Do we need more attacking options?

Why go over there for that, when some of us try to offer that service here

 

Right, that's it. Tadic will now be known as Susan forever.

 

Nah, that was me. I'm a million miles from itk, I just make up stuff I'd like to believe, then convince myself it's true.

Sorry for any confusion caused by this approach to life.

 

I don't see a year's extension as out of the realms of possibility....be nice if he signed it soon so we can relax #dreamtheimpossibledream

 

Oops.... So bad, I'll not even edit it!

 

We need Black to come back as Susan again. It's time.

 

I'm guess it will be Long, Mane and Susan as a front three on Saturday which I think falls into Ron's lap quite nicely for Man City away. Will be interesting who makes the bench. Gaston or Seager?

 

We absolutely need more attacking options, or more specifically, needed to have more attacking options before the season began. It's too much to ask for the same three players to provide the vast majority of our scoring threat in each and every match, especially as we embark on our usual brutal 8 games (most against very difficult opposition) in 36 days stretch to close out the calendar year.

 

So you're saying you think that this season will be better than last in terms of league performance?
I'm perfectly happy, but saying I don't think we will this year for the reason that we're "at a level that is very hard to move upwards from, in particular while managing the finances so comparatively prudently when compared to others".
The rise in league performance similar to the last few years couldn't continue for ever, but I'm just predicting that this might be the first season in a while that actually experience that. There may or may not be ways in the longer term of continuing to progress, but we'll need to be patient to find out imho.

 

No, I'm not saying that and I didn't say that. My comment was regarding whether anything in the past few years could be classed as "we've stagnated [at a given level]".

Vin

 

Fair enough Vin, we were discussing different time frames (past v present). My point was really only that this season and/or the next season or two would likely be very similar or maybe slightly behind the heights we set last year regards league performance. Any strategy we have to continue to climb would probably be longer term, as the next step is harder than any of the previous ones.

 

I agree, and I've regularly said on here that it's a long term plan. I suspect it could take ten or fifteen years to become a top four side, but I think the plan's there.

EDIT: And to clarify, I don't believe that a good long-term plan needs knee-jerk reactions like emergency signings to keep it on track.

Vin

 

The trouble with the club having long term plans to continue climbing, is that players tend to have short term plans, towards the same aim.
We need a stellar season to fend off losing our best players every season, and, although the fans would be happy, I don't think finishing 6th or 7th constitutes a stellar season, in the mind of the players.
Winning a cup or two might encourage players to stay, a little bit longer, but not if CL clubs really flex their wallets.

 

Same situation as last year - we rely on pelle and when he burns out or goes off form thats that.

Should have been addressed last Jan but wasn't and cost us top 6.., should have been addrested in the summer but wasn't and no doubt won't be addressed this Jan.

 

I sincerely hope it isn't addressed in January. January is the month for grossly overpriced panic signings. We shouldn't be involved.

Vin

 

Jay Rod returned this summer and it's unfortunate he has picked up another injury. I expect us to look for an alternative on loan if he is out again long term.

 

Having a stellar season would only confirm in the minds of the players that they were capable of better things, ie a bigger club and bigger wages. We will always lose our better players while our wages are so much lower.

 

I agree. However I would be happy to see us bring in a loan attacking player. Tough to find what we want, but somewhere here or in Europe, is a player wanting games.

 

How's the lad I like that was at the Swiss doing. Valentina or something??

 

Valentin Stocker. He's now at Hertha. I liked him a lot when at FC Basle.