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The new Premiership season is well underway now and it looks like it could end-up in a similar style to that of the 2001/02 campaign, with Arsenal leading the way as United are left-behind to struggle in their challenge for the second year running.
It all may seem like something we've seen before right now, but there is one big difference in this new season that seperates it from any-other we've seen during the competition's 10 year history.
And that is a change in the old Rule Book, envolving new Transfer Windows that run alongside those of all-other European countries, putting the United's and Arsenal's on-par with the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
Incase you are un-aware of the situation, clubs in the Premiership - and in the Lower Divisions of English Football too - cannot sign or even sell a player during anytime other than the duration of the 2 respected Transfer Windows.
There is one that opens and operates during the first few weeks of the new year in January, and the other takes place during the Summer, running up-untill August 31st when managers are racing around like mad women on a late-night shopping-spree on Christmas Eve, trying to grab what they can before the doors lock shut.
Quite why the FA decided to let this new system make its way into our beloved league of Football is way-beyond me. What good they expect to see come from this... I do not know!
All this system appears to do (in my eyes) is deny all clubs the possibillities of saving themselves from sinking down the table with the addittion of a new signing or two, while clubs in dyer-need of cash could simply sell-off some of their rising stars with a heafty-profit. If only the windows were open...
We may only be 2 months into this new campaign, but the bad points are already coming-alive within time and quick-succession as some of the 'bigger' names (not THAT big) are already suffering as they find themselves far-below their targets and goals. Here are some of the teams i've seen become effcted majorly by these changed already:
Sunderland are the first on my list, and yes, it does all come from the surprise Sacking of the Scouse-tastic Peter Reid. There's no denying what he mean to the club and his fans. They are distraught after his sudden-exit which has left their faces flooded with salty tears. He has taken a Football League club with no money and no real reputation, and turned them into a team that can fight for its rights to be amongst the big boys.
But now he has gone, and a new manager will be brought-in to take his place and try to turn-around this season that is fast-becoming a disaster.
But when this new guy does arrive in the 'Hot Seat' - whether it is David O'Leary or not - he will want to start spending and shaping the squad into something of his own imediatly, just like any-other new manager would want to. And with the money that clubs pick-up quite easily on a weekly-basis in the top-flight, there should be nothing stopping any new gaffer from spending his brains out - literally!
But there is the new Transfer System...
When the new manager does sign on the dotted-line (which we presume will be very soon) he won't be able to do a thing in the Transfer Market, except plan for the rush we can expect to see when it opens again in January.
West Ham are struggling, and there's no way you can honestly say they are fulfilling all their pre-season Expectations - even if they did best London Rivals Chelsea recently. Glenn Roeder is living life quite dangerously, while DiCanio, Joe Cole, and David James and the rest just aren't performing in as they stake-their-claims to be top-candidates for the drop this season - already!
Nothing can hide the fact that the West Ham team is lacking inspiration in its play - even with the flare and sheer brilliance of creators like Paulo DiCanio.
In-order to shift into First Gear and race-clear of the Relegation Zone, the Hammers - like all teams - need something (or someone) new who can help to show them the way - like a new foreign signing, possibly a younger DiCanio.
But in-order to do that they're going to need money - which they may JUST be able to come-up-with. And even if they can find-the-funds they won't be able to do anything about it NOW or anytime soon for the next 2-3 months!
In-order for both these clubs to get out of their troubles and solve the problems that lurk inside they need to be able to do something about it NOW while there is still time to do something. They need to be able to spend money now rather than later.
If they leave it too late, then it could all be over before the ink is dry on the new Continental Stars' contract. But with the new 'Windows' and everything, this is simply impossible for both the Hamers and the Black Cats, meaning there is a great chance these 2 clubs could be down before we know it!
We also knew that Man United were in-need of a new strike-partner for van Nistelrooy when Sir Alex Ferguson was splashing-out heavily on just Rio Ferdinand. Then came Ricardo. To me, he was just a 'Panic Buy'. We didn't really need him with Roy Carroll on the bench, but Barthez was still injured and we were only days-away from August 31st. But still no striker, even though there were some rumours.
