Gribz

Expectations I guess. I think mass progress cementing second place is what I said as a good season.

Whats striking that I should have added, is our signings arent just coming in on loan or short term deals, its all 2-3 year contracts so there is commitment there.

Would be good to know the feelings of fellow Bears with things as it stands. After a turbulent 5 years we have a lot going our way now - especially in the last week. I think a round of applause is deserved to the board for what has happened off the park in the last 7 days - I always like it when business is done quietly and then confirmed - its something which IMO our club has always done well in. So on the park - The new manager has been backed to the hilt with current resources and has brought in no fewer than 7 new faces. Thats a lot to work with a gel in a short time with the Europa qualifiers coming up. I know a few are still very skeptical of PC. Personally I see it as a similar situation with PLG as we take in the unknown - however the Portuguese man is way mentally stronger and single minded which I like. He got a run of games last season to see what he has and I have to say other than Aberdeen away I didnt see much positives. But readers will know more than me watching Rangers for 90 minutes every game while I rely on overseas TV. This is a truly make or break season. We will either be great or a disaster. However Im looking forward and leaning towards we will be great campaign. The work ethic is there and so far all I see is positive attitudes from our signings so all they need to do is perform on the pitch. I do worry about the media, they are a poison waiting to happen. First Game is only 3 days away! Happy days!

I know Allen looked after the U 20s but if he could give Sanga and Clichy a call - a year each from them wouldnt be bad.

Have to say Aberdeen are the Nottingham Forest of Scotland. They do think they are the Liverpool but they need to wise up there. They wont be near second place this coming season. McInnes showing Sunderland interest shows he would move and they have sold a lot of players. I dont like Hibs but they will be nearer second next season than Aberdeen.

Southampton can only sustain this for so long. They have been selling all their best players every year and changing manager averaging every 2 years - they cant keep being a conveyor belt. They are very well ran but are probably lucky the teams they are up against at the moment are not established top flight clubs (Bournemouth) or clubs who are cementing themselves (Stoke). Looking at the players they have or had in the past years - they would be CL contenders. They can boast this XI on their books: Forster Clyne Lovren Van Diyk Bertrand Walcott Ox Chamberlain Bale Mane Austin Pelle As for Hughes - I watch a lot of the championship as we get good coverage over here but I have to say he is one who slipped by me - Im surprised as I watch a bit of Derby. I'll do a Championship thread nearer the start of the season.

The main aim is to win the title again and I think by 2018/19. Last season was all about a return and solidity yet it was a bit of a roller coaster again. This season with all the changes and additions is all about improvement and giving the fan a view that we are getting better. It all about closing that gap. We have to remember where we was in the last few years plus Celtic totally upped their game with us returning - they sensed fear. Had that been Delia's team last season no way would they have been unbeaten or won by such a large margin. Brenda's real test starts now. For me we just have to concentrate on ourselves and start winning more matches against the Ross Countys and St Johnstones. I have no issue with DK's statement at all - he has walked the talk this week so is entitled to this.

Obviously Southampton had other ideas and have appointed Pellegrino. Watford sign Will Hughes from Derby for 8 million. Never heard of him. Figures we just cant compete with.

Its actually a tidy jersey!! I wish we would go back to Adidas.

Yes sir. Im checking my dates tomorrow. Whats the chances of this game moving to Sunday though? Possible TV or europa fixtures?

Ooomph Hibs at home first home game - whats my chances of tickets? Im over that week.

Yes I agree fully we have to wait until a few months into the season. but my point being Im much happier going for new opportunities rather than going back to former players who took masses of wages while on the treatment table and only mention the club when they want a retirement package.

Salah to Liverpool for 34million. On the manager front Palace have offered Frank De Boer the job. Not sure that's suited to him, I thought the Southampton set up would be slightly more appealing to him with a better stadium and structure. palace have a few quality players but are a yoyo club.

Mexico are a good side and produce a very good standard of player. Their national side are a bit unlucky they play in the north amercian qualifiers or they could be better playing in the south American. They aren't world beaters but are certainly head and shoulders above most of Europe. Two of the signings don't just have 1 or 2 caps, they have played regularly so they cant be too bad. A lot will depend how the adapt to the lifestyle and style of play - that's up to the club and manager to assist as much as possible. They just need to stay out the lime light off the park and avoid the horrible media. But Mexican internationals and Portugese promising players is better than what we have had in the last 5 years. Yes its a risk if it will work out but the attitude of all the signings so far has been positive. Compare that to having Lafferty and Naismith coming back! The signings are very refreshing.

I know a ball hasn't been kicked but that's the most exciting squad ive seen in years. With Alves still to be added.

To think Lafferty and Naismith were flirting with a move to Ibrox! Feels much better having the freshness of Herrera and Morelos.

That was going to be my comment. Never fix something that isn't broken. Long term posters like myself will remember when the forum could go a day with extremely low amount of posts but now we get a fine balance which assists in the quality and debate.

Talk about all the off the park issues that were still holding us back being tidied up. Almost feels likes the shackles are off and its not light at the end of the tunnel but we are in the light again. Realistically Ashley wasn't just going to give up the deal altogether so to reduce it to 12 months from 7 years is a masterstroke for the club. I don't mind the same jersey being kept on this season, Im against clubs changing their strip every year these days with the costs involved. I think the next step - and a few overseas posters will agree - is to get our marketing overseas sorted and raising the brand again. Its not easy to find a Rangers kit in the shops in some countries but Ive seen Celtic shirts in various places.

And rightly so for me. Its not one individual who owns the clubs plus they are from different associations so I wouldnt see much wrong with it anyway

Whatever airline that is they obviously dont discriminate when it comes to air stewardess

To take someone from the size of Man City who are continuing to develop the full club seems a bit of a scoop.

A separate thread for done deals / likely deals. There will be silly money being thrown around. So far its Everton doing the most business. Everton: Jordon Pickford for 30m from Sunderland Davy Klaasen from Ajax around 23 million. Striker Ramirez from Malaga for 5 million. Arsenal: Have got Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free. West Ham - Zabaletta on a free which is great business. Bournemouth - Asmir Begovic for 10 million from Chelsea - Another terrific signing. Leicester - Harry McGuire from Hull for 17 million - when you talk about the money being thrown around! Man City: Bernardo Silva 43million from Monaco Ederson from Benfica around 32 Million Man Utd: Victor Lindelof from Benfica for 30 Million Newcastle: Christian Atsu from Chelsea 6 Million Stoke: Darren Fletcher from West brom free transfer. Watford: Tom Cleverly from Everton - undisclosed

For timewasting the best rule that came in was the pass back rule that really keeps a flow going but bar that there isnt much more to change other than the ref speeding things up. You cant have a 5-a side scenario where the ball barely goes out of play. But I thought having ball boys with extra balls was brought in to speed up throw ins and corners etc - but a team can slow this down by changing the taker straight away. I wouldnt say no to 40 minute halves with a 10 minute half time though.

Poorer clubs obviously would take him but hasnt been linked with any Premier Club.

It says something when Rodgers even isnt being looked at by clubs. He's done something to tarnish his reputation down south.