Are we really looking at so many average players?

[Neil Young]

"Average players" in whose eyes though? Most of us are crap at spotting football talent - at least the ones who are not obviously going to be stars but, like many who do end up really good players, might be - and the few of us who might have some ability in talent spotting are more likely to be wring than right.

So if I think a player is average then maybe they are and if Hodgson rates them then it's going to confirm my opinion. But if Dalglish rates them then I'm more than happy to believe my opinion is wrong. It doesn't mean they'll all be great but I think there's a much better chance Dalglish has seen something I've missed than Hodgson has.

Although of course even Bronto knows more about football than many or, probably, all of us.

As for England I'm impressed Johnson is happy to play the full ninety minutes before fighting Froch later tonight.

[CJ]

you ******* i have been thinking about asking how glen could do both of those all day

decided against it.

also everything in football isnt just opinion some of it is fact. its not opinion that messi is world class at the moment its not opinion that he is better than neil mellor some things are fact not just opinion

[Neil Young]

Yes of course some things are fact. But, like I said, it's easy to spot the great players-to-be - you didn't have to be a genius to see Messi or Gerrard or Ronaldo would be world class. It's not as easy to sort out which player is going to be a really good Premiership player and which one isn't when they're unlikely to reach the world class level. If it was easy then managers wouldn't make crap signings. And some players don't develop while others do, even after they've turned 22 or 23 or even later.

Anyway, we're now going round in circles so much it's in danger of getting as boring as a Formula One race.

Let's just stop.

[CJ]

you mean indycar? or nascar they go round in ovals

[Neil Young]

I mean all circuit racing. They don't go anywhere and it's so dull (IMO).

I know the same is true of track cycling but Vicky Pendleton isn't a racing driver.

[Darkon]

I think it's essentially a mix between us looking to get a broader competitive squad, which have been a problem the last couple of seasons and that silly season have become even more silly than usual. Not least thanks to twitter that is just the perfect medium for random nobodies to get attention by spouting ****, and people/press just pick up on it.

[Mattshark]

That doesn't make sense. Has the English language changed so much in the past two decades that "not considered World Class" meant something different then and so cannot be used now?

If not then I suggest you don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Sorry but I think you have missed the point.

[DannyMan2006]

where do you think the side of 86-87 or 89-90 would have finished last season?

I don't believe either would have won the league.

Such is the fitness of modern players and the speed in which the game is played I think you would be right. But give them a year with the fitness coaches etc of today and I think that if nothing else, the best XI from each of the years you mention would wallop the best XI of this seasons premiership sides.

I can't say they'd win it because football is a squad game now, and the squads of teams back then was too small to compete with teams in the modern era over a 60+ game season.

Every comparison to the past is pointless because of the fitness issues. But that doesn't mean that players of today were more talented than the players in the late 80's. For me Kenny knew how to spot a good player, and that hasn't changed - I don't think you can ever lose that. You've either got it or you haven't.

[Charly]

Sorry but I think you have missed the point.

No, you have missed the point...

Being that Kenny can probably spot potentially great players better than any of us.

And only he can truely understand exactly how he expects his teams, positions, and players he brings in to play those positions to perform. So I think we should trust his judgement.

As I said, the only area I think he did not sign so well in was in the defensive area. with the likes of Burrows, Hysen, Venison, Tanner... I think Ablett was a yoof.

[Fredo]

"Bronto"

[calvoboy]

Probable starters in most people's first 11 next year, regardless of signings

Reina
Johnson
Carra
Agger/Skrtel
NEED LEFT BACK DESPERATELY
Kuyt
Lucas
Gerrard
NEED LEFT WINGER DESPERATELY
Suarez
Carroll

That still leaves the likes of Meireles, Maxi, Kelly, Flanagan, Shelvey, Spearing, Agger/Skrtel on the bench with a fully fit squad.

Other than a couple of key positions, we don't need too many players to walk into the first team. We are signing players to improve the overall level of the squad, and to increase competition for places. In that case, preferably young, British ('cause they'll fit straight in, not out of xenophobia), and not on the stupid wages of the likes of Poulsen, Cole, Jovanovic etc.

All of the players we've been linked with so far fit the bill on that front. As long as we sign a class left-back and a class wide player, I'll be happy with any of the ones we've been linked with so far.

[Mattshark]

No, you have missed the point...

Being that Kenny can probably spot potentially great players better than any of us.

And only he can truely understand exactly how he expects his teams, positions, and players he brings in to play those positions to perform. So I think we should trust his judgement.

As I said, the only area I think he did not sign so well in was in the defensive area. with the likes of Burrows, Hysen, Venison, Tanner... I think Ablett was a yoof.

Right sorry, I won't question again. Sorry.

And no, I haven't missed the point, you just made a meaningless comparison.

[Rigadon]

Of course you can. Its always about picking the right mix of players, not the best money can buy.

Is the correct answer!

All about building a side and a squad to play to your strengths, some players may not be the most fashionable names out there but then that shouldn't be a reason to buy players anyway!

Utd's squad, for example, includes a number of players that are mediocre/normal but they play very well in a team under Fergie.

[Pablo]

Utd's squad, for example, includes a number of players that are mediocre/normal but they play very well in a team under Fergie.

So now you're suggesting Fergie take over as our manager?

[Charly]

Right sorry, I won't question again. Sorry.

And no, I haven't missed the point, you just made a meaningless comparison.

How can you call Kenny's past record meaningless? Surely its why we rate him so highly? And thats mainly down to hiis style of play, and the players he has signed.

Surely his ability to judge a players potential is vital. The only comparison available is from 20 years ago. Parts of the game have changed, and no one is saying standards are the same.

The point I was making was that Kenny in the past had signed players that we may no have though were top notch at the time, but proved otherwise in his system.

And its not just Kenny. I remember people were questioing the signings of Hyypia and Henchoz.

Sometimes you have to trust that the manager knows what he is doing.

My fear is that is Commoli who may have the final say.