I believe it is time for a new manager!

[Joe King]

You're about 6 chapters too short for Tomkins' level.

And the odd bracket or two.

[Craig_H]

We've not even signed this one kid let alone another for it to 'all add up' to a tidy sum. It's moaning about something that hasn't even happened. As I said, whining about one £3m bid is a bit extreme.

Which kid are you on about? I'm talking generally. Take your Leto, Gonzalez, Lucas etc etc...it does indeed add up to a fair amount and between the three of those (ok, we sold Gonzalez) we've had very little back in terms of contribution.

[Red_Polo]

It's not just youth, it's players who are obviously not going to be nailed on first teamers. Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas....that's £20m right there. Have those three (combined) contributed anywhere near as much as a 'superstar' in the Torres mould would've done? Nobody can say for sure, but i find it hard to make a case for the affirmative.

Yes, well as I said before...

"As for transfer policy, if you want to make the point the balance is a bit off and we should be spending a slightly greater proportion on players to slot into the first team, I won't really disagree. Whining about one £3m bid for a talented prospect on the other hand, is a bit extreme."

[Craig_H]

If we only went for one of those £3m-£6m average/young signings a season, there wouldnt be a problem mate. You'll disagree with me though, so we'll agree to disagree rather than argue the point til the daylight hours

[Red_Polo]

Which kid are you on about? I'm talking generally. Take your Leto, Gonzalez, Lucas etc etc...it does indeed add up to a fair amount and between the three of those (ok, we sold Gonzalez) we've had very little back in terms of contribution.

Well I was referring to that Ramsay kid from Cardiff we'd been discussing, but it makes no odds really - one bid of £3m is one bid of £3m.

[Craig_H]

Well I was referring to that Ramsay kid from Cardiff we'd been discussing, but it makes no odds really - one bid of £3m is one bid of £3m.

Ah ok. I'd be very surprised if we confined the 'cheap young/mediocre players' signings to just one this summer. I hope to be mistaken.

[spy]

A lot of those calling for Rafa's head would crap their pants if he announced next week he'd accepted an offer from Real.

[redlancer]

A lot of those calling for Rafa's head would crap their pants if he announced next week he'd accepted an offer from Real.

Exactly

Maybe without all the going ons before chrimbo we'd of been in a better possition.

The fact we're are in touching distance of the top 2 is down to Rafa getting a good squad together.

If we had beaten both Chav's and United and were still 11-14 points behind then I'd say we were miles off. But this season seems to rest on thoose games and in the united ones we deserved more - a bit more faith and we'd be there. If we had beaten the top 3 at Anfield we could be going into this weekend with a chance - that's how close it is. And its not like we got battered in thoose games. Are we talking an extra player? A bit more faith maybe some of the CL spirit? Stability at the club?

Arsenal fans must be worried - they've just lost a good player and didn't have the squad or plan b to last the season.

We can still see area's that need and can be improved - Chav's and United in essence have less improvement they can make.

[Craig_H]

A lot of those calling for Rafa's head would crap their pants if he announced next week he'd accepted an offer from Real.

This is quite true.

[calvoboy]

[spy]

Exactly

Maybe without all the going ons before chrimbo we'd of been in a better possition.

The fact we're are in touching distance of the top 2 is down to Rafa getting a good squad together.

If we had beaten both Chav's and United and were still 11-14 points behind then I'd say we were miles off. But this season seems to rest on thoose games and in the united ones we deserved more - a bit more faith and we'd be there. If we had beaten the top 3 at Anfield we could be going into this weekend with a chance - that's how close it is. And its not like we got battered in thoose games. Are we talking an extra player? A bit more faith maybe some of the CL spirit? Stability at the club?

Arsenal fans must be worried - they've just lost a good player and didn't have the squad or plan b to last the season.

We can still see area's that need and can be improved - Chav's and United in essence have less improvement they can make.

The only thing to remember is that we're talking about fairly slight improvements on last season's squad and performances and we'd be in touching distance - but next season's United and Chelsea squads will be improved on this season's. Unless we really drop on in the transfer market we'll probably drop back again next season.

[Abro100]

If we would of converted some of them draws into wins we would of won the league, we are not far behind with less money spent.

[rage]

If we would of converted some of them draws into wins we would of won the league, we are not far behind with less money spent.

and the last step is the biggest step.

come on rafa, no one wants you to quit or get sacked but please surprise many of us and blow your transfer budget on 2 world class players a striker and a winger.

with what you have left maybe take a punt on a promising full-back.

no more central midfielders or squad fillers - promote the youth for that - after all its the most promising youth set up i've seen in over a decade.

[ronanm]

I'd like UEFA to reduce the number of teams that qualify for the CL to 3 or even 2. That would make things interesting on the managerial front. Chelsea are a weaker team IMO than last year and were ravaged by injuries all season yet were the only team to put it up against the Scum. We missed Agger, but other than that we had a relatively injury free season. Despite getting Torres, Mascherano and, to a lesser extent, Babel, we still have not pushed on. A CL place seems to be the #1 priority in the league instead of the league itself. The mindset is just not there in the league for some reason - Rafa doesn't seem to be able to correct this!

[Roboklopp]

I'd like UEFA to reduce the number of teams that qualify for the CL to 3 or even 2. That would make things interesting on the managerial front. Chelsea are a weaker team IMO than last year and were ravaged by injuries all season yet were the only team to put it up against the Scum. We missed Agger, but other than that we had a relatively injury free season. Despite getting Torres, Mascherano and, to a lesser extent, Babel, we still have not pushed on. A CL place seems to be the #1 priority in the league instead of the league itself. The mindset is just not there in the league for some reason - Rafa doesn't seem to be able to correct this!

& how exactly would widening the gap between the income (effective in the Chav's case as they have no real financial model) of the richest 2 clubs & our own help our cause?