Stronger or weaker?
Entry posted by hislopsoffsideagain
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With league action returning this weekend after the international break, and the transfer window shut - except for free agents - till January, now seems like a good time to look back at each Premiership club's summer activity and decide who has strengthened and who looks worse off...
ABERDEEN
BEST SIGNING?
Lewis Ferguson was supposed to be one for the future, but he's already established himself as a first choice in midfield and that goal against Burnley will be remembered for years to come. Given he only turned 19 in August, he should still have plenty of room for improvement.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Dominic Ball didn't exactly set the heather alight last season, so bringing him back for a second year on loan looked like an odd move. His verstatility comes in handy - he has played in central midfield and at right-back so far this season rather than in his preferred centre-back role - but too often he looks like the weak link, a jack of all trades but competent at none.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Unquestionably Kenny McLean, who was outstanding in the second half of last season. The exit of McLean and Ryan Christie has led to increased emphasis on the wide players for creativity but the former leaves a gap that was always going to be hard to fill.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
It's easy to argue that the defence is stronger. If James Wilson lives up to his pedigree the forward line will be too. But the midfield has taken a step backwards, so I'm going to say they're slightly weaker overall.
CELTIC
BEST SIGNING?
There aren't exactly many to choose from. Whilst Filip Benkovic could prove to be an upgrade in defence, we haven't seen him play yet. So we'll have to pick Odsonne Edouard, whose signing on a permanent deal looks a shrewd move after that deadline day fiasco/
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Youssouf Mulumbu clearly made an impression on Brendan Rodgers when he put in one of the great individual performances in Killie's win over Celtic last season. But it's difficult to see where the veteran midfielder fits into the lineup.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Obviously Moussa Dembele, though getting £20m for a £500k signing goes down as phenomenal business. The issue here is as much psychological as anything else - what sort of message does it send to the squad and the fans about the club's ambition going forward if they sell their best player?
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
There aren't exactly many to choose from. Whilst Filip Benkovic could prove to be an upgrade in defence, we haven't seen him play yet. So we'll have to pick Odsonne Edouard, whose signing on a permanent deal looks a shrewd move after that deadline day fiasco/
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Youssouf Mulumbu clearly made an impression on Brendan Rodgers when he put in one of the great individual performances in Killie's win over Celtic last season. But it's difficult to see where the veteran midfielder fits into the lineup.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Obviously Moussa Dembele, though getting £20m for a £500k signing goes down as phenomenal business. The issue here is as much psychological as anything else - what sort of message does it send to the squad and the fans about the club's ambition going forward if they sell their best player?
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Weaker, though Dembele's departure should be covered by Edouard and Leigh Griffiths. If Benkovic solves their defensive problems Celtic will be just as far ahead of the pack as they were last season.
DUNDEE
BEST SIGNING?
Benjamin Kallman was considered a big prospect in his native Finland so getting the young striker on a loan deal was a good effort. He's already got off the mark too.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Has Kenny Miller still got it? I strongly doubt the 38 year old striker will prove the answer to any of the number of problems that have beset the Dark Blues this season.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Steven Caulker not so much for his quality but for the fact that, according to the club, they had turned down a seven figure offer for the player earlier this year. To then lose him for zilch is a complete ****-up.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Benjamin Kallman was considered a big prospect in his native Finland so getting the young striker on a loan deal was a good effort. He's already got off the mark too.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Has Kenny Miller still got it? I strongly doubt the 38 year old striker will prove the answer to any of the number of problems that have beset the Dark Blues this season.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Steven Caulker not so much for his quality but for the fact that, according to the club, they had turned down a seven figure offer for the player earlier this year. To then lose him for zilch is a complete ****-up.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
That's very hard to judge. The club moved on a whopping 21 players, yet few tears have been shed over any of them. Meanwhile the 11 newcomers haven't really been around long enough to give us an idea of their abilities. A lot will depend on whether Kallman keeps scoring and whether deadline day signings Andy Boyle and Ryan Inniss finally solve their defensive woes.
HAMILTON ACCIES
BEST SIGNING?
It may turn out to be Scott Martin, who was quite highly thought of by many people at Hibs but who has been allowed to leave and spread his wings. There's also defender Matthew Kilgallon who comes with an impressive pedigree.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
The clear winner here is Adam Phillips, who returned to parent club Norwich before the end of the transfer window after playing only twice. Though former Falkirk squad player Tom Taiwo's signing seems to be tailor-made for blogposts like these.
BIGGEST LOSS?
David Templeton was a class above all Accies' other forwards last season, offering both goals and creativity. Where those will come from now is anyone's guess.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
It may turn out to be Scott Martin, who was quite highly thought of by many people at Hibs but who has been allowed to leave and spread his wings. There's also defender Matthew Kilgallon who comes with an impressive pedigree.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
The clear winner here is Adam Phillips, who returned to parent club Norwich before the end of the transfer window after playing only twice. Though former Falkirk squad player Tom Taiwo's signing seems to be tailor-made for blogposts like these.
