13 Aug 2024 13:43:22
Obviously the future is unknown, but I for one am pleased with the way Ineos have started out. We're gradually clearing out players whom we all agreed were too limited. AWB is just the latest. We've sold a few players with no or minimal book value, and maybe generated £45m+ in profit to be added to the 4th Q, and we've got rid of some big pay packages and unproductive liabilities. The Greenwood issue is now resolved. We're putting together a deeper squad of younger players who can form the nucleus of a team that grows together. We've changed the culture in the board room and revamped the coaching staff. Obviously there are also big changes in the women's team too. And there's the sad but inevitable reduction in general staffing levels. The cash injection from SJR has slightly eased the debt burden. And we've held on to a manager who has at least won 2 trophies (more than Arsenal and 1 more than Liverpool) in 2 years despite a host of controversies, trouble makers, injuries to key players, and a press corps determined to see him gone. A lot has been achieved in a very short time.
13 Aug 2024 14:57:54
I completely agree shawthing. the amount of sh*t ETH has had to deal with has been unreal.
Not many managers would have the mental strngth to deal with what he has had to deal with.
13 Aug 2024 14:58:56
I had a whinge the other day Shaw but I agreee with your post. If we can get a solid MF in then we have had a very productive window.
13 Aug 2024 18:06:29
We feel like a proper club again. None of this messing about and lauding a new sponsor like a title win.
A club focused on building a strong core of players to be successful on the pitch.
It'll take time, we won't be able to clear out all the players who need to leave this summer, and we certainly won't sign all the players we need to sign this summer.
Yet we have a really exciting core of players 22 or younger (Amad, Højlund, Mainoo, Garnacho and Yoro) who all look to have world class potential. Along with a few others who are looking to step up into the first team squad (Amass, Collyer, Lacey) .
A promising group of players aged 23-26 who can be good contributors to our side (Dalot, Martinez, MdL, Mazraoui, Mount, Rashford, Zirkzee) .
That's a core of 15 players who over the next couple of seasons can grow together and become a really good side.
While players like Bruno, Shaw, Casemiro, Sancho, Eriksen, Maguire might contribute over this season and maybe a little longer in the case of Bruno, but they will eventually be replaced with younger, hungry players ready to join that core group of 15 or so player to be part of our next great side.
I'd expect to see us linked/ sign players like Ugarte, Branthwaite, Hato, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Bakayoko, and Gabriel Viega.
Young, exciting, highly talented young players with massive potential.
It might take another couple of summers, but this starting to look like the seeds of a very good squad are starting to take root.
I'm super excited, our club is a football club again.
13 Aug 2024 18:26:35
Agreed shaw. Mentioned the other everyone needs to hold their water until the window is closed and we have 10 games under our belt as half the team still to play a single game together if we edn up doing what i think we may do . A lot of changes and Very optimistic on everything really. Ineos mean business and walking the talk.
13 Aug 2024 18:40:57
Careful Shaps if you want the signings young and young you’ll sound like Ronnie.
13 Aug 2024 19:20:08
I'm hopeful for the new season.
Having watched the games against Liverpool and City, I can see real progression in the way we're trying to play. That can only improve with the new signings coming in.
Decent run of fixtures to start with as well.
We just need someone to stick the ball in the flippin net!
13 Aug 2024 21:21:07
I still maintain we will be in the title chase this year. Call me mad, I just feel that's where we will be.
{Ed025's Note - oh you are definitely mad Jimbo mate.. :)
13 Aug 2024 21:49:29
You’re mad Jim.
In all seriousness, please don’t turn to the dark side when it doesn’t happen ?.
14 Aug 2024 00:40:30
I have a feeling we are manoeuvring to cast aside players in the squad that don't agree to move on when the writing is on the wall and offer a pathway to youth players who offer more to the club now and into the future. The mood in the camp will keep us in the race until Xmas, by that point, who knows what can happen! Believe.