Ok shanks, 3 real quality players could, given the right circumstances do the job. I will maintain 6 are required. Lets line up a team like this... just plucking names out of the ether... they won't be realistic. Reina johnson skertl agger enrique lucas MARTINEZ Suarez Gerrard HAZARD Carroll. cavani on the bench... now thats only three players coming in. that aint bad is it? but hang on.. that leaves us scratching in reserve a bit cos the best will shows we'd have to depending on a few lads i'd not want after this year. thats why i say 6. My bench with the team above is doni, kelly, coates, downing, cavani, sterling, adam/henderson/shelvey I think we need 1. striker 2. Left wing 3. centre midfield 4. attacking midfield 5. left full 6. centre half. why? simple, we should lose maxi, kuyt, bellamy and carragher. we need to replace those... adam is not good enough. downing is terrible and hednerson aint ready.
Carragher isn't going anywhere. He's contracted up to June 2013, is doing his UEFA coaching badges and in all probablility will retire onto the coaching staff. I think he'll get next season similar to this season - occasional starts, occasional subs. Bellamy likewise. I think we need 3 players but would like upwards of that in any amount 4/5/6.... Unearth a few unknown Uruguyans with our new connections there and at least one 'big' name.
Our chance conversion rate was one of the lowest in Europe! Buy a decent striker and hey presto, we'll gain 15 points and be challenging. I will add that I think that Carroll could be that player but it's unlikely that we'll play to his strengths as we didn't all season so why would the penny drop now? So a striker, throw in decent cover for Lucas (Spearing doesn't do it for me at all) and a pacey right winger and we'll be done for this year.
I think Spearing was right to turn down the loan at the start of the season and try and fight for a place. I also think that he's not quite of the required standard, it's a pity as he loves the club.
Mate if after our dealings we can still afford to put Cavani on the bench I will be f****** elated!!!!!! I also don't think that bench you have is too shabby either and you could add Bellamy to that too. But again if we can get 6 like you say then even better and I certainly will not argue with that!
On the OP, I think the objective for a club like us must be 4th. To have 5th as an objective is clear nonsense. As for cups, most teams do their best. To do well depends on many factors including some luck in the early rounds. I would look to reinforce the frontline. A goal poacher would not go amiss. We need to boost the midfield too.
Our objective will be 4th, and I honestly think we'll get it. One quality winger (+ a young backup winger like Hoilet), one quality striker (+ a young backup like De Jong) and one quality centre midfielder. We should also use much more of our young players in the cup games til the latter stages (hendo+shelvey looked like a promising duo and could cope imo). Done and dusted.
I'd be happy finishing in the top 6. I don't expect us to be able to make 4th for a couple more years. Quarter finals of the Europa League sounds fair, Although we have the potential to win it. (It's just whether players cba) Another Cup win? I'd be happy with Semi-Finals in the cup.
Are the same people wanting 6 signings the same people saying we didn't do well this year because the players needed time to settle in? 3good signings will do.You can't keep changing half the team and expect success.
Never bought into this idea of 'time to settle'. If a player is good enough then they'll show within a short space of time. Take the recent crop bought of players; Quality players will hit the ground running, take Suarez. Rubbish players with always be rubbish, take Downing. In terms of the others, Carroll was injured and needed confidence, Henderson is young, Adam is average and always will be, Enrique is soild and didnt need to settle, Coates hasnt had much game time. 3 Signings are perhaps whats needed, but adding better quality players to a thin squad with some old and some average players would be an advantage. With more competitions to play for next year a bigger squad is going to be needed to be able to sustain a challenge throught out the season.
Certain youth players dont have to be counted, an example would be Robinson. And with Players like Kuyt and Maxi destined to leave that opens up two senior positions in the squad. Oh and Auriello should be on his way out, thats another place. And by my count some of the youth players and unworthy players are being counted to make up the numbers in the 1st team squad already. Remember Man City and Chelsea are able to have large squads and stay within the rules.
We only named a 19 man squad this season. Henderson, Shelvey, Coates and Kelly all count as under 21. But next season Henderson and Kelly will both be 22? If Hazard signed he would count as under 21 for his first season. Interesting thought.
Cavani? Bale? No chance of signing Players of this calibre. You are going to have to aim a little lower.
This A good player will fit in within a season. Why do people think we need three seasons o get to where we want. Either a player can cut it or he won't. The manager must be able to recognise that the new purchase is not taking the team forward and get rid quickly. Downing should be ditched and fast. We are of course going to take a hit but that is what happens when youve made a mistake.
