So, we saw the photos on Cissoko but he has not been officially announced yet. Why not? Maybe the rumours of a double unvail are true. Articles did say Willian would make a decision on Tuesday.
I don't think FM is to blame, I think the fact that our manager said that the squad was sorted and he would now be concentrating on a couple to improve the first team may have had a bit of impact though (and yes, I know its not easy etc)
I'll take you word for it, I've not seen the guy play and I refuse to "YouTube" him! I look good on YouTube and I'm an over weight 40 year old that can do the 10m dash in about 5mins, I've got a good first touch though and at the park I used to play in as a youth I was hailed as the Asian Molby
Didn't say I disagreed with you, was just giving a reason I'd prefer to see the defensive side (including a DM) improved too
Willian is a very classy player - two footed, incredible acceleration, great technique, ability to fend off defenders and retain possession. Would love for him to have joined us as he was a realistic target i.e. CL wasn't a major factor.
You have a point, but I stand by what I said. Too many fans think it's just about the will of the club to buy a player and don't think about the other factors.
I agreed with your as well, just playing devils advocate and throwing a few more points into the discussion
Rodgers has said we needed an attacking forward all summer and now we have failed in all 3 of our targets. It's demoralising, and none of those 3 compares to ****ing dempsey and none are short-term options. Those who think Aspas is suddenly the answer need to get a grip. We have exactly the same squad as last year pretty much, but with much less deadwood, which also means much less depth.
Despite some good early transfer activity, we have managed to fall even further behind the top teams. Possibly caught upto arsenal a bit? But Tottenham, city, Chelsea and obviously the scum are miles ahead.
Rodgers' quote about targets signalled his intentions which, I think, supports my point. He intended to go for some ready-made first teamers, and tried for some. But intention and achievement are two different things. We may have failed, but we can't assume it's through lack of trying. In all other respects, I thing the club has done a good job this year.
Aspas is a good recruitment but I would be inclined to agree that anyone expecting him to be the answer to our problems are a little short sighted. It is a squad game and we need options. However, we have much options in the attacking positions than at DM, LB and, depending on your opinion, CB too. Yeah you did #predictability #nothingmuchelsetosay
I think they have done a good job and their intentions were spot on. But I can't help feel that we could have been more ruthless in our pursuits. None of us know how the deals/bids are made but I feel that dwelled a little on some deals. Whether the players reps have messed us around or it's own fault - who knows? I still feel that whilst we're out of CL, we need a big name at the top of the club who can attract players. Baldini at Spurs is doing a great job.
Don't think anyone said Aspas is the answer. Is he better than the player he replaced (Downing), yes from what I've seen of him already. Will he get us goals, assists and help with general play up front, again I think so. We don't know the finer details of the deals to try to bring in Henry Ryan, Costa and now Willian, but based on what's been written and assumed. We tried to move early for Henry, he had a complicated "ownership" issue which we did resolve, however Dortmund came in for him, offered him CL football with a team that will have a good chance of winning it, against US, who aren't in the CL and may not get into it this year, Him deciding to to go to Dortmund is not the fault of our negotiating team! Costa, we make a bid/trigger release clause, he doesn't want to move, he and his family appear to be settled in Spain, Athletico have CL, he decides to stay put, don't blame him and again no fault of our negotiating team! Now Willian, Don't know the exact details but it appears the pull of London, maybe working with AvB and they fact they offered more money for him and may pay him more is what's pushed him towards Spurs, if so, well played Spurs. I may be over simplifying things but it does appear we've tried but for reasons beyond our control they've decided to go elsewhere.
I disagree. Look at us last season in attrack. Striker: Suarez, Borini. Borini got injured so we only had Suarez until January. This season: Strikers: Sturridge, Suarez, Aspas, Borini (oh look, its doubled in size). Right now all are at the club, all are fit and it looks promising. Now wings, wide forwards, attacking midfielders. We had: Sterling, Suso, Shelvey, Downing, Allen. Sterling and Suso were good for their age but burnt out. Shelvey started well but failed to provide the goods and completely lost form. Allen does not even look like he should be playing in AM most of the time. Henderson was not involved here until later in the season. Now: Coutinho, Sterling, Luis Alberto, Ibe, Allen, Henderson. Not greatly different but worth applauding just because it contains a great player in Coutinho and Henderson has really come on brilliantly. Luis Alberto looks like a step up from Shelvey and Sterling is a year older and wiser.
