Fintan Stack

Yes. Are you saying you'd love to keep him for years to come? There are other players who aren't up to scratch I know but I don't dislike them, just him. People I know and friends of friends etc have come into contact with him on more than one occasion, basically saying he's a t***. Either way there's no way I can make you agree with me so I'm waiting for the ridiculing lol.

Suppose I was just putting all our midfielders into one basket. I wasn't aware we'd be swapping Adam for Dempsey as part of a deal, but regardless of which Dempsey plays similarly to Gerrard in that respect, either way they're still both CM's even if they are more attacking. Sorry to offend.

Yeah I was thinking that, 4-3-3 and all. But you can't deny it would be a tad cluttered to say the least. Regardless of which, I'm just looking for an excuse to send Charlie on his way, I loathe him.

Very successful summer indeed if this one gets pulled off with the contract extensions as well, I think we can all agree. However, I'd be slightly concerned about the CM situation. If we're worried about balancing the books wouldn't this only add to growing bill of stagnant players? Say Sahin, Dempsey & Tello do arrive, we'd have: - Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, Sahin, Dempsey, Tello (Will probs be used out wide I know but still), Henderson, Adam, Spearing, Shelvey Could we also see loan spells for the likes of Speo, Shelvey and possibly even a joyful farewell to Adam? Only mentioning this because at the moment we're just showing no signs of wanting to sell anyone, bar Agger. I'm all for strength in depth but that's crazy!

I just hope we don't get had off by signing him permanently but with a buy-back clause (Read earlier it's a possibility, no idea how much weight is behind it), seems to be the in-thing to do for every player leaving El Clasico these days.

Same, not on here though...

My FM team had them, bit anticlimactic...

Definitely, clearly Madrid have immense quality it's just hard to believe someone like Sahin is finding it difficult to break into the squad. I wasn't paying much attention to La Liga last year, was he persistent with injury? I know he was out for the start of the season...

Isn't Arsenal his preferred choice, although Mourinho would prefer him to learn from Rodgers?

Oh, to be loved

I'm here all week.

What the f*** are you talking about 'Condescending'? Get off your high horse, smart a*** and try and imagine that I'm not brain dead. You seem like an educated guy, so I assumed from that you would of noticed I was referring to our defensive record last year being that good that people would be going in for him - hence his cards were on the table to possibly leave.

Or perhaps you haven't quite grasped my point, dear boy. I'm referring to an individual, not a particular area/unit on the pitch. He'll clearly need replacing if he went, so I'm just talking about a CB void being filled. If he goes and he isn't replaced, are you saying that our defensive line won't become problematic as of late August/September?

I've been talking today to a few pals about this topic, one or two on here as well, and to them it must seem like I'd do anything to boot Agger out the door, but this isn't the case I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst, you'll never be disappointed that way! But, Rodgers is a clever guy, there's not a chance on this Earth he hasn't had scouts together looking for a desired replacement in the event that he leaves, the cards have been on the table about Agger since Rodgers came due to our defensive record last term. The only negative thing I can say to potentially soften the blow about Agger departing is that £27 mil for a defender who is not that aware of the attackers around him is extravagant! Of course I don't want him to go, he's fantastic on the ball, puts in solid challenges, great getting up for set pieces and good at tracking back should the set piece fail - But he can often be that attacking minded that he will lose sight of oncoming pressure and fail to mark the desired man, those of you observant enough will see what I mean. I've thought it for a good while, however, it isn't that big a problem that I want him gone! I'm just trying to convince myself and others that selling him for a high price isn't all bad. Look at players out there, despite what some may say, I believe we could bring in the likes of Anita stage a Geordie-Ambush), Zapata, possibly even Subotic provided the deal was right. Dortmund have taken a hit this year and will find it tough to gauge the momentum they've had the last two years IMO. Again, from all this please don't think I'm anti-Agger as I'm seriously not I want him starting at Anfield next year, wearing the number 5, standing furiously next to Skrtel and crushing our opposition (Not literally) with a Liver bird on his chest, but my point is there are answers and solutions if FSG have their way as a means of decreasing the wage bill. (I'm expecting a mixed reaction to this btw lol)

Guarantee those grapes would keep missing his mouth as well, surprised he could do anything that required a sense of direction with eyes that close together. The 'Commodus' of the Italian footballing world.

