Official "Fernando Torres is a red" thread

[Cambo7]

I think he has a favourable goalscoring record to Shearer's at the same age. Shearer, of course, went on to become a prolific goalscorer at other clubs. Is there any reason not to believe Torres can't do the same? He'll be playing in a better, more successful side.

I'll shut up now 'cos I'm getting carried away.

That's getting me carried away too! If he turns out half as good as Shearer i'll be well pleased!

[whitestilettos]

We can't expect him to settle instantly, although if he is the player we think he is, he should start banging them in sooner rather than later.

It's nice to see us finally being able to make those Hollywood signing like the scum do! I'm sorry to have to say it, but they've got it right over the last few years - by one or two top players each year and not a hand full of dross - even though that dross won the big cup!

[redblood]

So Torres has all but signed on the dotted line. I'm buzzing but, for the first time ever with a massive signing, I'm keeping my expectations in check.

We've been stung so many times with big money buys - particularly with strikers.

• Collymore. He did well initially but it soon turned sour and ended prematurely. I genuinely thought Stanley Victor, a prodigious talent, and Robbie Fowler would form one of, if not *the* best strike force in European football.
  
• Diouf. Enough said. Arse hole. :whatever: Sold for a massive loss.
  
• Heskey. An £11m fee, great first season, sheer frustration thereafter. Failed primarily for a lack of the strong mentality needed to be a top striker. Sold for a hefty loss.
  
• Cisse. I hadn't seen much of him but, embarrassingly, I was very, very excited about him. He was ****, and will be sold for a huge loss.
  
• Morientes. Man I was excited when we signed him. I thought he'd be perfect for us. His lack of pace, mobility, strength and speed-of-thought left him wholly exposed, for the most part, in English football. Sold for a loss.

It makes for pretty depressing reading.

So what do you expect of Torres? How might he join the list of striking failures?

I don't pretend to be an expert on his attributes; I've seen him play around a dozen times and he's been both brilliant and poor. He's quick, but not Cissé-quick, surprisingly strong, good technique and can finish in all manner of fashions - head, curlers into the corner, lobs, screamers. He misses chances, but all strikers do.

I'm excited - I think he'll be fantastic for us but I'm not allowing myself to get carried away. Not at all.

What hasn't he got in his locker? What makes anyone think he won't adapt?

It's a good question mate as I have said I have mixed feelings about this I just don't know if he has what it takes to cut it in the EPL.
I'm delighted that we have finally gone out and made our mark in the transfer market and that we have signed a player that would be rated as one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
I hope he proves my niggling doubts wrong by a serious amount, also although the fee is not his fault @ a reported £20mill I'm much happier than £27mill.
Come on Nando la' prove me wrong.

[Morph]

I think he's gonna settle straight away, score on his debut, and all the pundits will be raving about him from start till the end of the season. We've been so unlucky with buying strikers for about the last 15 years, i'm taking the stance that it has to end somewhere, and Torres is gonna be it

[JPK]

He wont flop and wont be player of the year but I think he will hit 20 in all comps.

[bazza76]

I am not expecting too much to be honest.
I think he will shine at certain stages next season and bang in a few nice goals, but, I would be very pleasantly surprised if he managed to do it consistently next season. He will be adapting for the first season, largely due to Rafa's rigid formations and tactics. It wont be like at United where Slur Alex allows his best attacking players total freedom.

[Darth Marty]

Off subject a bit but its shaggys fault as he mentioned him first
What price Shearer now eh? ( a ****ing fully fit 20yr old A.S)
mind you, scrap that as its bollocks really, what price a Rushie as well?

Ah well, Torres will have to do!! ha ha ha whoohoo!!!!!

[whitestilettos]

I think your right, as long as we're going in the right direction, I don't think he'll be a flop - home grown will always kick in sooner than shop bought!

[Eth]

Who's this Torres bloke then?

[Rocket]

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, fernando

[whitestilettos]

He's a centre forward with capenhurst Villa - we signed him for £2 and a packet of Qpicey Monster Munch!

[Dhav]

I just hope he can make up for the loss of Luis Garcia.

I can't get excited about the arrival of Torres with Garcia gone.

[JRG]

Kuyt will be freed up as people panic and mark Torres, This will allow Kuyt to flourish, especially with him, an intelligent player, knowing how to apply his phenomenal work rate more effectively. As kuyt is countered Torres will have more of opportunity and he's skilful enough to make the most of this - from what little I've seen.

All in all I'm very excited by this signing, but I'm also excited bout the options we have with Mascher and Mo given the amount of football we play and their abilities when on form.

[Red Chilli]

He needs to get off to a flyer. He needs to score in his first game for us. No bones about it he needs goals in order to settle.

That's my big worry with him, like Nando the first, I'm not sure he's the best player under pressure. Can he cope with the pressure of not scoring in his first 5 games or so. Will his head drop. That's my worry. He might be prone to self-doubt.

Technically I have no problems with him, he's got it all. He just needs a bit of steel and a bit of arrogance. That'll come when he starts banging them in.

[Ron_Mexico]

He's going to do very very well in the PL imo

He will take time to settle as all players do, but all the signs point to him being a great signing. We desperately needed a forward like Torres, and we've finally got one. He will make Crouch and Kuyt better as well and I expect more goals from midfield as he can hold the ball up and create

Those questioning his ability to handle the pressure should remember he's been captain at atleti since he was 19 and a regular for a loaded Spain squad since euro 2004, and he's been a media darling in Spain since he came on the scene. He has the personality to succeed- he's not a big time charlie, he will get his head down and work hard for the team.

This is the most excited I've ever been about a Liverpool signing

well since Dean Saunders at least