48 In and 49 Out. The truth about Rafa's

[knockers]

The most disappointing on that list is still Morientes for me... When we signed him for only 6 mill, I thought we made the buy of the decade (turns out to be another spaniard though). I was very disappointed when he diden't manage to make a greater impact, class striker in real and valencia...

The list shows that raffa has done some quite good business IMO, especially taken the budgetlimitations in perspective.

I'd love to see how Morientes would play along side Torres, I think that would have been a great partnership.

[Roboklopp]

That's why United are doing so well, how many do they have in taht price range?

Rooney
Ferdinand
Ronaldo
Saha
Carrick
Hargreaves
Nani
Anderson

just off the top of my head.

Wank Spastic Veron.

[Roboklopp]

You can kinda count Tevez too.

[tommyg]

Pennant cost 6.7m? **** me.....

[Darkon]

I'd love to see how Morientes would play along side Torres, I think that would have been a great partnership.

That partnership could have great potential, would have loved to see that as well!

[Kenneth]

Well I liked Josemi, even though he wasn't very good. Little growler. And much better that his replacement; Kromkamp.

[frank the tank]

I know that this might sound like a deja-vu posting but i actually think that next season, we will see the real fruits of rafa's efforts in young players coming through the system. Rafa has said as much and it all comes down to the fact that we will be allowed 7 subs in the league as opposed to 5. This will mean that the likes of Insua, Nemeth, Plessis, San Jose, and who knows, maybe even Pacheco could all get some valuable first team experience. I am not saying that they all might make it but at least rafa will be able to guage if they are going to make it or not.

Had this system been in place already, then maybe Insua would have played 10 league appearances already this season......

In general, i feel that we are really close to being a top top team.... a couple of years ago when the mancs looked like they were on a major wind-down, they drew too many games whereas i feel like we have done the same this season.... In all the draws this season, how often should we have been 2 up by halftime??? loads of times if you ask me.... The reasons for me that we will be so much better next season include:

1. Agger should be back in business. We have missed him as both a defneder and also as a player that starts attacks by bringing out the ball of defence.....

2. Babel will be more settled into english football. He is on the verge of being a class class player....when he takes on players on a counter attack, it is obvious that he has the beating of practically every full back around.... With a little bit more composure, which will come with experience, he should be a top top top top player... I also feel that Skrtel will be better next season as well.....

3. Torres second season......gonna be better still???

4. New signings should be top top players.....simply because we now have the squad that we have got to the stage where any further additions should be top players.... put it this way, we arent going to buy a right winger that can just 'do a good job' because we have pennent that can do a job. If rafa does decide to go for somebody in that position, it will be for a player that is better than what we have. Bentley would be nice for me to be honest because he wont need time to get used to the Prem. Also, he can play any of the 3 positions behind torres..... same goes if we sign a left back....

5. England didnt qualify for the euros!!! I know that this is only gerrard in reality out of it for us but gerrard's form often dipped after a summer interational tournament (unless he was injured) I reckon that this could also help the mancs....




ehhhhhh where the **** did that tangent come from!!!! all i meant to say was that rafa has bought well!!!!!!!!!

[friedk]

I think this clearly shows that we are one player short

[Nic83]

If you deduct the cost of Masher, Torres and Babel it would come down a lot.

Still many claim that Rafa has spent around 150 mil Pds which is way off the mark.

why would you do that?

[rage]

i don't go for the net spend thing. he's gone out and brought in players worth over 150 million pounds. he's bought far to much quantity over quality, some will argue he needed to. what is clear is that we no longer need quantity but 3 or 4 immediate first team players that will make the positions their own and make them undroppable ala reina, agger, carra, masch, gerrard, torres.

This transfer window will imo be rafa's last chance to get it right net, gross or whatever.

[El Jefecito]

Agree we now need to be getting in players that will make us competitive with Manure. The squad is full now, so first teamers and kids only.

[Shaggy]

i don't go for the net spend thing. he's gone out and brought in players worth over 150 million pounds.

But he could not possibly have done that without selling £70m worth of players first, which is why it has to be factored in.

[darren]

i don't go for the net spend thing. he's gone out and brought in players worth over 150 million pounds. he's bought far to much quantity over quality, some will argue he needed to. what is clear is that we no longer need quantity but 3 or 4 immediate first team players that will make the positions their own and make them undroppable ala reina, agger, carra, masch, gerrard, torres.

This transfer window will imo be rafa's last chance to get it right net, gross or whatever.

I think that this weekend showed though the importance of having a good squad rather than team. Everton struggled with a couple of injuries and players showing tiredness and lack of form while we have "rotated" our way through this .

Now though is the time to ring in 2-3 quality signings each year and improve the squad.

[El Jefecito]

I think that this weekend showed though the importance of having a good squad rather than team. Everton struggled with a couple of injuries and players showing tiredness and lack of form while we have "rotated" our way through this .

Now though is the time to ring in 2-3 quality signings each year and improve the squad.

Talking of rotation though, have you noticed how Slur Alex rotates at the end of the season rather that at the beginning. To me that makes more sense, at least if you play your best team up front you are more likely to still be in contention come the business end of the season.

You are right about our squad being a key factor in being to hold off the lesser teams. It's just that the squad is not good enough for us to rotate and still compete with the others in the top 4.

[ivan]

Nothing wrong with net spending figures, but other clubs sell players as well. If you count that, fact is we are one of the biggest sptenders in recent years.