How Refreshing

[Pablo]

Spend that bit extra on key purchases (Alves/RM/etc). Don't get held to ransom on squad purchases. Sounds pretty reasonable.

According to reports Gaz Baz was our number one transfer target this summer, that hardly makes him a squad purchase.

[hamshanks]

Agreed we always seem to pay over the odds and not get what players are worth when we sell them on. Hopefully the tide is turning Riise for £4million was a good bit of business and if we walk away from the Barry deal now then I'll shed no tears. I'd much prefer to see him playing for Arsenal than Alonso playing for them - that thought is terrifying.

[Kenneth]

According to reports Gaz Baz was our number one transfer target this summer, that hardly makes him a squad purchase.

I don't see him being a garanteed starter in CM, LB or LM.

You're probably right, there is inconsitency, and it's based on personal preference. For me, Barry is second rate, worth about 8 or 9 million and would weaken our squad if he replaces Xabi. Someone like Simao was pretty reasonable priced, international player, valued at just over 10m for a position we really needed to fill. Alves was an alternative on the right, a great prospect and the prices was 10/12 million. The 12 million price was hardly holding us to ransom, it was a fair price that we were mugs for not matching. 15 or 18 million for Barry cannot be described as us being stingey.

[ElRobbie]

It's about people getting all high and mighty about the principle of not being held to ransom, but they would happily drop those principles the second a player they are desperate to sign comes along. Double standards, that's all I'm saying.

Of course its not double standards, thats a very simplistic view. Its not about any of us being desperate to sign a player its about THE TEAM desperately needing that player.

It all depends on the quality of the player and the difference he will make to our team, now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but most Liverpool fans view that I've heard are saying they think it isn't worth paying an extra couple of million for a player like Barry because he isn't going to make that much difference to us winning the title. He ain't any better than Alonso in most people eyes and he isn't in a position we need strengthening.

Where as a quality winger or another top quality striker either to support Torres or play a big part, would be worth paying slightly more than we probably should.

Its about calculated risks and also needs of the team and I don't think we need Barry that badly that we should be held to paying £18m for him.

If you all think he is worth £18m and even if he isn't worth £18m we should pay that anyway regardless of the real needs of the team then you need to start thinking about the real world and what implications spending that extra money has and the restrictions it puts on other spending.

[ElRobbie]

Spend that bit extra on key purchases (Alves/RM/etc). Don't get held to ransom on squad purchases. Sounds pretty reasonable.

Exactly, thats my point, its not all about being high and mighty abotu us paying over the odds, its about paying over the odds for the wrong players, players who won't make that much difference.

[ElRobbie]

I don't see him being a garanteed starter in CM, LB or LM.

You're probably right, there is inconsitency, and it's based on personal preference. For me, Barry is second rate, worth about 8 or 9 million and would weaken our squad if he replaces Xabi. Someone like Simao was pretty reasonable priced, international player, valued at just over 10m for a position we really needed to fill. Alves was an alternative on the right, a great prospect and the prices was 10/12 million. The 12 million price was hardly holding us to ransom, it was a fair price that we were mugs for not matching. 15 or 18 million for Barry cannot be described as us being stingey.

This guy talks sense.

[kev776]

If Carrick and Softgreves are worth 18m so is Barry, If we want to pretend to be a big 4 club, we have to pay big 4 club prices

[Kenneth]

If Carrick and Softgreves are worth 18m so is Barry, If we want to pretend to be a big 4 club, we have to pay big 4 club prices

Carrick obviously wasn't, the Hargreves price was more reasonable. The point is that Utd had nothing in DCM and needed these positions filled as a priority so they made sure they got the players, almost irrespective of cost. If we were talking about spending that kind of money on a striker or winger (as we are with Keane) it would make sense, we have to pay big to up our game. 18 million on a 27/28 year old slogger who isn't needed and won't improve us means he isn't worth 18 million to us, nowhere near.

[ElRobbie]

Carrick obviously wasn't, the Hargreves price was more reasonable. The point is that Utd had nothing in DCM and needed these positions filled as a priority so they made sure they got the players, almost irrespective of cost. If we were talking about spending that kind of money on a striker or winger (as we are with Keane) it would make sense, we have to pay big to up our game. 18 million on a 27/28 year old slogger who isn't needed and won't improve us means he isn't worth 18 million to us, nowhere near.

Hit the nail yet again, its all about needs, they were needed by Man Utd.

[-V-]

Totally agree. No way can Villa get £18m for him. We shouldn't be offering them anymore than £13-14m. If they don't like it they can **** off and keep him

[Roboklopp]

Hit the nail yet again, its all about needs, they were needed by Man Utd.

flOperation rarely hits the nail on the head, but, aye, he is right on this one. Law of averages I spose- it had to happen once.

[Pablo]

flOperation rarely hits the nail on the head, but, aye, he is right on this one. Law of averages I spose- it had to happen once.

His specialist subject is Gareth Barry

[Roboklopp]

More "Special Needs" than "Specialist".

[RedSince1964]

I'd sell my own grandmother to fund a move for David Villa, but for Gareth Barry I'd have walked away the minute MON started being such a crying ****** over it all.

Villa and Barry, two entirely different players and propositions, you can't really compare.

[Kenneth]

More "Special Needs" than "Specialist".

Don't start Ploddy.