growler Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 So how did we do? Finally sorted out defence. Delighted with a first of Johnson kolo agger Enrique with Kelly skrtel sakho cissokho as back up and wisdom Coates ilori McLaughlin Flanagan Robinson as up and comers. Midfield - still feel we are a little light, but assume Lucas Gerrard Allen and hendo can cover middle two. Forwards - surprised we let borini go. We do have a first of coutinho sturridge and Suarez which is as good as any. The problem is are Moses Alberto ibe sterling and aspas enough variation and cover? We've done really well in getting rid of many, lowered the age and increased hunger. We've had a better window than the Mancs and a*** for sure. Not a fan of Ian's 'hot ayre' in the press. Would've liked to have seen a 'worldy' but can't say we didn't try. Got to give credit for Suarez too. Managed perfectly. In summary, ended up a great window overall that was close to being awesome. 8.5/10
surf Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Think we've done pretty well. I wasn't sure about Mignolet for Reina, but first impressions are positive. We really needed improving at CB and we've done that. Sakho in for the first team, Toure a good and free replacement for Carra and Ilori as on for the future.I like Cissokho on loan as well, he used to be well rated but then declined a bit, see how good he is for a season and then use the option to buy. Alberto hopefully a better Shelvey. Aspas a better Borini and Moses a better Downing (albeit on loan). Only thing that's lacking is a *star* signing, but perhaps keeing Suarez is our star signing. GK: 7/10 DF: 8/10 MD: 6/0 AT: 8/10 Edited September 3, 2013 by surf
schmuckdonald Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 THIS IS A TRANSFER THREAD MASQUERADING AS A REAL THREAD.
Woodsyla Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 Would have like an understudy for Mignolet but defence looks really sorted, gald that I am no longer on tenterhooks every time Agger goes of for international duty. Midfeld is ok given the reduced games this season. Moses is a really good addition, he was excellent at Wigan, I think he may well force his way into the first team. Sterling as a game changer from the bench, I'm very happy. Now I've shaken off the notion of Gerrard being one of the attackers I think the squad has a nice balanace. Excellent window for me, next step is to increase the depth of the quality players but really we need to be in the CL to get those players.
Rory Fitzgerald Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 The defence was the key area to improve on along with back up to the strikers. Midfield is a job for January - it could do with more competition from a high class player. In attack we have Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez with Moses and Aspas on the bench. In defence, we have the potential to transform assuming Sakho ousts Agger or that Agger picks up his game. For me, it hinges on how well the defence improves from last season and if the new players represent an upgrade on what we got last season.
surf Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:33, schmuckdonald said: THIS IS A TRANSFER THREAD MASQUERADING AS A REAL THREAD. shhhhhhhh
honourablegeorge Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 We've done well with defence - although we were supposedly going to let Wisdom leave until Johnson got injured - who was going to cover right back if Wisdom had left, and Johnson had got hurt the day after? Mignolet looks decent - loaning Pepr still rankles though. Midfield - still think we're short a player, and not all that well balanced. Up front - if Moses, Suarez and Sturridge are considered starters, our cover is Aspas, Sterling and Ibe. That's weak - and it was the manager's priority. We did well to clear out the players we did though, getting that fee for Carroll despite a patchy loan season was good business. I've give us about a 6 out of 10. Hopefully there's cash in the post for that forward in January, when there's no value in the market (except Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, etc)
growler Posted September 3, 2013 Author Posted September 3, 2013 Anyone figured out net spend, gross spend and change in wages? Also, we normally sign loads of kids too - did we sign any little 'uns? I thought I saw Pacheco went too. Perm this time?
Woodsyla Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:35, honourablegeorge said: Up front - if Moses, Suarez and Sturridge are considered starters, our cover is Aspas, Sterling and Ibe. That's weak - and it was the manager's priority.Cough -Coutinho- Cough We've got 4 top players (IMO) for 3 spots, we've also got a lad who works his socks off and a couple of wonder kids, one who is shining at U21 level. I don't see how that wont be enough for the games that we have this season.
Swipe Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 Still have reservations, but not sure Arsenal improved hugely (Ozil is ace but he's not what they need). I think Spurs have spent well but they looked awful v Arsenal and hopefully all these new players will struggle to gel. So f*** it. I'm feeling optimistic. No europe will hopefully help us. There's a few areas where we can't afford any injuries.
honourablegeorge Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:43, Woodsyla said: Cough -Coutinho- Cough We've got 4 top players (IMO) for 3 spots, we've also got a lad who works his socks off and a couple of wonder kids, one who is shining at U21 level. I don't see how that wont be enough for the games that we have this season. Was considering Coutinho as the fourth up front. Throw Henderson in and make it eight players for four positions. Still light, for me, and very little that you can bring on to change a game (although Raheem is coming along). Hopefully fewer games benefits us. Spurs had that scenario not long ago, they did OK out of it, didn't they?
goodrobotusses Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 Ended up being pretty decent although much will depend on how a few of the players adapt/develop. Keeping Suarez was brilliant work from the club. Just looking forward to focusing on the football now.
