Let's fix this mess in January

[peterhague]

Right so assume we get to January in reasonable shape for a shot at the top 4. You've got 2 signings you can make to bolster things, and you can sell who you want. Assume Valdes is already here, so no need to include that. What should be our way forward?

- I think we need to settle on 2 up front, so another top class goal scoring striker is needed. I know these aren't exactly plentiful right now, so any suggestions welcome.
- sell Sakho, he's clearly not rated and worth too much to be back-up. Buy a really decent RCB to play with Lovren.

I'd hold off on a CM until the summer.

 

[Squiggles]

Right so assume we get to January in reasonable shape for a shot at the top 4. You've got 2 signings you can make to bolster things, and you can sell who you want. Assume Valdes is already here, so no need to include that. What should be our way forward?

- I think we need to settle on 2 up front, so another top class goal scoring striker is needed. I know these aren't exactly plentiful right now, so any suggestions welcome.
- sell Sakho, he's clearly not rated and worth too much to be back-up. Buy a really decent RCB to play with Lovren.

I'd hold off on a CM until the summer.

If our season was Fantasy Football, I would have played my wildcard by week three.

 

[mom]

Yep, top striker and CB as long as Valdes is on the books by then. If not, we're gonna need a decent keeper.

 

[StevieM]

So the solution to our problem of trying to integrate too many players..... is to buy some more new players?

 

[peterhague]

So the solution to our problem of trying to integrate too many players..... is to buy some more new players?

No. That's the solution to not having enough good players.

The solution to the problem of trying to integrate too many new players is to play fewer of them at the same time.

 

[RedStar]

I dont think we can wait til summer to buy a CM and fix this team in Jan, CM to me is the biggest hole in the squad. Lucas is shot Gerrard is about half a step behind him. Id bet the farm on Pogba at this point, he would solve the Gerrard problem and be the lynchpin of our midfield for 10 years.

 

[peterhague]

If we could get Pogba I'd pay silly money for him, but I'm betting it's not remotely feasible.

Once Can and Allen are back things won't look so desperate in midfield. Oh and I think we're going for Dele Alli, as well, aren't we? Obviously sounds silly to mention him in the same breath as Pogba, but it looks likely that he's being earmarked as a future first teamer, and maybe that's understandable if we have to pay something like £60m for Pogba, plus god knows how much in wages.

 

[bkwitche2]

If we could get Pogba I'd pay silly money for him, but I'm betting it's not remotely feasible.

Once Can and Allen are back things won't look so desperate in midfield. Oh and I think we're going for Dele Alli, as well, aren't we? Obviously sounds silly to mention him in the same breath as Pogba, but it looks likely that he's being earmarked as a future first teamer, and maybe that's understandable if we have to pay something like £60m for Pogba, plus god knows how much in wages.

He only ran me £19.5m in FIFA 15. And about 150k a week. I put an inquiry in expecting them to say 40 or 50. When that price came back I sold who needed to be sold to make it happen.

I now have to lower my real world expectations and remind myself he would be the times that in the real world.

 

[Squiggles]

The biggest concern is there are legitamate concerns about every area of the pitch.

Defensively the CB's have a huge amount to prove.
In the middle Lucas and Gerrard both need to step it up or fuck off / retire.
In attacking areas, Markovic is playing like a lost little girl, Ballotelli's been average, Coutinho's had a poor start to the season, Lambert and Borini are insufficient back-up.

Rodgers need to get a handle on this and quick. This year will prove his biggest test so far. To me, he needs to prioritise any available funds to the striking department.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Why does everyone think money always solve problems ?

Look at Soton. Sold off almost all their star players, brought in a few unknowns and seem to play even better than last season.

I reckon buying what fits and works for our system is far more important than just buying a player just cos he's a household name.

 

[Buddha]

We have a striker problem - 2 out of 4 not up to it at this level.

I'd sign at least one pacy, aggressive striker. Fuck knows who'll be available in January.

 

[RedZeppelin III]

eh am i missing something ? . did we not just spend 116m on a load of players ? yet a few games into the season we are saying we desperately need more players ? hey that may be true but then that means that people haven't done their job correctly . and would you really trust these people to do it right in january ?

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Remy reveals why Liverpool move fell through

The now-Chelsea forward was on the brink of a move to Anfield this summer before the Reds pulled the plug on a deal, citing a failed medical as the reason

Chelsea striker Loic Remy has confirmed that Liverpool snubbed the chance to sign him due to medical concerns over his heart.

The France striker underwent a medical at the Merseyside club in the close-season and appeared on the verge of a move from QPR to Anfield, only for the deal to collapse.

Remy, who subsequently left Loftus Road to switch across London to Chelsea, has now revealed how his proposed transfer to Liverpool fell through and expressed frustration about the negative speculation that surrounded it.

