Stefano

I don't think it's a necessity, no. Kuyt can slot in if need be. Even if we did, we don't have the money to buy anyone of the required quality. I think you're just winding me up with this Viduka stuff anyway.

It's certainly an option but I wouldn't want Viduka anywhere near the team. And how much would the like of Klose, et all, cost? I reckon Bolton would want a fair whack for Davies.

Well without any money I'd rather take my chances with Owen leading the line, yes. But it's completely moot now anyway as he's moved to the dark side. We've moved on from the 'get it forward and hold it up' philosophy. Our game is all about possesion, counter attack and stretching teams with Torres' pace. If push come to shove, I'd rather just use Babel there.

Carra at a stretch. Can't rely on the others, and Dossena is almost gone.

Rafa will have a huge input though, and the final say.

5 years ago, maybe. He's a shell of a player now and practically retired. Not good enough for our level anymore. At least Owen is mobile and still scoring reguarly.

Injuries to Johnson or Insua and we're f***ed. Rafa will be on the lookout for someone who can fill in both positions and maybe even centre half.

Viduka, seriously? I can't tell whether people are messing sometimes.

In a perfect world, maybe. But without any money an experienced goalscorer on a free might have come in handy.

Defence.

I'd only take Tuncay out of those, and I don't rate him. I'm beginning to worry that we missed the boat with Owen for striker cover. Rafa should be able to bring a good defender for that kind of money. Apparently Reyes is available on loan, could be a shrewed signing for someone that.

If he does stay would you rather spend any monies available on an attacker or defender, taking into account what we've got in reserve? I'm assuming with players sales we've got something in the region of 15 million.

I'd just tell them now that it's over and he's staying. It's too late in the day to be messing aroud with these w*****s and trying to bring in replacments. I've thought before that Rafa is desperate to keep Alonso and would price him out of a move, and that looks to be the case. I'm sure another season playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world ad challenging for major honours won't be too much of a burden.

Alonso has been quoted in Marca saying 'he can't do anymore to get his move to Madrid', and they're looking at Defour as an alternative, which is probably bulls***. Sounds like they'll leave the poor lad out to dry.

Reports in the Spanish press saying we've faxed over our final demands - 35 million, which includes a few add ons. But Madrid still won't go over 25 million euro and have apparently told Alonso to sit tight and we'll eventually cave. t***s. When asked if he's playing tonight, Alonso enthusiastically replied that he's available, professional, etc.

As he's left footed I can seem him being fast tracked to the England squad to give them the balance they've craved for years. With Walcott on the right there should be a nice blend of pace and control.

Arshavin was whinging about it soon as he arrived, along with being forced to eat his chippy tea before 6 pm.

He loves the club, City and fans, and knows we're close to our first league title in 20 years, yet he's desperate to leave because he's suddenly sick of the lifestyle after living here for 5 seasons. I don't buy it. It sounds like a conveniant excuse to get out and join the 'impressive' project at Madrid.

I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the new tax hikes and huge wage package Madrid are offering. Summer is woeful here, mind, especially for us peasants.

Alberto Aquilani has also been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, with reports suggesting Liverpool are close to signing the midfielder. De Rossi believes it would be a good move for his team-mate but believes the Giallorossi would regret it. "I don't know the details and I don't know if the deal is real," he added. "If it's as it's written in the papers, we will lose a great player. "His many injuries have maybe meant that he's been forgotten about a bit, but I am sure that if he leaves we will regret it. "He's a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma's academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy. "But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world - Steven Gerrard."

Without taking anything away from the effort, it was admirable given the competition, we overachieved last season, a lot of which was down to the disjointed form of those around us early on. I doubt that will happen again, and we could miss a real chance to stay in the mix, or even overtake them, by wheeling and dealing and selling our best players.

The Barca comparison is a non statrter. They've always been among the biggest spenders in their own league and don't have to deal with such skewed financial disadvatages. The romantic notion of 'the right way' and building title winning teams without spending vast sums and using your own talent no longer apply in the Premiership, unless you get ridiculously lucky. Sad but true.

It was all bluffing. If we had extra money it would have been spent.

Barca have spent fortunes, and other than this summer's nonsense, don't have to compete with the same level of financial might in England. That's even before City arrived on the scene.

Well if things pan out, we'll be selling our midfield lynchpin, along with many others, because we have no money to strengthen other positions. If that's not a concern, I don't know what is. Arsenal had to let Flamini go after their best season in recent times because they could't afford his wage demands. They've also just sold two of their key players to a potential top 4 rival so they can bring in new players. I doubt they'll be aiming high this season, and like us a title win would be a massive overachievment.