Cheers for this RD. Will be fun to see it change over the coming months.
I note incidentally, our points total is worse than last season. So much for progress! And no, I'm not interested in 'transition seasons', I've seen them too many times. Easy excuse for underachievement.
We may have less points, but our GD has improved!
Last year this time we had conceded 37 and scored 37.
This year the defence is considerably worse, conceding 45. That is 8 more goals conceded compared to last year this time.
However, we have scored 13 more goals.
We also have had Mason/Bentaleb as a rookie midfield pairing, a 21 yr old rookie up front, no fit or decent right back for the majority of the season and two new CB's who have never played in the EPL, one who has just turned 21.
The defence has been bad, but considering the unfamiliarity of the team, as a whole it's not too bad. It can be improved.
We have still got a long way to go but I believe the signs are good.
The last thing we need is another upheaval. We have no God given right to finish 4th when there are 4 teams that do have. We need stability, time to build. Let's give the team we have brought in time to unearth some talent and assemble a decent squad.
We have been dire at times this year but are only 7 points off third. Last year we were 6. Massive difference?
Anyone who thinks we should be pissing 4th spot with our squad and financial muscle is a fucking dreamer.
Before you say 2010, we pipped a not yet entrenched Man City. The year we lost 4th to the Chavs, their players basically threw the league to get AVB sacked.