26 passes

[Mister E]

Thanks guys. *blushes*.

I would actually revise the investment figure down to a more realistic £20m-£30m which, if we can hold onto all our best players while losing a few high earning non contributors, would probably be enough to add two or three players of genuine quality to the spine of the team.

I think your first estimate was the accurate one if I'm honest.  I think 25m will be about average this coming summer with all the extra TV money.  I expect to see a lot of signings from France and Spain as those clubs are really feeling the pinch at the minute (outside the top 2 or 3 in each league).  The premier league has sold the last remnants of it's soul  for a last (in my opinion) big bumper deal and I doubt many clubs are going to react by putting some of it aside for a rainy day.

Even with the new TV deal, I can't see us spending anywhere near 40 million.  That was close to the figure MON spent in 2008, with self sustainability being the watchword, we won't be returning to that type of outlay for a while.   

I'd say £25-30 million tops - and that's with Benteke leaving.

All this is on the basis that we stay up of course, which is by no means a given.

If we stay up I can still see Bent and Benteke going - which should generate £30-35m between them. In addition I can see Lambert getting Ireland, Dunne, Makoun and Given off the wage bill, one way or another.

On this basis, with the chairman putting in another £10-15m, a decent transfer pot may be available.
And, bear in mind that at the beginnning of the new £5bn TV deal other clubs will be investing in new players; (theoretically) raising overall competitive standards (not to mention the feeding frenzy for agents). We either compete or we may as well go into the calmer waters of the second tier.

[Ads]

If we stay up, Benteke will stay and leave after the World Cup.

[N'ZMAV]

Belgium could have a good world cup. They've got some good players.

[richard moore]

Belgium could have a good world cup. They've got some good players.

They seem a bit like Spain though before they became good. Look great on paper but the whole is somehow less than the sum of the parts. Mind you, better than England who look dire on paper and are even worse in reality

[not3bad]

If we stay up, Benteke will stay and leave after the World Cup.

That would be much better from Benteke's viewpoint.  Another season of learning and guaranteed first team football and then assuming he has a good world cup the world will literally be his oyster.

[pauliewalnuts]

Belgium could have a good world cup. They've got some good players.

They certainly do.

I saw this elsewhere, a Belgian Premier League XI



Not too shabby at all.

[nigel]

If we stay up, Benteke will stay and leave after the World Cup.

Although I'd want him to stay, but, if this has to be the outcome and has a good world cup we'd be able to name our price.

I'd love to keep him and build a team to challenge the top 5 or 6 and I honestly believe we're only a couple of players away

[Hillbilly]

I read an article explaining that the reason Bale has looked so good recently is because Lloris has replaced Friedel. He's not afraid to play as a sweeper, allowing the defence to stay high, compressing play and allowing Bale to take a few risks and there is always another spurs player close by to get involved when things go wrong or he needs a helping hand. The article also noted that American goalies tend to be shot stoppers and dominate the box but are not comfortable getting involved in play.

You could see that happened in this move but almost by accident. The defence had drifted up the field meaning there were more passing options. I say accidentally because a lot of the match had Guzan launching the ball up to the forwards.

[ktvillan]

I'm in two minds about this possession thing.  I hated the hoofball style under MON and I'm glad that Lambert seems to want us to get the ball down and play.  Just keeping the ball is obviously good at times as the opposition can't score if you've got it, it can relieve pressure and it can tire out the opposition trying to get it back, and so on. But ultimately the objective is to get it forward and threaten the goal. I sometimes think players use the "I didn't give it away" card to avoid making the slightly riskier forward pass that might go astray but might lead directly to a goal chance.  I'm fine with keeping the ball as long as opportunities to get it forward quickly and exploit gaps in the opposition defence aren't avoided or missed.  This was often my big gripe with Petrov, very good at keeping the ball by making the simple, safe pass, but we missed out on so many quick breaks when he was playing and it left me frustrated.  Bannan gets criticised for trying to play the riskier pass but I kind of admire that about his game,it's a shame his technique and decision making don't always match his ambition.  I don't see why you can't play a passing, possession based game and still aim to get it forward quickly and effectively whenever possible.  Tippy tappy that goes nowhere might be technically superb and might eventually lead to something, but it can be incredibly boring to watch - Spain in I think the semi final of the last Euros almost had me comatose. 

As for Lambert, yes he's well intentioned, but his execution has been poor in many respects.  I don't think some of the players he's signed are good enough, his tactics have been questionable to say the least,  he has failed to address defensive weaknesses and I'm not sure why playing a more possession based game has to engender a complete lack of width.

[Dave]

Belgium could have a good world cup. They've got some good players.

They certainly do.

I saw this elsewhere, a Belgian Premier League XI



Not too shabby at all.

You could probably make it even better and have Courtois and De Bruyne in there instead of Mignolet and Lamah as they're technically Chelsea players.

[pedro25]

Obviously Witsel doesn't play in the prem but he's another quality player they have, and guys like Van Buyten a the back.

[nigel]

Belgium could have a good world cup. They've got some good players.

What's their squad strength like?

I know they can put a great first team out capable of beating anyone on their day, but, what's it like if they want to rest players or pick up a couple of injuries?

[PeterWithesShin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium_national_football_team#Current_squad

[supertom]

Probably a good outside bet if you fancied a longer odds punt. With players like Benteke and Hazard, they've got the capabilities of beating anyone. Likewise Fellaini is a complete bastard to play against.

[seanthevillan]

Probably a good outside bet if you fancied a longer odds punt. With players like Benteke and Hazard, they've got the capabilities of beating anyone. Likewise Fellaini is a complete bastard to play against.

A good outside bet to get to the semis maybe, but when they come up against a Germany/Italy/Spain/Argentina etc. at that stage they will go out I think - at that stage its not just about having talented players.