I was walking to work this morning thinking of Charlton( as you do)
and I was thinking about how well the CB's have played and my reaction when we signed them, which got me thinking what was everyone else's initial reaction the our signings and how do you feel now after 17 Games
Henderson-thought it was unfair on Pope to bring in a keeper who has hardly played any football and can hinder his progress- Now I think he has made some great saves, looks very confident and I would say an improvement to Hamer.
Bikey-very disappointed when we signed him and thought I would much rather have Dervite and Wood as starting CB'S- Now I think another great signing and has improved our defence to last season.
Ben Haim-Same as Bikey, was very disappointed when he signed- Now I think a fantastic signing
Gudmundsson-was in 2 minds when we signed him, he looked good had European experience and the hat-trick against Switzerland was great, but I thought if he was that good surely some big team would come in for him- Now I think it was a great signing again and has given us something on the wing we have been missing.
Buyens-first thought was great a SL player that has not done much there, how is he going to improve our CM- Now I think it was another great move he is not afraid to put a challenge in and has good vision hope we can sign him permanently
Vetokele-Same as JBG when he first signed I was a bit in 2 minds he looked good but surely if he was he could of gone to a bigger club- Now I think well I don't need to say anything really do I other than IGOR IGOR IGOR.
Bulot-Was a bit worried when we got him, sounded like he did not have many friends at SL other than YTU, and the weed issue did not help, Now I think he could go on to be a great player this season, he has looked good in spells, the injury has not helped.
Tucudean-Again was not impressed when we signed him-Now I think like Bulot he has looked good in spells but would like to see more from him, I am more happy than when we first signed him but there could be an improvement
Moussa-I was actually really happy when we signed him, he looked great for Coventry last season and I thought he would make the step up well- Now I am not to sure about him, he has not looked great and I know he had a long injury so will reserve my judgement on him ATM but would like ti see a massive improvement in his recent performances now.
So that's 9 signings
6 I was disappointed in,
2 I was in 2 minds about and
1 I was really happy with
now its
6 I am delighted with
3 I am still reserving judgement on but think they have potential to be important players this season
So what does everyone else think now and what did they think when the players were signed and be honest
3
Comments
Vetokele and Gudmundsson I was really happy with.
Moussa... Bikey... Henderson... Tucudean... Buyens.. Bulot I wasnt sure about, partly because I didnt know them, partly because I wanted to reserve judgement.
Ben-Haim I was disappointed in because of his Portsmouth history.
NOW
Vetokele... Gudmundsson... Bikey... Henderson... Buyens... Ben-Haim am really happy with.
Tucudean... Bulot... am reserving judgement on them as feel they need a bit of time to adapt.
Moussa... to be honest havent been impressed with him.
Coquelin I've not seen yet but am excited by him.
Onyewu am not sure about but think he'll be a good backup
Now: my eyes tell me transfermarkt was wrong...too high on Tucudean and too low on Vetokele...but overall a massive upgrade on last season
What really matters is who they sign in January
On the other hand, Ben Haim, Bikey and Buyens have all been far superior than their aging/journeymen reputations would suggest, Igor was an unknown quantity but I say with some confidence is the best striker we've had since Darren Bent.
Henderson has stepped seamlessly into the big Ben Hamer shaped hole in goal and could probably even be considered an improvement, Bob's shown faith in the academy - Gomez looks seriously classy, Cousins is proving no one-season wonder, Fox was given another chance after a poor game against Fulham and repaid that trust.
Overall, Bob's played a blinder. If he gets funds in January I don't think a top 6 finish would be unimaginable.
Gudmundson and Buyens have been decent successes, Buyens was incredible for the first month, but has slipped a bit since, I wonder whether the pace and work rate of the Championship is taking its toll?
Moussa, Tucadean and Bulot so far are unproven, Moussa being the most disappointing seeing that he's experienced in English football