if he’s confirmed
All of which means I’m going for a 8th to 6th place finish
Report This Comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Once we have sorted out all the new boys and got some sort of cohesion with the current squad, I reckon we should stay midtable to about 4th. We have the makings along with Gianfranco’s/Clarke assist for a really good team (On paper), but to let in a goal against Wigan, C’mon! . WHU let themselves and the supporters down this week, when I used to go to the home games , I always reckoned the Reserves were a better game to watch, we had to stand then I reckon its a better atmosphere, pity I was not there for the Birmingham game.
Report This Comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0