I'm getting a bit worried

[Richey]

But in 08-09 Alonso didn't have a great number of goals or assists but was considered by many our player of the season. It's right that they are included but stats don't always give the whole picture...

Yes, that is definitely a fair comment.

[Kenneth]

We lost a lot of games last year. Add the disappointing draws. Strikers aren't going to get mom nominations when we failed to outscore poorer teams. Defenders certainly aren't going to get the nominations. A player who is out of the firing line and running a lot in the middle is bound to be thought of more favourably to others at the thick end IMO. I think this partially explains Locus's success in the post match polls.

[RedReet]

I appreciate that that post wasn't just aimed at me.

I just think that last season isn't the appropriate level to judge people from in terms of X is better than Y etc. Most players played below their normal level last season, the extent to which is questionable admittedly. We can pick apart the season bit by bit: Did the strikers play badly because of the supply they were getting? or did the midfielders play badly because the strikers weren't making the runs? Both happened but what came first? etc...

Lucas has been getting alot of stick on here alot of it IMO because he isn't Xabi Alonso, alot of people have made the assumption (wrongly IMO) that all that had changed between last season and the season before was swapping Lucas for Alonso, and as such our poor season was largely due to Lucas' inability, which of course in nonsense. Lucas was one of our better players last season. Some will no doubt use this as a mark of how poor we were while others will see it as Lucas' personal improvement and believe that had the players around him not been so poor could have had an even better season. Personally I believe that Lucas showed enough last year to at least see what he can do this year, whether he gets it or not I believe may come down to non-footballing issues.

Can’t argue with that.

I suggested in another thread that Insua might have had a better season had those around him played better, but even in a struggling team Lucas still performed admirably, despite the lack of support from some fans. I also mentioned that we need more end product from him, but put him a confident team playing well and I’m convinced we’ll see a much improved player.

[dww]

I have to say I'm kind of hoping we keep the majority of the squad intact. I don't go along with the idea that wholesale surgery is either in order or in general the best way to approach things. We are almost certain to lose a few players who would have been in or around the first team (Yossi has already gone) and they will need replacing but I think changing 6 or 7 players as some people seem to want seems likely to have a destabilising effect as it is to rejuvenate the squad.

Especially as a lot of the time finances will mean that we are not likely to be bringing in really first rate players.

My hope is that Roy can bring in a couple of players to add width and goals in attack and some more cover/competition in defensive areas. I think we were a body short in central midfield last season but depending on how we intend to play that might not be as much of a problem this term unless Mascherano goes.

In general I'm more worried than excited but I do think that only a few signings that complement what we have in the squad could result in significant improvements on last season.

[Exiled_red]

I have to say I'm kind of hoping we keep the majority of the squad intact. I don't go along with the idea that wholesale surgery is either in order or in general the best way to approach things. We are almost certain to lose a few players who would have been in or around the first team (Yossi has already gone) and they will need replacing but I think changing 6 or 7 players as some people seem to want seems likely to have a destabilising effect as it is to rejuvenate the squad.

Especially as a lot of the time finances will mean that we are not likely to be bringing in really first rate players.
My hope is that Roy can bring in a couple of players to add width and goals in attack and some more cover/competition in defensive areas. I think we were a body short in central midfield last season but depending on how we intend to play that might not be as much of a problem this term unless Mascherano goes.

In general I'm more worried than excited but I do think that only a few signings that complement what we have in the squad could result in significant improvements on last season.

I think a left back, a left winger/wide player and a striker is all we need really.

I don't see the point in destabilizing the squad by selling this player or that player and bringing in someone of more or less the same ability. Even though we have a new manager, with the club up for sale who knows what the situation will be in a few months or a year or so's time...

[Exiled_red]

Can’t argue with that.

I suggested in another thread that Insua might have had a better season had those around him played better, but even in a struggling team Lucas still performed admirably, despite the lack of support from some fans. I also mentioned that we need more end product from him, but put him a confident team playing well and I’m convinced we’ll see a much improved player.

I think people need to remember that a year or 18 months ago people were carying out for Insua to be given a chance, and he was being hailed as this great pospect on the back of his reserve team perfomances. A year down the line he's being dismissed as crap. He's still a young player, he's still learning his trade and adapting to the English game, all kids will make mistakes and require time to develop. The only alternative is to buy established players and at present that's something we'll struggle to do.

I think people have gone over the top in terms of the critisism of both Lucas and Insua, I think both deserve a chance to be here next season, maybe not first choice but they still have something to offer.

[Mostar]

I think a left back, a left winger/wide player and a striker is all we need really.

I don't see the point in destabilizing the squad by selling this player or that player and bringing in someone of more or less the same ability. Even though we have a new manager, with the club up for sale who knows what the situation will be in a few months or a year or so's time...

[little dave hedgehog]

I think people need to remember that a year or 18 months ago people were carying out for Insua to be given a chance, and he was being hailed as this great pospect on the back of his reserve team perfomances. A year down the line he's being dismissed as crap. He's still a young player, he's still learning his trade and adapting to the English game, all kids will make mistakes and require time to develop. The only alternative is to buy established players and at present that's something we'll struggle to do.

I think people have gone over the top in terms of the critisism of both Lucas and Insua, I think both deserve a chance to be here next season, maybe not first choice but they still have something to offer.