Well MH was spot on with Bojan eh!! Could be an interesting forward line especially if Moses signs. Still want Richards...on a free at right back. Greedy this morning
@StokeLoudProud: Stoke City still have "one or two" transfer targets ahead of the new season but are happy with the core of their... http://t.co/hODAwbG7dL
Stoke have turned down a "derisory" £3m bid from Europa League winners Sevilla for 26-year-old midfielder Steven Nzonzi. (Telegraph)
Scholes was quoted as saying he was happy with the squad as a whole and didn't see much transfer activity happening.
Even if we manage to keep Bego , and even if we manage to keep Zonz , and even if Bojan comes back fully fit , and even if we manage to get Moses , ( and it is doubtful that all four will materialize ) ; if there are no other players coming in , we will be just treading water , which would mean a place lower than ninth next time. How can the SCFC hierarchy be so complacent ?
I think we have to work on the basis that Bego is going, with his contract running down we have to extract as much value as we can. I would imagine that the logic of running with same squad is that Bojan & Odemwingie would be like new signings, effectively 2 new players. The only way we would sell Nzonzi is for big money, he's just too valuable to us and we can't replace him. I'm not 100% convinced on us being able to do the Moses deal, I don't think he wants to come and more importantly will he stay fit for a full season? Regardless of the above, I do think we will need a new striker and if there was ever a time to bite the bullet - its now.
It would be irresponsible of SCFC's management TO ASSUME before the season starts that Bojan and Odemwingie are going to play 30+ matches next season , and each game on top form. So I do not accept the supposition that " it will be like having two new signings ". How many full games will Crouch , Adam , Ireland and Muniesa play ? We should not have to play Wollschied , Wilson , Sidwell or Bardsley , because if we have to pick these players we will not be as strong as we will need to be. We need to strenghthen the squad. Let me ask you a question Smithers , do you have a personal interest in restricting how much is spent on bringing in new players ? You seem very quick to defend SCFC's reluctance to spend.
Tee hee I'm with ye KKB. I have taken more flak than the Dam Busters on here. The Coates's pension pot must be gigantic!!!
No far from it, I do believe that a substantial investment is needed and with the revenues increasing now is the time. My point was that I could see how the clubs "financial" management may view it moving forward and as you say certain players getting regular game time would be a backward step - let alone standing still. I just think that we do have a core squad which is very capable, but as I have said numerous times (like a broken record) an ageing one which needs freshening up and future proofing. Will the club and can the club spend circa 40 million, I don't know? Would I like them too - definitely - but only if it is spent wisely. The simple fact is that we have a reasonable defence and a solid midfield. Butland is a capable keeper but our improvements will be defined on whether we can put the ball in the back of the net.
