Nachos

I didn't say that at all. I said I'd have no worries about them as a trio, especially against the vast majorityof teams. Another experienced specialist DM would be welcome. Lucas' defensive abilities are underrated and he's just as comfortable sitting in front of the back four dicating play and will only get better with experience. I just don't think Masch will be as bigger loss as Alonso was.

The season isn't over by a long shot but the title challenge is. Too much quality ahead of us and ground to make up. It's about stabilising for me now, getting back to what we're good at and finding some consistency. We need to get on top of the chase for 4th and hopefully have a good run in the FA cup.

Lucas is comfortable in either role and offers a bit more passing range than Masch from that holding position. If a player leaves we adapt and tinker with the system a touch. We dont always have to go like for like. I have no worries about a midfield trio of Gerrard, Aqualini and Lucas, who is steadily growing into an infuential player and will be a lot more experienced by the time Masch leaves.

I agree with the latter part of all that, I just dont think we can afford anyone of that quality nor get full value out of them if Torres stays fit. I would much prefer to keep nurturing the likes of Ngog and Nemeth instead of constantly wheeling and dealing in the mid range bracket. Put it this way if we signed David Villa in January Id be over the moon. Carlton Cole just doesnt have the same ring to it, and it would be more a case of just adding a body than really improving our options. Keane is a good example of that, and we ended up paying about 10 million over his real value.

None of those teams have a striker as good as Torres, who when fit, which isnt guranteed I admit, is expected to play the vast majority of competitive games. Nor do they have such a formidable forward pairing. If we are saying we need another main striker because Torres is always injured, then Id agree, but thats not an ideal situation.

Isnt that the problem though? Hes never fit long enough to be considered first choice and we are having to constantly look to buy or bring through raw youngsters to compensate. Is Dossena, an Italian international, so bad we are prepared to write off a good 5 million in fee and wages just so we can offer Aurelio another short term deal? I think hesa decent player but every time I think hes getting over the worst and looking good, he breaks down again. Its futile.

His contribution in a good portion of our games is vastly over played, imo, and I dont think hed be a huge loss. 30 mill is a huge amount of money for a DM and wed be mad not to accept even without cash flow issues.

If we are picking out isolated moments of incompetence by young players learning their trade, have you seen Insua this season? Rafa rated Warnock and was loathe to let him go but needed the money, but in term of producing our own talent to save money it was a mistake whichever way you look at it. As usual though theres a desperation by some to rewrite the history of every departed player to defend the managers transfer record.

I think whether through choice or necessity, Rafa is finally on track with the ressies. We are already plugging gaps with the likes of Spearing, Ayala and Ngog, and over the next few seasons Id like to see them and others utilised a lot more in squad roles, with any money spent on quality, even if its just one player. Thats a healthy way of doing it, imo, and one that Ferguson has subscribed to over the years with great success.

Hes f***ing boss isnt he, proper Liverpool player. Id like to see him and Benayoun operating down the right.

Get her. Its not relevant when we have 3 left backs on the books and Aurelio cant be relied upon for more than half a season, nope. Though I forgot Dossena is an irrelevance when we are talking about wasting huge sums.

Throw enough s***...

Which doesnt actually refute what I said does it? Anyway, im not getting into this whole net spend thing as its become the ultimate safety blanket for any debate regarding rafa and numbs my senses.

Certainly, but I doubt theres many of the top echelon who would consider a squad role, and unless we have unlimited funds to buy the very best, Id rather use the reserves instead of taking a gamble in the mid-range bracket.

I forget Rafa has spent nothing has he. In his time here weve brought in Aurelio and Dossena, the latter on no doubt huge wages and now surplus to requirements, to replace Warnock and Riise, two competent enough left backs, and we also have Insua who came through the ressies and his now considered first choice. So yes, it does all add up, and its fair to say his transfer approach is scatty at best.

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I always watch it, gets the blood pumping. They have some real dregs on at times but the debate is usually decent.

Oooh sarcy. I meant towards, obviously. It all adds up.

Since when was the Sunday Express the oracle on ours or Barcas transfer dealings? Best to wait until we get some real news before banishing him to the traitor list, especially as hes looking back to his best. Im sure hell eventually go but I doubt it will be before the summer.

He hasnt earned a new deal, imo. Id rather use the money set aside for his wages on a replacement who is going to be available for more than 2 weeks at a time.

I dont think we need a striker. Even if we had unlimited funds and the pick of the worlds best, who is going to want to come here and play second fiddle to Torres? Ngog is a good, young, eager stand in, and Id rather spend what pitiful money we have elsewhere, preferably on a wide attacking midfielder. The real issue for me is Torres and his injury problems. Hes yet to complete a full season in his time here and at what point do you ask can he be relied upon if we want to continue progressing. Only then should we be looking at another main striker, imo.