This shocking and unacceptable lack of activity

[Rashid]

So Malouda and Mancini have said yes to us?

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.

[Guest]

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.

Better have been someone proper.

[Sir Bob]

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?

The problem isn't that we haven't signed anyone yet, the issue is the negative noises coming from Rafa & the Echo.

[Neil Young]

The problem isn't that we haven't signed anyone yet, the issue is the negative noises coming from Rafa & the Echo.

...and the solution is not to bother with it until we have some concrete developments.

Words are cheap and speculation is worthless.

[tomasjj]

The problem isn't that we haven't signed anyone yet, the issue is the negative noises coming from Rafa & the Echo.

There has been NO negative Rafa noises after the post-final meeting in response to his initial outburst.

[Snigger]

The problem isn't that we haven't signed anyone yet, the issue is the negative noises coming from Rafa & the Echo.

what have you actually seen or heard Rafa say that is negative?

[PLY]

Bascombe's piece in the Echo last week was probably written by Rafa himself. Let's be honest it was made to make the fans angry. It mentioned that we may turn our attention to a number of lesser known players including decent players like Diego Milito (that a number of people would be quuite happy with) but the headline made a point of stressing Forlan which was intended to cause murder amongst the fans and make them question our new owners.

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

There has been NO negative Rafa noises after the post-final meeting in response to his initial outburst.

That's probably because he left his resignation on monday, and can't be arsed to comment on his former employer.

[tomasjj]

That's probably because he left his resignation on monday, and can't be arsed to comment on his former employer.

**** me!

That's some insider knowledge right there!

[Henno]

what have you actually seen or heard Rafa say that is negative?

rafa has been very quiet ... he always is.

but this is all bull**** ... people second guessing the manager, the board and the owners. there might be so much smoke out there that we cant tell the crap from the truth. i say might cos i dont know.
there are people saying things on forums that is being taken as gospel when there is no proof. the only backup they have is some other punter on another site.
when has rafa ever leaked stuff??? the fowler transfer got leaked from fowlers end.
rafa runs a tight ship. under ged we knew about every transfer before it happened. and sometimes other teams seemed to get in before us. rafa doesnt seem to play things that way

rant over

[El Jefecito]

Chill people, Voronin is on his way

[SouthAfricaRed]

Chill people, Voronin is on his way

And Lucas and Leto

[Dhav]

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.

[Sir Bob]

what have you actually seen or heard Rafa say that is negative?

The outburst after the CL final. I know there were 'peace' talks after that but at no point has Rafa said everythings ok. I don't believe Rafa would ask for more cash and G&H would simply provide it.

Plus the Echo and the national media is very much saying that there are still problems. Now I don't automatically believe anything I read but equally I don't dismiss everything either. The sheer weight of media speculation suggests to me that things aren't right behind the scenes. The Echo in particular is very negative, more so than I can ever remember. Why would this be if everything was fine.

[Kenneth]

The outburst after the CL final. I know there were 'peace' talks after that but at no point has Rafa said everythings ok. I don't believe Rafa would ask for more cash and G&H would simply provide it.

Plus the Echo and the national media is very much saying that there are still problems. Now I don't automatically believe anything I read but equally I don't dismiss everything either. The sheer weight of media speculation suggests to me that things aren't right behind the scenes. The Echo in particular is very negative, more so than I can ever remember. Why would this be if everything was fine.

Because at the moment, being negative sells more papers?