I've never been one to get worked up about pre-season, yes there's been no football for a bit, I'm usually glad of the rest. I've liked the signings we have made so far, at long last we have a central midfield that shouldn't be found wanting.
As usual, the dickhead element of our support have gone all soft in the legs for the headline signing of Schwinsteiger, whilst Schneiderlin seems to have flown under the radar fro most of them. I was more excited about the ex Southampton man myself. He's been excellent for the south coast side during their resurgence as a top half table side over the last couple of seasons. He's 25, so hopefully we'll have him as he enters the peak of his career. On the playing side, he has the physique, has pace, is more than decent on the ball and can score a goal or two. I have a feeling it may be him becomes the mainstay of the midfield with the others jostling to play alongside him.
It Looks as if Shaw has got himself fit, hopefully he can put the injuries behind him because he has looked the part over his two 45 minutes spells so far. He showed plenty of potential last season, he could hardly spring two games in a row though.
Centre half still looks a weak spot, but at least this season they will have some proper protection in front of them. The Smalling Evans combination has looked especially weak. Blind is good on the ball, but there is no way in the world he has enough pace to play centre half against the better sides.
It's looking increasingly as if Depay has been bought as an all purpose front man rather than as an orthodox winger. He has looked reasonably promising so far, especially considering he's been paired with Rooney who's looked rusty as fuck.
As far as more transfer business is concerned, I'd personally love to see Bale in a red shirt and a quality experienced centre half. I'm not one who thinks we desperately need a new centre forward. As for the goalkeeping situation, who knows?
Music
Bill Fay - Who is the Sender: Two excellent albums on his return from obscurity, this follows a similar path to the first album and is just as good.
Dan Deacon - Glass Riffer: Not easy to categorise, but easy to like, even if it's a grower of an album.
Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit I don't Go Outside: He's been namechecked in the music press over the last couple of years and this album definitely delivers on that hype.
Eternal Tapestry - Wild Strawberries: Another band difficult band to categorise. Out there psychedelic jams, it's almost jazz like in it's meanderings, most of the tracks seem to be way too long on the first few listens. Yet I grew to really like it and no it's not too long.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and other Distress: Only really got into these a couple of years ago, they are a really top band and this is another belting album.
Lonelady - Hinterland: I enjoyed her debut album, this takes a left turn into a kind of industrial funk, that is possibly even better.
Mikal Cronin - MCIII: A contemporary of Ty Segall he ploughs a similar field of scuzzy guitar fueled 60's influenced rock that delivers. He's not quite as good as Segall, but he's well worth a listen.
As usual, the dickhead element of our support have gone all soft in the legs for the headline signing of Schwinsteiger, whilst Schneiderlin seems to have flown under the radar fro most of them. I was more excited about the ex Southampton man myself. He's been excellent for the south coast side during their resurgence as a top half table side over the last couple of seasons. He's 25, so hopefully we'll have him as he enters the peak of his career. On the playing side, he has the physique, has pace, is more than decent on the ball and can score a goal or two. I have a feeling it may be him becomes the mainstay of the midfield with the others jostling to play alongside him.
It Looks as if Shaw has got himself fit, hopefully he can put the injuries behind him because he has looked the part over his two 45 minutes spells so far. He showed plenty of potential last season, he could hardly spring two games in a row though.
Centre half still looks a weak spot, but at least this season they will have some proper protection in front of them. The Smalling Evans combination has looked especially weak. Blind is good on the ball, but there is no way in the world he has enough pace to play centre half against the better sides.
It's looking increasingly as if Depay has been bought as an all purpose front man rather than as an orthodox winger. He has looked reasonably promising so far, especially considering he's been paired with Rooney who's looked rusty as fuck.
As far as more transfer business is concerned, I'd personally love to see Bale in a red shirt and a quality experienced centre half. I'm not one who thinks we desperately need a new centre forward. As for the goalkeeping situation, who knows?
Music
Bill Fay - Who is the Sender: Two excellent albums on his return from obscurity, this follows a similar path to the first album and is just as good.
Dan Deacon - Glass Riffer: Not easy to categorise, but easy to like, even if it's a grower of an album.
Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit I don't Go Outside: He's been namechecked in the music press over the last couple of years and this album definitely delivers on that hype.
Eternal Tapestry - Wild Strawberries: Another band difficult band to categorise. Out there psychedelic jams, it's almost jazz like in it's meanderings, most of the tracks seem to be way too long on the first few listens. Yet I grew to really like it and no it's not too long.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and other Distress: Only really got into these a couple of years ago, they are a really top band and this is another belting album.
Lonelady - Hinterland: I enjoyed her debut album, this takes a left turn into a kind of industrial funk, that is possibly even better.
Mikal Cronin - MCIII: A contemporary of Ty Segall he ploughs a similar field of scuzzy guitar fueled 60's influenced rock that delivers. He's not quite as good as Segall, but he's well worth a listen.
