New season not far away now, that time of year when the excitement starts to build and we wonder how the new signings will bed in and who else will be brought in. What does everyone think of the summer business so far and what more would you like to see us add?
Personally, I think we've done potentially good work so far. I have been unconvinced by Reina for a couple of seasons now and given his reported desire to leave, I think it was important to get a replacement in ASAP. Mignolet looks a very promising keeper with an excellent previous year under his belt at Sunderland. I think you'd struggle to name a team who have a back up keeper of Reina's quality or wage so letting him go makes sense, though would have preferred a sale than loan.
Toure is a good signing. Carragher performed very well last season but his loss of pace was painfully obvious so think Toure will be an improvement. Alberto and Aspas are a bit of an unknown quantity for me, don't know a huge amount about the but imagine they will improve the squad and should push some of the more average players further from the 1st team.
As for future signings, there is clearly work to be done and BR recognises this. Missing out on Mkhitaryan was a disappointment but, tbf, losing out to Dortmund is unsuprising to say the least. Another CB is imperative, with Papadopolous emerging as a target again, and more strength in depth in the middle and on the wings is important. LB cover would be nice but isn't imperative.
Obviously if Suarez leaves another striker is needed but nobody know how that will pan out at the moment.
Overall, I like what BR is doing and think a couple of extra signings, with players like Sterling and Ibe also improving, will make for an exciting season.
Summer
posted on 21/7/13
agree, think improving points is realistic, but think top 4 may be too much for next season
posted on 21/7/13
Sterling looks like he means business right now and if managed well, and I see now reason why not now, he could get double figures from wide, something I feel we missed last season.
posted on 21/7/13
Yeah I would agree with that Macca.
I think 6th is realistic, with a hope of higher.
Depends what business Arsenal and Spurs do.
posted on 21/7/13
I don't see that we are a great deal stronger at all. If we want to be competitive we need to spend money and we haven't done that. We beak even net. We need a couple of first team starters to improve us
posted on 21/7/13
I agree with Righteous and TOOR - Sterling looks set for a big season for us. It'd be nice to see Joe Allen make his mark too. Also got a hunch Toure will prove a major influence.
posted on 21/7/13
I think in a year's time people are going to be calling Toure one of the signings of the season
posted on 21/7/13
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 6 hours, 44 minutes ago
I don't see that we are a great deal stronger at all. If we want to be competitive we need to spend money and we haven't done that. We beak even net. We need a couple of first team starters to improve us
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The window has a long time to run. Not many teams have got in as many players we have so early, apart from the likes of the City's and PSG's.
It takes time, especially for a team not in the Champions League to get players who improve the first team and if we can't get them, we shouldn't just spend for the sake of it.
posted on 21/7/13
Absolutely we shouldn't spend for the sake of spending. We should spend to strengthen our starting team. We haven't done that yet.
posted on 21/7/13
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 29 seconds ago
Absolutely we shouldn't spend for the sake of spending. We should spend to strengthen our starting team. We haven't done that yet.
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Exactly. And if we can't do it, we shouldn't just buy anybody.
posted on 21/7/13
Yes, but we do need to buy somebody