Future

[MickeyDocs]

We got close to the CL yet again, not as close as last year but there was a time when we were in dreamland at the semi-final stage. We have almost come to expect it.

 

We have a great skeleton young skeleton to our team, and we are building towards something special. This is a key transfer window for us. We need to add quality full backs, decent backup for our keeper, and another top level attacker.

 

I'm very optimistic for next season. Onwards and upwards.

[Guest Raisbeck]

We have a backbone but our skeleton has got broken arms and legs.

[Falconhoof]

With these new American owners backing Rafa, the club is unified and building steadily. I confidently predict that we'll go for the best players in the transfer market win the league at a canter next season.

[Guest Toxteth O'Grady]

Well in lad, I agree. Not far off.

[bazz]

As much as our back 4 needs addressing, our midfield basically doesn't creat enough or have balance.

 

Having Masch, Alonso, Gerrard and Kuyt in our midfield just will not work long term (i.e. for a season( , I just don't think they are creative enough.

 

We need new creative blood in our midfield to allow Torres to continue to flourish

[McBain]

Was gonna start a thread but i'll stick it here.

 

We've still far too much mediocrity at the club. Both in the first 11 and the squad. I'd be quite happy if all the following players were shipped on

 

Kewell

Riise

Voronin

Crouch

Kuyt

Pennant

Benayoun

Arbeloa

 

Probably Alonso too if his head isnt't with us anymore. I dont expect all these players to leave as some are favourites of the manager but if we're at all in a position financially to do it we need yet another overhaul

[MickeyDocs]

We have a backbone but our skeleton has got broken arms and legs.

 

We have a skeleton for the next five years at least and probably longer. We have good quality starting to come through the academy (compare this back to the last days of the Houllier era).

 

Hicks is running out of time and should be gone. We have a great manager, some great players, some good squad players, and a great future! We need to add two good fullbacks, and another great attacking player, and possibly replace Xabi if he wants to go.

 

 

Hairy is trying his best to put us down right now.... Souness is fighting our corner... it's great to like Souey again!!

[Nebraska Red]

the future is not as bright as it looks.

 

we have major deficincies in all parts of the team and we will be very lucky to address them all in 1 summer. you can bet that the Mancs, Chelsea and even Arsene will be spending big money in the summer and the competition for the best players will be fierce.

 

Rafa needs to have a serious look at the squad and his tactics.

 

as much as we love certain players, we cannot keep playing Xabi and Masch together in so many games as it kills our creativity.

 

if Agger and Skirtel become the first choice central defence pairing, I hope we can stop having to play Masch and Xabi together so often.

 

a pair of decent full backs who can get forward and help the midfield is a must allowing us to get shut of Riise and either Finnan or Arbeloa.

 

whilst Kuyt gives 150% most of the time, we have to try and do better.

 

the list of hangers on has been mentioned many times and is horrific , this deadwood has to sent packing.

[Guz]

Whilst I agree with the general sentiment and think we have made some progress in our football this year, I think we have more issues to settle than 12 months ago. One is the centre back situation when Agger comes back and the other is wingers and full backs. We started tonight with Riise, Arbeloa, Yossi and Kuyt. No offence to those 4 players, they all have some good qualities but we cant have such mediocrity running through all the wide players in the team.

 

I am expecting an explosive season from Babel next year, which leaves one wing and probably the left back area too if we're assuming that Carra, Finnan and Arbeloa will occupy the right back slot through the season

[Saintslfc13]

the future is not as bright as it looks.

 

we have major deficincies in all parts of the team and we will be very lucky to address them all in 1 summer. you can bet that the Mancs, Chelsea and even Arsene will be spending big money in the summer and the competition for the best players will be fierce.

 

Rafa needs to have a serious look at the squad and his tactics.

 

as much as we love certain players, we cannot keep playing Xabi and Masch together in so many games as it kills our creativity.

 

if Agger and Skirtel become the first choice central defence pairing, I hope we can stop having to play Masch and Xabi together so often.

 

a pair of decent full backs who can get forward and help the midfield is a must allowing us to get shut of Riise and either Finnan or Arbeloa.

 

whilst Kuyt gives 150% most of the time, we have to try and do better.

 

the list of hangers on has been mentioned many times and is horrific , this deadwood has to sent packing.