I'd welcome Clint Dempsey with open arms, but sincerely doubt Rodgers would has him in mind for the signing at the end of the week, with specific reference to the 'the supporter's will get excited about him' quote. Also think Dempsey would be much more than just a glorified squad player for us, he's done more than enough for a challenging starting place - my only concern is obviously his advancing years, in footballing terms he's by no means a young man, but also no golden oldie either. Just hope we don't spend more than £8-10 mil on him. Sorry, I've been away from the forum for a few days, does anyone have any idea at all about who Rodgers is talking about for his first signing? Hoping Ramirez anyway! *Departs to look at Jenkins' twitter feed*

So, does anybody know who we'll be turning our attention towards now?

I for one am excited about this decision. I wish him every success with us and see no reason why he can't bring us glory and attractive, progressive football. I just hope the faithful will give him the time he requires to mould us, as I feel the only people willing to do this are the fans on here. I still have a slight concern about not appointing LVG, however. Do I understand why Rodgers doesn't want to work with him, or any other DoF? Of course, Do I respect him for that? Yes. Do I think it could hinder us bringing in bigger names? Yes. Suppose everything has two sides to a coin really. Welcome Brendan, your reception will be fantastic!

Yes, but but because Spurs were booted out for fielding an ineligible player. They got a hammering as well.

Conjecture on my part, but I think the new DoF that Martinez works under will be Pep Segura. They like to promote from within, do FSG. Cheap option. My cynical guess is they tried spending a bit of money last season in an attempt to get 4th. It didn't work and they're unwilling to repeat the spend. They'll be hoping the youngsters at the club will step up over the next 3 - 4 years and eventually get us back into the CL. In the meantime, we spend strictly within our means. Lean times ahead.' Sorry mate, I really don't mean to sound like I'm trying to have you off or anything but I can whole-heartedly assure you the owners have NO FAITH whatsoever in the youth team with specific reference to the reserves and U18's. My gf's dad's a scout for Newcastle and one of his closest friends is a full time scout at Liverpool. I've seen the text on his phone from him saying the owners got word of the youth teams performance in the NextGen series and they're seriously questioning why a vast proportion of the team have contracts and are getting paid the money they are. I know that sounds like a horrible, football-rumours shout, but I assure you it's the truth. A good friend of mine is a respected member on here to validate.

http://i49.tinypic.com/11bszdu.jpg I think that pic says it all, really. Sorry if this has been documented countless times already today, but I've been in work. Of all the other supposed candidates they've supposedly spoken to were any of them spotted walking with the owner drinking coffee? I think we all need to be honest with ourselves now and realise the only way he isn't going to be the manager is if, and only if, he doesn't agree to working under a DoF. Of course I'll be backing him if he gets it, and the potential appointment will be made much more bearable should LVG get the job above him, I just hope FSG know what they're doing and aren't just supporting someone simply because he's flavour of the month - Something a lot of owners seem to be doing these days. I'm really worried about his eye for players as well, it hasn't been tested yet due to Wigan's financial situation as we know, and I never really have thought Rodallega, Moses and Diame were anything truly special. But if he does get it and his first couple of signings are foreign, for me at least, that will be a good start and of course, unlike Woy, you can tell he won't do anything to upset the fans with any comments he'll make. Let's watch this space, friends...

Anyone aware if we're still in for Gaston Ramirez or was that just Kenny? If we are, who would be in charge of transfers at this point?

Paco will be back before you know it! With Rafa being left to rot in Heswall.

So true. Plus if his role will virtually be a 'coach', how can this possibly develop him as a manager once it becomes full circle? Btw to the shout about having shared power between LVG & RM. Our country is run by something similar, look how that turned out.