Stefano

I said he does have money left and probably thought he'd have more after the outgoing sales to get the rest of his main targets. I doubt he wanted to pay that much for Aqualini either but it was a bit late in the day to be cancelling the deal.

Well for a start I doubt he was expecting to pay that much for Johnson, but he wanted the player in early and paid the dosh, fair enough. Then he sold Alonso, probably believing he could fund a replacement and have enough left over to considerably strengthen other positions, which doesn't look like panning out after spending the bulk of the money on Aqualini. As it stands, and if the figures for Alonso were correct, we've just about broke even. So I think he still has money to spend, yes, but it's not enough to secure the rest of his main targets and he's now weighing up different options, who might not be an improvment on what we've already got.

I believe there's money left to spend, probably what he started with, but he's miscalculated somewhere along the line and ended up paying over the odds for two targets and doesn't have enough to secure the rest, which is his perogative given he's in control of the budget. Now it could be a case of thinking do I bring in a couple of cheapo squad players for the limited funds available or save it and perservere with what we've already got. His budget to begin with is an absolute joke due to the ridiculous situation we find ourselves in, but that's for another debate.

I've mentioned the market situation before, yep. It's a nightmare. But given what we know now, I'm not sure paying 17 million for Johnson, who I rate as the best right back in the league, with a competent RB already in place, was that much of a priority if it meant skinting us for other targets. Losing Arbeloa for nothing and keeping our defence together would have been worth losing him on a free. Then we sell one of our key midfielders, hoping to use the money to strengthen elsewhere, and replace him with an injured player for more than half the fee, and struggle to bring in other targets. All has not gone according to plan I reckon. I'm not being deliberately negative. I trust the manager and I'm sure we'll put up a good fight, but at the moment it feels like we've taken a step back.

It's a squad game now, and we'll use a multitude of systems and formations throughout the season, either for tactical purposes or because of injuries and suspensions, so you don't buy players just to sit on the bench. We needed a quality alternative to Torres, who, as we saw last season, can't be relied upon every week. Rafa obviously felt the same hence the interest in Tevez. It's his job to worry about accomodating them. We knew all this at the start of the summer, so to go into the new season weaker than last season and still needing to strengthen key positions shows poor planning on Rafa's part.

He certainly looked like a far more expressive player in his Gremio days. Different manager and methods obviously. But even in the most rigid of gameplans he still has to stamp his own individuality on the game.

It's a fair point but I just don't think he has it in him. He can't change his nature.

It's difficult not to be concerned though. In hindsight, with the market in turmoil, just putting our foot down and keeping Alonso and Arbeloa and adding a striker or attacking midfielder would have been the smart thing to do. It seems Rafa had a plan to sell Alonso, replace him and still have plenty to strengthen other positions but it looks to have backfired a bit, unless we have deals in the pipeline. As it stands there's no getting away from the fact that we're weaker than last season.

Silly nonsense.

Not sure why, he's an excellent little player and seemingly unfazed by playing at the highest level. Some, though, are intent on writiing him off.

Slightly misleading. When they say he's 'been to Liverpool' they actually mean Everton, hence his quote about them and not us.

If he wasn't he'd have mentioned the bid for Turner, which seems to have escaped his attention. It might not be a lot but it refutes the idea that we're not still in the market. Rafa could also be working hard to bring in a striker but the choice is pretty limited.

He paints a bleak picture that's for sure, which I've noticed is a general theme with most of his articles, but in terms of how much Rafa has left to spend it's all guesswork. There could be a multitude of reasons why we've not spent more money. It isn't exactly a stable market out there and quality players for low fees and competetive wages are at a premium, especially when big clubs come calling.

I'd say as long as they make money who cares but it's blatently obvious none of it will go into improving the team.

Can you point about the good bits as I'm all I'm seeing is a poorly researched hatchet job?

I'm sure he's an option but as soon we show an interest it's a licence to add on a few million.

The market is ridiculous. No one here is really buying anyone of note because of the inflated fees and wages. If he does have 15/20 million left, which ordinarliy would get us a couple of good squad players, it's no suprise he's weighing up his options.

Breaking news on SSN.

It's more likely he's picked the injury up in training and been sent home than us not releasing him. Just hope it's not serious but you never can tell with these type of injuries.

Here's some doom and gloom - Gerrard has got a groin injury.

Gerrard is out of England game with a groin inury.

It isn't quite clear at all. He's consistenly stupid about everyone. The likes of Nicholas and Le Tossier are a lot sneakier and biased when it comes to us.

Merson doesn't even register for me. He's just thick. At least he speaks his mind and has no hidden agenda. There's far worse than him who genuinely dislike us and never miss a chance to stick the knife in.

Lets wait and see. There's obvious interest in Turner, so there is some money there. The recent protestations about a lack of funds could just as well be a ruse to keep prices down. Also, if the quality isn't available for realistic money it's best to stick with what you've got than panic buying.

Agger hasn't played for a while. Could be Carra/San Jose.