Why was this? I think it was down-to a lack of time really. Choosing 'The Right Man' can take a lot of time, thought and consideration - something Ferguson did not have with this new system. Had he had more time to go with those millions in the bank then he would've surely got his man (whoever it may be), and United could now be only 2 points off the Gunners at the top-of-the-lot. He must have been planning someone big for that no.9 shirt... guess we'll just have to wait untill 2003 to see though. :(
But time was against him, and now many other managers to go with it.
Thanks to the failure of ITV Digital, many Nationwide clubs are nearing the possibility of entering Administration as they cannot raise the funds from Transfers going-out in-order to save themselves from the possibillity of extinction. There are a lot of talented players in the Lower Leagues... even Division 3!
Where did you think Simon Davies came from? And what about Nigel Martyn??
It's not all about foreigners, you know!
Already you can see that this new 'Window system', which has had-its-effect on other European countries for some years now, is destroying some of the Premierships bigger and better clubs as managers are pushed for time.
Sure, you could say that it encourages Managers to think even-harder and plan to invest their money on players that will really do the job well. But things can change over time... Small issues can soon huge if no action is taken, and frankly, there isn't a lot Glenn Roeder, Alan Curbishley, or any-other manager can really do in-order to begin the Survival Process.
I'm against this new system already. Nothing's going to stop people spending money anyway, the biggest players will constantly be asking for bigger salaries as the goals start flying-in. Why on Earth were they all 'for' this???
Let's just open the window now and get it all over with!
The Premiership has never seemed so 'dull' and 'predictable' to me before in all of its 10-year history.
It all may seem like something we've seen before right now, but there is one big difference in this new season that seperates it from any-other we've seen during the competition's 10 year history.
And that is a change in the old Rule Book, envolving new Transfer Windows that run alongside those of all-other European countries, putting the United's and Arsenal's on-par with the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
Incase you are un-aware of the situation, clubs in the Premiership - and in the Lower Divisions of English Football too - cannot sign or even sell a player during anytime other than the duration of the 2 respected Transfer Windows.
There is one that opens and operates during the first few weeks of the new year in January, and the other takes place during the Summer, running up-untill August 31st when managers are racing around like mad women on a late-night shopping-spree on Christmas Eve, trying to grab what they can before the doors lock shut.
Quite why the FA decided to let this new system make its way into our beloved league of Football is way-beyond me. What good they expect to see come from this... I do not know!
All this system appears to do (in my eyes) is deny all clubs the possibillities of saving themselves from sinking down the table with the addittion of a new signing or two, while clubs in dyer-need of cash could simply sell-off some of their rising stars with a heafty-profit. If only the windows were open...
We may only be 2 months into this new campaign, but the bad points are already coming-alive within time and quick-succession as some of the 'bigger' names (not THAT big) are already suffering as they find themselves far-below their targets and goals. Here are some of the teams i've seen become effcted majorly by these changed already:
Sunderland are the first on my list, and yes, it does all come from the surprise Sacking of the Scouse-tastic Peter Reid. There's no denying what he mean to the club and his fans. They are distraught after his sudden-exit which has left their faces flooded with salty tears. He has taken a Football League club with no money and no real reputation, and turned them into a team that can fight for its rights to be amongst the big boys.
But now he has gone, and a new manager will be brought-in to take his place and try to turn-around this season that is fast-becoming a disaster.
But when this new guy does arrive in the 'Hot Seat' - whether it is David O'Leary or not - he will want to start spending and shaping the squad into something of his own imediatly, just like any-other new manager would want to. And with the money that clubs pick-up quite easily on a weekly-basis in the top-flight, there should be nothing stopping any new gaffer from spending his brains out - literally!
But there is the new Transfer System...
When the new manager does sign on the dotted-line (which we presume will be very soon) he won't be able to do a thing in the Transfer Market, except plan for the rush we can expect to see when it opens again in January.
West Ham are struggling, and there's no way you can honestly say they are fulfilling all their pre-season Expectations - even if they did best London Rivals Chelsea recently. Glenn Roeder is living life quite dangerously, while DiCanio, Joe Cole, and David James and the rest just aren't performing in as they stake-their-claims to be top-candidates for the drop this season - already!
