alias75

He was given a fair amount in the summer, 20 million for Torres, 10+ for Babel, Benayoun wasnt cheap, 6 million for Lucas.... he cant expect them to dip into their pockets every transfer window especially with a stadium to fund, if we need 2 or 3 players in the window it means he didnt do a great job in the summer because the money was there for the players. Central defence maybe because we didnt egt Heinze, but anything else and i have no problems with us having to sell before we can buy in January.

Dont think they'd do that, who would identify targets if Rafa didnt? They've already said numerous times they want Rafa to handle the football side of things. We dont have anyone else at the club that could even do the job of targeting and signing players. I think its more to do with Rafa asking for more money in January for Mascherano and maybe others, and they've told him that he has already been given a lot of money in the summer, and he has to sell before he can buy.

strange statement to make but to be fair a lot of money was spent in the summer, im not sure if Rafa has been asking for more money but if he has then if anything it suggests he didnt do the required job in the summer to get the players he wanted. Ive always thought we'd have to sell in January to buy anyone and there are 2 or 3 players we could sell to get decent money, but i think its unfair of Rafa to expect more money just to be thrown his way in January when he had more than enough to get the players in the summer.

Maybe it was Mrs Benitez's time of the month? everything coming from G&H has been very positive towards Rafa they arent stupid enough to lose him or make him so unhappy he leaves.

To be fair that is his number 1 priority, yes he identifies signings too, and has some say in the way the younger players develop but his main job is the first team and winning games.

Martins is my main worry with his pace, but their pretty poor at the back.

Don't worry McClarens now available!

There goes our 10 million!

Looked pretty lean to me that shirt was skin tight... then again maybe it was supposed to be loose fitting!

Think this is the key point, we need midfielders that can pass it well, keep the ball and offer us something going forward, or in Mascherano's case allow our attacking players to play. He comes into his own for maybe half a dozen games a season and with Mascherano able to do most of the things he can (plus lots more) i think hes one player we can afford to let go to strengthen other areas of the team Theres also the point that im sure Momo isnt happy being a bit part player, someone like Lucas is prepared to wait for his chances, but im sure Momo wants to be playing more regularly, its obvious hes at best 4th in the pecking order for CM.

to be fair to Insua hes been pretty good most times ive seen him for the ressies or Argentina, (he also showed he can handle the first team in the few chances hes got so far) probably had an off day yesterday, but i think hes a one that is definitely capable of playing in the first team.

The 10 million fee was the number most quoted at the time of the "loan" now all of a sudden since hes been a success its 16-17 million. You have to remember at the time we took Mascherano he'd been in West Hams reserves for months and there weren't too many prepared to take a chance on him and all the red tape it took to get him here. if we did have a fee in place when we signed him i reckon it would be nearer 10 million than 17. Either way hes worth it.

I think the key is when Gerrards on form playing well it doesnt really matter where he plays (within reason) i think its obvious we're a stronger side with Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano in the team and theres no reason why stevie cant be as influential if not more influential starting from the right with license to roam, in fact you could argue he'll be more of a goal threat from the right with Alonso and Mascherano doing most of the covering.

Think we have to use our full backs more to provide the width. Arbeloa does it well whenever he plays, Aurellio doesnt have his engine but he has good quality on the ball. Lets hope he can stay fit.

Hes a clever player with a good football brain and good technique we need a few more with similar attributes.

Think hes 16 not 14 though and has already played first team football..

Ghanian? Hes probably 30.

Think Kuyt's played pretty well this season when hes had a proper target man up there with him, when he has to play up there on his own or with Veronin he hasnt played great but with Torres hes looked very good and i think with Crouch he'll be fine too.

.......................Reina......................... Arbeloa......Carra.......Hyppia...........Aurellio ...................Mascherano..................... Benayoun.........Gerrard....................Kewell / Babel ..................Crouch.....Kuyt........................ If Torres is 100% then maybe play him but with international week coming up id rather he didnt play or for Spain and fully got over his knock.

"Oooooh-ooooh-ooooh! We've got the best youth team in the world We've got Gerardo Bruna, miliano Insua Plessis and Pacheco! "

Should play most home games for sure, its amazing how much extra good quality full backs can give you, Arbeloa was playing almost as a right winger yesterday and that allowed Benayoun to tuck in when he wanted too without losing any width, Aurellio gives us someone on the left that doesnt give the ball away and is able to pick out someone like Crouch with long passes rather than aimlessly hoof it upfield. Still think Finnan away from home is a good solid option maybe with Arbeloa on the left but at home i think yesterdays full backs should start most games.

Agree with all of that hes quickly becoming my favourite player to watch, it tells you everything that in an 8-0 win a defensive ball wining midfielder can be a contender for MOM. His form wasnt great which coincided with the team playing poorly but the last 3 or 4 games hes been top class, as you say even when hes not on top form he's always trying and usually in the right place at the right time, and when hes on form and passing it well theres no one better in that position. Really hope we sign him, all the noises from the player have been positive, and hes just the type of player we need in the team, someone that plays like its 0-0 even when we're cruising and allows players like Stevie, Benayun, Babel to attack knowing hes there covering for them. Think him and Alonso would make a great partnership and allow us to have a fluid attacking 4 knowing those 2 very clever players are there plugging the gaps.

What a difference it makes to the team, with Aurellio a long ball becomes an accurate long pass and Arbeloa provides that width and energy down the right we lack when Gerrard or whoever plays there tucks inside a bit. Of course the oppsotion were poor but the team looks so much better when Aurellio's in the side.

Mascherano was quality again, in a game we won 8-0 you wouldnt expect a defensive midfielder to stand out, but he didnt stop trying all game even when we were coasting and some of his passing was Xabiesque!

The biggest standouts for me is our the full backs, when Aurellio plays a long ball becomes a long pass and Arbeloa offers a lot going forward, if your going to play Gerrard or Benayoun on the right you know they'll drift inside so you need a full back that will get forward, Arbeloa does that with pace and quality. Played some good stuff today, when Crouch plays well he links the play so well and the midfield runners are prepared to gamble because they know theres a good chance it'll stick. Some really good signs today however poor they were.