Just thought I'd garner people's vibes - it's all so unpredictable, but having made every team in the club change to 3-4-3 Frank won't half look a plonker if we lose our first four games, conversely he'll be hailed as a a genius if we win our first four. I like: the introduction of ball-playing defenders (only one so far I know but we seem to be targeting this type of player); insisting Luka play in a back three until we get a right back who can play as a 3rd defender (Van der Wiel? I hope he comes back on the radar, seems to have gone quiet here like it did for Riedewald - cud all be fake news re this one) and Loftus Cheek is an excellent addition. But the system might end up a heroic failure or a misconceived experiment exposed by Huddersfield & co. It could of course turn out somewhere in the middle, it probably will in the long term, but FDB's employing a high risk strategy changing the playing style root and branch in a matter of weeks - and it's fair to ask how you reckon it will pan out. I can see it going pear-shaped of course but I genuinely believe from the clues so far that it's more likely we'll be pleasantly surprised.
So thumbs UP from me.

I think developments on the playing field have surprised most of our supporters.It might take time for FDBs plans to really be effective so we might all need to be somewhat patient.The planned new signings will help of course.

on balance, slightly worried.

maybe we can cobble together an effective 343 (I have doubts even about that from this squad ( but how can we get a squad together to cover injuries to that system?

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

New systems usually take a long time to perfect,I am worried that we will drop too many easy points early in the campaign.

Optimistic - But i am a glass half filled person, on paper our team looks pretty solid and if we can avoid the multiple injuries in the same positions, we should do just fine.

Also our run in is nothing like the one we had towards the end of the 2016/2017 season, which makes me think we will finish mid table...

Edited by Gary St.Andrews (31 Jul 2017 12.06am)

Very worried I am afraid. Alan Pardew went for the expansive football approach last Season and we looked like relegation fodder by Christmas. It was only when we went back to the style that we know best under Big Sam that we picked up the points to survive. It seems that Steve P and the Board are committed to open play and at least he has signed a Manager who appears to be better placed to implement the system and both of our new signings are already able to play to it. It is, of course, imperative that we start the Season well to pick up points for a 'comfort zone' but I fear that we are not ready for instant success (still learning) but will be picking up draws rather than wins until the new system is 'bedded' in. I hope for the best but we clearly need two good strikers to join the Squad as an early injury to Benteke would be hard to cope with. Still not sure why some people have turned on Joel Ward and Jimmy Mac as both are more than good enough for the Squad and will be needed if things do not turn out well and we have to revert to our traditional style and scrap to dig out points.