Torres' goal today...

[Craig_H]

who is also a deadball specialist, while still providing the work ethic of Kuyt

I'm willing to sacrifice the 'work ethic' for someone who can get the ball, beat his man and rifle into the top corner/put in a lethal cross for someone to tap home, on a semi-regular/regular basis.

[dww]

The problem as I see it is that no one has identified players who are undoubtedly of the class to justify a £20m outlay. I would include the likes of United and Chelsea in that as well as ourselves as a club and people here on the internet. I haven't seen mention of one £20m player that has received concerted attention from the big clubs and is genuinely available and wanting t come to the PL.

I don't think anyone is arguing that they want worse players but the fact is that if there is no obvious choice we can afford in terms of wages plus transfer fee that inspires people to believe that an all our eggs in one basket gamble is the way to go.

I think we need to add pace and dynamism to the team in a number of areas and if we can't find one obviously supremely talented attacking player with the physical attributes to shine in the PL then I would accept a general upgrade across the team which involved taking some gambles in the style of Babel where we pay reasonably big money for players who might develop into £20m+ type players.

I also think Rafa gets a bad press about not being willing to play young players. Maybe he is just a better judge of when they are ready than we are. look at Agger, Skrtel and Lucas (and even Sissoko) all played when young. He paid big money to bring them in as he knew they were ready. I don't believe that he has put so much attention into the reserves/youth to let them rot but I think we have to assume he has a better read on where they need to be before they play than we do. It looks like he is beginning to feel that Plessis and Insua might be ready but despite his mentioning him in interviews it is clear that Rafa's views on Nemeth's readiness differ from most internet commentators from the fact he hasn't made the match day squads.

[Craig_H]

That's down to the scouting team though, i very much doubt that Rafa HASNT identified expensive targets, but it's obviously not leaked into the mainstream media.

[dom9]

Nobody can argue that Torres hasn't surpassed all expectations, but remember, big money does not guarantee success. Anyone remember Veron? I think he cost £28M 5 years ago.

[Craig_H]

Nobody can argue that Torres hasn't surpassed all expectations, but remember, big money does not guarantee success. Anyone remember Veron? I think he cost £28M 5 years ago.

That's where a bit of nous comes into play. Given how everyone on here credits rafa as being a genius, i'm sure we can rely on him to have the necessary nous.

[dom9]

That's where a bit of nous comes into play. Given how everyone on here credits rafa as being a genius, i'm sure we can rely on him to have the necessary nous.

Well he's better the Houllier in that respect .

But you just can not predict if a player will be a flop or a success. Everybody thought Veron was a world beater, and the final piece of the jigsaw for United. Most prople thought similarly of Shevchenko too.

Not one person expected him to turn out as he did, nouse or not.

[Red Star]

I hope he leaves this summer cause i dont see what he brings into the team i hate to say this but he is awful and a waste of space

Agreed.

Didn't watch the Spurs game as I was working but clicked on Livvy's goals link when I got home. Even though I knew he scored it, I STILL expected him to miss

[Dirk07]

Simply world class, off the planet. I really dont know how people can watch that and tell me we'd be better off spreading £20m over 3 players instead of one.

That's what £20m gets you and with our current squad, i'd rather have one more of that type of player per year (and sign nobody else) than 3 £7m make-weights.

We got lucky with torres, he's a 40m player now.

How many 20m players are there in the premier league who play for a team outside the top 4 or indeed whom don't play for one of Europes "elite" teams iyo?

[Red Star]

I just pray Nando can stand up to the rough stuff as much as he has been able to do so far. Again today he got clattered after the ball had gone with no reaction from the ref.

He has had a magnificent first season though

[Craig_H]

We got lucky with torres, he's a 40m player now.

How many 20m players are there in the premier league who play for a team outside the top 4 or indeed whom don't play for one of Europes "elite" teams iyo?

Are you suggesting we just dont bother trying then? Keep buying £6m players?

How many £6m players are there who will actually make a major contribution to a title challenge?

[machiavelli]

But you just can not predict if a player will be a flop or a success. Everybody thought Veron was a world beater, and the final piece of the jigsaw for United.

Speaking to a utd mate of mine, he said that veron was as good as everyone made out, the only problem was that he was too good, he was well ahead of any other utd player on that pitch and struggled to play with people on his "superior" wavelength...my mate states if veron had of been in todays utd squad, they would be untouchable.

[Craig_H]

I dont think Veron was bad at all, i just dont think he was the type of player they needed and they tried to fit him into their system by hook or by crook.

[rudedog]

DJS in 'lets spend 20 million on a quality signing' shocker

As it happens, I agree with you but I'm geting pretty fed up with you harping on about this now - thought this was a thread about Torres

[Dirk07]

Are you suggesting we just dont bother trying then? Keep buying £6m players?

How many £6m players are there who will actually make a major contribution to a title challenge?

Where did I say that?

my point is that I can think of 2 players that have transfered in the premiership for around 20m in the last 18months

Torres and Mash

I just don't think there are many "20m" players whom are available, I also think the 2 we got are the best 2 players in their position in the world so to compare £20m pound players to them is unfair

[Jennings]

Is there a clip of the goal or highlights anywhere, guys?