Luis García (Espanyol Striker) signed

[Spaniard]

So that's it, the fee is about 8 million. The link is in Spanish but the headline says it all. "Luis García is going to Tottenham for €12 M".

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/espanyol/es/desarrollo/1144432.html

At least he's cheaper than Darren Bent...

[Baleinho]

Beat ya too it ;) lmao

[Lilywhite Lad]

Shame i can't speak Spanish so i can't read the rest of the article. I only just read on Sky sports that we were linked with signing him so that was quick!

[Baleinho]

I know a little about him, only from what SSN said.

Spaniard; is he worth the cash? do you recon he could prove his worth in the prem?

[Lilywhite Lad]

You might think i'm stupid for saying this, but isn't he the same one that played for Liverpool?

[Lilywhite Lad]

You might think i'm stupid for saying this, but isn't he the same one that played for Liverpool?

Sorry lads, i've just found out it's not. I didn't think it was but it was a bit of a coincidence that there's two Spaniards named 'Luis Garcia'. Hopefully he's a replacement for Bent or Defoe and not Berba:o

[Baleinho]

It looks like hes a replacement for Defoe. Now lets concentrate on that DM And Bentley. Then the team will be complete *attempts Emperor voice from Star Wars*

[Spaniard]

He's a second striker with good movement, good skills (technique, dribble) but he's far from top class. A good player, I suppose he will be the third forward in the squad. He can play as a no. 9 but his favourite position is Robbie Keane's.

He could play very well with an intelligent striker like Berbatov, and he's not lightening fast.

Overall, if he adapts well he can be very handy and useful. Otherwise he could be shipped out again to Spain where he has good rep. And he has been cheap, Espanyol was asking for €17 million to Valencia last year when Valencia wanted him.

[Spaniard]

The newspaper MARCA says he's in London putting some ink in his contract. He'll be introduced on Wednesday.

Benfica was also offering good money for him but he prefered THFC instead.

[mjbmedia]

blimey, we'll be having bullfights at White Hart Lane next, theres so much spanish influence :p

[Gino Ginelli]

Er... why are we blowing 8m on an 'ok' centre forward, rather than a CB or DM? One minute there's talk of selling off the deadweight to pay for these and Bentley... Now we're spending on what I see as a totally unessecary player.

I am concerned folks...

[Baleinho]

Dont worry mate. Keep the faith in Ramos. He knows what he's doing.

[wayne wonder]

Why we buying another forward when clearly we need to get rid of certain players and then bring in a cb, dm, lw i hope he knows what he's doing because we'll end up with a squad larger than chelsea's soon

[berbzy 'G']

The Bentley deal is still going threw, Although it has been abit quite these last few days, and from the Daily Mail, it says he should sign by Friday...

As for Garcia, wether I like him or not, it looks like he is now a Tottenham player...

With our creative squad such as Bentley, Modric, Berbatov and Bale... Then there is no reason for Garcia not to score 15+ goals a season if he can take the chances...

[jrio]

Sorry lads, i've just found out it's not. I didn't think it was but it was a bit of a coincidence that there's two Spaniards named 'Luis Garcia'. Hopefully he's a replacement for Bent or Defoe and not Berba:o

His full name isn't Luis Garcia, it's Luis Garcia Fernandez. The ex-Liverpool player is called Luis Javier Garcia Sanz.

I don't want to be too alarmist but this post on FTL from Graham Roberts preceeded the news:

Keane is leaving - 'negotiating a fee' trying to find out with which club!! LOTS of players they are talking to... Garcia sounds likely

Archie's previous evaluation was:

if we receive a huge cash bid he will be allowed to talk to them- he will only leave for liverpool..

However, if Levy does stick to 20m cash, I can't see how Liverpool can raise that, unless another couple of players beside Alonso, like Pennant, can be sold to raise above 10m.

EDIT: Spaniard's observation that his favoured position is Keane's adds fuel to the fire.

[jrio]

blimey, we'll be having bullfights at White Hart Lane next, theres so much spanish influence :p

Our first Spanish player signed from a Spanish club, no? And that after we've been linked with about 20 since January.

[Lilywhite Lad]

His full name isn't Luis Garcia, it's Luis Garcia Ferndandez. The ex-Liverpool player is called Luis Javier Garcia Sanz.

I don't want to be too alarmist but this post on FTL from Graham Roberts preceeded the news:

Keane is leaving - 'negotiating a fee' trying to find out with which club!! LOTS of players they are talking to... Garcia sounds likely

Archie's previous evaluation was:

if we receive a huge cash bid he will be allowed to talk to them- he will only leave for liverpool..