 

I can't see anyone preferring Chelsea or Arsenal to coming here. We're a constant threat in Europe and players from other European sides have said they fear us more than the other english teams when it comes to the competition. With 3 semi's and 2 finals in 4 years we shouldn't have a problem attracting players. Also remember that Chelsea need one of the league or CL or there could be a mass exodus of talent from there, and neither is a guarantee, they have a better shot at the CL as they control their own destiny there.

 

Our league form will improve with the squad improving but most players value European success when it comes to deciding where they go and neither Chelsea, Arsenal , nor the Mancs for that matter have a better record there than we do.

 

I do agree that some of the deadwood needs to chopped away, I'd like to get rid of yossi, bring in a replacement for Riise who isn't injury prone, and see us upgrade the wide areas (wings and fullbacks). Also if Rafa can get an attacking mid for the role Gerrard plays, we could drop Gerrard to Xabi's role and he may just be better suited for that. Sometimes it seems he lacks the quickness he needs to produce something when he's surrounded by 3 or more opposing shirts, which happens often in the role he's currently playing in, but he's also had some great performances there as well so we will see if he adapts his game. We also desperately need another quality striker if only for when we need to rest Torres.

 

See people mentioning our centre back situation as being suspect but I can't say I agree. We have 3 very good Centre backs, even if Carra is slowly on the decline, which I'm not a believer of, he's still better than most in the prem. Agger was great before the injury and Skrtel has been great since he's came in. The two best will play, the one who is left out will provide depth at CB and LB or RB. Not sure Agger has the pace to switch to leftback full time but what a difference he could've made if available to do a spot job, I'm almost certain Riise wouldn't have even been on the bench for the first leg had that been the case.

[RP]

I can't see anyone preferring Chelsea or Arsenal to coming here.

 

 

Get a map and things will become clearer.

[Saintslfc13]

Get a map and things will become clearer.

 

Let me clarify, I meant anyone who is more interested in Football and Success than having an overly long London vacation. Besides the incredibly rich Russian, Chelsea doesn't have much to offer and are a CL loss and a Manc win away from a possible mass exodus. Arsenal can perhaps use that to their advantage but Wenger prefers his players young so they can grow together, and therefore regardless of the amount of money he spends will probably buy young as well.

 

The thing that could keep players away is the string of burglaries our players have had to deal with, but hopefully that will be a non-issue.

[DazzlaJ]

Get a map and things will become clearer.

 

I'd say wages was an issue too

[Des]

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

[growler]

I think when you put things in perspective and realise that most of the deadwood moving out will actually bring in some revenue, it looks a little different.

 

If we sell Guthrie, Pennant, Voronin, Crouch, Finnan, Riise, Carson and release KEwell, the impact to the squad will be minimal, whilst raising funds to buy a right back and a genuine right winger. Its a long way away from needing to replace Henchoz, Westerweld, Dudek, Cheyrou, Diao, Traore, Medjani, Owen, Smicer, Biscan and many others with no income from any of them.

 

Lets not forget highlights like Nemeth, Plessis, Insua likely to make an impact in the next 12 months in the first team, along with Lucas, Skrtel and Babel having one season in the league, Masch having signed full time and Agger being fit again.

 

For me, 2008/9 was always going to be the title season and nothing has changed that for me.

[floyd the barber]

----------------reina----------------

----------skrtel---agger------------

---------------masch---------------

----------------gerrard-------------

-----------------torres--------------

 

 

excellent spine....we need the rest

[Guest the Dude abides]

I'd echo what a few have seem to have said just by glancing through the thread. We have probably said it for more thna a few seasons now but this Summer has to be THE Summer where we seriously kick on.

 

We need two quality full-backs, a partner for Masch(that could be Lucas) and one/two wide attacking players.

 

OUT: Alonso, Riise, Aurelio, Crouch and Voronin. Those have to go and maybe a few more. The others mainly being Pennant, Yossi, Finnan.

 

And we really need to have our heads straight and know what it is we have to do going into the new campaign. We have to be of the mind that WE are going to win it.

 

 

Really looking forward to the new season now. Bring it the f*** on!!!

[mooks]

OUT: Alonso, Riise, Aurelio, Crouch and Voronin. Those have to go and maybe a few more. The others mainly being Pennant, Yossi, Finnan.

Aurelio?

 

And Yossi will stay as a squad player

[Ronnie Whelan]

This summer is Rafa's definitive summer. I really hope he gets the backing he needs.

[floyd]

Get a map and things will become clearer.

Err Chelsea, Arsenal and errrrr Reading, yes Reading needs you.