Cobs Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:43, Woodsyla said: Cough -Coutinho- Cough dropping Sturridge & Suarez for the Coughs is crazytalk
épieur Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 I am very pleased with how comprehensively we have addressed our main fault last year. A keeper, a left back and three centre backs is as radical as it gets for a backline. I am a bit concerned we bought semi duds in aspas and Alberto who will be recycled through the revolving door soon enough, but let's wait and see. Not pleased with how haphazard our quest for a marquee signing was. Lucky we hadn't yet splashed our cash when sakhho became available though. He is the most important signing we could have made. With a marquee signing up front still waiting, I think moses is a shrewd move that will allow us to push for a proper one the coming window. 7/10 for me. If we can keep going till January with what we have now been there is a good chance of a 9/10 for the season.
Rimbeux Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:42, growler said: Anyone figured out net spend, gross spend and change in wages? Do we have to?
Rory Fitzgerald Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) If the money is there and we are adamant about improving in January then the work ground work starts soon if not now. We announced Sturridge last year on January 2nd and it enabled him to play the cup tie at Mansfield and help change the game against Utd on January 15th. If we are getting a player in, get him in early - its a chance to win more points. Edited September 3, 2013 by Rory Fitzgerald
stressederic Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:50, Cobs said: dropping Sturridge & Suarez for the Coughs is crazytalk I hear we're trying to sign Nigel Cough. He'll do the number 7 shirt proud no doubt...
Ethan Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 To be honest I don't know enough or have seen enough of any of our new signings bar Toure who has been impressive Aspas - I don't see anything there so far but the lad does need time to settle inAlberto - young, probably expecting too much to see him as cover for CoutinhoMingolet - is doing well - was worried about losing Pepe but he's doing ok so far It really is too early to tell - the Suarez thing has left a really bad taste for me - I can't stand to even look at the guy anymore - he was an absolute bell at Gerrard's testimonial game and I would rather have got rid and got in a replacement for him in this window.
Sion Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Very interested to see how Moses does. Got a sneaky feeling he will slot in very well. Of course this might mean Chelsea will want to keep him, but that'll be a nice problem as it'll mean he's been boss. Think Sakho will gradually become number 1 choice. Remains to be seen how good with the ball he is though as him partnering Skrtel or Toure might be a bit Carraghery If we can push on till Jan and be in the mix then we might find it a lot easier to attract a Costa or Mata type Edited September 3, 2013 by Sion
The_Adder Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 Aside from competition for Lucas and that top class attacker I reckon we've had an excellent window. Keeping Suarez was massive as there is no way we could have signed a player that good from our current position. Getting the defence sorted was the main priority, as our attack was excellent from January onwards and we managed to sign a very solid and young goalkeeper to replace Pepe, then went mad and bought the three CBs we set out to at the start, the only change from our plan was getting Mama instead of Papa, and a brilliant signing he'll prove to be. Cissokho was superb for Porto and has lost his way, there is a theme here and we deffo needed back up for Enrique, job done. We have added Moses, Aspas and Alberto as players who suit Rodger's technical styled game in for Downing, Shelvey et all. Squad is looking very strong for a domestic season without Europe, we could challenge the top 4 taking that into account. Star buy: SakhoPotentially brilliant buy: Moses
Kahnee Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 10:51, Rimbeux said: Do we have to? It's the only way we'll know if we're any good
Rimbeux Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 On 03/09/2013 at 11:22, Kahnee said: It's the only way we'll know if we're any good Ain't it just. Like man to man, at least we'll know who to blame
Bigal Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 Disappointing. I view all these transfer windows til they take a punt on me as a Gary Mac signing
Falconhoof Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 We are at the stage where our next few signings will only need to be of the very highest quality. The squad has been radically rebuilt from where it was when Rodgers started, particularly these last two windows, but also the departures last summer was a lot of the decaying wood that needed to go (plus one or two who we ideally would have kept) We could have gone backwards with all this but I'm confident that we have seen, and will see better football and win more games.
stressederic Posted September 3, 2013 Posted September 3, 2013 What are these 'teams above us' that people speak of? Means nothing to me.
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