However, if Levy does stick to 20m cash, I can't see how Liverpool can raise that, unless another couple of players beside Alonso, like Pennant, can be sold to raise above 10m.

Well i hope that isn't true. I hate this talk of Keane leaving for Liverpool. I'd hate to think that Garcia is used as a replacement for Keane.

[Spaniard]

I won't be worried because we sign strikers: Defoe gone in Dec, Bent almost gone to Sunderland, Keane has great offer...and we all know Berbatov.

We started the season with 4 forwards, we've lost one and hadn't replaced him, we are on the verge of losing Bent...it just was time we signed another ST. I expected better, by the way, but I reckon this buy is not high profiled, so the rest of the money goes to RW, DM and CB. If he's here to be the third striker, he will be a good buy.

I have to remind you that in Spain the fees are quite low comparing to the English market. Luis Garcia is 7/10 in almost everything, I don't think he'll dissapoint but he won't take us to the next level. Now If we sell Bent for 10-12 million we would cut losses with him (6 million) and we have a good replacement for much less money.

I don't like the buy, but I don't dislike it either. Time will tell how Luis Garcia adapts and how quickly can contribute.

[Spaniard]

Oh, and I'd love to remind that Dos Santos can play RW if required, and with Luis Garcia we can also play 4-3-3 having upfront Dos Santos - Berbatov - Luis Garcia.

That would liberate Modric from defending and maybe Jenas becomes the box-to-box midfielder he was supposed to be, helping here and there. But we still lack badly a good DM (yes, we have a few average DM: Tainio, Hudd, Zokora...)

[Defoe8]

Keane is staying and that's that!!

Garcia I think is a replacement for Bent, who will most likely be sold to Sunderland.

[Keanoldinho]

Well after reading abit about Garcia it appears he can play on either wing or in any attacking position so he's a very versitile player which means he'll be a good squad player. Ramos seems to rate him so that's good enough for me. We need good squad depth to compete in 4 competitions so I wouldn't expect us to sell any first teamers unless we get hugh bids we've priced them all out the market.

[gazzaG8]

Well, intrest in Keano has been confirmed by Benitez. I hope he doesn't go :(
Hopefully they wont have the funds.

[joshua_snodgras]

Shit, hes only got the same goal celebration as Robbie!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5UxFw7UNps

[Spaniard]

A video bit longer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbiO6XfsSIQ&feature=related

You can get used to his play...

[berbzy 'G']

I cant even concentrate on Garcia now that Rafa is about to get Keane... **** this cant be happening, I'll have a break down seeing Keane in Liverpool shirt this season !!!

[nuttyhotspurs]

8million for a 27 year old, hope Ramos knows what hes doing

i also reckon if Liverpool snatch Keane, Berby will be off like a rocket

[jrio]

8million for a 27 year old, hope Ramos knows what hes doing

i also reckon if Liverpool snatch Keane, Berby will be off like a rocket

Eh? 8m is extortionate? It could be closer to 6m but as he's at the age where most players reach their peak, 8m doesn't seem an outrageous fee.

I don't think Berba will base any decisions on the lack or not of Keane. Plenty of class players are coming into the club, so it's not exactly a sinking ship.

[berbzy 'G']

Eh? 8m is extortionate? It could be closer to 6m but as he's at the age where most players reach their peak, 8m doesn't seem an outrageous fee.

I don't think Berba will base any decisions on the lack or not of Keane. Plenty of class players are coming into the club, so it's not exactly a sinking ship.

It would be if/when Berbatov and Keane leaves...

[Indianspur]

hope its bollocks were signing this guy as he would take us backwards.
Our current 3 strikers are good enough for any top 4 team in my opinion. If we are gonna sell any of them and replace them with mediocre spanish players then were ****ed!

[hastingsyid]

ill give my judgement once ive seen him play

[MarlowSpurs]

I cant even concentrate on Garcia now that Rafa is about to get Keane... **** this cant be happening, I'll have a break down seeing Keane in Liverpool shirt this season !!!

Thing is BBC sport are saying this

However, BBC Sport understands, despite reports to the contrary, that Keane has not asked for a transfer and that Spurs are likely to price the Reds out of a bid.

so who ****ing knows whats going on here, time will tell

[MarlowSpurs]

Shit, hes only got the same goal celebration as Robbie!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5UxFw7UNps

Is my monitor ****ed or were they playing in a pink and black kit?????????????

