Both fair points, but even so, especially when you compare what we've done in this transfer market (entirely reactionary player acquisitions) to last year's far more proactive approach (Costa, Fabregas and Luis all recruited well before the start of the season), it is a little disappointing that Mourinho and company didn't see just how beneficial a good pre-season is to a good start in the league, especially in Costa's and Cesc's cases.