Nothing can hide the fact that the West Ham team is lacking inspiration in its play - even with the flare and sheer brilliance of creators like Paulo DiCanio.
In-order to shift into First Gear and race-clear of the Relegation Zone, the Hammers - like all teams - need something (or someone) new who can help to show them the way - like a new foreign signing, possibly a younger DiCanio.
But in-order to do that they're going to need money - which they may JUST be able to come-up-with. And even if they can find-the-funds they won't be able to do anything about it NOW or anytime soon for the next 2-3 months!
In-order for both these clubs to get out of their troubles and solve the problems that lurk inside they need to be able to do something about it NOW while there is still time to do something. They need to be able to spend money now rather than later.
If they leave it too late, then it could all be over before the ink is dry on the new Continental Stars' contract. But with the new 'Windows' and everything, this is simply impossible for both the Hamers and the Black Cats, meaning there is a great chance these 2 clubs could be down before we know it!
We also knew that Man United were in-need of a new strike-partner for van Nistelrooy when Sir Alex Ferguson was splashing-out heavily on just Rio Ferdinand. Then came Ricardo. To me, he was just a 'Panic Buy'. We didn't really need him with Roy Carroll on the bench, but Barthez was still injured and we were only days-away from August 31st. But still no striker, even though there were some rumours.
Why was this? I think it was down-to a lack of time really. Choosing 'The Right Man' can take a lot of time, thought and consideration - something Ferguson did not have with this new system. Had he had more time to go with those millions in the bank then he would've surely got his man (whoever it may be), and United could now be only 2 points off the Gunners at the top-of-the-lot. He must have been planning someone big for that no.9 shirt... guess we'll just have to wait untill 2003 to see though. :(
But time was against him, and now many other managers to go with it.
Thanks to the failure of ITV Digital, many Nationwide clubs are nearing the possibility of entering Administration as they cannot raise the funds from Transfers going-out in-order to save themselves from the possibillity of extinction. There are a lot of talented players in the Lower Leagues... even Division 3!
Where did you think Simon Davies came from? And what about Nigel Martyn??
It's not all about foreigners, you know!
Already you can see that this new 'Window system', which has had-its-effect on other European countries for some years now, is destroying some of the Premierships bigger and better clubs as managers are pushed for time.
Sure, you could say that it encourages Managers to think even-harder and plan to invest their money on players that will really do the job well. But things can change over time... Small issues can soon huge if no action is taken, and frankly, there isn't a lot Glenn Roeder, Alan Curbishley, or any-other manager can really do in-order to begin the Survival Process.
I'm against this new system already. Nothing's going to stop people spending money anyway, the biggest players will constantly be asking for bigger salaries as the goals start flying-in. Why on Earth were they all 'for' this???
Let's just open the window now and get it all over with!
The Premiership has never seemed so 'dull' and 'predictable' to me before in all of its 10-year history.
Well done on your GAD win, very well deserved. :)
Congrats on your GAD win.
I agree with the sentiments, especially about my beloved West Ham. We need the chance to regroup (replace Roeder with O'Leary-thus attracting bigger names to the club) and buy some decent defenders.
However the transfer window is a double edged sword. It does stop teams like Man Utd buying their way to the title, esepcially if their season is going flat but it also robs teams at the bottom their chance of possible salvation.
Aquiring good players on the transfer market is a skill, which has now probably been reduced to a post-Christmas panic buy, which negates the ability for the shrewest managers to get the January sale bargains...
However the transfer window is a double edged sword. It does stop teams like Man Utd buying their way to the title, esepcially if their season is going flat but it also robs teams at the bottom their chance of possible salvation.
Aquiring good players on the transfer market is a skill, which has now probably been reduced to a post-Christmas panic buy, which negates the ability for the shrewest managers to get the January sale bargains...
Oh, I dunno. You spent over 50 million on players for last season and it got you nowhere.
Try getting your worth out of those under-achievers first, before trying to buy your way out of the mire again!
Hee hee... £30m for Furryhand, £2.5m for Cygan... can you say "Ouch, my pocket!" ? :-)
Try getting your worth out of those under-achievers first, before trying to buy your way out of the mire again!
