Silly, frustrating season
Since before the transfer window could even be open, a lot
of speculations have been flying all over the different leagues. A lot of
players are or were being linked with several teams, supporters not happy,
players threatening to leave, managers swapping teams, while other players and
managers leaving the beautiful game permanently through retirement.
Since football is a universal language, I have decided to
write about the silly season (transfer window) for both South Africa and as
well England.
Premier Soccer League
(South African league): The only team that has enjoyed the window has to be
Mamelodi Sundowns. They are well known of big signings and they have done it
again in this window. However, no one can predict their starting XI on any
match day, with the depth they have in the team as it is.
Other teams like Supersport United, Pirates and Bidvest Wits
just to name a few, also went for a serious shopping. Defending champions
(Kaizer Chiefs) on the other hand only signed two players which i am aware of,
a defender (Mtsweni) and a loan for a second spell striker (Musona).
Coaches like Gavin Hunt, Cavin Johnson and Clive Barker are
now managers of new teams this season. The coach swapping teams is also part of
the merry go round that the transfer window brings.
It does not bring a lot of frustration in the PSL’s transfer
window, but people will start talking during the season if the team is losing.
Usually coaches are the ones that will take the blame.
However the window closed yesterday, surely the new arrivals
will show supporters on why they have been purchased, critics will rise too if
they don’t live up to expectations.
Anyway, I am now
taking you to the most frustrating part of this window – England.
English Premier
League: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City are all under new
managers in this new season. One can say maybe for Chelsea is a reunion rather
with their favourite manager back at helm.
All eyes are on the three managers since day one. Enhancing
their different squads is expected too. However the window is still open so
every manager is making all means to get a player or two. Pallegrini and
Mourinho added few faces already on their squad while Moyes still trying to
land quality on his squad too.
Players like Cabaye, Rooney, Fellaini, Baines, Bale and
others are being linked with other teams daily. At the moment, Saurez and
Benteke decided to stay in Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively. Most of my
twitter followers blame the media sometimes in quoting other players saying
that they are not happy at their clubs.
Players are aware that football can be a short career so
they also want to make the best out of their life. I don’t expect supporters to
understand players who want to leave or unhappy or want to play in major
tournaments. Believe it or not football is about the money in the end.
Defending champions Manchester United so far only signed
Verela (defender). Moyes is still new at the club and still working with the
current squad that Sir Alex left him with. There is still no need for him to
panic; all he need is a middlefielder or two. He tried to attract a lot of them
since his arrival but they tend to join elsewhere or don’t want to join the
“Red Devils”.
I was amongst those who were attacked for believing in
Moyes. Most of my friends are “Red Devil” supporters, but pilled a lot of
unnecessary pressure on Sir Alex’s successor. Moyes missed out on a lot of
players since took charge - arguments, name calling, some even sang a song
“Moyes Out”. Well, it is not a matter of buying - who to buy should be
considered, does the player wants to come? Also need to be taken to account.
Supporters really cannot understand this window when it is
their team that suffer instead of benefiting. Arsenal is another team that had
a lot of interest in many players so far. All those players which were linked
ended up signing by other teams or staying in their current team. Their defeat
against Aston Villa on opening day surely raised eyebrows of many. Wenger is
also blaming the media on poisoning the Gunner supporters.
So far players only left the Emirates than joining. Yaya
Sanogo is the only player to join the Gunners so far in this window. Questions
are raised on why Wenger is not signing. Fans saying Wenger must capitalize on
the absence of Sir Alex by landing a big signing to end their trophy draught.
Manchester City managed to add few players on that expensive
squad of theirs. This is also another team that is under a new manager who is
still trying to gel well in the club or the English Premier League rather. He
started the season well by hamming Newcastle United. A shock defeat arose in
his second league match against the newly promoted Cardiff City. Blame him /
use him as a scapegoat, but losing Nastatic and Kompany through injuries cost
him on that match.
Mourinho “happy One” is back at Stamford Bridge. Since his
arrival, he has also added new faces on the Blues and promised those who
enjoyed loan spell last season at other clubs a game time. He is still looking
for another forward; hence he went for Rooney and Eto’o. To me, the Rooney bid is
just Mourinho and his mind games to create conflict between Rooney, Moyes and
us the supporters.
Anyway the window is still open and anything can still
happen. Bale is on the verge to join Madrid; we are just waiting for the
official announcement anytime. Andre’ Villas-Boas is turning this around at
Spurs, new faces and quality. Spurs without Bale will survive and compete for
top four.
The silly season
leaves people frustrated, especially us supporters since we have less say on
who to join the club or leave. Alan Pardew is interrupted by Cabaye’s bid,
while Roberto Martinez is also not happy with Moyes wanting duo Baines and
Fellaini at Old Trafford.
Note that most players who are linked with moves to other
teams are either not looking happy or being left out of the squad on match day
while others are “injured”. Surely managers will sleep peaceful after the “Silly,
frustrating season” has shut.
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