TLLL I'm happier with AVB than I would've been with Carlo

Carlo I doubt would have bought Mata (although considering I don't think he had much control, the club would have bought him).
We'd be seeing Malouda play every week
plus it would be awkward when he interacts with Sturridge, having not played him despite a chance being needed...only for him to regret not playing him

And for me it's keep AVB all the way unless something drastically wrong takes place, then consideration would be needed..

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After he spent the money we played way better and just about caught up to United. He wasn't given the financial backing at the start of the season when we lost 5 good squad players.

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One thing I can never get my head round is why Carlo gets such a good rep by so many for his Milan days

Sorry...but he had the best team in Europe in 07, and the following year took this very strong group of players to FIFTH in a league which was going through arguably its weakest years in recent decades

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Zhirkov

Of course he would have wanted replacements. Losing 5 players would effect any team and thats what happened to us last season.

Carlo was saying how Bruma, Josh, Kakuta, PVA etc. Would replace the players that went. In planning I thought it was a pretty good idea to build for the future but in practice he didn't use them as much as he would have used them if they were the players that went, and it was impossible to keep them all due to the nee 25 man squad rule

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A big replacement we failed to make was for Carvalho

Bosingwa and Ferriera declining a lot meant that with Branna playing CB so often, we had a below-par RB too often

Not entirely Carlo's fault there - who knew Bosingwa would be so rubbish since returning from his injury? Also where's npe to defend Bosingwa?

Zhirkov would have been good for putting pressure on Cole. I still believe Bertrand can do that but AVB would have more readily used Zhirkov I think

So even with De Bruyne cup tied, I'm of the belief that he has to come in in Jan.

Kalou Should definitely go, and I'm hoping so will Malouda but I s'pose I can wait till the summer if need be

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Sergio Biscuits?

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Oreo Romeu?

Chocolate chip buttered shortbread

My one gripe about him is that he doesn't have so much pace really, not even much acceleration which is what saves some wingers, I'd still like him to come but hell have to rely moreon guile and change of direction and quick feet then just pace, which I guess is good in the long term for his development.

He did not say he would replace the expeienced players that left with youngsters, but he did say they would get more playing time. BTW niether of those youngsters were ready to be squad players and they stiil are not ready (other then Sturridge)