Assuming that.......

[billy_mac]

We would be primed for a good crack at the league with Barry as our last signing IF we suffered no injuries or suspensions all season.

We badly need to replace Peter in the squad. The alternatives as a lone front man with out Fernando are deeply concerning. Depending on where Babel is to play we need a striker or a winger. I'd like to see Babel up top with Torres and sign a winger. But wouldn't be adverse to see Babel wide and sign as striker as long as whoever comes in is of the top pedigree and is a vast improvement on what is there already.

We are very short on the left without Babel. Maybe where Barry is to be deployed with Dossena overlapping. But can't say that with much confidence not having seen Dossena play.

[rage]

[QUOTE=Dessy;1103841]Barry is playing alongside SG at Anfield next season and were we to see no more potential first team signings do you think we are primed for a good crack at the PL next year?
/QUOTE]

not a chance in hell!

[Shanks]

Theres not much confidence in our squad as it stands achieving much by few reactions above?

Are we really that far away?

I'd like to think not.

No, we aren't really that far away but
we are more than JUST a Gareth Barry away.

[Sean_LFC_1892]

Good point on seasoned players and hitting the ground running. My only concern would be Oct/Nov time when CL starts and we seem to drop off the pace a little.

And that's where our dilemma begins... Which are we more focused on winning..?

I think largely (apart from the luck) we got to Istanbul when the pressure was off us in the league (i.e. no chance of winning it by the Juve game). As you say, we'd drop off the pace in the league when the CL proper starts, unless we're more determined to win the PL and resign ourselves to only go as far as the sqaud, luck & bravery will get us in the CL.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

We've already spent £7million on Dossena, he could improve us both defensively and going forward it just a matter of waiting to see how he does. Degen came on a free so with the addition of Barry at £18million then we will definitely still have money to spend - FACT

we have sold JAR for £4million and Crouch is going for £10million. If Alonso goes for £14million then we have 3 in 3 out and made a profit. We would still have our original transfer kitty + £3million.

That doesn't account for the likes of maybe Pennant, Finnan, Carson and Guthrie who could all be leaving as well, so there is a chance of us signing a winger and striker. It may well be Downing and Keane rather than Villa and Silva but they would make us better than we were last time around.

just got to trust rafa he could pull another great signing from nowhere again.

[Fierce]

I dont believe there's any way we WONT sign another striker

[dww]

Would Benny or Babel not fit the bill here? Trickery and Guile versus Speed ability to go past a man (and hopefully score) give you options? No?

I would say not. Benayoun doesn't open up the best defences regularly enough and in the big games tends to give the ball away. Babel has not shown that he is a regular goal scorer or that he can unlock teams on a regular basis either, he certainly has the potential to do it but I think we need another player of that mould any way to balance out the squad. I like the numbers we have at the minute but Pennant should be replaced by a more flexible player with more guile IMO.

[dww]

I dont believe there's any way we WONT sign another striker

I hope we do - we are badly lacking there i the squad at the minute. The only situation I can envisage us not doing it was if we got another player with Babels qualities meaning that Babel might become the second choice striker. I would worry that he hasn't shown a consistent goal scoring touch though.

[Sean_LFC_1892]

I dont believe there's any way we WONT sign another striker

Can't imagine Rafa would ever sanction PC leaving without having at least an idea as to whom he was likely to replace him with...

Surely even he can see that Dirk & Super Andriy aren't enough...

[billy_mac]

I hope we do - we are badly lacking there i the squad at the minute. The only situation I can envisage us not doing it was if we got another player with Babels qualities meaning that Babel might become the second choice striker. I would worry that he hasn't shown a consistent goal scoring touch though.

He needs to stop BLASTING the ball and to slow down. A bit more composure in front of goal. He's only a chisler, he'll get there I'm sure.

[Gingawaria]

My thoughts on the matter are we need someone who will contribute another 10-ish goals.

Last season it wasn't losses that cost us, it was draws. The fact is, 1 more goal in 6 of those draws would have given us 12 more points and we'd have won the league. Obviously it's not quite that simple, but it does show that we're not as far behind as some people would have you believe.

[Dessy]

My thoughts on the matter are we need someone who will contribute another 10-ish goals.

Last season it wasn't losses that cost us, it was draws. The fact is, 1 more goal in 6 of those draws would have given us 12 more points and we'd have won the league. Obviously it's not quite that simple, but it does show that we're not as far behind as some people would have you believe.

So Robbie Keane it is then?

[Gingawaria]

So Robbie Keane it is then?

I'd take him in a heartbeat if the price was right, but if Spurs really want £20million for him, I think we should be looking at Villa who surely won't cost that much more?

But then I thought Bellamy was going to be an inspired signing who would get us about 10-15 goals himself so what do I know?!