(Here)We Go Again…

Just before the start of last season, when others were saying we had strengthened the team and were looking very good for the season ahead., I went against the grain a bit, as I often do and sounded a warning. As it happens even I didn’t expect it to be quite as bad as it turned out.This time round, I don’t think I will be the only one to be sounding a little apprehensive about the season ahead.

They say. in the corporate world. that the art of moving up is moving on before your mistakes catch up with you and I feel Hughes and Edwards have done just that whilst deflecting everyone by blaming and sacking Slot. I think this illustrates why I often take the side of players in any disputes or diasagreements when the usual default position for fans is to say “no one is bigger than the club”. The problem with that is that the club is often represented by people like H&E and in my eyes they are very definitely not the club but merely men in suits passing through.

Anyway, back to the team, which just two years ago won the league and last year looked a shadow of that side, with a threadbare squad and underperforming players. I would love to be able to say that the weaknesses have been identified and measures taken to address them, but that certainly isn’t the case, imho. Too often the changes needed have been delayed and the golden touch, as far as transfers are concerned, has melted away. We are left with sqaud shortages at R/B, CB, R/W and possibly a striker too and I am not convinced that the players we do have are yet as good as they need to be for the club to be seriously challenging for honours next season. I fear the loss of Salah will be felt. Scoring goals is so important and we will miss his huge contribution.

This is my (too hasrh?) assessment of the payers: Alisson – the main shining light in the squad and definitely world class. Frimpong– too lightweight in defence and a rabbit in the headlights going forward, Bradley – injured and at times inconsistent, though he has youth on his side. Jacquet – no idea really if he is any good or ready after his injury. Leoni – ditto. VVD – looked like age had caught up with him last year, but maybe, with younger legs around him, his experience will count. Kerkez – Improved a lot as the season went on, but didn’t always seem on the same wavelength as his team mates (especially Gakpo) and not confident enough. On the plus side improving and and he now has a season under his belt. Tsimikas. hardworking and enthusiastic, but only of backup quality. Gravenberch. Really disappointing last season, but he has ability and age on his side. MacAllister – again a disapointming, but may be carrying a long term injury and with the World cup, he has not had any much needed rest. Szoboszlai – a shining light in the middle of the park with real leadership qualities and a fierce strike. Elliott – total enthusiasm for the club, but coming off a season of not playing and doubts about where he would fit in the side. Jones– will he, won’t he stay or go? Wirtz – again, he has youth on his side, but really saw nothing last season, or in the World cup, to suggest he is ready for the side to be built around him. Ngumoha – another shining light who will hopefully get more game time this season, but his youth might prevent him being an ever present in the side, for his own good. Gakpo– predictable but inconsistent may seem harsh words, but that is what comes to mind. Isak – another playing coming off a wasted season and with injury issues, but on his day real quality. Could go either way, but currently looking more Sturridge than Salah. Munoz – looks promising, but another player needing to settle in to an already unsettled side, with another new manager and very little time to prepare for the new season.

Anyway, we are playing Wrexham in the early hours of Thuirsday morning with a few more first teamers back. Kick off 00.30 BST and available on LFCTV or a firestick near you. Given my doomsday predictions and/or Wrexham’s rise we could well be playing them a lot more in the seasons to come.