New Signings and Quick Starts: A Curse?

Shay Given’s clean sheet at Ewood Park has given City faithful much reason for optimism to start the new Premiership campaign. After all with so many new signings on the side, fears were abound it would take several weeks for the club to properly gel. Additionally, the Citizens poor pre-season form fueled further concerns.

It is however worth noting that the previous two seasons this decade where the Blues were largely overhauled in July and August also saw quick starts that ended up leading to mid table or even worse lower mid table medioctiry.

The Summer of 2003 saw Kevin Keagan add the likes of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Michael Tarnat and Claudio Reyna not only because of the league but due to the UEFA Cup qualification that had come through the previous season’s fair play table.

Yet, Keagan’s team started quickly in August and then completely collapsed pushing a relegation fight until the 36th game of the season. Given the level of talent on that City squad, the season was forgettable.

In 2007-08, Sven Goran Eriksson’s side started fast, in fact leading the Premier League after a few fixtures. But after the Christmas, City sruggled falling not only out of the top four but all the way to ninth in the table, as many of the new signings hit the wall.

Much reason for optimiusm exists, but recent  history also teaches to be cautiously so when it comes to this club.