We really need to shift the deadwood - Enrique, Borini and Mario just have to go. There is no point having them at the club. I would like Allen and Lucas to be replaced in the coming windows as well. Overall, no I'm not happy with the dealings. We could and should have done better. But the team has improved IMO - has it improved enough? Personally, I don't think so and we'll miss out on top 4. But if Rodgers has balls and plays the talented youngsters in the EL, then I think we have a very good chance of winning that.
Aye, would love to have signed a solid DM... but, it appears that's not the way Rodgers wants to play... Fair enough.. BUT. Given our situation, no CL, Not able to compete financially with last years top 4, who else could we have bought? It's all well and good saying this ain't good enough, that's ****e, etc.. but offer a viable option? Which current top striker could we have attracted that's got the necessary skill set to play in the EPL? We've just signed England's RB? One of the best in the EPL.. Firmino, he doesn't float you boat? Over the last 3 years in a pretty competitive league he's got a better goal scoring/assist record than Sterling and cost us half what got for him? Gomez, not just us, Arsenal, Chav's and a few other teams were after him, given his pre-season form, its not hard to see why! Ings, much better backup than last years Backups Yeah, Bogdan ain't all that, but which team, other than Chelsea have two top quality Goalies? Milner, been a fan of his for ages, he'll do a great job for us, that I have no doubt.. City were throwing good money at him to stay!
Agree. For me though it's about lack of quantity this summer, not quality. I'm happy with who we've brought in (given our circumstances) but I think we still have lots more to do. I think Pedro would have been a very viable option and I think we are very light in midfield (Lucas and Allen just don't cut it, and Can is raw and untested in midfield), I also think our CB situation is no closer to being properly resolved.
True, but on the other hand, were they the priorities or can they wait until January or next summer if need be? If we are finished with purchasing, then presumably the money's been used up. Who would you not have bought and bought instead?
Everyone had a different idea of what the priority was prior to the summer window opening. I said my first priority was a top class striker (actually said two and its debatable as to whether we've got one; time will tell) with a DM next.
Everyone else on this board would have bought new GKs and new CBs. They also would have bought fewer players to have less disruption to the squad. #qualitynotquantity They would buy a #worldclass DM. They would also play Can there. They would buy new midfielders. They would also give Teixeira, Rossiter, Kent and Brannagan more starts. They would buy a #worldclass winger. And Ibe would be the first name on the teamsheet.
Not sure Pedro would leave for a club no in the CL.. Just a hunch... And, wouldn't Pedro be seen as a Sterling replacement.. is that not why we've bought Firmino? Also, Pedro comes in, we don't play one of Coutinho or Firmino? Also, Sturridge to comeback, where does he play? You can bet, if they're fit, Hendo and Milner will play, Benteke and/or Sturridge, can we drop Coutinho? Clyne, LB, 2 CBs, Ming, that leaves two spots... Yes one could be Pedro, but that means one of Sturridge/Firmino don't play.. I like the lad Lucas, but if he can be phased out and we get a good replacement for him, then I'd be happy with that.. Agree with Jimmys previous comments, hope the likes of Illori and Gomez are played in the EL, as CBs, see if they can cut it, if so, look to get them some game time in the EPL...
I guess it's more that I hoped we could have gotten at least £20-30m from shifting Borini, Mario, Allen, Lucas and Enrique. Staggering that we were offered £7m for Borini last year
I really wouldn't factor Sturridge into any long-term team sheets. He's been crocked 14 times already, each time spending progressively more time out. I would be surprised if he has a better season during the rest of his career than 13/14 with Suarez. I really really do hope I'm proved wrong though.
Bingo... we like Ibe... no? We want to give youth a chance.. but we'd like Pedro... he's closer to 30 than he is 25... Ibe is no Pedro (hopefully he will be one day..) but I'd rather we took a punt on him than splash close to 50m (fees and wages) on someone with no re-sale value after a 4+ year contract!
Wouldn't write him off just yet.. but, agreed, he needs to get fit and stay fit.. a Sturridge close to 13/14 would still be one of the best Strikers in the league! He's still young, hopefully the worst of his injuries are behind him..
So do I, but I'm afraid you're right. It's rare for players to make full recoveries and get back to their best after such injury problems. If we get him back it's a bonus imo, but we have to go ahead on the assumption that he's always going to be in and out.
