Didn't Boro get relegated? We could keep contracted players regardless but I was thinking more of players joining. Finishing seventeenth (hypothetically) wouldn't encourage potential joining players that we were in a position to offer regular CL football. Finish fourth in 2013-14 didn't even do that!
That could be the issue in getting a better quality of player in, but getting into the CL hardly helped improve the quality of incoming players did it. As many have said before the lure of London or the wealth of the Manchester clubs is what the biggest stars want.
That's the point I'm making! Getting into the CL is one thing and yes, it may help attract some players, but to be able to attract the best players you need to be able to offer regular or the potential of regular CL football. Finishing 17th and winning the EL certainly isn't going to do that. Finishing second didn't do that although we don't know what would have happened with regards to transfers had Suarez stayed either. The fact we've had a 7th and 6th either side of that 2nd is what players will be discouraged by #inconsistent We are in the shadows when it comes to wages too which doesn't help.
Going back to the OP and looking at the team we put out, does it look like we're taking it seriously?
But even with the errors made the club is able to take a gamble on players such as Sturridge, Coutinhio, Flamingo, Lallana etc and see if they can make the step up to the quality required for regular CL. But having CL football may just help you keep Coutinhio happy and then the extra cash....CL games bring in the better quality players. Liverpool are not a cash rich club in line with United, City or some of the European giants.....but at the next level down you should be able to attract the players to get CL and be consistant participants to build.
We're a sleeping giant, we're just taking a very bloody long nap We have the money to take the step up but we waste it. FSG aren't keen on big wages but are happy to offer bonuses, that's a bigger restriction then anything else IMO
I agree. Bonuses are no good if you have to watch five players play around you at a distinct level lower than you performance wise. You think "how am I getting a trophy bonus or a CL bonus playing with this lot?"
Of course this is talking about top players..young players should always have low base rate with possible big bonuses...then you dont create jumped up twats like Sterling.
