Is this what transition looks like?

[supertom]

I think the last 3 months of the season raised expectation beyond realism, mainly due to Benteke Gabby and Weimann looking like they could take most sides apart. Unfortunately apart from Gabby, the others have not turned up really. The biggest issue though is the shape going forward, as Gabby and Weimann are never in the wide positions you would hope for them to be in to exploit a side, and we are too similar in the centre of midfield. 2-3 players would transform us though, and at the moment position wise Lambert has improved us. There is a growing hype about the performances, and he is becoming more and more disliked which is worrying, I do hope the support stays with him. He has a track record of attacking sides, including us last season, and I reckon privately the way we are playing at times will be really annoying him and his staff.

I felt Weimann was a fill in or stop gap last season as a right forward. This season he's really struggled there again. He could be a good center forward one day if he plays up top consistently. I'd give him a run playing off Kozak, through the middle. Carry on playing Andi on the right and he'll end up in the Championship. He's not good enough in that position long term. He doesn't have the technique or skill.

[Louzie0]

Not seeing anything new, here.
UTV!

[SoccerHQ]

We just need a creative player in there, he won't solve everything and we wouldn't suddenly turn into top 6 contenders.

I remember 99/2000 season, we were plodding along and in crap form, not too dissimilar to this period. We signed Carbone on loan and together with Merson those two sparking us into life we were good to watch for the rest of that season, reaching that infamous cup final.

We have so many players of the same ilk in central midfield, run around a bit, tackle a bit and pass sideways a bit but we don't bleedin need three of those all doing that, the watercarrier role.

Find someone who actually relishes sliding throughballs through a packed defence for forwards.

Hatem Ben Arfa ripped us to shreds at VP earlier this season, the best opposition player I've seen at VP this year, he can't even get in the team at the minute. The top teams are overflowing with them.

We have none. It would make us better to watch and maybe even win us some more home games. It would be a start.

[Monty]

We just need a creative player in there, he won't solve everything and we wouldn't suddenly turn into top 6 contenders.

I remember 99/2000 season, we were plodding along and in crap form, not too dissimilar to this period. We signed Carbone on loan and together with Merson those two sparking us into life we were good to watch for the rest of that season, reaching that infamous cup final.

We have so many players of the same ilk in central midfield, run around a bit, tackle a bit and pass sideways a bit but we don't bleedin need three of those all doing that, the watercarrier role.

Find someone who actually relishes sliding throughballs through a packed defence for forwards.

Hatem Ben Arfa ripped us to shreds at VP earlier this season, the best opposition player I've seen at VP this year, he can't even get in the team at the minute. The top teams are overflowing with them.

We have none. It would make us better to watch and maybe even win us some more home games. It would be a start.

It's the single thing which would make the biggest difference.

[supertom]

I think selling Benteke to raise cash for a couple of good midfielders, a defender and obviously a replacement for the big man, could help us no end. I think with his form as it is, I'd be tempted to cash in on Jan, because if he's off kilter for the rest of the season, we all know he's going in the summer anyway. If he's had a bad season we'll be lucky to get 10 mill for him. Right now we could still sell him for 20-25 mill in Jan.

I think we need to spend 30 million to cement ourselves as solid midtable. In midfield in particular we need a number 10, but also another decent CM too. KEA and Westwood aren't first team quality.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think selling Benteke to raise cash for a couple of good midfielders, a defender and obviously a replacement for the big man, could help us no end. I think with his form as it is, I'd be tempted to cash in on Jan, because if he's off kilter for the rest of the season, we all know he's going in the summer anyway. If he's had a bad season we'll be lucky to get 10 mill for him. Right now we could still sell him for 20-25 mill in Jan.

Eh?

If he has a bad season, his value will go down, but if we sell him in three weeks time, after having an extended barren period, he'll be worth as much as he ever was? Not sure how that works.

The other problem is that you're suggesting we use the money from him to buy four players. That's one player off and four on to the wage bill, which is going to be problematic. Not to mention the idea of doing all that in January, which is probably the biggest obstacle.

We don't need to spend huge amounts to improve us by a decent amount.

We've failed to score in six of our last nine matches, which is the period in which Benteke has not been producing. It'd be madness to gamble on replacing him effectively in January when we're struggling to score goals.

