So I suppose It's that time of year when we all get our hopes up over another JPA but wind up with another Yacouba Sylla is it?
All I really hope for is that Dr X and Bruce et al can see the same flaws as us. It's getting frustrating for the most of us because its the same drums we've been beating for years now.
Gollini's not been perfect but he's a billionty times better than Bunn. Steer's out for the season aint he? So that leaves Sarcic as the only feasable back up? New GK is a no brainer for us really if only on loan. (For the record I like Gollini)
De Laet was incredibly unlucky to get such a bad injury - and I'm not claiming he's a world beater but we should all probably cut the clubs a BIT of slack in that they tried to upgrade on what we had at right back. That being said, That we are still having a weekly choice of Hutton / Bacuna / Richards at Right Back is verging towards a criminal act. Elphick has turned out to be a bit of a lemon imo, but still better than what we actually saw from Richards or Okore, but Baker and Chester have done OK at this level. Amavi has done nothing to harm his reputation and I genuinely think we'll be lucky to hold onto him.
Westwood and Gardner are done here imo. They themselves must see it's time to move on? The need for us to actually buy a midfield is glaringly obvious to anyone. And it's not like they haven't tried i suppose, in a way, but the roll call of midfielders since the Lambert era is shocking really. Holman, KEA, Westwood, Sylla, Herd, Gardner, Richardson, Bacuna, Sanchez, Veretout, Cleverley etc, etc. In that context, what the hell do we expect?
Gabby, well theres a whole thread for that, but he's done here. Gestede is a donkey with a shocking lack of ability, however much there's a load of us that want some wingers to 'stick it on his head'.
While idealism has to give way to pragmatism, I cant help dreaming of Bunn, Hutton, Bacuna, Richards, Cissokho, Westwood, Gardner, Gabby and Gestede all leaving for a brighter 2017.
And as for Ayew - I get that there's a player there somewhere but Ive always been in the 'he wont be missed camp' when it comes to him.