The Mail Bag
Risk It All This Season
Comments (14)
It seems that so many of us have a deep desire to win something right now. Well, this next season, anyway. I'm ready to risk it all this season. Why?
There are a number of reasons I can think of:
1. I have been holding my breath waiting for a trophy for so long I'm turning blue in the face. (At least it's better than red!)
2. So are the players. We have finally assembled a squad capable of making the breakthrough and some of our stars will not be satisfied to keep on playing for an also-ran club for much longer.
3. Same with our manager. Moyes must feel this is his best chance to win something at EFC. The better players are under constant pressure to move for increased earnings and the chance to play in the CL. Our closest competitors are outspending us and are developing good teams that could soon push us further down the table. And the same goes for Moyes. He is a hot item that could be picked off the shelf at anytime.
So what do I mean by risking it all?
If I were Moyes (don't we all wish we could?), I'd say no transfers at all this year. Tell the players they will have to wait if they want a move because this is our year to be great. Instill in the team the ethos of all-or-nothing. Put all the chips on the table in one exciting gamble for the big prize.
Don't let Pienaar go. That's a statement of how much we are risking (£12M) to reach the goal... Then hold on to your hats and go for gold!
Albert Perkins, Posted 23/07/2010 at 20:04:46
Comments
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2 Posted 24/07/2010 at 10:03:32
3 Posted 24/07/2010 at 11:07:34
We won't win the league, and we won't finnish 4th. Judging by what the others are doing, I predict we will finnish 6th if the shite don't get it together, 7th if they do.
4 Posted 24/07/2010 at 12:42:24
A midfield of Bily, Fellaini, Rodwell and Osman will get run ragged by most teams. Arteta is absolutely KEY!
5 Posted 24/07/2010 at 13:11:59
This isn't the case with either of the two players. So far we've heard that one or two are interested in them and why not ? they're both great players... but, as of yet, no concrete offers or statements by 'representatives' that the players want to move. And as for Arteta, he's always stated that he would like to play in Spain one day.
6 Posted 24/07/2010 at 14:18:11
City with that prat of a chief executive seem to have developed a policy of upsetting their rivals.
Last year it was us with Lescott. This year it's Villa with Milner.
Arsenal seem to have gone away with the door firmly shut on Jags and Moyes has stated categorically ? and I get the feeling this has been reinforced with the Board and the players ? that no-one will be leaving in this "make or break" season.
We now have a depth of squad to compete with the big boys but I do fear the RS with Hodgson will be reinvigorated.
Time will tell; let's look forward to the season starting and transfer window closing.
7 Posted 24/07/2010 at 14:31:25
Kunal, I don't believe what I'm reading! And these teams are?
8 Posted 24/07/2010 at 14:59:44
Regarding comparing last year's Lescott scenario with anything that may or may not be happening this year, it would be wise to remember that no bid from Man City was made until the 1st week of August last summer. The pursuit of him before that was done through the media, which so enraged DM.
It's still early days in the transfer market, unfortunately. I wish they would shut it by 31 July, so that everyone knows what the story is at the start of the season.
9 Posted 24/07/2010 at 21:48:53
And as for O'Neill, I bet he is rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of £25 million for Milner. He could buy two in return. The only players who command mammoth fees are the big superstars, who have already made it, and players City want.
Moyes has shown you can shoparound.
Start with 5-man midfield or Fellaini, Rodwell, Arteta, Cahill and Bily (unless we use Anichebe on the right); and we have a good starting team without Pienaar.
We should celebrate that and be ruthless. Out! And bring in two to replace him. That'll probably mean a fringe player (say Hibbert, or arguably the Yak) out.
Then we will have midfield in strength and no-one thinking I'm defo not here next year.
Btw, I hope I'm proven wrong and Pienaar signs a new contract, but I have never believed it, and the clock is ticking ever more loudly.
10 Posted 24/07/2010 at 22:58:19
11 Posted 25/07/2010 at 07:11:14
New players may be better in the long term, but may not be ready to do the business right now. I want it all and I want it now!
12 Posted 25/07/2010 at 08:33:01
I'm uncomfortable with the fact that Pienaar hasn't signed a contract and feel it can only affect his game if his mind is elsewhere thinking about his next contract and potential suiters he needs to impress.
I hope it's just a matter of time till he signs; if he does decide it's time to go, we've got little time to sort a possible replacement and him not being committed is bound to affect other players when chatting at training about his possible future elsewhere.
I hope Beckford's performance is a sign of things to come; if we can just have a committed team again with a striker who can bang in a bagful then who knows what next season could hold as performances against Chelsea and Man Utd last season suggest we can compete with the best on our day!
13 Posted 25/07/2010 at 11:08:34
14 Posted 25/07/2010 at 14:41:14
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1 Posted 24/07/2010 at 06:07:16
If Pienaar and Arteta can embrace the idea of one more season positively, then do it. If not, get rid and fast. Imperative that all this business is sorted out before our opening game.