[supertom]

I think selling Benteke to raise cash for a couple of good midfielders, a defender and obviously a replacement for the big man, could help us no end. I think with his form as it is, I'd be tempted to cash in on Jan, because if he's off kilter for the rest of the season, we all know he's going in the summer anyway. If he's had a bad season we'll be lucky to get 10 mill for him. Right now we could still sell him for 20-25 mill in Jan.

Eh?

If he has a bad season, his value will go down, but if we sell him in three weeks time, after having an extended barren period, he'll be worth as much as he ever was? Not sure how that works.

The other problem is that you're suggesting we use the money from him to buy four players. That's one player off and four on to the wage bill, which is going to be problematic. Not to mention the idea of doing all that in January, which is probably the biggest obstacle.

We don't need to spend huge amounts to improve us by a decent amount.

We've failed to score in six of our last nine matches, which is the period in which Benteke has not been producing. It'd be madness to gamble on replacing him effectively in January when we're struggling to score goals.

I think in Jan, inflated fees and all we could still get someone to pay 20 mill for Benteke. However if it continues all season (it won't I don't think to be honest) then he'll likely be sat on his arse in the world cup while someone else shines, and his value in the summer won't be as much.

Obviously it hasn't quite worked for Spurs yet, but I think Benteke could fund 3-4 decent standard players. We could get a front man in and particularly in midfield, a couple of decent players could make us a lot better, and help our forwards score. There's goals in Kojak, and play Andi as a center forward, and he could be a different player I think.

Of course if he (I hope) hits a purple patch and bangs in 5 goals before Jan, then I'll change my mind, but he looks so off the boil it's frightening. I'd have Kozak in the 11 for Utd (if he's fit).

As for wages. Well we've got to speculate a little more again I feel. Plus Ireland is going to be gone. Shay and Bent will probably get moves in the summer too. N'Zog will have takers.

[pauliewalnuts]

But you're not going to get that number of players in in January. That's never going to happen.

Benteke is still a very good player. He's having a tricky patch having come back from injury, talking of being able to get someone to give us 20m for him in january is absolutely nuts.

[Mazrim]

We'd also have to replace Benteke which will cost a lot. It's not like we have anybody to do what an in form Benteke can. We need him back to form asap and we also need a creative playmaker and a centre half. Then things will look much rosier.

[supertom]

But you're not going to get that number of players in in January. That's never going to happen.

Benteke is still a very good player. He's having a tricky patch having come back from injury, talking of being able to get someone to give us 20m for him in january is absolutely nuts.

I think Moyes could be that desperate. It's not a case of actively seeking someone to pay it, but if there are enquiries and we name a price, someone could pay it in Jan. Someones going to pay silly money for someone in the upcoming window.
I'm not sure Bentekes hearts in it at the moment. He's not putting the effort in. A big part of his problem at the moment is confidence certainly, but the lack of effort is the worst part.
Maybe I've just seen too many of our better players leave and want to get it over with as soon as possible. I don't know.

[supertom]

We'd also have to replace Benteke which will cost a lot. It's not like we have anybody to do what an in form Benteke can. We need him back to form asap and we also need a creative playmaker and a centre half. Then things will look much rosier.

If we have the money to get this playmaker and center half then selling Benteke doesn't have to be considered. At the moment our finances are anyones guess. We thought it was belt tightening time under Houllier, then we spunked 24 million on Darren Bent almost out the blue.

[Monty]

Some managers work in such a way that their teams start the season like a bullet out of a barrel but sink downwards by the second half of the season (Curbishley, MON, even Wenger), whereas others are the reverse (Ferguson, Martinez, Moyes). Going on last season, Lambert appears to be the latter, and he deserves at least a second chance (it's only his second season, for goodness' etc) to prove this to be the case - and, looked at neutrally, if the second half to the season is better than the first we're almost certain to finish in the top half. Which would be good.

[Louzie0]

Folks lend a hand in a hell hole.
I am watching Spinal Tap. It seems apposite.

[Toronto Villa]

Selling Benteke would equate to the very height of lunacy. You don't ever sell historically strongstocks when they are at a level lower than normal. Benteke is a blue chipper and he'll come good again. Now is the very time to hold tight, ride it out because he still has every ounce of talent that wrought havoc on the PL last season.

[ROBBO]

We all have to face reality until someone with very deep pockets comes along the manager is limited on wages. What does puzzle me though is Westwood continuing to take the corner kicks i really don't get it, they are all floaters, we must have someone better.