We were home and dry before lockdown, so there was little incentive to carry on our good form after that. Sure we beat Bournemouth, but after that it was a complete f***ing shambles from top to bottom.

I’m just hoping we are on it come the Southampton game and the players are fully focused. As for new signings, I have very little faith in signing anyone before deadline as we have shown no commitment to address our weaknesses within the squad. Unless of course we offload some players from our already depleted squad.

They will only appreciate these times, when there gone.

OK you've given the pessimists a bashing.

I like many appreciate we've had a long spell (for us) in the PL but that's not the same as optimism.

With less than 3 weeks to go and with one addition to the squad, I find it hard to find reasons to be optimistic, you've obviously found them - what are they?

Edited by Eaglehamster (24 Aug 2020 9.00pm)

I have now sufficient funds to last me the rest of my life. Provided I don't buy anything.

I can only speak for myself but I would opine that none of us is saying we are optimistic but rather that we realize that we have been in the best period in the club's history as far as achievements are concerned, namely that we are entering an 8th consecutive year in the top division, a feat previously only dreamt about.

For me this is some achievement given the unequal playing field in which we operate against many of our peers in the PL.

I believe we will bring in new players. I expect there will be one or two so-called 'free transfers' who like those of last year will do a decent job for us. I also expect there will be one or two loans. Those are my expectations. As to my hopes, I hope that we will get at least two of our targets over the line.

Call all that optimism if you like. I prefer to see it as
1. acknowledging how the club has operated in recent transfer windows
2. expecting a similar window this time
3. hoping for a little bit more though.

Eagle hamster, seems no one wants to provide any answers to your question. The reason being there aren’t any. We find ourselves with 3 weeks to go before the start of the 20/21 season and no additions to the team.

Let’s see where we are 8 games into the campaign and see what people’s thoughts are then. I hope I have to eat humble pie I really do.

If you want someone to reply, I can tell you I am totally confident and positive that this team, even without any more signing can stay in the PL.
Not that I'm saying we shouldn't buy anyone, quite the opposite, the team should be improved and rejuvenated, but still I believe this team would stay up.

Should I add, that if you'd change the manager to one more offensive, then no, I'd change my judgement.

Edited by Ian-VI (24 Aug 2020 10.55pm)

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