AlpsMaster wrote:This time last year we were struggling in the bottom half of the table and were even starting to worry about a relegation dog fight.
Most of us seemed desperate for the January transfer window to open so we could start to see our owner splash his cash.
We all expected some superstar signings and Kakagate only fueled these frustrated dreams.
When the transfer window closed I seem to recall a lot of us were underwhelmed with the four signings we'd made and believed it demonstrated a lack of ambition on Hughes's part as he sought our mediocre players he would be comfortable managing, instead of going after world-class targets.
At the time there were comments along the lines of:
Given - OK as a back-up but no real improvement on Joe Hart. We should have gone for Buffon
Bridge - over-rated bench warmer.
De Jong - never heard of him. Why spend so much money on him at that stage of his contract?
Bellamy - it makes me sick to even think of that horrible little c*** wearing a City shirt.
So what to we think of those four signings almost a year on, now they have had time to settle and we have had time to judge properly?
For what it's worth here's my 2p on them as signings:
Given 10/10 - surely the best bit of business we have ever done?
Bridge 8/10 - seems to be really settling in after a shaky start and has done well to fill a slot that has been a problem position for us for years
Bellamy 9/10 - absolutely love his work-rate and surprised by his talent. No sign of any of the nasty side is reputation lead us to worry about. Would have been 10/10 if he could stay fit.
De Jong 9/10 - getting better all the time - if he keeps playing like he did against Chelski then he's got to be a 10/10 signing soon too.
Over to you guys.
Good post mate, I have to say I was underwhelmed at the names we ended up buying, aside from Given who I knew was one of the best in the world.... although i wasn't angry or upset because I realised that these players were obviously what were needed and what could be aqquired at that stage of our development.
Like everyone else, I had concern over Bellamy's injury record, but unlike some I never doubted his quality, or what he would bring to the dressing room, so I was definitely on the Bellamy side when he signed, just like I'm on RSC's now.
Bridge I knew was steady enough and he actually disappointed me somewhat but has improved for the most part and looks a good player now. Not world class but steady.
De Jong I had a feeling about. I don't know why - maybe it was his performances for Holland, but I really felt he was going to turn out to be one of our most important players once he had that first half-season behind him. I still feel that he will become the best holding midfielder since Makalele but what people have to remember is that when we are chasing a game for most of a match, or playing teams that park in front of their own goal, all holding mids will look anonymous and it doesn't mean they're shit. I've watched Mascherano and thought how quality he was in battle and then heard Liverpool fans saying how useless he was after nil all draws against shitty sides.
Basically, the players that were bought were vital to our development at that time and who knows, maybe if we'd bought the likes of Barry, Ade and Tevez in January instead of these players, we would have finished worse off what with the premature expectancy and perhaps lack of spine and battle in the side?
All in all, whatever about his tactics and decision making, I have 100% trust in Hughes purchases for each stage of our development and his ability to pick the right player for each position.
As was proven with the players we bought in January, there has to be patience while EACH player learns what the manager wants them to do and while they get to know their team mates. Having already learned this, you would think some would hold back on the abuse towards RSC, but it seems once bitten isn't twice shy for certain folk.
