I'm looking at our season thus far.
Our main goal threat we lost. Our second main goal threat and supposed to be star man - Sturridge - has managed only 12 starts this season.
We have chopped and changed our formation all season, still not settling on a 'best.' Personally I will always prefer a back 4 and I think we have the depth there to carry it out consistently though a more reliable right back may be needed seeing as Johnson is likely on his way and Flanagan is likely out for the best part of next season too - which breaks my heart!
For a large chunk of the season we committed to a back 3 comprised of 2 centre backs by trade who aren't used to playing as a a back three where their full back cover is shaky at best, and a make shift centre back who I think is quite clearly a very credible midfield powerhouse if only he was unleashed in the centre of the park - Emre Can!
So what I put to you is what would be a realistic and successful summer transfer window for us? Should we set up using a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation which is probably the more familiar and reliable of formations. Who would we like to see leave? Is Balotelli unpopular for all Reds fans or are we thinking keep him for another season?
I'd love to hear thoughts, musings and ponderings of any kind on the matter of transfer dealings, direction and possible realistic starting 11s.
The prospect of Memphis Depay excites me and I would love to see him arrive.
I don't know how the transfers were done last season but it was quite disappointing. Markovic for me was a waste of money considering he was only 20 and had only played one season in a moderately competitive league. Balotelli was a risk not worth taking. Lallana is quality and I like him as a player. Emre Can I think could be a next big thing if used properly in the heart of midfield. His marauding runs we see him do from right back of late are frightening. Imagine that from the centre of midfield without the defensive responsibilities to worry about! Lambert... I just don't know. Manquillo in on loan and Wisdom out on loan?! Doesn't make sense to me. Moreno is a decent signing. Lovren is a good player with the right partner, could be Skrtel, I'm not sure. But £20m on him? Bit steep. Still, only been a season. We have spent £37m on centre backs in two years and neither of the two players are certain starters...
Let me know your opinions, they would be good to hear and thank you for reading.
Good evening, gentlemen.
Our Needs
posted on 5/5/15
and awareness.
posted on 5/5/15
Yes because Montoya proves that week in week out at Barca?
posted on 5/5/15
Im not saying we should sign Montoya. If it were me...i'll probably sign Darmian or try and go all out to sign Carvajal seeing as Danilo is already set to sign for Real next season.
posted on 5/5/15
The fact that Montoya can't get in Barca's team isn't indicative of anything.
They have been in the top 4 sides in Europe for a decade, and have had Dani Alves one of the best right backs in world football.
Kash thinks Coutinho would get in ahead of Messi if he signed for them
posted on 5/5/15
My point was that he can't even get in the match day squad. Adriano is the backup to both full backs and he's nothing special.
We actually need a RB who is ready and not someone who needs imbedding. What was Rodgers saying the other day "Proven marquee signings". We don't need someone who isn't even a Barca reserve.
Naturally I would like us to go for Clyne but I think he is United bound.
posted on 5/5/15
Coutinho couldn't get in Inter's match day squad when we signed him, and Inter were rubbish.
Only an idiot would base their opinion of a player on whether they can get in the team of the decade.
I have no idea if Montoya is any good, but I'm not an idiot.
posted on 5/5/15
For every Coutinho there is a Manquillo, Alberto etc etc examples. Coutinho was always highly rated as a kid and has flourished in the prem. He was a 20 year who we took of cash strapped Inter Milan.
Montoya is a 24 year old who hasn't done much of note first team wise. I've seen him play when he gets the odd cup game for Barca and he seem's solid but nothing special. Doesn't really have the attack game and isn't the quickest. Will probably end up as a CB for some lower mid table Spanish club in a year or two.
posted on 5/5/15
"For every Coutinho there is a"
it's a shotgun approach. kids are a gamble in general and no one knows which one will progress, stagnate, settle, be a world beater.
so you buy a lot of them and dispose of the ones that don't work out (most of them).
It's the model Wenger is praised for. For some reason it's a stick to beat us with. And no, he didn't have a higher rate of success, go have a look at the legions of signings who came and went. half of them you've never even heard of.
posted on 5/5/15
yeah but there has to be some faith in a player you put a lot of money in. these are not 2 mil or 0.5 mil punts on kids. coutinho was a 9mil bet. alberto was a 7mil bad bet.
moreno a 12-18 mil punt.
all signings are gambles but there has to be some level of confidence in them at least holding value at worst.
posted on 5/5/15
it's a fair point
but there is also the consideration of transfer market inflation
the top end (barring bale, suarez, ronaldo) is in the 40-60mil range
30 mil is the benchmark for a hot prospect young english player like Shaw
7-10mil? thats the price for kids and the scrapyard of older, past it players
I think some people ignore the reality of the market
but....yes I do agree. there needs to be sound judgement around prices as they aren't free and it can add up.