The Case for Rafa - In relation to cheap transfers etc ...

[marcus50bucks]

He's not - that little red man isn't Reece.

[Reece]

He's not - that little red man isn't Reece.

Same haircut, but I'm a lot paler than that. Although when I get sunburnt.....

[marcus50bucks]

Well dww had asked kindly if the djs thing not be gone over in this thread, but you still did.

That's all.

Ok, I'm sorry.

[Reece]

Ok, I'm sorry.

Apology accepted

[Imy]

Same haircut, but I'm a lot paler than that. Although when I get sunburnt.....

you should join us the 'red indians'

[marcus50bucks]

Apology accepted

Thank you.

[slimbimjim]

footballistically.

[friedk]

Just to clarify some things, such as the fact we're targeting cheaper players compared to the Chelsea's and Manure's of this world.

The Degen signing for me proves to be a masterstroke. He's a proven international, and he played in a good league (Germany) and is a regular for both his club and his national team. Compare this to what Chelsea are paying for someone like Bosingwa, who while he may be good, we've got Degen for nothing ... and dare I say, he's probably in the same category as Bosingwa. Same age, proven international etc ...

And Rafa's track record for signing 'unknown' players and building a proper team around is second to none. It shouldn't have been a doubt into people's mind really. We have a manager who won't throw cash around just for fun (aka Wenger) and who has strong principles about the game, ethically and footballistically. We should be very grateful for that.

As for the Riera's, Dossena's of this world, just give them a chance FFS. They're not widely known players but that's not to say they're not on a par with other more well known ones.

Dossena pah, what do Italians know about defending?

I'm happy Degen is an attacking full-back, my concern is he only played about 10 games last season and had 3 operations, so it will probably be a while before we see the best of him, by which times Liverpool fans will be burning virtual effigies.

[carlton]

I also dunno about it being a 'masterstroke' but Rafa has been after this guy since his Balenthia days so he must believe he has something to offer the team and Dossena looks promising as well. Obviously if he had wads of cash things might be different but he hanst so he does what he can and if he is hoarding his cash for David Villa thn all the better. One thing about Rafa is that he continually surprises us internet pundits with his recruiting as he gets it right more often than he gets it wrong and he rarely seems to get the benefit of the doubt from us hardcore fans..

[Guest]

It's easy to see why I've defined him as a 'masterstroke'. He's been bought for nothing and is an International like Bosingwa who cost 16m!

[Guest]

And even if we had money to burn, I doubt Rafa would have splashed that much money on Bosingwa when there are players such as Degen available for free. It's pure common sense.

[JohnDoe]

It is easier to teach an attacking full back how to defend, than to teach a defensive one to attack.

Rafa is the master of sorting out players' positional sense and general awareness so if that's where Degen's weaknesses lie, I think we have a very good signing in our hands.

[dww]

It's easy to see why I've defined him as a 'masterstroke'. He's been bought for nothing and is an International like Bosingwa who cost 16m!

But James Beattie is technically an international doesn't mean he is any good. I can see what you are saying but plenty of top players like Morientes have failed in the PL. A signing can only really be described as a masterstroke if it comes off - i.e. it shows we were better going for Degen and Dossena than two £3m rated defenders say.

[Ataturk]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XtQH89K7BtI&feature=related

[Guest]

But James Beattie is technically an international doesn't mean he is any good. I can see what you are saying but plenty of top players like Morientes have failed in the PL. A signing can only really be described as a masterstroke if it comes off - i.e. it shows we were better going for Degen and Dossena than two £3m rated defenders say.

Of course but surely it's a better deal than the one Chelsea struck for Bosingwa! Can't see him being £ 16m better off than Degen. That was my point purely. If he's gonna flop, then it would be seen as a cheap flop !!!

That's why I've also tagged Rafa's signing of Voronin as a good deal. For a freebie, he's done OK and scored some important goals. That's all there is to it really.