The Morning After The Night Before

[Buck]

Well, after the anticipation, excitement and ensuing chaos of last night, I've had a chance to digest the players we've signed.

All potentially great additions to an already very good championship squad.

Dobbie is proven at this level, and can play as a link up striker. I know we were all thinking of target men and out and out goal scorers, but I just don't see Gus ever really allowing the team to resort to true long ball football. Also, I can see many players contributing goals this season with the attacking options we have. There is also the loan option (possibly Premiership) to bring in another striker.

Lopez looks like a class act. Top level experience in Spain. How many championship sides signed someone yesterday with his quality and experience?

Hammond is a good box to box midfielder and will add good competition to the side. Aside from his Withdean antics (yes I was there) we would have all probably considered him a decent addition. Problem was, the anticipation after the first 2 were announced went through the roof (partly due to AN's tweet) and well, it felt a bit deflating.

Also, very importantly, we haven't let any of our best players go. This definitely shows real intent for the season. We certainly have a lot of quality in the side now.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

Well, after the anticipation, excitement and ensuing chaos of last night, I've had a chance to digest the players we've signed.

All potentially great additions to an already very good championship squad.

Dobbie is proven at this level, and can play as a link up striker. I know we were all thinking of target men and out and out goal scorers, but I just don't see Gus ever really allowing the team to resort to true long ball football. Also, I can see many players contributing goals this season with the attacking options we have. There is also the loan option (possibly Premiership) to bring in another striker.

Lopez looks like a class act. Top level experience in Spain. How many championship sides signed someone yesterday with his quality and experience?

Hammond is a good box to box midfielder and will add good competition to the side. Aside from his Withdean antics (yes I was there) we would have all probably considered him a decent addition. Problem was, the anticipation after the first 2 were announced went through the roof (partly due to AN's tweet) and well, it felt a bit deflating.

Also, very importantly, we haven't let any of our best players go. This definitely shows real intent for the season. We certainly have a lot of quality in the side now.

That post is far to sensible for this time of the morning!

 

[Hamilton]

Agreed. Good morning post.

 

[Deano's Invisible Pants]

All useful additions to the squad. We still lack a prolific striker, but the midfield certainly looks as though it can contribute goals now.

What do people see as our first choice team now? Will Gus play Hammond and Crofts - or is it one or the other?

 

[CliveWalkerWingWizard]

I wonder if Gus is going to rotate the midfield like Adkins did at Saints last year. One thing we do have now is flexibility - easy to go from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

 

[portslade seagull]

think some of the more periphal midfielders will be loaned out this now includes Dicker i would guess as well

 

[Buck]

All useful additions to the squad. We still lack a prolific striker, but the midfield certainly looks as though it can contribute goals now.

What do people see as our first choice team now? Will Gus play Hammond and Crofts - or is it one or the other?

I still think/hope we can turn CMS into a prolific striker at this level with quality around him. Not sure about best midfield set-up now, but great to have more choices

 

[pasty]

Dobbie is the interesting one for me. Not sure how/if Barnes, CMS and Dobbie would fit into the same team?

 

[JonathanLivingstonSeagull]

I still think/hope we can turn CMS into a prolific striker at this level with quality around him. Not sure about best midfield set-up now, but great to have more choices

Agreed. Norwich weren't interested for no reason (even if it seemed a little baffling considering his current Champ record...)

With the MASSIVE increase in midfield quality I am very excited to see CMS continue to lead the line. Time will tell.

 

[gazingdown]

Hmm, this "prolific" goalscorer nonsense. Let's examine some facts
in the last 6 years (or so - and to be representative of recent ability), we have the following:
CMS, p233, g91, rate=.39
Dobbie, p178, g77, rate=.43
Zamora, p371, g123, rate=.33

So, Dobbie is more "prolific" than CMS and BZ.

Anyway, it's all statistical crap anyway, a team winning 6:4 every week are going to have more "prolific" goal scorers than one winning 2:0 every week.

As for the signings, they ALL look great. They only strengthen our squad. Some are only on 1 year contracts (RV, DL etc.) but they'll re-sign if we go up I would guess. You don't get players such as them signing 3/4 year contracts if not in the PL after all.

Great days ahead. Altogether now, "We're gonna win the league, we're gonna win the league"