"I came for the medical tests and everything was fine and after that they wanted to be sure everything was fine with my heart," said the 27-year-old in the Daily Star.

"They asked for a specialist for the heart and apparently the guy said they did not 100 per cent agree if I could keep going or had to stop football.

"I didn't understand because they knew before I came. I just told my agent if it is not happening it is because it is not for me.

"Now I am much better here at Chelsea, I'm very happy to be here and that's why I say everything happens for a reason.

"There are a lot of players with the same case as me. I don't know why the people think it is a big thing that can stop me playing football.

"I was more confused by Liverpool saying that I had medical problem because it is not fair.

"I have seen the best specialist in London and he has told me I can still play so it was not good from them.

"Even if they don't want to sign me, okay, but they don't have to put that in the newspapers because, then, all the other clubs after are afraid."

--------------------------------------------

I can't help but feel Remy would have blended in very nicely with us and would have been a much better fit.

 

[peterhague]

eh am i missing something ? . did we not just spend 116m on a load of players ? yet a few games into the season we are saying we desperately need more players ? hey that may be true but then that means that people haven't done their job correctly . and would you really trust these people to do it right in january ?

I'd say the chief mistake was seemingly planning on playing one up front, because I don't think it suits Sturridge, and it doesn't suit Balotelli either.

So I think to that extent this is not a simplistic urge for more players, but a recognition that the squad needs augmenting for a new reality. The attack needs supplementing for certain, and mainly with a really decent and credible alternative to Sturridge. Looks more and more like it'd have been worth gambling on Remy IMO.

The second big mistake IMO was not signing a RCB, because that was a more pressing issue than replacing Sakho.

I think both those mistakes should be addressed in January, because they're clear and causing ongoing damage.


Whether I'd trust the same people to do the right thing in January is a separate, and IMO academic issue. We won't sack Rodgers, and nor should we. And who even knows enough about the influence and workings of the transfer committee to begin discussing its problems?

 

[cloggypop]

I must have missed where we came out and gave the medical reasons why we turned down Remy.

 

[Frogfish]

We don't need to change Sakho, he's going to be great despite the knockers and I certainly wouldn't be changing the CBs mid-season. Pogba is so far off our charts he's closer to Andromeda. We do need a DM but Rodgers isn't going to do it this season, Can & Allen will have to stand in - I do believe that is what Emre has been bought for anyway, BR is just going to give him as much time as he can wherever he can for now.

Reus : if there is any chance at all throw all our January budget at him. United may be able to give him a massive package for going there for free next Summer though (and so he'll hold off on the January move).

If not Reus then a fast, mobile, striker.

 

[Hansern]

We're getting a fast mobile striker next summer though. Maybe replace Borini with someone who can play out wide or upfront.

 

[Whirly]

I'm not sure how involved Nainggolan has been with Roma lately, but he's one I've always liked.

Gonalons is another. There's also Schneiderlin.

I think it depends on if we want to buy a "cog" or "the final piece to the puzzle". There's valid arguments for both.

 

[Whirly]

Oh, and with Barcelona banned from transfers for the next two windows and Real often indifferent to developing talents, we should be looking at seeing if we can reel in some good La Liga options.

 

[Frogfish]

We're getting a fast mobile striker next summer though.

Having watched Origi in the videos of last season and the goals he's scored so far in this, I'm not convinced he is either of those things. More of a Lukaku type striker - though he doesn't shoot as much. He looks to bring in other players more - but that may be age related.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I'm not too impressed with Origi either.

But then again, time does wonders to some people, so we'll see next season.

 

[peterhague]

I think Origi looks brilliant, but definitely more of a lone striker than a lethal, elusive, Sturridge type.

What about Paco Alcacer as an alternative to Sturridge? Young, quick, good finisher, plays for a selling club in Valencia. Might be worth a shot.

 

[mom]

eh am i missing something ? . did we not just spend 116m on a load of players ? yet a few games into the season we are saying we desperately need more players ? hey that may be true but then that means that people haven't done their job correctly . and would you really trust these people to do it right in january ?

When you buy that many players, you're bound to get the odd shitter. But at the same time, maybe Brodge and the buyers have cocked up. Either way, it would seem that we do need another player or two and fast. We have no choice but to trust them again. I wouldn't be worried too much about a CB of the manager could sort out the defence, but he can't.

 

[Whirly]

Carlos Bacca has been quietly productive for Sevilla.

 

[Rafiagra]

Why does everyone think money always solve problems ?

Look at Soton. Sold off almost all their star players, brought in a few unknowns and seem to play even better than last season.

I reckon buying what fits and works for our system is far more important than just buying a player just cos he's a household name.

Definitely. However, I don't think Rodgers has an eye for a player