Torres' goal today...

[Craig_H]

I am not going to say you are wrong, because if we did buy another 20M player and he was as big a success as Torres it would probably work out. However, I feel Rafa knows that Riise is ****ed and Finnan is on the way out. So if he decides to replace them fair enough.

I read this thread as preparation for an onslaught of Rafa's purchases if he does go ahead and spread the cash where he see's fit. I will defend Rafa because I am adament he deserves next season (at least) and therefore I will back his judgement.

Personally I think Xabi is going () and Barry will replace him. We should finish 3-6M in front on that deal, IMO, and I think Barry could prove to be a shrewd buy. So we might buy a few no-names but I suspect we will buy a 20M GBP player as well, possibly Silva or Alves.

Insua to replace Riise and Finnan can do another season. Worse case scenario if he cant, Arbeloa is there and with Agger, Skrtel and Hyypia also available, Carra can be used at RB where necessary.

[Guest]

I'm assuming he's been TRYING to win it thus far...and his methods have failed every season.

So call it a prediction, a premonition or whatever you like. He will never win the PL.

You better launch a 'sack Rafa campaign' then ... because you'll be pissing us off in the same way the whole of next year with the same inaneness.

[El Jefecito]

I'm assuming he's been TRYING to win it thus far...and his methods have failed every season.

So call it a prediction, a premonition or whatever you like. He will never win the PL.

His methods, or the players, or the off the field shennigans, or a combination of all?

[Parm]

Insua can replace Riise. Pennant hardly plays anyway and Yossi can do that job. Crouch is a reserve striker and IMO shouldnt be sold anyway. But even if we bought just ONE top player for either RW or up front, that would replace either Pennant or Crouchy.

yup would go along with that. Crouch should stay but for other reasons he looks like he will be off, use the fee genrated from his and Pennants transfers, say 13mill (8 for crouch and 5 for pennant) bung part of our budget of say 7mill in and we could go for a real top drawer player-Diego/Capel/Queresma/(add in your FM 2008 star player) and our swuad is instanly improved.

If we buy big then they have to be the best, no point wasting it on duffers or paying over the odds for Bentley/Barry

[Craig_H]

His methods, or the players, or the off the field shennigans, or a combination of all?

The players are of his own choosing, and he takes responsibility for that. The off field stuff cant be blamed for his entire reign and on a matchday, when it comes to picking the right formation or players, i dont see how the board room stuff influences that.

[Craig_H]

yup would go along with that. Crouch should stay but for other reasons he looks like he will be off, use the fee genrated from his and Pennants transfers, say 13mill (8 for crouch and 5 for pennant) bung part of our budget of say 7mill in and we could go for a real top drawer player-Diego/Capel/Queresma/(add in your FM 2008 star player) and our swuad is instanly improved.

If we buy big then they have to be the best, no point wasting it on duffers or paying over the odds for Bentley/Barry

Exactly.

Pennant doesnt offer enough of a contribution for us to miss him, and this is the case for pretty much all of the players who we'd expect to see leaving, Crouch aside.

[Guest]

It's DJS against the world ! And he'll win .................... In his head.

[El Jefecito]

The players are of his own choosing, and he takes responsibility for that. The off field stuff cant be blamed for his entire reign and on a matchday, when it comes to picking the right formation or players, i dont see how the board room stuff influences that.

Mostly 2nd and 3rd choices though, no?

[Craig_H]

Mostly 2nd and 3rd choices though, no?

Firstly, that suggests that the only good players in the world, are his 'first choices'...which i dont buy.

Secondly, if he cant get his now mythical 'first choice' signings, he'd be better off keeping the money for when he DOES have enough, than buying average players, who contribute very little and end up leaving for peanuts.

That system equates to a permanent situation of NEVER having enough top players, and always using the same excuses.

[Skillz]

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?

No. I think he is suggesting we don't pay 20M for a player worth half that just to satisfy the DJS' of the world.

[Craig_H]

No. I think he is suggesting we don't pay 20M for a player worth half that just to satisfy the DJS' of the world.

Where have i suggested paying £20m for a £10m player?

[Craig_H]

It's DJS against the world ! And he'll win .................... In his head.

Another invaluable contribution.

Tell us again how Bellamy is better than Rooney

[El Jefecito]

Firstly, that suggests that the only good players in the world, are his 'first choices'...which i dont buy.

Secondly, if he cant get his now mythical 'first choice' signings, he'd be better off keeping the money for when he DOES have enough, than buying average players, who contribute very little and end up leaving for peanuts.

That system equates to a permanent situation of NEVER having enough top players, and always using the same excuses.

We've been here before re-read the squad costs thread and tell you'd rather Richie Partridge (in League 2) rather than Jermaine Pennant.

[El Jefecito]

Another invaluable contribution.

Tell us again how Bellamy is better than Rooney

Tell us again about Milan Baros and his scoring record in the 2nd half of that season.

[Guest]

Another invaluable contribution.

Tell us again how Bellamy is better than Rooney

I always hit the right nerve when I discuss with you ... And it's all the same arguments you keep putting at me !

I don't care any more about the Rooney v Bellamy jibes ... It was one of my very rare moments of contradictory flash of genius.