Well, that was a bit manic wasn’t it?! I for one am delighted that the window has finally come to a close. The Missus now has her other half back as I am able to put the laptop down for more than 5 minutes without checking for updates (you’ll have to ask her if that’s a good thing or not!!). I’m not sure if I could take anymore of the ups and downs that the transfer window brings. The rollercoaster of going from being hopeful of getting 3 or 4 quality additions in to utter despair as time ran out and we looked like missing out on all our targets was unbearable at times. As it was, we’ve added 3 great players to the 2 we’d already brought in and we now have a hell of a lot stronger squad as a result.
As well as the excellent additions we’ve made it’s great to see us fighting off other teams’ bids for our better players. We all know Begovic was coveted and no doubt there was interest in Shawcross too, and for all we know there were others sought after. The only players that have left, however, are players we wanted to ship out and that position of strength is as positive as the big names we have brought in.
If we take stock now, with the 5 new additions Pulis has brought in (I refuse to acknowledge Salif Diao), we have a very strong squad to call on. If we can get Etherington and Pennant firing on all cylinders on either flank we could see some very decent stuff this season. There aren’t many teams around that have 2 old-fashioned, out-and-out wingers these days and I can’t wait to see them causing opposition teams problems this season. Throw in Wilson, who by all accounts is a midfield “passer”, our midfielder looks a hell of a lot stronger.
On top of that we now have forward options of Fuller, Walters, Gudjohnsen and KJ. If anything should happen to these then we can always call on the likes of Tuncay. The strength in depth isn’t looking to bad now, is it?
As always, there are other areas we need to look at in Jan, most notably full backs and another midfielder, but this has been an excellent window for us. Every passing window we are taking steps forward as a club and this is probably our, potentially, biggest step forward yet. The players brought in will undoubtedly bring that “evolution” that Pulis has consistently spoken about.
These are exciting times and although we haven’t had a great start to the season we have a hell of a lot to be positive about. I have no doubts that this squad will be more than good enough to stay up again this season with a bit to spare. We can’t be complacent but you can get you bottom dollar that Tony won’t allow any complacency to creep in. We now need to get points on the board sharpish, starting against Villa Monday week. The 12 day wait can’t go quick enough for me and I’m sure The Bear Pit will be back to its ferocious best with the new faces on show.
You’ve finally got the tools Tony, lets see what they can do. Time to deliver the evolution!!!
Goooaarrrrnnnnn you rip roaring potters!!!!