Hee hee... £30m for Furryhand, £2.5m for Cygan... can you say "Ouch, my pocket!" ? :-)
Thanks a lot for the GAD Prize! :D
I've been thinking about how different the Premiership Table could be if the Window wasn't shut right now...
Maybe Arsenal wouldn't be so-far-ahead if other clubs had been able to bring-in new players who could help increase the strength in their squads, so they could match or even beat Arsenal.
Maybe Arsenal would no-longer be top AT-ALL!!?
I reckon their un-beaten run would've probably ended though.
I've been thinking about how different the Premiership Table could be if the Window wasn't shut right now...
Maybe Arsenal wouldn't be so-far-ahead if other clubs had been able to bring-in new players who could help increase the strength in their squads, so they could match or even beat Arsenal.
Maybe Arsenal would no-longer be top AT-ALL!!?
I reckon their un-beaten run would've probably ended though.
I feel the same way aswell Soskjaer. Aston villa sold 2 of their best midfielders (Boateng and Merson) and never bought any good midfielders before the Window.
We have been struggling since and have only picked up 10 points from 9 games, which is really poor.
If their wasn't a transfer window, we could of been buying some good players to solve the problem.
We have been struggling since and have only picked up 10 points from 9 games, which is really poor.
If their wasn't a transfer window, we could of been buying some good players to solve the problem.
The new Premiership season is well underway now and it looks like it could end-up in a similar style to that of the 2001/02 campaign, with Arsenal leading the way as United are left-behind to struggle in their challenge for the second year running.
It all may seem like something we've seen before right now, but there is one big difference in this new season that seperates it from any-other we've seen during the competition's 10 year history.
And that is a change in the old Rule Book, envolving new Transfer Windows that run alongside those of all-other European countries, putting the United's and Arsenal's on-par with the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
Incase you are un-aware of the situation, clubs in the Premiership - and in the Lower Divisions of English Football too - cannot sign or even sell a player during anytime other than the duration of the 2 respected Transfer Windows.
There is one that opens and operates during the first few weeks of the new year in January, and the other takes place during the Summer, running up-untill August 31st when managers are racing around like mad women on a late-night shopping-spree on Christmas Eve, trying to grab what they can before the doors lock shut.
Quite why the FA decided to let this new system make its way into our beloved league of Football is way-beyond me. What good they expect to see come from this... I do not know!
All this system appears to do (in my eyes) is deny all clubs the possibillities of saving themselves from sinking down the table with the addittion of a new signing or two, while clubs in dyer-need of cash could simply sell-off some of their rising stars with a heafty-profit. If only the windows were open...
We may only be 2 months into this new campaign, but the bad points are already coming-alive within time and quick-succession as some of the 'bigger' names (not THAT big) are already suffering as they find themselves far-below their targets and goals. Here are some of the teams i've seen become effcted majorly by these changed already:
Sunderland are the first on my list, and yes, it does all come from the surprise Sacking of the Scouse-tastic Peter Reid. There's no denying what he mean to the club and his fans. They are distraught after his sudden-exit which has left their faces flooded with salty tears. He has taken a Football League club with no money and no real reputation, and turned them into a team that can fight for its rights to be amongst the big boys.
But now he has gone, and a new manager will be brought-in to take his place and try to turn-around this season that is fast-becoming a disaster.
But when this new guy does arrive in the 'Hot Seat' - whether it is David O'Leary or not - he will want to start spending and shaping the squad into something of his own imediatly, just like any-other new manager would want to. And with the money that clubs pick-up quite easily on a weekly-basis in the top-flight, there should be nothing stopping any new gaffer from spending his brains out - literally!
But there is the new Transfer System...
When the new manager does sign on the dotted-line (which we presume will be very soon) he won't be able to do a thing in the Transfer Market, except plan for the rush we can expect to see when it opens again in January.
West Ham are struggling, and there's no way you can honestly say they are fulfilling all their pre-season Expectations - even if they did best London Rivals Chelsea recently. Glenn Roeder is living life quite dangerously, while DiCanio, Joe Cole, and David James and the rest just aren't performing in as they stake-their-claims to be top-candidates for the drop this season - already!
