Have big respect for that. Foregoing two chances to get paid out on your loyalty bonus, a nice signing-on fee and doubtlessly larger wages to play for a club that's constantly trying to sell you. It's a rarity in this day and age. Honestly hope he can re-find that confidence to be composed in front of goal this season because I do like what he brings to the team when he plays.
Hmmmm you seem to not be listening. I agree that the players that have REPLACED those that have left are preferred by Rafa. I concede Rafa knows more than I do and I trust his judgement but it still remains to be seen if they are better.... I'm sure they will prove to be so. The bit about "good business" applies to replacing those players with potentially better players whilst turning a profit BUT maybe isn't good business when you consider there are other areas of the team that are weak and haven't been addressed despite doing good business
You said "That is far from significantly improving." I disagree as stated above. I think the options in those areas are significant improvement. We can always do more and do need to strengthen. For instance I'd get shot of Lazaar and Manquillo. I'd replace them with better. However Rafa seems to like Manquillo and unfortunately has saddled himself with Lazaar. Until they go we can't strengthen there. Strikers is the same. Until we offload Gayle, I can't see us buying another striker as we'd have too many. Until we shift Hayden or Saivet we likely can't go get a Maia or replacement there. Where else would you like strengthening bar the unforeseen need to replace Lejeune with a loan? The only one I see is No.10 which we haven't managed to fill. I think the fans would like to see us saddle ourselves with additional players in the hope we can offload, I don't think this will happen because the issues borne out by the latest accounts.
I stand by the fact its far from significantly improving. The players could be absolute garbage and never really feature as was the case with their predecessors. I hope I am wrong and I trust Rafa's judgement so we (probably) have improved but its not significantly. Will have to agree to disagree as its subjective what significantly is. The manager has got rid of players he didn't fancy or just didn't feature for players he does want so we have improved. The remaining money should be spent getting players needed around the rest of the squad especially the top striker and number 10. LB and RB competition/ upgrades perhaps can be argued one in one out as you can't pay an extra wage but that's the problem with buying cheap **** in the first place. Yes Rafa purchased Manq, lazaar and Joselu but when you are given peanuts (for whatever reason) thats the calibre you attract and get stuck with.
I disagree with the arguments on Lazaar, Manquillo and Joselu. Joselu can be argued to a certain degree as he arrived late in the window. However Rafa knew his budget and spent a big chunk on Murphy but hasn't used him. We stayed up so that could be said to be correct but he'd have been better off keeping Murphy for a year. Lazaar was bought as he splashed the cash left right and centre. He was a needless purchase as we had Gamez, Clark, Dummett who could all play left back. I'm sorry but Rafa has to carry the can for that one. Manquillo arrived in around the 20th July. Its not like he was a panic purchase but rather someone Rafa fancied. Again a pointless waste of money in my book as he released a better player in Mbabu. Again Rafa has to carry the can. Its very easy to try to paint Rafa as a saint and Ashley as the devil. The facts do not back it up in some circumstances though. He has a huffy streak like KK does Rafa. He thinks money grows on trees and wants all of his mistakes forgotten. He has to take responsibility and assist in getting the duds he bought off the books to make room for new purposes.
Can’t disagree that Rafa has made what appear to be mistakes, Manquillo and Lazaar turned out bad signings and letting Mbabu go was a bad move but no manager is perfect. It doesn’t alter the fact we need a PL left back, a striker who can score goals and competition at no 10. All obvious last season. I agree the signings made so far appear good and am happy to see the young lads getting chances but those three places need filled and sadly I don’t think they will be
I was under the impression Saivet was due to sign for Bursaspor? Seems odd he knew that fact (#freedorfacts) but isn't privy to any conversations about actual money. Strange way for a club to behave.
He is supposed to but I don't think its gone through as yet. I am pretty sure Hayden is proving difficult to move on. We only need 4 central midfielders on the books. Shelvey, Ki, Diame and one other.