BIGGEST LOSS?
David Templeton was a class above all Accies' other forwards last season, offering both goals and creativity. Where those will come from now is anyone's guess.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
The loss of Templeton, Lewis Ferguson and Ali Crawford strongly suggests they will be weaker. Martin Canning made a whopping 17 signings in the summer window (including the now-departed Phillips) - is it too much to hope that some of these newbies will turn out to be gems?
HEARTS
BEST SIGNING?
Plenty to choose from here, which is clearly a good sign. Take your pick between Peter Haring, the central defender from the Austrian second tier who has turned out to be a midfield colossus, and striker Uche Ikpeazu who has been bench-pressing defenders every week.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Ryan Edwards looked like an odd signing at the time, and even more so when Craig Levein continued to sign midfield players. Unsurprisingly he's now been punted out on loan to St. Mirren.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is about the only player who Levein couldn't find an upgrade on, which is not surprising considering how impressive he was last season.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Plenty to choose from here, which is clearly a good sign. Take your pick between Peter Haring, the central defender from the Austrian second tier who has turned out to be a midfield colossus, and striker Uche Ikpeazu who has been bench-pressing defenders every week.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Ryan Edwards looked like an odd signing at the time, and even more so when Craig Levein continued to sign midfield players. Unsurprisingly he's now been punted out on loan to St. Mirren.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is about the only player who Levein couldn't find an upgrade on, which is not surprising considering how impressive he was last season.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Unquestionably stronger in every area except in goal. No-one has done better in this window than Hearts have.
HIBERNIAN
BEST SIGNING?
Getting Flo Kamberi on a permanent deal for about a hundred grand is outstanding work. So is teaming him up with Jamie Maclaren again.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
There aren't really any standout candidates here. The jury is of course out on Mark Milligan, a 33 year old Australian defensive midfielder who hasn't played yet - but it is a position of need.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Clearly John McGinn, though the blow to Hibs fans was softened by the fact that instead of being unsettled by Celtic he was immense in the Europa League qualifiers and then signed for Aston Villa instead.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Getting Flo Kamberi on a permanent deal for about a hundred grand is outstanding work. So is teaming him up with Jamie Maclaren again.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
There aren't really any standout candidates here. The jury is of course out on Mark Milligan, a 33 year old Australian defensive midfielder who hasn't played yet - but it is a position of need.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Clearly John McGinn, though the blow to Hibs fans was softened by the fact that instead of being unsettled by Celtic he was immense in the Europa League qualifiers and then signed for Aston Villa instead.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Lennon himself said that McGinn was pretty much irreplaceable, but retaining their best strikers and improving in wide areas could compensate for that. So I'm going for 'about the same'.
KILMARNOCK
BEST SIGNING?
Greg Stewart wasn't all that great at Aberdeen last year but his amazing debut at Pittodrie suggests Steve Clarke will get the best out of him.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Ross Millen wasn't even the best player at Queen's Park in League One last year. His move to Killie clearly comes on the cheap and because his dad is on the staff, but still...
BIGGEST LOSS?
Youssouf Mulumbu of course. The Congolese midfielder was far too good for a club like Killie and instead of trying to replace him Clarke has sensibly changed his tactics to compensate for his departure.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Greg Stewart wasn't all that great at Aberdeen last year but his amazing debut at Pittodrie suggests Steve Clarke will get the best out of him.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Ross Millen wasn't even the best player at Queen's Park in League One last year. His move to Killie clearly comes on the cheap and because his dad is on the staff, but still...
BIGGEST LOSS?
Youssouf Mulumbu of course. The Congolese midfielder was far too good for a club like Killie and instead of trying to replace him Clarke has sensibly changed his tactics to compensate for his departure.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Weaker, because you just can't replace a guy like Mulumbu. But not as much as I thought they might be.
LIVINGSTON
BEST SIGNING?
He's out injured at the moment, but I suspect that when he's fit Ryan Hardie will be this team's best hope of getting goals. Getting him back on loan from Rangers again was a big plus.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Can I say Kenny Miller? No? In that case lets choose one of his own loan signings. James Brown returned to parent club Millwall after only one appearance where he got less-than-glowing reviews.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Can I say David Hopkin? No? In that case, whilst Liam Kelly has done alright in goal, Neil Alexander proved last season that he was still a very decent goalkeeper as well as offering invaluable experience. His retirement was a shame.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
He's out injured at the moment, but I suspect that when he's fit Ryan Hardie will be this team's best hope of getting goals. Getting him back on loan from Rangers again was a big plus.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Can I say Kenny Miller? No? In that case lets choose one of his own loan signings. James Brown returned to parent club Millwall after only one appearance where he got less-than-glowing reviews.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Can I say David Hopkin? No? In that case, whilst Liam Kelly has done alright in goal, Neil Alexander proved last season that he was still a very decent goalkeeper as well as offering invaluable experience. His retirement was a shame.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
They're a newly promoted side who have brought in sixteen players. They had better be stronger.
