BG

Two big concerns with BR: 1. Not much sign he can organise a back line 2. The signings... And on top of that this season it's looked like he doesn't know: 1. The shape and formation he wants 2. His best team - he looks like he's unsure of his best back four, his best midfield and his best attack (he may know that once Sturridge is fit)

We'd be more likely to take points off everyone.

Maybe Benitez has peaked - hard to say. Plenty of managers have won lots after their 50th birthday. Definitely the case that Rodgers has to prove he can kick on. I like him a lot - we were brilliant to watch last season and he's massively improved some players. But there are massive concerns too: 1. None of the defenders have looked good under him - despite most being highly rated individually 2. The signings leave an awful lot to be desired

Exhibit A.

I think if we drew up similar lists for Arsenal, Chelsea, United it wouldn't make pretty reading.

think Wright is a bit harsh.

Brilliant to watch at times but I don't think he was remotely as good as some we've signed. Yeah they'd top the value list but only Sami would have a good claim to be one of the best five we've signed in twenty years. IMHO.

Was thinking about this today. A fair number of best players since that time have been those who came through the academy - Gerrard, Carragher, Fowler, Owen, McManaman all spring to mind. But who are the five best players we've signed since 1990. And I don't mean the best value - just the best players full stop. Sure I'll miss some but my five would be: Suarez Torres Alonso Mascherano Hyypia Other contenders: Reina Babbel Hamman Sturridge Finnan Poulsen It says quite a lot about our transfer record over a long period how relatively slight the list of absolutely clear successes is. The inability to go for the best players has time and again been an issue. I remember seeing a game in maybe about 1992 when we drew 0-0 against Forest at Anfield. I was 15 and it was clear to me that day that Roy Keane, then maybe 20, was a the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile. When we left the field clear for Blackburn and United to compete for him I knew we were heard in the wrong direction. I think at the time Paul Stewart was a regular for us... It's early to tell but the signs of this Summer don't look promising. I'd happily swap everyone we signed for Costa and Fabregas for instance. Hopefully a few come through and that statement looks silly in a year or two but I'm not confident. It's very depressing that we didn't sign players who would walk straight into the first team - instead gambling on a load who probably weren't better than what we had in most cases. Anyway sorry for that diversion - who would other's best five be?

Cheers

Description of goal please

We look like a rabble at the moment.

Think we'll be on the phone to Lille.

Quite concerning, early though it is, that none of the Summer signings looks like money well spent.

Have me made a decent chance in this game?

I confess I didn't see much of Lallana at Southampton, but I'm hoping we bought him to play alongside Henderson (either in a diamond or in a 4-3-3). So far he seems to have mainly played further forward than that. He looks good but I really hope he can cement a place in midfield.

Hope I'm wrong but looks like we could play until tomorrow without scoring.

brilliant first couple of touches from markovich

Was a good goal that.

Too few in front of Coutinho when we're going forward.

Obviously in some senses but how big football clubs are as businesses tends to be wildly exaggerated... Holland & Barrett had bigger revenues last year than every UK club bar Manchester United and WH Smith had bigger revenues than Real Madrid and Barcelona combined.

BR talks a lot about player's character and desire to improve. He also talks a lot about tactical intelligence. And he clearly wants a team which plays a pressing game a lot of the time. For these reasons alone I'd be amazed if we brought in Balotelli. Plus did not BR say that there was no chance or words to that effect?

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I'll certainly have a gut feeling if balotelli arrives. And not in a good way. Given that the manager speaks a lot about wanting a team which is relentless, presses high and has tactically adaptable and intelligent players in it. Really don't see how he'd fit, talented as he is. The amusement factor would wear pretty thin quite quickly too when it was at our expense.

In person or via the courts?

I really hope we've put an expiration date on his release clause for each window. Nightmare scenario if we get to end of window and then Barcelona get the money together leaving us no time to get replacements in.