Fabio Aurelio

[RedReet]

Keep him, he is an ideal squad player who can cover left side and centre mid at a push, he's never fit enough over a long period to be first choice but as was mentioned earlier it would cost more to replace him than to keep him unless Rafa thinks Mavinga is good enough to make the step up from the reserves

Was gonna post similar myself. I think it was a Tomkins article I read recently saying that he settled very well and was another reason Buchtmann was let go.

Anyone care to comment? Aint seen much reserve football myself this year.

Edit: I doubt he’ll be good enough to make the step up just yet, just wondering how he’s progressing.

[lickedlollipop]

Keep him, he is an ideal squad player who can cover left side and centre mid at a push, he's never fit enough over a long period to be first choice but as was mentioned earlier it would cost more to replace him than to keep him unless Rafa thinks Mavinga is good enough to make the step up from the reserves

[cream]

You can't build a team around them, but they can play an important part. (Joe Cole, Robben etc).

Think we need to spend our limited money elsewhere than LB should we keep Fabs, & only a minimum there if we dont. Real shame we still dont have Arbs that could cover there.

But we don't have Arby, Aurelio is hardly ever fit and Insua is decent at best and the only reason he is being so often is we have nothing better, so we do need to spend money in that position.

[Exiled_red]

But we don't have Arby, Aurelio is hardly ever fit and Insua is decent at best and the only reason he is being so often is we have nothing better, so we do need to spend money in that position.

But in terms of priorities is spending a significant amount of money on a left back up there? for me it comes after getting another good striker and a creative (probably wide) player.

I'd imagine we'd have a limited transfer budget and I'd prefer us to spend it in these areas first. Insua is constantly improving and will get better. We need another left back if Aurelio leaves but a cheap backup will do IMO.

I'd be hacked off if we priorotised a left back above attacking players

[Roboklopp]

But in terms of priorities is spending a significant amount of money on a left back up there? for me it comes after getting another good striker and a creative (probably wide) player.

I'd imagine we'd have a limited transfer budget and I'd prefer us to spend it in these areas first. Insua is constantly improving and will get better. We need another left back if Aurelio leaves but a cheap backup will do IMO.

I'd be hacked off if we priorotised a left back above attacking players

Agree completely.

People whined when we spent big money on Johnson & this is a similar situation.

[Armchairkopite]

You can be sure that a left back is top of rafas wish list in the Summer.

[cream]

But in terms of priorities is spending a significant amount of money on a left back up there? for me it comes after getting another good striker and a creative (probably wide) player.

I'd imagine we'd have a limited transfer budget and I'd prefer us to spend it in these areas first. Insua is constantly improving and will get better. We need another left back if Aurelio leaves but a cheap backup will do IMO.

I'd be hacked off if we priorotised a left back above attacking players

Regardless of what the priorities are, Aurelio cannot be relied to play more than two games on the bounce therefore it is a waste of money keeping him and should be taken off the wage bill. We need another versatile player who can play both sides and is available to play when we need him.

[-V-]

He is our best left back and thats where he should play. He himself knows he has injury problems so he should just sign the pay as you play deal. He's a very good squad player and I wouldn't want to lose him

[Exiled_red]

Agree completely.

People whined when we spent big money on Johnson & this is a similar situation.

[Exiled_red]

Regardless of what the priorities are, Aurelio cannot be relied to play more than two games on the bounce therefore it is a waste of money keeping him and should be taken off the wage bill. We need another versatile player who can play both sides and is available to play when we need him.

I'm saying we need another left back to come in and replace him but we shouldn't be looking to spend big money on a replacement

...unless by some miracle we suddenly have a large transfer budget

[red g]

Insua seems to have got over his dip in form now though and playing well!

Interesting to see Clcihy at arsenal antoher potential class player has been having a mare the last month or so!

[cream]

I'm saying we need another left back to come in and replace him but we shouldn't be looking to spend big money on a replacement

...unless by some miracle we suddenly have a large transfer budget

Isn't that what I said

[Armchairkopite]

I'm saying we need another left back to come in and replace him but we shouldn't be looking to spend big money on a replacement

...unless by some miracle we suddenly have a large transfer budget

I would prioritise left back, we have the Liege strike coming into the side and really that should be enough.

I honestly believe that the already signed striker, a left back and a decent holding midfielder for about 5 million quid will have us pretty much sorted.

Babel could really make a big difference to the side if he can continue to improve, bit IF but there you go.

[Exiled_red]

Isn't that what I said

I only saw your comments saying we need to replace him I wasn't sure when I quoted your previous post whether you meant he should be replaced as back up (fairly cheap) or he should just be replaced by someone regardless off cost. Apologies if I have missed something.

My view is the cheaper alternative in the likelihood of having a small transfer budget.

[Exiled_red]

I would prioritise left back, we have the Liege strike coming into the side and really that should be enough.

I honestly believe that the already signed striker, a left back and a decent holding midfielder for about 5 million quid will have us pretty much sorted.

Babel could really make a big difference to the side if he can continue to improve, bit IF but there you go.

We already have two holding midfielders in Mascherano and Lucas.

The problem for me is that we are lacking creativity. We need a pacey flair player who can open up defences and turn matches. To be honest I'd forgotten we'd signed a striker on a Bosman but I still think the attacking area of the pitch require more focus than the defensive area