This doesn’t surprise me a lot.
I think we will sign another player at the back (I think once Phillips goes) but unless the CM changes in some way we are probably set there and I don’t have massive issues with that.
Fair points, but we also need to consider the influence of the pitch. The older pros who set the standard are undoubtedly important. Just look at the tributes to Milner from younger players.
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Just days after signing one of the most exciting talents, preceded by another PL proven world cup winner, suddenly this club has fucked up again because we are not signing another midfielder. Even if we sign Labia, I am sure there will be something else to moan about.
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I think we have briefed journalists to pretend we have no interest so Lavia pushes for a move. Surely he will get desperate later on in the window. Probably need help from the player himself to get the price down
Yeah, no thanks lads. Back on track please.
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A big problem for us last season was the lack of effective press further forward. Address that, and if MacAlister adds that Gini element of plugging gaps, many of the issues we saw last season will have been sorted.
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But those were the only six available - players at different stages in their careers (young or old) - expected to produce again following a season in which we played every game.
The thing that’s been missing is the players in the sweet spot in terms of age (23-28) - the two we had (Naby and Ox) were not fit enough and now gone, replaced with two in Mac Allister and Szobozlai that will hopefully make the difference when it comes to defending the middle and front end of the park - those water carriers.
Jones has had issues that are seen with a lot of younger players and has hopefully now overcome them, Bajcetic wasn’t expected to do anything and really showed promise, Elliot was being used in a system not suited to him and still played alright.
A complete overhaul, as you suggest, would require selling Fabinho and Thiago, bringing in two more (say Thurham and Lavia). Suddenly, Hendo’s the only one with the title winning experience - a risk. Teams need to be built over time, not thrown together overnight - Chelsea are a recent example of this being unhealthy.
As I said in my other post - i’d happily have one more in - and if one had to go, I’d accept Thiago going, but happy if he stays too. Time for defensive reinforcements.
I think we all know where the blame for this development lies…
By bringing in Mac Allister and having a fit Jones the less Thiago has to play and normally speaking fewer chances of him getting injured so if he plays twice a month he will at his best.
Thiago will be a very good impact player. Particularly if he’s got two speedy midfielders around him.
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Devil’s advocate here….paying someone 250k/week to play twice a month doesn’t make a lot of sense. I love Thiago as a player and I’d be in favor of him staying, but not if that is the plan. I’d rather sell him and bring in Lavia or similar.
Point is no one is buying Thiago with his salary demands with only one year left in his deal.
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saudi will pay double his salary demands…question is does he want to go or not…
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Meh. I’d rather concentrate on bringing in a quality CB now anyway.
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Saudi will pay minimum 25 million pounds as transfer fee. We could even take them to say 35-40 million. But the point is whether Thiago wants to play there. On a lighter note his salary is not a problem for them as they had offered me 100k to be a ball boy. Lol…
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I think the ball boys also have to go collect wayward decapitated heads following executions.
Yeah, let’s blame the kid with glasses! Back off, you bully! 
That would be a stroke of good luck, even without the moaning.
Get that rumour off your lips.
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