This summer’s transfer window has been good in some ways from an attacking perspective, but extremely poor in other ways, due to the lack of defensive signings. It was ultimately our defence that cost the team another bite at the Premier League with the amount of goals shipped last season.
We are left now in a worse position in our backline, as arguably one of our best players, and one that can play in defence, Ryan Sessegnon has been sold to Tottenham.
I was delighted when Mitro and Cairney pledged their immediate future to the club, and also with the return of Johansen and re-introduction of McDonald in midfield. Even more encouraged when we managed to sign Cavaleiro and Knockaert to aid Mitro in the goals for account.
All it seemed we needed, was another right back, centre back and tough midfielder. Then along came Arter from Bournemouth and we were nearly there.
Alas, deadline day passes, and the long drawn out transfer saga with Ryan Sessegnon eventually materialises. We sell him and bring in Onomah, a young midfielder from Spurs in the deal.
So here we go again on Saturday, a home game against Blackburn Rovers, and having to field the same backline that ruefully caved in last season faster than it took Mawson to injure his knee through tying up his boot laces. No fresh faces to help poor Bettinelli from injuring his back picking up the ball from inside his net.
Scott Parker, the clubs latest manager, who lacks experience in terms of management skills, will be expected to get this team challenging for automatic promotion, or at least for a play-off spot. I really hope he manages somehow to get the very best out of this team.
Maybe he should look back at the reign of Kevin Keegan while he was manager of Fulham. His philosophy was one of attack, attack, attack. If the opposition scores three, then we will score four. It worked then, would it today?
Or is it the only choice we have?
What do you think?
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