So we start the season with a bang at home against Blackburn. Can't say I'm too disappointed with that opening fixture and I think we now have the oppotunity to get the season off with a win. I think one of biggest problems in our relegation season was chalking up our first home win - Unlucky 13th league game @ Upton Park for ironically, Blackburn was our first victory of the season so hopefully we can get that first win on the first day. It is vital that we hit the ground running before we start having to face the big guns.

Finally Pardew has the oppotunity to spend some cash and hold on to our current players without the threat of being forced to sell to finance the club's debts. So far I must say I haven't been dissapointed. It's no secret Pardew has been watching the 2 young welsh centre halves James Collins & Danny Gabbidon for some time and he must be pleased to finally have the resources available to seal the deal on 2 of the most sort after young defenders in English football.

Konchesky is a welcome but suprising addition to back line for me. Good strong full back, who has played for England, so I was fairly taken aback that Curbishly would let such a prised asset go so cheaply. Obviously this signing has limited Chrissy Powell's chances of a first team place so he has felt the need to move back in the opposite direction - sounds like a fair swap to me. But having said that Pardew's comments that his contribution to our promotion challenge should never be forgotten is bang on the money. For a 36 year old he put in some stirling performances in the claret n blue last year and for that I am eternally greatful as I am every player that fought for the cause last year.

So all we need now is a flair player, and 20 goal a season proven premier league striker!

Hmmm - I think Pardew's judgement and ability to lure big names to E13 is going to come under the spotlight in the next month or so. To me we should have put in a 5m plus bid for Dean Ashton by now. And I know some people disagree but I would welcome Bowyer back with open arms as I feel he never really had the oppotunity to prove himself at West Ham. He is a proven Premier league quality hard working midfielder that would not be surplus to requirements in our current squad. If he could be brought in on the cheap then he could prove a real bargain.

But that still leaves an urgently needed to be filled void in the flair dept. I'm open to suggestion who could fill this role - after all, who is willing to let a decent playmaker go on the cheap to a club that has just anounced they have money in the bank and are in the market for a flair player??? Figo (yeah right), Kily Gonzales, Edgar Davids (and again) are just a few that have been touted around. But it sounds like we are going to let the big clubs get their squads fixed up to their satisfaction before we are forced to spend over the odds in a bidding war with clubs that sh*t more than us for resources.

I hate pre-season - roll on August 13th.

Come on you Irons!