Athletico Madrid to bid for Xabi?

[redlancer]

I'd say we're at least 3 world class players off.

You need a top class first XI first, and then you work on the subs.

you need 18/20 quality players not 11 these days for the PL.

buying just a handfull at the start with no back up you have the issues of injuries, loss of form, tiredness and becomming the barcodes.
We needed to inprove the overhall quality of the team not just a few places. Otherwise these world class players would have been out there all on thier own with the likes of Cheyrou, Diao passing the ball to them.

[Craig_H]

you need 18/20 quality players not 11 these days for the PL.

buying just a handfull at the start with no back up you have the issues of injuries, loss of form, tiredness and becomming the barcodes.
We needed to inprove the overhall quality of the team not just a few places. Otherwise these world class players would have been out there all on thier own with the likes of Cheyrou, Diao passing the ball to them.

I agree, but you START with the first team and then fill the gaps as you go.

You dont start by adding to the squad with average joes, when the first 11 isnt good enough.

[redlancer]

I agree, but you START with the first team and then fill the gaps as you go.

You dont start by adding to the squad with average joes, when the first 11 isnt good enough.

the 1st team these days is 18 players for the league, it has to be as the likes of the Chav's can replace quality with quality.

just 11 world class as you put it wouldn't win the league.
plus you have to buy them and hope they'll fit in.
Nando is a class player , didn't fit in.
SPeedy and Pennant off last season both looked the players we wanted. haven't fitted in yet.
Loads wanted Joaquin, he took could of bombed, and there's no guarantee that Alves would be the saviour.

As we don't have an open cheque book increasing the quality of the whole team seems more logical than going down the Newcastle route of buying the odd world class player to apese the fans

[Redmonkey]

That said, Alonso on his day is the best passer in Europe but is that enough to warrant a place in the midfield.

Yes, I think so. Am surprised that so many people seem fairly open to Alonso being sold.

[Craig_H]

Surely buying better players is what increases the quality of the team?

[kopdan]

Yes, I think so. Am surprised that so many people seem fairly open to Alonso being sold.

I'm not open about selling him really. I like the player and the guy and rate him higher than many other players but he's no Lampard or Scholes, both a player who can spray 60 yard balls.

Alonso needs to start doing more on the pitch in my opinion OR we buy two wingers who will score the goals to back up our strikers and Stevie.

[Craig_H]

Alonso needs to start doing more on the pitch in my opinion OR we buy two wingers who will score the goals to back up our strikers and Stevie.

Spot on.

[Tee]

Alonso leaving us to return 'home' is inevitable, as is the case for all the other Spanish players IMO. I think after 3 or 4 years they will naturally have a desire to return home - wouldn't you after working abroad for so long?

There are exceptions of course, but IMO Alonso, Reina and possibly Garcia will not be around the season after next.

[kopdan]

not that he isnt capable in my opinion

[redlancer]

Surely buying better players is what increases the quality of the team?

yes

but as money is an object and we had to get rid of a lot of deadwood
we can't replace say 10 players with 2
Scum and Chav's can look at 20M plus players, scum can do this as they have a lot of decnet players there.

We have to build a foundation 1st and as we can't go out and pay 12M for Alves, 25M for Villa, we buy Bellamy for 6M, Kuyt for 10M, Agger 5M, Alonso 10M, Pennant for 6M.
So for the prices of a winger and forward who would both need time ot settle into the leagure we get 2 forwards, a defender a midfield player and a winger
Out of them only Pennant is yet to work out

[bazza76]

Alonso leaving us to return 'home' is inevitable, as is the case for all the other Spanish players IMO. I think after 3 or 4 years they will naturally have a desire to return home - wouldn't you after working abroad for so long?

There are exceptions of course, but IMO Alonso, Reina and possibly Garcia will not be around the season after next.

For me it all depends on success, if we are not winning trophies, they could say, well whats the point, but currently we have been, when we seem to be going downhill, maybe then we might see some leave.

[kopdan]

Nah I think Alonso is ready to see it out a lot longer here. He's more than likely to try Italy next. He's a thinking footballer who is obviously going into coaching after playing.

[Craig_H]

Not sure i'd agree on Reina or Alonso.

Alonso especially, really took to the english culture and embraced it, everything he said when he first joined smacked of someone adaptable, open minded and who was keen to broaden his horizons and learn new things.

He might go back, but he doesnt strike me as being the homesick type.

[Craig_H]

yes

but as money is an object and we had to get rid of a lot of deadwood
we can't replace say 10 players with 2
Scum and Chav's can look at 20M plus players, scum can do this as they have a lot of decnet players there.

We have to build a foundation 1st and as we can't go out and pay 12M for Alves, 25M for Villa, we buy Bellamy for 6M, Kuyt for 10M, Agger 5M, Alonso 10M, Pennant for 6M.
So for the prices of a winger and forward who would both need time ot settle into the leagure we get 2 forwards, a defender a midfield player and a winger
Out of them only Pennant is yet to work out

Well we've built up the 'gap-fillers' now, so let's see if we begin to concentrate on the top players to go straight into the first team now.

I bet we dont.

(Of course, if DIC buy and wanna be big players, that might change. But under current ownership, i bet we dont).

[redlancer]

Well we've built up the 'gap-fillers' now, so let's see if we begin to concentrate on the top players to go straight into the first team now.

I bet we dont.

(Of course, if DIC buy and wanna be big players, that might change. But under current ownership, i bet we dont).

I'd say we're in a position now where come transfer market its only the odd player we need to go for and if he costs a lot maybe we can go for it.