Carl whilst your contention would normally be true, you have to consider that LFC is a major global sports brand. Hence, even allowing for our under-performance on the pitch, we have been able to increase our commercial income at a pace equal to and above those of our global rivals. Now that situation is unlikely to last forever. However, just think how long it has been since Ajax were a major European force and then look at their strength in terms of global shirt sales! If we continue to increase our commercial income AND provide success on the pitch then the future will be very well funded indeed.
Agreed we will have to spend big money to keep our youth in years to come. But I think this year will be about making sure the likes of Suso, Pacheco, Shelvey, Sterling and Henderson develop into first team players, then the next year we need to buy some quality to demonstrate our ambition and keep them at the club. I think the reason players are leaving United is because they are getting pulled into the city/Chelsea trap of buying too much which takes opportunity away from the youth.
We spent £20m on Downing, £35m on Carroll, £16m on Henderson and £8m on Adam. Total = £79m. And where did that get us? To our lowest league position ... Whilst Henderson and Carroll have potential, we overspent on them. Plain and simple so please don't try and justify their prices. We were given a lot of money to spend and we wasted it - why is it wasted? Because look at our team, look at the work that is needed to it, look at where we finished. I'm not saying that Kenny didn't make any good signings - as you pointed out, Suarez and Enrique have come in, adapted and are key members of the first team! How many of the British players mentioned above could you say are key members of the first team? For the money we spent, we should have brought in players who are key to the first team. OF course that was Kenny's intention but his judgement was poor.
To be fair it's only Downing and to some degree Carroll that I'm disappointed with. 35 million was way too much for Carroll but at least he has time to develop but that money could have been put to better use, Downing has been terrible and I really don't see him getting better I was never a fan. 8 million for Adam seemed fair at the time Suarez, Enrique and Henderson I am happy with. I'm happy with the Squad as a whole and if we are keeping Carroll then the purchase of Allen would mean we are ready to go. There are always players that I would like us to buy but imo Borini and Allen would add to a good squad, it's down to Rodgers to get the best out of them as this group underacheived last season.
Spot on. Although the signings themselves make sense and the players aren't bad, the prices are incredible when you compare to others in the market. Such a waste when you consider how 80£m could be spent now by Rodgers, although tbh it's looking like he'd go and do the same and sign overrated British talent *cough* Allen *cough*
well lets see: a) how rodgers improves those over priced players... can he make some justify their fees? b) can rodgers actually bring those kids through? c) can rodgers make the misfits work? If you look at the massive squad brought to the us then added to with internationals returning and think three players are still off at the olympics... well you have to see why FSG think we've plenty of guys and should be able to get by... naive but you can see why. my own opinion as of today (i'm open to changing it as more evidence emerges) is that we've no money to complete so we really need to practice RETENTION and development meaning that rodgers flip flopping on carroll (who can tell whats going on there now) is not good and to compete the reality is we need to fill all squad gaps now with kids.
