By Nick Raynor
August 10 2005

Read the title. Pretty self explanatory. The league has not started and it’s falling apart.

Haha – I’m not usually one for being pessimistic. I see myself as an optimistic guy, but a realist at the same time.

 

And this is total, realism; we are currently stuffed, and need a miracle real good and real quick.

 

It started off so well with the signings of Parker and Emre. And then…well, we got Krul and Moore who were decent signings…but then the flow kind of halted.

 

We proceeded to crash out of Europe which was obviously a disappointment.

 

And as the end of the transfer window draws closer and closer, we grow more desperate for players. I’m not a whiner, moaner or a pessimist. I’m being totally honest and facing facts.

 

We need a bloody striker. And we need one now. The Owen move still seems unlikely, and the Anelka deal, although has recently been given new life, still seems unlikely. Yes, we have Shearer, but we all know we need somebody else.

 

We still need a left winger, and the only person we’ve been linked to recently is Luis Boa Morte. They wanted a certain amount, we wouldn’t pay. Oh well then, I guess we won’t play with a left winger this season.

 

Freddy. You messed up, you didn’t get anybody fast enough. Now clubs know we are desperate and you’re gonna have to pay the £6 million. Or yes, you may have to trade Steve Harper in plus £3 million, because face facts – We NEED a left winger, and our opening game is just 4 days away!

 

Oh, and now the fantastic bloody news that we’re not signing Coco because we couldn’t agree loan terms with Inter. Great. Super. We have no left-back for the game at Highbury because surprise, surprise, shock, horror – Babayaro in injured…again…and again…and again.

 

And Shearer could well be out for the game at Highbury, and Ameobi is suspended. No disrespect to the lad, I’m a fan of his, but bloody MICHEAL CHOPRA upfront by himself against Arsenal?! Massive moment for him, will he take it?

 

Steven Taylor, a right footed centre-back, looks like he’s going to have to make the move to left-back, unless we want Robbie Elliot to give the game to Arsenal. They don’t need help to score past us Robbie.

 

Left wing? Probably going to be James Milner again…that right winger. Or maybe Emre who although left footed, is a central midfielder.

 

Given

 

Carr Boumsong Moore Taylor

 

Parker Faye Emre

 

Dyer                             Milner

Chopra

 

That team, although it doesn’t look shocking, has little chance of beating Arsenal at Highbury.

 

Don’t get me wrong, we’re by no means out of the game. I’m gonna be praying, and I think we could manage a draw. But it’s just not looking good for a Top 6 finish at the moment.

 

Funny thing is, you sign a left back (don’t ask me who…), Luis Boa Morte and Anelka/Owen…then I’d instantly back us for a Top 6 finish.

 

Our fate could be decided on September 1^st. With any luck, this article can then be discarded and deleted, as it’s sentiment and contents will be meaningless.