Paphos People

I don't understand why he should be, the Smoggies have brought in 2 unknown players so far & he's upbeat about the coming season If I was him after last season, I'd be a little worried at what was coming, not upbeat
http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1342839,00.html

why shouldn't he be, first time in years we have signed players at the start of preseason (rather than panic buying on august 31st), we have a very young talented squad (not world beaters but still good enough to push arsenal/chelsea/man u/and liverpool in most of last seasons games when we played them)

the 2 signings he has made are both u21 internationals.

perhaps the most important signing is the new conditioning trainer who joined (frank nuttall) who has got mido down to his fittest since he was at roma.

for once we have no major players out injured at the start of the campaign (last year pogatetz, woodgate, huth, young were out for almost all of the preason), we have no prima donna wanting to leave (yakubu) so the spirit in the squad is very high

the average age of the squad is 22 (before boateng leaves (well played george good luck at hull)), the oldest will be luke young at 28

we have plenty of pace in the squad and a desire to improve (even if it is just some players wanting to improve enough for a bigger club to buy them)

am a little concerned that we lack cover at keeper but other than that i am really looking forward to this season

Well Smurf,after reading that I'm bricking it. We play you at home very early in the season !
You will be out for revenge after our win at the end of last season, no doubt.
Mido has lost his weight whilst training in Cairo, not so much to do with your new fitness instructor and more to do with Egyptian mummies, sorry, tummies
Gary

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So close yet so far away

true, the new coach went and spent 6 weeks with him doing personal training programme, any idea which strikers you are after especially with kenwyn out for a while?

Well we are being linked to a few but none will come. That I can think of off the top of my head, Darren Bent, Andy Johnson, some centre forward from Cork City, Kevin Doyle from Reading, Louis Saha.
Gary

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So close yet so far away

Would you really want Bent the guy is way over valued & isn't that good anyway

whilst i dont think he is worth the money spurs paid for bent, if a team like sunderland play to his strengths (like charlton did) then he would be a good buy for them and would probably make sure they stay up again this season.

i think sunderland need a big overhaul to avoid a relegation fight especially with kenwyn out and evans back at utd, keane certainly needs to spend better than last year (think kenwyn jones, and craig gordon apart that he did not make very good signings)

What he spent £50mil last season & you think he needs to spend more

Problem is, 1 player doesn't make a good squad, no matter how you play it, so playing to Bents strengths doesn't mean they'll play any better I mean look at Owen, he a top class finisher but because we couldn't supply him with the final ball, he didn't play as well as he can/should

Yes Pete, you were not then playing to his strengths.
Smurf with regards to Keane's signings, I tend to agree. Andy Reid was a good signing too and if he would only play Chopra in his natural position and give him a run in it, I think he could surprise a few.
It's rumoured that Keane gave Keiron Richardson short thrift at the end of last season and my mates tell me he looks very sharp in training and looks fitter than last season.
You are right tho' Keane needs to get it right this time. No more Halfords and Mc Shanes.
The jury is out on his ability to do it.
Gary

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So close yet so far away