And Here We Go Again

Don’t know about anyone else, but that close season went by in a flash. And here we are with Newcastle to kick things off, along with their newly acquired player, one Jacob Ramsey.

I don’t know that I have much new to say about the toon. Always a tough game, but at least it’s at home. Doesn’t mean we’ll get a result, but it never hurt anything.

Obviously, the big news is Ramsey leaving and I know many will be disappointed, especially at the ‘buy-to-sell’ optics and bidding farewell to an academy product. Me, I’m not terribly fussed because while he’s had his moments, he just hasn’t gotten over the hump for one reason or another. Injuries have played a huge part in that, naturally. He may go on to greater heights in fresh surroundings, and I won’t wish him anything but the best. Except when he plays us.

Of maybe equal interest are the reports of interest in Bailey, particularly ‘talks with Roma.’ Me, I find that a bit surprising, but I’m no sporting director. What I am is someone who has watched virtually every minute he’s played and apart from a very solid number of goal contributions season before last, he’s just never really been up to snuff, and I can’t think of a player who’s made me angry as much as he. Seems a great guy, and I think he’s well liked, but his decision-making is often baffling, his game overall very one-dimensional. I saw more from Jimoh-Aloba in terms of quality on the ball this summer, to be honest. As with Ramsey, if Bailey does go, will wish him nothing but the best.

What these developments mean for the rest of the window is anyone’s guess. Buendia has earned a recall, we still seem to maybe be after a Marco Asensio return. Can’t say I’m convinced about bringing Marco back despite his undoubted quality. Mainly it’s about the wages. But if nothing else, he and Buendia now give us rotation at a pretty key creative position.

Sounds like we’d still like another striker in, but I’m not sure what’s really available at the price-range we’d be shopping in. Me, I’d like a true challenger at RB and/or someone to push Konsa and give us more balance playing out. At the same time, I can see going for a winger/wide midfielder to help fill the gap that two going out the door would create.

There’s talk around Trossard, who is a tricky customer, but I wouldn’t mind hijacking Spurs’ seemingly imminent move for Eze.

I’m also curious what the future holds for George Hemmings. Young, yes. But I saw pace, composure, and grit. I’m not sure he’d get the minutes management might think he needs, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him kept around the first team.

Anyway, we’d all like to get off to a flying start and nobody has ever not enjoyed turning over the barcodes. The important thing now is to try and at least break even on points with the teams above and around us. Coming out with 4 or 6 against a couple of them…that gets you somewhere provided you aren’t dropping a lot of silly points. Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all going to be tough, and I expect them to open up a fair gap to fourth. The real trick is how we box with Newcastle, Spurs, United, and maybe Forest again. Who knows, it could be the season Palace get it together, but if Eze leaves that would be a setback.

So, stow your tray tables and fasten your seatbelts. Another marathon season beckons.

Over to you.