Topic: Transfer window policy, or forced hand?

[Gee, Stevie]

These are some facts.  After all our current new signings had been signed, Rafa has said more than once that we want to sign a RM & a CB before the end of this transfer window.  We are in the last day of the transfer window.  We haen't since signed a RM or a CB.

The above would lead to some of the following conclusions (not an exhaustive list):
 -  we haven't been able to sign the players we have targted yet... times a running out;
 -  we don't know who exactly we want;
 -  there is no one 'available' that fits the description;
 -  we don't have the cash or the offer (of playing at LFC) to convince the club(s) & player(s) we're targeting to come.

So the question really is - why are we waiting anxiously, on the final day of the transfer window, for the arrival of the type of players we all thought were destined to be in our squad? 

I can think of no logical reason as to why, if we could get the player(s) we wanted, and we had the funds available, that we would not have signed them by now.  It surely must mean that we are some way down our list of players we made a priority to sign.

I'm in no way suggesting we just bring in any old RM & CB that we can, we want Rafa to operate with the players he has carefully selected.  What I am getting at here, is we surely haven't been able to get our first, perhaps our first few choices of RMs are CBs.  The follow on question is... why?

We're European champions, we should have some dosh to go around.  Why wait?  If we make the right kind of signings, spending considerable money this season, we dont necessarily have to match that budget for the next season, two or three.

[Gee, Stevie]

Sorry, just to add to that... I don't think, on the back of all of last years events (European Cup, new manager....) that this was a year to be conservative in the transfer market.  Quite the opposite I think.  We probably had to really go for it.  Not the type of 10mil on Diouf go for it, more like the 10 mil on each of the 'right' RM & CB to for.  Someone who has been performing at the top for, say 3 years straight, under 28.  Not sure who that is... but that's not my job, just don't think I'm asking too much for us to have really gone for it a bit more.  Though I'm happy to be surpirsed in the next few... hours.

And don't pigeon-whole me with a few of the others acting like thi is the end of the world.  I'm looking forwad to this season like you wouldn't believe.  With or without another signing.  Bring on Spuds, Xabi, Stevie & Momo will show Davids & Jenas how to bossthe midfield...

[SuperSub77]

As has been said many times, trust in Rafa - he hasn't let us down yet IMO.

He doesn't have the Madrid attitude of 'buy the most famous marketable players on the planet and make them fit', rather find the best solution for the team that will perform consistently and have the right attitude.

There was also the chance that given our extra funds this year, we could have been treated in a similar way to Chelsea where there is a price for us and a price for anyone else for a player.

If we don't sign anyone today, I won't  be disappointed. The system that we are adopting under Rafa is more about building a consistantly running engine rather than big names.

Remember that a lot can change by christmas, we may see some of the players that Rafa initially wanted not having the season they expected where they are and be ready to move on.

[capt k]

These are some facts.  After all our current new signings had been signed, Rafa has said more than once that we want to sign a RM & a CB before the end of this transfer window.  We are in the last day of the transfer window.  We haen't since signed a RM or a CB.



.  The follow on question is... why?

Possibly, all of the "big budget" players he wanted{and presumably approached} where told in no uncertain terms, that whilst they will be given a chance, there are no guarantee's for first team football.

either that or Rafa thinks we have adequate cover untill the "right player" becomes avail{ jan???}

[Magix]

I doubt there is one comprehensive answer, rather a combination of the factors you mentioned Gee.

Its all very speculative really.

[Johnnyboy1973]

For me, not enough financial clout and the Owen situation, which many at the club thought was a formality allowed them to be sidetracked from more pressing matters.

A shambles really, but there is still time and looks like we have a winger, but to leave it till the last day still raises questions for me.

[Pyro]

A shambles really, but there is still time and looks like we have a winger, but to leave it till the last day still raises questions for me.

It's not the best way to go about driving a hard bargain. We should of had something stitched up a while ago considering we are so thin in the CB and RW spots.