Here We Go: Its Circus Time Again!

It may be the weirdest period in living memory but at least there are some constants that we can anchor ourselves to and down at the London Stadium at least it's business as usual! With the club in a state of confusion, player unrest and uncertainty as to our ability to deliver a coherent game plan it's all too familiar. 

But maybe it'd be better to call it no business as usual as we have failed to address the shortcomings in our squad and haven't managed a single noteworthy signing! When Messrs Sullivan and Gold argued for the move away from Upton Park for the older heads we accepted that the payback would be that we would stop selling off our best players. Grady Diangana was a great prospect but he is no Declan Rice, so maybe that part of the deal is true but no additions to a squad that lacks a decent striker (no Antonio is NOT a striker!) and that sorely needs back up in central midfield and across the defence is really worrying. 

Our visitors for tonight's SKY TV featured clash have been canny in the transfer window and picked up decent additions in Jeff Hendricks and Callum Wilson. They took 4 points off us last season and wil fancy their chances of a flying start at the London stadium tonight. 

However, the Toon are struggling at left back which may provide an opportunity for Jarrod Bowen to strut some. Also Tomas Soucek is available to pair up with Declan Rice in midfield. We have lost our opening games for the past four seasons, so avoiding a defeat has to be the first priority, but a win would be a real boost right now and with a torrid looking fixture list next month we need a decent start in September!

As for our final league standing prediction, it really looks bottom half unless we bolster a saggy looking squad. At least our new kit looks smart!

COYI!

Predicted Starting XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Soucek, Bowen, Fornals, Antonio.