Nothing can hide the fact that the West Ham team is lacking inspiration in its play - even with the flare and sheer brilliance of creators like Paulo DiCanio.
In-order to shift into First Gear and race-clear of the Relegation Zone, the Hammers - like all teams - need something (or someone) new who can help to show them the way - like a new foreign signing, possibly a younger DiCanio.
But in-order to do that they're going to need money - which they may JUST be able to come-up-with. And even if they can find-the-funds they won't be able to do anything about it NOW or anytime soon for the next 2-3 months!
In-order for both these clubs to get out of their troubles and solve the problems that lurk inside they need to be able to do something about it NOW while there is still time to do something. They need to be able to spend money now rather than later.
If they leave it too late, then it could all be over before the ink is dry on the new Continental Stars' contract. But with the new 'Windows' and everything, this is simply impossible for both the Hamers and the Black Cats, meaning there is a great chance these 2 clubs could be down before we know it!
We also knew that Man United were in-need of a new strike-partner for van Nistelrooy when Sir Alex Ferguson was splashing-out heavily on just Rio Ferdinand. Then came Ricardo. To me, he was just a 'Panic Buy'. We didn't really need him with Roy Carroll on the bench, but Barthez was still injured and we were only days-away from August 31st. But still no striker, even though there were some rumours.
Why was this? I think it was down-to a lack of time really. Choosing 'The Right Man' can take a lot of time, thought and consideration - something Ferguson did not have with this new system. Had he had more time to go with those millions in the bank then he would've surely got his man (whoever it may be), and United could now be only 2 points off the Gunners at the top-of-the-lot. He must have been planning someone big for that no.9 shirt... guess we'll just have to wait untill 2003 to see though. :(
But time was against him, and now many other managers to go with it.
Thanks to the failure of ITV Digital, many Nationwide clubs are nearing the possibility of entering Administration as they cannot raise the funds from Transfers going-out in-order to save themselves from the possibillity of extinction. There are a lot of talented players in the Lower Leagues... even Division 3!
Where did you think Simon Davies came from? And what about Nigel Martyn??
It's not all about foreigners, you know!
Already you can see that this new 'Window system', which has had-its-effect on other European countries for some years now, is destroying some of the Premierships bigger and better clubs as managers are pushed for time.
Sure, you could say that it encourages Managers to think even-harder and plan to invest their money on players that will really do the job well. But things can change over time... Small issues can soon huge if no action is taken, and frankly, there isn't a lot Glenn Roeder, Alan Curbishley, or any-other manager can really do in-order to begin the Survival Process.
I'm against this new system already. Nothing's going to stop people spending money anyway, the biggest players will constantly be asking for bigger salaries as the goals start flying-in. Why on Earth were they all 'for' this???
Let's just open the window now and get it all over with!
The Premiership has never seemed so 'dull' and 'predictable' to me before in all of its 10-year history.
It all may seem like something we've seen before right now, but there is one big difference in this new season that seperates it from any-other we've seen during the competition's 10 year history.
And that is a change in the old Rule Book, envolving new Transfer Windows that run alongside those of all-other European countries, putting the United's and Arsenal's on-par with the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
Incase you are un-aware of the situation, clubs in the Premiership - and in the Lower Divisions of English Football too - cannot sign or even sell a player during anytime other than the duration of the 2 respected Transfer Windows.
There is one that opens and operates during the first few weeks of the new year in January, and the other takes place during the Summer, running up-untill August 31st when managers are racing around like mad women on a late-night shopping-spree on Christmas Eve, trying to grab what they can before the doors lock shut.
Quite why the FA decided to let this new system make its way into our beloved league of Football is way-beyond me. What good they expect to see come from this... I do not know!
All this system appears to do (in my eyes) is deny all clubs the possibillities of saving themselves from sinking down the table with the addittion of a new signing or two, while clubs in dyer-need of cash could simply sell-off some of their rising stars with a heafty-profit. If only the windows were open...
