It's the same squad that should have won the year before last, barring alonso. Aquilani gets to a point where he has a consistent run, he may be a reasonable replacement. The squad underperformed drastically last season. If we can hang onto the big lads (except Masch who clearly wants to go; whispers of cambiasso coming in the opposite direction mind), get a left and a centre back, a bit of width and a striker and we could be all right. That's a lot of ifs mind you. Hodgson is meticulous like Benitez without the emphasis on preventing anyone on the pitch playing some fucking football and has the capability to throw an arm around the shoulders of a struggling player; which might pay dividends with the likes of insua, lucas, riera and babel if we're not in a position to trade up.
Just a shame we can't raid fulham for hegeland and the duffer.
I am meekly hopeful, quietly terrified.
We sell the torres fella, we're sunk.
Barring Alonso and now Benny possibly Torres and probably Masch, Carragher is looking really really old at this stage. Look I'm just pointing out that upper mid table could be the best you can hope for this year. Duff, Hangeland even Murphy would be great signings to get Hodgeson over the hump of the first season.