For me we are missing a

[lfcruleus]

Oh sorry missed Saviola. He is 4' 6" and about six stone, people used to call Smicer lightweight for the premiership, Vladi would **** Saviola all over the place.

[lfcruleus]

If we have got plenty of ££££££ coming in, then these are the sort of players we should be aiming at, cos there aren't many better. I agree about your points about Totti, Saviola & Baptista (he may need time), but we have to do something becuase these guys are a cut above the likes of Crouch, Bellamy & Fowler. (I forgot Van de Vaart! He seems to be maturing and may link up well with Kuyt)

Ironically, these may not be the guys that have the impact (remember Sheff Wed were trying to unload Cantona), but we need to pick someone up with the quality, work ethic and the skill he had who isgoing to have such an impact. Difficult I know, but we desperately need someone like that if the wingers aren't going to deliver.

I think it was Leeds mate. Oh sorry i dont think I know it was Leeds

[Kopite_Colin]

I assume you mean Juninho at Lyon? if so no way we can afford him. Everyone else you mention are unrealistic too as with the exception of Riquelme and Huntelaar (who is unproven at our level and internet people all seem to think he is the greatest but Dirk was playing ahead of him for Holland) are already at massive clubs, why would they come to us?

Becuase of money. Money talks in this game. If we are to have considerable sums of cash available to us, then we need to spend it wisely. Remember these players have to play somewhere, and there aren't many better payers than the premiership clubs -and few have our history / prestige - so we'll be well placed.

Unless of course we bring our own through - but at the moment that seems unlikely.

[Kopite_Colin]

I think it was Leeds mate. Oh sorry i dont think I know it was Leeds

No - it was Sheff Wed who offloaded him to Leeds, when Souness was offered him.

[Red Chilli]

Sheff Wed did have Cantona on trial though, before Leeds bought him, and Trevor Francis said he was a "poor footballer"

[Kopite_Colin]

Oh sorry missed Saviola. He is 4' 6" and about six stone, people used to call Smicer lightweight for the premiership, Vladi would **** Saviola all over the place.

I'm not saying all those players are those that we would or should be after - they're just the "type" of player. I'm not conivnced about some of them, but if you looked at Beardsley before he went to Vancouver Whitecaps from man Utd you probably wouldn't have seen the player we got eventually.

[Red Chilli]

I agree with the sentiments KC, we rely on/expect Gerrard to do too much too often I think. Garcia can do it but is far too inconsistent.
Top class goal scorers are like gold dust these days, possibly the reason why Rafa wants the whole team to score the goals rather than the strikers alone.
It's interesting to read 'A season on the brink' which suggests that Rafa doesn't go for the higher profile players. I wonder if he will when/if he gets some money.
I don't think he will, it'll be more of the same in my opinion.

[lfcruleus]

No - it was Sheff Wed who offloaded him to Leeds, when Souness was offered him.

He was never under contract. And Ferguson only signed him after flashes of brilliance at Leeds ( charity shield for example). The only club that took a small gamble with him was Leeds. Ferguson knew what he was gettin and he knew how to control him. Souness would have torn him a new arsehole in 2 days and he would have been on the next ferry back to France. (shame he didnt sign him really then)

[Kopite_Colin]

Sheff Wed did have Cantona on trial though, before Leeds bought him, and Trevor Francis said he was a "poor footballer"

Trevor Francis talks sh*te. The only reason wasn't the worst "Francis" ever to play football was Gerry. He should be thankful for that.

[lfcruleus]

I'm not saying all those players are those that we would or should be after - they're just the "type" of player. I'm not conivnced about some of them, but if you looked at Beardsley before he went to Vancouver Whitecaps from man Utd you probably wouldn't have seen the player we got eventually.

I know what your gettin at but what i am saying is it isnt easy. Rafa has his ideas and he aint done too bad so far. We have had our hands tied financially and that may change a little soon so we shall see. I dont ever want to be signing players simply bacause we pay them more though, we will never get anywhere long term with that philosophy.

[Kopite_Colin]

I agree with the sentiments KC, we rely on/expect Gerrard to do too much too often I think. Garcia can do it but is far too inconsistent.
Top class goal scorers are like gold dust these days, possibly the reason why Rafa wants the whole team to score the goals rather than the strikers alone.
It's interesting to read 'A season on the brink' which suggests that Rafa doesn't go for the higher profile players. I wonder if he will when/if he gets some money.
I don't think he will, it'll be more of the same in my opinion.

If it's more of the same then Rafa isn't the man I think he is and he's a fool. We have class in most areas of the team, so we need class up front and out wide. I think he'll want to finish the job he started. Remember he wanted Owen back (he just wasn't prepared to pay what Newcastle did), and he apparently wants Villa, so he's not adverse to including a true goalscorer, and Kuyt's record in Holland was outstanding.

[Red Chilli]

The Villa stories are just rumours aren't they? Haven't seen anything confirming Rafa wants to sign him, have you?
As for Owen, well that's old ground, no point in going over that.
Kuyt's not a high profile player in the "Galactico" mould. I imagine most people hadn't heard about him before we were linked with him.
All I know is what I read in "A season on the brink" and if true, it suggests Rafa doesn't go for "Galactico" type players.

[AFII]

Diego would be an excellent signing.

Alves would bring another dimension to our game.

[Harv]

Diego would be an excellent signing.

Alves would bring another dimension to our game.

great shout there

we really should be pulling out all stops to try get him.

Tevez would also fit the mould.

[Rowan]

great shout there

we really should be pulling out all stops to try get him.

Tevez would also fit the mould.

I couldn't agree more. I think if West ham are that irked by their mere precense we should try to take both of the ugly twins of their hands on the cheap. I think Tevez has been pretty good TBH although the position the morons are playing him in he doesn't get many clear chances, you have to find someway to accomodate the mighty Bobby Zamora though don't you. Anyway if we can get him for 6 mil and macherano for 6 mil then in a buyer market we have got ourselves two very ugly bargains.