I agree completely. We need a minimum of 5 first team players - mainly in midfield so that will cost a fair whack. The players we have been linked with are very mediocre in my opinion and fair enough if they will be the back up players instead of people like Colback but this is not realistic. All the players that have been mentioned would not really improve our first team. Improve our squad yes, first team no.
If we are going to be breaking our transfer record, then please don't be on someone like cairney. Break it properly, sign someone class for £30m or something like a top striker whose guaranteed to get 15-20 goals a year. The Ajax Striker, Dolberg whose been banging em in all year! I'm confident Rafa will have a few tricks up his sleeve
The problem we have is the English based players you'd want are probably out of reach. The only English based players I'd be spunking any significant money on is the up and coming ones out of the lower leagues. Finding the next Alli, Holgate, Stones etc etc etc should be our target in that regard. Otherwise I just want the spine sorted first and foremost.
Agree. I think we need to strengthen right through the spine of the team with proven prem quality players. Even if that means going against the usual transfer policy and getting in some experienced players in their 30s to help us consolidate - and to help the youngsters learn. Then add a few younger lads into the squad for future development. Priority for me needs to be quality at CB, DM, no.9, no. 10. Ideally better full-backs too, but less vital.
Mooey - He really isn't that good and certainly isn't better than what we have already. Ashley Barnes? Really? If that is the calibre of playing we are after then we must want Championship football again. He is dogshit. Cairney - Quality player. Ince - ****. Santon - No better than what we have. Sigurdsson - Not interested.
I get the reference to the next Deli Ali, but Mooey is what 25, Cairney 26, Ince 24. Ali is still what 20/21 and he's been smashing it at Tottenham for 2 years. To find the next Ali, you need to find an 18/19 year old who is years beyond their age, confident and mentally stable with masses of technical ability. Ali has remained grounded, continued to work hard, not believed his own hype and gone crazy like most youngster you throw money at. I think the determination is what's got him playing so well, plus being surrounded with players like Moussa Dembele, Wanyama and Erikson who give him the licence to roam and creativity to play so well. I think it's a bit more complex than just buying a good youngster personally. Potch has done really well
You find the next Ali clubs need to be looking at the lower leagues/ non-league pyramid. Signing crap French talent from their 2nd division isn't the answer. The French league isn't the same. They give youngsters a chance. If someone is 23-24 and playing in the French second division then there is a reason for that. If a 23-24 year old English player is playing in the lower leagues it doesn't follow that they are ****. It could be that they did not get a chance at the top.
From what I can see, there's not much difference between Mooy and Cairney. Probably both have been star performers for their respective clubs this season, in what can only be described as a mediocre league full of average players. Both 26 years old. Both have never played in English Football seasons top division. Both potentially 'One Season Wonders - no reason to think otherwise, or they'd have played at a higher level before hitting Mid 20s. Both overpriced. Neither are good enough to make the space they will need in the top division. Cairney can't even get into the worst Scotland Team I can remember in my lifetime. I could understand people waxing lyrical about them, had they been playing in the PL, but, I'm sure they were in the Championship, or maybe I imagined it. If this level of players people are happy with, don't be surprised if we have a difficult season ahead.
But what we as fans would be happy with might not match what the club will spend. Maybe Ashley has cleverly hoodwinked Rafa with the language barrier. He said he could have "every penny" - he never mentioned pounds.
Of course it's possible that a smooth operator like Mike has hoodwinked Rafa, of that there is probably no doubt. I get buying a team for the Championship, but, expectations should be higher now.