MOTHERWELL
BEST SIGNING?
Danny Johnson has been a massive hit so far up front since arriving from Gateshead.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Stephen Robinson had apparently been after Spanish schemer Alex Rodriguez Gorrin since January. Now he's got him, he's barely played him.
BIGGEST LOSS?
The exit of Cedric Kipre on the eve of the first league game was made all the more worse by the near-simultaneous injury to Charles Dunne that leaves Motherwell short defensively. Still, they got a million quid for Kipre which is pretty good given they signed him for nothing a year ago.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Danny Johnson has been a massive hit so far up front since arriving from Gateshead.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Stephen Robinson had apparently been after Spanish schemer Alex Rodriguez Gorrin since January. Now he's got him, he's barely played him.
BIGGEST LOSS?
The exit of Cedric Kipre on the eve of the first league game was made all the more worse by the near-simultaneous injury to Charles Dunne that leaves Motherwell short defensively. Still, they got a million quid for Kipre which is pretty good given they signed him for nothing a year ago.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Probably weaker because Kipre has gone, though Johnson and Connor Sammon have strengthened the attack.
RANGERS
BEST SIGNING?
Either Connor Goldson or Nikola Katic - nether central defender came cheap but they have massively strengthened the club's weakest area.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Umar Sadiq's record before coming to Ibrox wasn't that great, and the striker has barely got a sniff of action so far. The arrival of Kyle Lafferty risks pushing him even further away from the starting lineup.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Steven Gerrard has actually done really well in pushing unwanted players towards the exits and keeping those who were attracting attention from elsewhere. But David Bates was arguably their best central defender last season and losing him for nothing was reckless.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Either Connor Goldson or Nikola Katic - nether central defender came cheap but they have massively strengthened the club's weakest area.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Umar Sadiq's record before coming to Ibrox wasn't that great, and the striker has barely got a sniff of action so far. The arrival of Kyle Lafferty risks pushing him even further away from the starting lineup.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Steven Gerrard has actually done really well in pushing unwanted players towards the exits and keeping those who were attracting attention from elsewhere. But David Bates was arguably their best central defender last season and losing him for nothing was reckless.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Definitely stronger. Not strong enough to challenge for the title, mind. And there may be a lack of depth that is exposed by the heavy schedule of the coming months.
ST JOHNSTONE
BEST SIGNING?
The romantics among us hoped that Tommy Wright might be the manager who could salvage the talent of Tony Watt. So far, so good; Watt was Player Of The Month for August.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Hearts fans have not been complementary about Ross Callachan, who offered little positive other than the occasional well-timed arrival in the box during his time at Tynecastle. He's done little to deserve another chance at this level.
BIGGEST LOSS?
To be fair, the time had probably come to move on from Steven MacLean anyway. But the veteran striker has been such a fixture for years that it still feels odd to watch Saints play without him.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
The romantics among us hoped that Tommy Wright might be the manager who could salvage the talent of Tony Watt. So far, so good; Watt was Player Of The Month for August.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Hearts fans have not been complementary about Ross Callachan, who offered little positive other than the occasional well-timed arrival in the box during his time at Tynecastle. He's done little to deserve another chance at this level.
BIGGEST LOSS?
To be fair, the time had probably come to move on from Steven MacLean anyway. But the veteran striker has been such a fixture for years that it still feels odd to watch Saints play without him.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Stronger. Wright has been given the chance to revitalize the squad, which is just as well as fresh blood was needed. Not only are St. Johnstone better, they are also better to watch.
ST MIRREN
BEST SIGNING?
Ooft. There are 13 names to choose from and yet none of them feel right. In theory, Lee Hodson and Ryan Edwards should prove decent enough in time. In theory.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Only one? Lets go for Jim Kellerman, signed from Aldershot Town on a two year deal but already sent back to England on loan.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Lewis Morgan obviously, but his departure was expected. Why Alan Stubbs withdrew a contract offer for Gavin Reilly, the club's best striker, is an absolute mystery.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Ooft. There are 13 names to choose from and yet none of them feel right. In theory, Lee Hodson and Ryan Edwards should prove decent enough in time. In theory.
MOST DUBIOUS SIGNING?
Only one? Lets go for Jim Kellerman, signed from Aldershot Town on a two year deal but already sent back to England on loan.
BIGGEST LOSS?
Lewis Morgan obviously, but his departure was expected. Why Alan Stubbs withdrew a contract offer for Gavin Reilly, the club's best striker, is an absolute mystery.
STRONGER OR WEAKER?
Quite remarkably for a promoted club, you could easily argue that they are weaker. Oran Kearney has a lot of work to do to salvage this mess.
Lawrie Spence has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly
Lawrie Spence has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly
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