Upwards and onwards...

What a week! From the jolting disappointment of the Swansea game, with all its blundering tomfoolery, to the cold precision of the Crewe tie, and then the barnstorming battering of Fulham at the Boleyn – there were sooooo many positives to digest. First up: should we really be quite so excited by Andy Carroll, who has assumed almost messianic status after a mere 60 minutes against a lame Fulham defence? For me, the biggest plus from his debut was that his presence allowed us to see the proposed game plan for the year. Yes, you heard me correctly, we have a game plan! - perhaps for the first time since Curbishley’s reign. Even more pleasing is that the method isn’t too ugly and may allow for a bit of decent footie along the way to picking up points rather than the moral victories we are so used to – all that worthy stuff with delightful triangles around midfield until the conclusion where we get rolled over by more mercenary outfits. It’ll be a relief not to have to stomach patronising match summaries from Match of the Day pundits of the ‘West ham played some nice football but need to convert it to points….’ variety. We will be tough to play against this season.

We all know what we're doing!

And what a transfer window! For all our scepticism about the Two Davids’ media hugging, they really delivered in the end with some top new recruits and there can be no denying that our present squad is vastly superior to the one that hobbled to promotion last year. Collins brings steadiness to the back four, and there can be no doubting that Reid and Tomkins will benefit from his experience. Diame is mobile and physically imposing, he is undoubtedly an annoying opponent to play against and Noble and Nolan can cut loose in the confidence that someone is back minding shop. Jarvis looks exciting and cheeky which along with the addition of Yossi’s guile, will bring much greater attacking penetration. Carroll and Cole can provide the fulcrum for all this up front. And who knows, maybe Maiga could be another Demba Ba? We now have so many options and, just as importantly, a manager who substitutes well i.e. logically and in enough time to make a difference – for a comparison, consider the bumbling ineptitude of Mr nice guy Zola or the rudderless indifference of Jabba the Hut.

 

Enough said, good business boys, let’s do this thing. COYI!!!


EEEasy!!!!!