This has easily been the worst preparation for a season I can remember.
We go into our first game without Aguero, Zabba, Yaya, Clichy and Fernandinho, all of who would have made the starting 11 under normal conditions.
Our only option up front are Bony who (no fault of his own) is not match fit, and Dzeko who does not want to be here and may not well be here come Monday week.
The only silver lining comes from Sterling and Denayer who definitely will add much quality to the team.
I just hope we don't give the title away in the first month.
I usually am a glass half full kind of guy but I must confess to being apprehensive about my trip down to the Hawthorns given what I have seen over the last few weeks.