Bee's and Hornet's - The Final Countdown

The run in to the new season starts today with the toughest of our friendlies today against mid week victors over next weeks opponents.  The Bee's of Barnet today, the kids probably against Bromley on Wednesday and then the pre season prestige friendly against Watford.

Its been an up and down summer with nothing happening for weeks on end, a rush of signings then  the last week has been quiet whilst we have been on a midlands tour.

What business Parkie has done over the past few weeks and, on a first team basis, it does seem to have  pulled together a good defence and midfield with the addition of a more experienced right back maybe still needed.  Of course there is the danger that we lose Semedo in the coming few days and of less concern to me Racon.  However, up front we have the cumbesome little Sodje and the young and raw Tuna.  Our biggest failing last season was not being clinical in the penalty area and we can afford the reduced quality of the team across the other areas if we are able to upgrade our forward line.  Bauza seems to be a shoe in for a contract but his performances so far may have alerted other clubs to his potential and it worries me that we  are taking so long to sign him.  Thor the Icelandic international has recovered from injury and will continue his trial, Mooney continues to be mooted and continues to divide fans,between appreciation and vitriolic hate.

My view is that Mooney if he has worked on his bulk over the summer could be a good assett, if he remins as fragile then maybe he has a squad role.

We have the potential of loans and I would be happy to see a young striker come in from a Prem team on a 12 month loan.  Maybe I am just dreaming of a Jermaine "Judas" Defoe, who as a Bournmouth loanee broke scoring records in spades.

It would be nice if the squad could be sorted by the end of next week, but it would also be nice if world poverty ended, neither are likely.  The next two weeks will still see more comings and quite possibly one or two disappointing goings and they morale of addickted fans are going fluctuate up and down like a roller coaster

McBasey

Grant Basey has played his second game tonight for Aberdeen, playing initially at Left back and then moving to the position that a lot of addicks would like to see him occupy for us, centre back, although my preference would be a Darren Pitcher (wash my mouth out) like central midfielder.

The only reports from Scotland have been solid but not spectacular, not sure he'll get a contract at the Don's but there is also apparently interest from Inverness.

If Basey goes we'll receive no compensation, not because he is going to Scotland but because we have not offered him a contract on same terms.

A lot of addicks would like to see Basey stay, the next few weeks will tell.

Fancy a quick blow

The Guardian are conducting a poll on whether the Vuvuzela should be banned or not, you can vote here.

Guardian Vuvuzela Vote