25 Jun 2015 17:21:49
The recent window in which we did not change much resulted in a high finish. I recall only Sakho and Mignolet being purchased for the starting 11. The rest of the additions were used to bulk up our squad, many of whom failed to make an impact. But the point is, I am worried that by changing too much, we will have another season in transition, this one probably resulting in a sacking for someone we love to hate. When a new manager will come in this season or the next, I expect more changes. This window is no quick fix, or even a fix at all. I feel that by having a manager on the edge of a sacking when going into a new season, we are guaranteed a wasted few years if the team doesn't gel. Thoughts?
25 Jun 2015 17:28:04
I was thinking the same to be honest mate. Especially after Brendan said that he didn't expect much. Only expecting one after Clyne now and that the CF we have been craving. Not sure if we will follow up on Kovicac considering we have spent a pretty penny already although of players leave ie Alan/Lucas we should definitely go back for him. Well done to FSG for making the deals happen very happy with the window so far.
25 Jun 2015 17:29:05
Good players will adapt, good players will be able to play side by side quickly and without fuss. It's football at the end of the day and, except with the cases of youngsters moving to new countries (new culture, language, other hurdles) there shouldn't really be an issue in my opinion. It was the quantity of the players we bought last season that was the problem but the quality.
25 Jun 2015 17:50:05
Don't forget you'll have the Sterling cash to spend
25 Jun 2015 17:58:17
Taking the signings at face value you would expect milner to slot straight in as will Clyne. Ings I imagine will come off the bench and firmino will work alongside his international team mate so I have everything crossed that we hit the ground running. Fantastic window so far. A blend of experience and potential bloody chuffed!
25 Jun 2015 18:14:39
I don't agree. Johnson & Gerrard were regulars when we finished 2nd and have to be replaced. Sterling has forced a move so he has to be replaced. Sturridge is always injured so we know we need a top quality and reliable goalscorer. So that's four starting places that simply have to be covered, its not like we created this whole scenario through poor planning (apart from buying unsuitable strikers perhaps). No one can tell me that Clyne, Milner, Firmino & possibly Bacca aren't an improvement on the players they're replacing (based on their 2014/15 form). I also think Liverpool will be well placed after this window in terms of the next few years. We will have a squad with an average age of 24 so most of our squad building will have been done before prices increase again due to the TV money hike. We should (hopefully) only be buying 1 or 2 quality players each year at that point (plus youngsters to hedge) And some of the players who are in the miss/maybe pile at the moment (Moreno, Lovren & Lallana) should be much better in their second season. Admittedly a lot of "ifs" but we might just have played a blinder this summer so long as the books are balanced with sales.
25 Jun 2015 18:15:10
This transition myth needs to dissappear, it's the 21st century and every other team managed to chop and change playing staff on a yearly basis and still have success, barca, Madrid, Chelsea, one could even argue United in recent years.
There's no such thing as transition in my opinion unless you literally replace every single player coach and manager. The club should have a plan in place to integrate players seamlessly without this need for a year of adjustment excuse.
25 Jun 2015 18:19:23
At least, we will have most of them for the first day of preseason training which will be a huge plus
25 Jun 2015 18:36:54
My take on the transferwindow so far:
I THINK that the review has had some consequences to the way we deal with transfers. The sacking of Pascoe and not extending the Marsh contract (it was very much expected that he would offered a new contract) has send out a signal to the rest of the staff - Do your job properly, or you will get sacked. I also THINK that the owners want to send a statement of intend to other clubs (and supporters), that we´re still a force to be reckoned with, hence we have signed quality players. It is also important that we buy quality to lure other quality players.
Yes we have signed a lot of players, but we have also lost some important players
Jones - Bogdan
Gerrard - Milner
Johnson - Clyne
Sterling (I expect him to leave) - Firmino
Skrtel (It seems like he will leave) - Gomes
Aspas - Origi
Borini - Ings
I do understand your concerns about us still being in a transition state. The owners were promised CHL within 3 seasons, and the 4th season are about to begin and we haven´t qualified for CHL. A lot of promises have been made from BR, and few have been fulfilled. I think that the owners are fed up with BR, and they are trying to show him who is in charge, by taking away his closest allies. They still have some faith in him as he hasn´t been sacked, but now he doesn´t has any excuses, as he has been provided with quality players and quality coaches. I also believe that the head coach and the asst manager will be given more influence compared to Marsh and Pascoe. So he has to perform or else he will get sacked. I could imagine that Pako would be reinstated as asst manager, and if Rodgers doesn´t work out, then Pako would be able to take over.
Again, it´s only my take on it, and I´m sure that the real story is far from what I just described.
25 Jun 2015 18:55:43
Boom! - Do you not think Sterling is already replaced with Markivic, Lallana & Ibe out wide and Firmino & Coutinho or Lallana through the middle?
25 Jun 2015 19:56:42
I don't think that this window is a statement of intent from the owners - I mean, who ever does that? Most of you agree with the fact that last season and departures mean necessary purchases, but I believe that both Milner and Firminho could have been avoided to push for a big name striker - The Lacazette we all crave. Money talks, and city/PSG have shown that over recent years. If the wage structure at the club is broken for such a player, then so be it. I may be paraphrasing ED001 but I remember him saying that none of the signings really improve the starting 11. The biggest goals of the window were to get a proven goalscorer, a central midifelder and to offload the players who don't have a chance at games. Purchases so far are just bulking up the squad. Milner gives experience, but Can probably has the ability to do better. Markovic, Ibe, Lallana could all fill in for Sterling. It feels good to acquire a player like Firmino and soon Clyne, but these purchases are not sustainable due to lack of academy chances and the focus away from the real issues of the squad last year.
25 Jun 2015 20:12:52
Gerrard and Johnson were not worthy of being in our starting eleven last year and cost tons of wages. our team improves because they are no longer options
25 Jun 2015 20:35:36
AndyM - in answer to your question, no. I sort of understand what you mean but Markovich & Ibe are not going to contribute at Sterlings level just yet. I agree with Ed01 that Marko needs a loan as there no point being a bench warmer. Therefore it's vital (given our lack of goals last season) that we buy "guaranteed" scorers. Even at the price we paid for Firmino he's a smart purchase as he's likely to worth 40-50m if he rips it up in the FAPL.
25 Jun 2015 21:40:03
#Piledriver
Lacazette was turned down by BR last year (according to an old answer from ed001). Now he is unattainable. I am quite surprised that he hasn´t been sold yet. At the moment I don´t believe that there are many attainable strikers who would improve us.