Bo Benn

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From OS exclusive chat with Sammy today: Scary, scary indeed.

Probably true. For some strange reason I think a new striker would give us more than one new winger. Probably comes from the impact Torres made. Could we for instance get Dave Villa it could be a big step forward even though we probably wouldn't afford top class wingers then.

Aye I don't think, and hope that this player came out the blue and just happened to be out of contract. I optimistically believe we have some sort of upper hand in negotiation with player of Deg en's calibre. If it wasn't profitable for us to get a 'free' signing like this I don't we would have done it. We definitely saving a considerable amount of money on these kind of signings. The Babbel case was a bit different as he was a much more sought after player and therefore had more leverage in negotiations.

Oh, my hopes were up for a player who'd be more of a contender. Like Barry, Villa, Silva etc.

If he makes somewhat of an impression during euro '08 we could always sell him for a proper transfer fee in a year's time. Much less opportunity risk compared to buying a player.

He talked about three new signings not too long ago - of which one of them is starting XI material. I'm pretty sure I didn't get that one wrong.

Not saying you're completely wrong - we need to get more quality in; but you shouldn't underestimate the power of having a largely unchanged squad from one season to the next either. For instance I can see players like Babel, Skrtel, Benayoun and even Torres and Alonso improving so much it actually makes a big difference in our chances to challenge for the league title properly.

The main point is we can't spend millions like they do. Rafa said he has line-up a big signing for us, that one will probably cost us a few quids. While our RB position could do with some improvement I don't think that is our highest priority. I rather have us spend big on a striker, winger(s) and a LB first.

Thanks, that was very conclusive help

I think performing better against the 'lesser' sides will improve our chances for next season. We dropped too many points against s*** teams. End of. I think getting another good striker in the side will improve our chances of killing of opposition*, a quality we lacked sometimes during last season, but which did improve slightly from the season before. The numbers of high scoring wins this season in an indication of that. Some people pointed towards our poor results against the top three for our season's league failure. However I think you need to take into account that those three side are excellent football teams and the games against will always be very uncertain. Think it much more down to day-to-day form and coincidences who win those games. But the other ones are more down to attitude and preparation. * edit: a couple of good wingers will also help

Surprised there no thread about our new boy coming in. One reason could be he's a bit unknown and I doubt he is going to be much more than a squad player for us. But still, anyone seen him play? What's his playing style (mostly interested in his attacking/defensive proneness?) Can he compete with Alvaro and Finnan? Is he in the Swiss squad for the euro champs?

According to reports he never had a chance to. Pepe ate them all as imaginary ice cream-cones.

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Compared to 99% of all football clubs we've spent s***loads of money on players as well.

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Sammy is OK I guess. Can't help feeling it's a good thing we HAVE and assistant manager now, regardless of whomever that fecker is.

Pepe's passing and throwing, in terms of precision, to team mates is second to none at the moment. Making him more a part of the attacking play than most keepers. A minor point but still worth mentioning.

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Watching the Swedish Euro 08 squad announcement right now. Henrik Larsson is back in the international team. Half decent squad imo. A bit worried defensively, an area we have always been strong in historically but some of the players nowadays are not exactly world beaters.