This shocking and unacceptable lack of activity

[IrishPaul]

Three questions

1. From which league does Rafa make most of his signings?

2. When does that league season finish?

3. How many major signings have been announced from that league so far?

So you can look elsewhere (ie don't pursue your first choice signings) or you can secure the long term futures of your main players, work behind the scenes and look to finalise your deals after the season is over.

Shocking and unacceptable or simply a bad case of knee jerk disease?

Hmmmmmmm let me think

My sig should answer that one

Good post

[dww]

I have to say, the mentioning of Forlan surely has to be a plant by Rafa, either to stir up the fans, put a rocket up the owners' asses or something. I can see no other plausible reason at all as to why we've been linked with him for £16m.

We were linked because his agent mentioned interest from clubs in England. For whatever reason, presumably contract/other negotiations with the club. The next day he denied he was talking about us. I imagine he was just using the fact that ourselves and Chelsea generate a lot of media interest to get some stories about Forlan published.

[Tee]

Very good post - the top one that is.

[RedProf]

Chill people, Voronin is on his way

He's been on his way for ages now. When will he get here? I wonder how far he's got? Do you think he's made it out of Germany yet? It's a long way from Leverkusen when you're walking (I assume he must be walking/hitching as he hasn't arrived yet).

[Dero]

Malouda is on his holidays.

and Lyon want 17mill for him too.

[Dero]

From what I know both players have said they will join - provided we agree fees with their clubs. Might be wrong but someone half decent told me that.

Is that what is known as "tapping up"

[fah-q]

He's been on his way for ages now. When will he get here? I wonder how far he's got? Do you think he's made it out of Germany yet? It's a long way from Leverkusen when you're walking (I assume he must be walking/hitching as he hasn't arrived yet).

As the crow flies?

[Sir Bob]

Because at the moment, being negative sells more papers?

I don't see why the Echo would sell more papers if they are negative about LFC.

As for the nationals then surely they'd be ultra negative about the Mancs, because that would sell even more papers.

[Nicey]

So what about the 2 "top class" players that Rafa said were available now, when he was bemoaning at how slow we are to get our arse into gear.

Does Malouda play in the Spanish League?
But he's clearly a target isnt he?
Far far too much reliance is being held on any new signings coming from Spain.

Says you

[dww]

I don't see why the Echo would sell more papers if they are negative about LFC.

As for the nationals then surely they'd be ultra negative about the Mancs, because that would sell even more papers.

To be honest extremism is what sells news papers. There is a mood of apprehension around Liverpool supporters so it pays people writing stories to take an exaggerated position that is negative as it feeds peoples fears. Look at the initial media reaction to the Glazers takeover at United.

[Red Chilli]

I think the ECHO is part of the smokescreen.

Either that or it has been a victim of the smokescreen.

[bigfooty]

It's fair enough to suggest the "hold-up" is the Spanish season, but I for one would be disappointed if all our primary targets were Spanish based. There is a wealth of talent in the league and a number of players who could be very good at LFC, but if we're signing three attacking players from Spain the chances are they will a) take a while to adjust or b) one of them will just not be up to it. By their very nature attacking players don't tend to be as physical as other members of the side and coming from Spain, where they get more protection, to the Premiership will be a massive culture shock. Maybe a season or two down the line they'll be bedded in, but that's effectively writing off this campaign before it even starts.

We need at least one attacking player that is proven in the Premiership.

[friedk]

It's fair enough to suggest the "hold-up" is the Spanish season, but I for one would be disappointed if all our primary targets were Spanish based. There is a wealth of talent in the league and a number of players who could be very good at LFC, but if we're signing three attacking players from Spain the chances are they will a) take a while to adjust or b) one of them will just not be up to it. By their very nature attacking players don't tend to be as physical as other members of the side and coming from Spain, where they get more protection, to the Premiership will be a massive culture shock. Maybe a season or two down the line they'll be bedded in, but that's effectively writing off this campaign before it even starts.

We need at least one attacking player that is proven in the Premiership.

Not really the biggest choice though is there?

Who would you suggest?

Not being difficult, I'm just curious.

[Reds08]

It's fair enough to suggest the "hold-up" is the Spanish season, but I for one would be disappointed if all our primary targets were Spanish based. There is a wealth of talent in the league and a number of players who could be very good at LFC, but if we're signing three attacking players from Spain the chances are they will a) take a while to adjust or b) one of them will just not be up to it. By their very nature attacking players don't tend to be as physical as other members of the side and coming from Spain, where they get more protection, to the Premiership will be a massive culture shock. Maybe a season or two down the line they'll be bedded in, but that's effectively writing off this campaign before it even starts.

We need at least one attacking player that is proven in the Premiership.

Exactly the point I was making on my very successful Forlan thread. If we signed 3 or 4 Spanish based players we will have yet another SHAMBOLIC start to the season. But don't try and tell this to the masses, we are getting torres, villa, silva, tevez, eto'o, malouda, mancini etc etc. The delusion on this board knows no bounds.

[The Glove]

We need at least one attacking player that is proven in the Premiership.

Who is going to sell us one of their better players and if they do decide to sell how much for? Not ****in cheap I bet.