We may only be 2 months into this new campaign, but the bad points are already coming-alive within time and quick-succession as some of the 'bigger' names (not THAT big) are already suffering as they find themselves far-below their targets and goals. Here are some of the teams i've seen become effcted majorly by these changed already:
Sunderland are the first on my list, and yes, it does all come from the surprise Sacking of the Scouse-tastic Peter Reid. There's no denying what he mean to the club and his fans. They are distraught after his sudden-exit which has left their faces flooded with salty tears. He has taken a Football League club with no money and no real reputation, and turned them into a team that can fight for its rights to be amongst the big boys.
But now he has gone, and a new manager will be brought-in to take his place and try to turn-around this season that is fast-becoming a disaster.
But when this new guy does arrive in the 'Hot Seat' - whether it is David O'Leary or not - he will want to start spending and shaping the squad into something of his own imediatly, just like any-other new manager would want to. And with the money that clubs pick-up quite easily on a weekly-basis in the top-flight, there should be nothing stopping any new gaffer from spending his brains out - literally!
But there is the new Transfer System...
When the new manager does sign on the dotted-line (which we presume will be very soon) he won't be able to do a thing in the Transfer Market, except plan for the rush we can expect to see when it opens again in January.
West Ham are struggling, and there's no way you can honestly say they are fulfilling all their pre-season Expectations - even if they did best London Rivals Chelsea recently. Glenn Roeder is living life quite dangerously, while DiCanio, Joe Cole, and David James and the rest just aren't performing in as they stake-their-claims to be top-candidates for the drop this season - already!
Nothing can hide the fact that the West Ham team is lacking inspiration in its play - even with the flare and sheer brilliance of creators like Paulo DiCanio.
In-order to shift into First Gear and race-clear of the Relegation Zone, the Hammers - like all teams - need something (or someone) new who can help to show them the way - like a new foreign signing, possibly a younger DiCanio.
But in-order to do that they're going to need money - which they may JUST be able to come-up-with. And even if they can find-the-funds they won't be able to do anything about it NOW or anytime soon for the next 2-3 months!
In-order for both these clubs to get out of their troubles and solve the problems that lurk inside they need to be able to do something about it NOW while there is still time to do something. They need to be able to spend money now rather than later.
If they leave it too late, then it could all be over before the ink is dry on the new Continental Stars' contract. But with the new 'Windows' and everything, this is simply impossible for both the Hamers and the Black Cats, meaning there is a great chance these 2 clubs could be down before we know it!
We also knew that Man United were in-need of a new strike-partner for van Nistelrooy when Sir Alex Ferguson was splashing-out heavily on just Rio Ferdinand. Then came Ricardo. To me, he was just a 'Panic Buy'. We didn't really need him with Roy Carroll on the bench, but Barthez was still injured and we were only days-away from August 31st. But still no striker, even though there were some rumours.
Why was this? I think it was down-to a lack of time really. Choosing 'The Right Man' can take a lot of time, thought and consideration - something Ferguson did not have with this new system. Had he had more time to go with those millions in the bank then he would've surely got his man (whoever it may be), and United could now be only 2 points off the Gunners at the top-of-the-lot. He must have been planning someone big for that no.9 shirt... guess we'll just have to wait untill 2003 to see though. :(
But time was against him, and now many other managers to go with it.
Thanks to the failure of ITV Digital, many Nationwide clubs are nearing the possibility of entering Administration as they cannot raise the funds from Transfers going-out in-order to save themselves from the possibillity of extinction. There are a lot of talented players in the Lower Leagues... even Division 3!
Where did you think Simon Davies came from? And what about Nigel Martyn??
It's not all about foreigners, you know!
Already you can see that this new 'Window system', which has had-its-effect on other European countries for some years now, is destroying some of the Premierships bigger and better clubs as managers are pushed for time.
Sure, you could say that it encourages Managers to think even-harder and plan to invest their money on players that will really do the job well. But things can change over time... Small issues can soon huge if no action is taken, and frankly, there isn't a lot Glenn Roeder, Alan Curbishley, or any-other manager can really do in-order to begin the Survival Process.
I'm against this new system already. Nothing's going to stop people spending money anyway, the biggest players will constantly be asking for bigger salaries as the goals start flying-in. Why on Earth were they all 'for' this???
Let's just open the window now and get it all over with!
The Premiership has never seemed so 'dull' and 'predictable' to me before in all of its 10-year history.