Round up of the summer upgrade process

[Max Headroom]

So it's been doom and gloom on here since the end of last season, but let's do a reality check.

At the end of last season, everyone was saying, strengthen midfield, new striker and new left back

Left back.... no upgrade, but if Richardson stays fit, I think it is an upgrade on where Riise is now.

Midfield...... New in Boateng (been man of the match in most pre-season games) and Taraabt (more of a wild card, but could be outstanding) means we are less reliant on Ruiz.

Striker.... We now have to strikers who are fifth and 6th in terms of most premier league goals scored in the last 5 years including one with a bit of pace.

PLUS.... Stekelenburg is an outstanding keeper (there may be some teething problems with a new defence, but it is an upgrade), Mesca looks promising, as does David, and Amorebieta is an upgrade on Senderos. Riether has re-signed also, Dejagah is getting back to fitness, and Diarra could come back at some point, even if he can't be relied on to stay fit. And Karagounis is great as an experienced bit part player.

So stronger in defence, stronger in midfield and stronger in attack.

Plus another few weeks of the transfer window left so we may yet get someone else in!

COYW

[jmh]

Striker.... We now have to strikers who are fifth and 6th in terms of most premier league goals scored in the last 5 years including one with a bit of pace.

This is great if we want to score goals in 2009-10 or 2010-11.  It doesn't necessarily mean much for 2013-14, especially when we're talking about players who are toward the tail end of their prime. 

That being said, I think you're underemphasizing the possible impact of Stekelenburg and Amorebieta.

[Enter the Frei]

I think Amorebieta is going to be the summer signing we look back on as making the biggest difference. Last year we had a fairly unstable centre back partnership which was probably partly why we conceded so many goals. With Brede and Amorebieta with have a very good pairing there for this season at least.

[Nero]

I just hope one of the centre backs starts scoring from set pieces

[SKSW6]

I get why people do comparisons like this of upgrades on players, but it doesn't take into account that 28+ year old players are expected to decline year on year, and this is obviously a big worry for a squad like ours with such a high average age. Nonetheless, I am cautiously optimistic for this season and we shouldn't really be worrying about relegation, especially if we bring in another player or two.

[alfie]

I think Amorebieta is going to be the summer signing we look back on as making the biggest difference. Last year we had a fairly unstable centre back partnership which was probably partly why we conceded so many goals. With Brede and Amorebieta with have a very good pairing there for this season at least.

well let's hope so, it may be a complete disaster.

[OxfordWhite]

I get why people do comparisons like this of upgrades on players, but it doesn't take into account that 28+ year old players are expected to decline year on year, and this is obviously a big worry for a squad like ours with such a high average age. Nonetheless, I am cautiously optimistic for this season and we shouldn't really be worrying about relegation, especially if we bring in another player or two.

Players like Berba are normally fine for longer, he has never relied on pace.