Rafa explains why he is open to the idea of selling Alonso

[bobbyfallon]

downing is not half the talent of barry imo

[PTP]

The biggest risk for me is settling for a lesser player who would fit our system less well. For me Downing offers set piece delivery and crossing of consistent quality which we don't have.

I'm not an expert on Petrov but he seemed very hot or cold last season and at times a mite lazy.

So long as we can afford the cash we have to go for the best option available and ignore any possible backlash if they flop.

aye - i totally agree - but i just don't know what cash is available - i'm assuming none and that if we sold pennant and voronin that could give us £6m maybe more - petrov would be an option for sure at that price as he would bring us many possibilites

it's kind of the same position we had a few years ago on the right

we wanted alves £18m (barry) - looked at Simao £12m (downing) and ended up taking a gamble settling for pennant £6m (petrov/someone else?)

[dww]

aye - i totally agree - but i just don't know what cash is available - i'm assuming none and that if we sold pennant and voronin that could give us £6m maybe more - petrov would be an option for sure at that price as he would bring us many possibilites

it's kind of the same position we had a few years ago on the right

we wanted alves £18m (barry) - looked at Simao £12m (downing) and ended up taking a gamble settling for pennant £6m (petrov/someone else?)

In the cheaper option thread the recent links seem to be to players for £6m-£8m which would be in line with your thinking but then Rafa at the weekend was claiming we had the money (and that was the implication of the Parry comments too to be fair). I've given up second guessing the finances.

[PTP]

In the cheaper option thread the recent links seem to be to players for £6m-£8m which would be in line with your thinking but then Rafa at the weekend was claiming we had the money (and that was the implication of the Parry comments too to be fair). I've given up second guessing the finances.

tell me about it - it's easy to assume we have none! that way anything we do have is a bonus

it's been the same for years tho - we just don't seem willing to go the extra mile and spend say a couple of mil extra to get the player we want/need.

If thats the case - we are looking for a left sided player for between £6m-£8m - the chances are 9/10 EVERYONE on here will say he isn't good enough and for the sake of saving 4 or 5 mil we shouldn't have bothered etc etc - in that price bracket i don't know off or can't think of anyone who would be better than petrov. There must be players out there but i am struggling to find one!

[dww]

I would think we must have some money to play with before sales. Which when added to what we might get from Voronin and Pennant should allow us to buy someone decent.

I see what you are saying with Petrov - I would rather we went for a younger player who might improve though. At least that way we might make money in the long run - especially as I imagine Petrov is on decent wages.

[Kenneth]

I disagree.

In the reserves Plessis has shown a great passing range. He's not afraid to switch the play with crossfield balls, try long balls over the top or little balls in behind. In the first team he's seemed a little bit inhibited and played the percentage game by taking the safe option - which is understandable.

He looked **** scared to me. Said it in the match thread; he seemed to hide behind the oposition to avoid being passed to at times. There's being defensive and there's consistentlt passing the ball 3 yards sideways/backwards. Unless he can get some confidence and play more freely, he can't be in the 1st team. Yes, confidence will come with games, but we can't afford to carry him for long.

[rage]

He looked **** scared to me. Said it in the match thread; he seemed to hide behind the oposition to avoid being passed to at times. There's being defensive and there's consistentlt passing the ball 3 yards sideways/backwards. Unless he can get some confidence and play more freely, he can't be in the 1st team. Yes, confidence will come with games, but we can't afford to carry him for long.

spot on, and the only way he'll get confidence is by not being thrown in at the deep end. i'm thinking carling cup and 20 minutes sub appearances in games we've won, this season and then if he's good enough he'll step up next year.

anyone who thinks plessis can just walk into the team and do a job this year is deluded.

[Sarb]

Did I miss something then? So why is Rafa open to the idea of selling Alonso? One minute it is for money, the next it isn't. Then it's because we've got Plessis (who is not ready for regular Prem football yet), Lucas and Mascherano?

Quite a few differing views there. Is there anything that was missed? Maybe because 'he p*ssed me off'?

[Kenneth]

I think Rafa decided he wanted alonso gone last year and told parry to sell him. I don't think it's football related.

[Sarb]

Guarantee if we sell him to Arsenal we'll regret it

[Dhav]

I think Rafa decided he wanted alonso gone last year and told parry to sell him. I don't think it's football related.

I agree.

And to take the speculation it a bit further Rafa expected it to be done by now. The fact that it hasn't could point to a number of things, perhaps interference from the board, perhaps incompetence or deliberate acts of self-preservation on the part of Parry.

[Kenneth]

I agree.

And to take the speculation it a bit further Rafa expected it to be done by now. The fact that it hasn't could point to a number of things, perhaps interference from the board, perhaps incompetence or deliberate acts of self-preservation on the part of Parry.

Or nobody wanting to pay the amount we'd need in order to buy a replacement (namely Barry).

[Dhav]

Guarantee if we sell him to Arsenal we'll regret it

Agree with this also. It weakens us and strengthens our rival. We saw on Saturday how influential he can be. I guarantee you, with Fabregas as a midfield partner, and with Arsenal's forward movement and passing options, Alonso will be a massive success there. He will also make a mockery of criticism of the type that he cannot withstand the physical aspects of the Premier League and he needs time on the ball to excel. He'll be able to hit the ball first time at Arsenal into space, and that alone will get their attacks going.

[Dhav]

Or nobody wanting to pay the amount we'd need in order to buy a replacement (namely Barry).

Indeed. Either way, the situation seems to have been badly misjudged and mishandled within the club.

[Roboklopp]

Agree with this also. It weakens us and strengthens our rival. We saw on Saturday how influential he can be. I guarantee you, with Fabregas as a midfield partner, and with Arsenal's forward movement and passing options, Alonso will be a massive success there. He will also make a mockery of criticism of the type that he cannot withstand the physical aspects of the Premier League and he needs time on the ball to excel. He'll be able to hit the ball first time at Arsenal into space, and that alone will get their attacks going.

Aye, whatever happens we shouldnt be selling him to them.