AVB's success at Porto.

[ultimateloner]

Obviously it's entirely subjective, and write off was perhaps a harsh way of putting it. I'll call it a long shot.

I only believe this to be the case because with a new non 'quick fix' manager, not to mention having the spine ripped out of the team over the summer, it was always going to make top 4 a big ask against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. Particularly when we are looking bereft of creativity in midfield, AVB having been denied his primary target in that area.

I agree that we look terrible but this is not a valid reason to lower expectations. Only City and Newc feature a similar crop of starting 11; Man Utd/Liverpool/Arsenal have all had big changes, none smaller than ours. Looking bereft of creativity in midfield is not a personnel problem (as Sigursson/Dembele were meant to address this) so it's still not about buying; its about coaching.

 

[jurgen]

Now, I kow you have said that this is your opinion and therefore not a quantifiable fact, but do you have even one shred of evidence to base that on?

Bah, tough crowd, I had more tongue in my cheek than John Merrick..

 

[StartingPrice]

Bah, tough crowd, I had more tongue in my cheek than John Merrick..

 

[BC11]

Porto finished 3rd the season prior to AVB joining them. He obviously improved them a fair bit to then completely dominate and stroll to the title.

In an ideal world he should probably have stayed there and quite possibly should still be there and have a few more trophies to his name as well as having an even bigger reputation than he enjoyed before he went to the plastics.
I think he will come good. I'm just praying it's with us!

Also sold Bruno Alves, club captain and their best midfielder Meireles the summer AVB joined

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I agree that we look terrible but this is not a valid reason to lower expectations. Only City and Newc feature a similar crop of starting 11; Man Utd/Liverpool/Arsenal have all had big changes, none smaller than ours. Looking bereft of creativity in midfield is not a personnel problem (as Sigursson/Dembele were meant to address this) so it's still not about buying; its about coaching.

United haven't lost anyone particularly important but they've added huge quality, not really a fair comparison! Liverpool similarly haven't lost anyone other than Carroll who they utterly bemusingly let go on loan despite not having a replacement to come in, and they've spent a fair bit without letting anyone go as far as I can recall (though thankfully they look dreadful -the only club to have cocked up the summer worse than we have). Arsenal always seem to lose massive players and yet always finish above us and in the champions league places, so we'll see how that one turns out, but you can hardly expect AVB to topple them in his maiden season.

Now, Dembele would have been a great addition to our current midfield, but he's no Modric replacement is he? Modric is one of the best in his position in the world, hence Real splashing out so much on him. And Sig the jury is out on.