Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[paul_e]

How much money we spend over the window is largely irrelevant, what matters is how much better the squad is than last year.

Right now we've done as good a job strengthening our squad as most of the teams around us, without having spent any money.

Cole gives us an option we didn't have last year.
Richardson is an upgrade on anyone we had at leftback last season (including Bertrand who i never warmed to unlike most)
Senderos gives us a bit more depth in a position where we've been left short 2 years running.

If we get a wide player and a defensive midfielder we'll have addressed all of the major problems in the squad, I don't care how much we spend on them so long as they're better than we have.

[garyshawsknee]

Regarding Borini,it amazes me how a club can make a profit on a player that they don't want.  Didn't Liverpool buy him for 12 million ?

[claret and blue blood]

How much money we spend over the window is largely irrelevant, what matters is how much better the squad is than last year.

Right now we've done as good a job strengthening our squad as most of the teams around us, without having spent any money.

Cole gives us an option we didn't have last year.
Richardson is an upgrade on anyone we had at leftback last season (including Bertrand who i never warmed to unlike most)
Senderos gives us a bit more depth in a position where we've been left short 2 years running.

If we get a wide player and a defensive midfielder we'll have addressed all of the major problems in the squad, I don't care how much we spend on them so long as they're better than we have.

Agreed , unlikely as it seems the re-integration of players plus the three signings gives us a lot of experience which we missed a lot last season. I have a strange and unusually optimistic feeling the balance we now have of youth and experience isnt bad at all.I think Lambert knows we need that missing midfielder and he has been linked with a wide player , so fingers crossed !

[PaulWinch again]

Well I think there's a direct correlation between how much money we spend and how much better of squad will be than last year. Therefore the money we spend is important.

[Chris Smith]

Well I think there's a direct correlation between how much money we spend and how much better of squad will be than last year. Therefore the money we spend is important.

In general that is true but it is by no means the whole truth. For example, if Vlaar runs down his contract and signs for free elsewhere next season somebody will be getting a very good player for nothing.

Three experienced free signings, the potential re-availability of the 'bomb squad' and players returning from injury already give us more depth to the squad.

[Steve67]

Two things. I wonder if Randy has told Lambert to use the bomb squad because he thinks they are better than the players he's signed. Therefore a lack of trust in his spending regardless of whatever money might or might not be available. Secondly, the most important position to get covered this window is at defensive midfielder. If Lambert fails to address it this time then the man truly is a clown. Whatever cash might be available, I sincerely hope we spend it there. On who, I don't know.

[Big Dick Edwards]

Two things. I wonder if Randy has told Lambert to use the bomb squad because he thinks they are better than the players he's signed.

I think it's more a case of we've tried to unload several of these players in the last few years and not managed to do so. Now they're in the last year of their contracts and given Lerner isn't giving the impression he wants to spend significant money on bringing new players in, they may as well at least bolster the squad of available players

[PaulWinch again]

Well I think there's a direct correlation between how much money we spend and how much better of squad will be than last year. Therefore the money we spend is important.

In general that is true but it is by no means the whole truth. For example, if Vlaar runs down his contract and signs for free elsewhere next season somebody will be getting a very good player for nothing.

Three experienced free signings, the potential re-availability of the 'bomb squad' and players returning from injury already give us more depth to the squad.

Well yes obviously there are good people on frees, but even then they command high wages so that's back to money. I really believe we have to spend decent money on at least a couple of players to go with the squad fillers.

[Rigadon]

Well I think there's a direct correlation between how much money we spend and how much better of squad will be than last year. Therefore the money we spend is important.

In general that is true but it is by no means the whole truth. For example, if Vlaar runs down his contract and signs for free elsewhere next season somebody will be getting a very good player for nothing.

Three experienced free signings, the potential re-availability of the 'bomb squad' and players returning from injury already give us more depth to the squad.

It might be an upgrade in terms of available numbers, but it might also be akin to topping up a weak cup of coffee with more water.   Or some old stale water.  Or something.

I do know that if Vlaar leaves this summer, which I would imagine being quite possible seeing as we have brought in Senderos, we certainly are not better off in a position we stank in last time out.   We absolutely can't lose any of very few premier league quality players (I think we have 5 or 6 proven ) and hope 'the bomb squad' will be like a new signing.
 
Richardson is an upgrade though, more please!

[Gregorys Boy]

The only one of the three I am happy with is Richardson.  Cole is winding down his career and has a shocking injury record, and Sanderoes just isn't good enough at this level IMO.  He maybe better than some of what we have, but the difference is he is 29 and is not going to get any better, whereas someone like Clark I think does have promise and still has plenty of time to deliver on it.  I do feel bad for the manager with what he has to work with, but I am not convinced that right now we are that much stronger than last season.

[Steve kirk]

The sticky plaster we have applied to the squad with the 3 signings plus returning bomb squad members and injured players makes us a little bit stronger but as others have said we need a quality midfielder plus another experienced centre back should Vlaar depart.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

We're not stronger than last year. We've just added more shit to the existing pile we have.

It's vital we sign a good central midfielder and I'm afraid they cost money. Hopefully we have some cash available.

[boboonthecorner]

Regarding Borini,it amazes me how a club can make a profit on a player that they don't want.  Didn't Liverpool buy him for 12 million ?

I thought he looked a great player to be honest, maybe a little over the top but Liverpool don't have to sell. A reserve at a top 4 club is always going to go for me than us or one of the other teams who are making up the numbers

[Malandro]

We're not stronger than last year. We've just added more shit to the existing pile we have.

It's vital we sign a good central midfielder and I'm afraid they cost money. Hopefully we have some cash available.

Much as I'd like to see the club sold, I think under the circumstances, we are progressing quite well for the new season. I take your point about the midfielder - I do hope and expect that to be sorted out.

[Dave]

Normally when the pinstripeyfilth spend money, they sell someone to balance the books so it'll be interesting to see if they do. As for Borini, i'm sorry but £14m is ridiculous. He's not that bloody good.

Also, it doesn't actually improve them on where they were last season. Just like if we spent £7m on Bertrand, it wouldn't improve us on what we showed then.