[Spaniard]

Espanyol away kit is pink and black, and the quality of the videos of Luis Garcia in youtube is not good.

[choda]

I heard he is a slow bastard, not wing material, more of a second rate del piero, totti or sheringham.

Not to be confused with the winger we were linked with from Zaragoza (can't remember his name) who is supposed to be a speed merchant.

[berbzy 'G']

Thing is BBC sport are saying this



so who ****ing knows whats going on here, time will tell

yeah your right about the fact that Keane hasnt actually put in a transfer request, But there again, he hasnt actually come out and said he wants to stay at Tottenham either... I'm absolutely shtting this weekends papers

[Rojoknapp]

Does everyone know we haven't actually got him yet? Apparently we "hope" to get him next week....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4312707.ece

[Spaniard]

I heard he is a slow bastard, not wing material, more of a second rate del piero, totti or sheringham.

Not to be confused with the winger we were linked with from Zaragoza who is supposed to be a speed merchant.

A) Speed merchant --> Sergio Garcia. Used to play striker at Zaragoza but as long as Milito and Oliveira were better than him, he was moved to the RW. And he had a great season in that position, using his pace to beat defenders.

B) Second rate "Del piero" --> Luis Garcia. He's not slow, but yeah he's a poorer version of every good second striker you can imagine. He can do everything, he can finish, his moves are quite smart, he's pacey enough to do the task...I bet (and I hope) he'll be a sub. Very useful squad player, much more intelligent than Bent.

He could play a la Kuyt or Babel, in a 4-3-3 formation can start as a false winger but he needs to move free to be dangerous.

We'll wait and see if he can crack it or not. I'm not impressed at the moment but he can do a job.

[Keanoldinho]

Good article here by the Spanish Bagel bloke seems we haven't even made an offer for Garcia and it's more speculation. Make of it what you will.

http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=36

[jrio]

Good article here by the Spanish Bagel bloke seems we haven't even made an offer for Garcia and it's more speculation. Make of it what you will.

http://www.guillembalague.com/rumores_desp.php?id=36

Informed sources say it's definite. As definite as Gomes was. I'm going with them. There was absolutely NO ITK on this and Ramos knows this player far too well for it to be speculation. Bentley's certain as well.

[Keanoldinho]

Informed sources say it's definite. As definite as Gomes was. I'm going with them. There was absolutely NO ITK on this and Ramos knows this player far too well for it to be speculation. Bentley's certain as well.


So informed sources say we've signed Garcia and Bentley well that sounds great and I'll believe it when it's official not just informed sauces or sources I mean. Informed sources are usually great at making excuses too.;)

[berbzy 'G']

Informed sources say it's definite. As definite as Gomes was. I'm going with them. There was absolutely NO ITK on this and Ramos knows this player far too well for it to be speculation. Bentley's certain as well.

I feel this Bentley deal is going into another Barry to Liverpool saga

[jrio]

Barry IS going to Liverpool. It's almost more certain than the sun rising in the east. MON may take 17m plus Steve Finnan. He won't go for less than 18m. Few things are more certain.

[berbzy 'G']

I dont get how Barry is worth £18 mill and Bentley is worth £17 mill when Bentley is cleary better than Barry

[singapore spur]

well its couldg get a bit complicated now , seems the alonso deal to leave pool is potentially falling through , they were to use that cash to get barry who im guessing is ahead of keane in benitez's wish list and with sidwell joining villa it looks as they are resigned to him going
so if pool dont have enough cash to bid for keane ( after the barry transfer ) then i wouldnt be surprised if they offered us alonso as a swap ,

many on here have stated that they would love to see him here in a deep lying midfield role but at the expense of keane ??

have no idea if alonso would consider the move , i ustood he wanted to back to spain or italy , and dont know how ramos views him , but 2+2 =5


(and my thanks to berbs for the math )

[singapore spur]

I dont get how Barry is worth £18 mill and Bentley is worth £17 mill when Bentley is cleary better than Barry


debatable , i think you are wrong , but debatable

[singapore spur]

is cleary better than Barry


julian cleary ? i think not ,though he likes to stroke the balls about a bit as well

[Baleinho]

This is going to be one hell of a saga. If the scousers can cough up the 20mill asking price... or flog a decent player from them (ie alonso) and about 7/8 million on top then..well..maybe..

Id hate to see Keane leave us- I really would; but you cant hold it against him. If he goes its purely for personal choice; its not as if he has been forced out of the club. I said in an earlier post... just please... dont boo him... :(

[Spaniard]

If a straight swap between Alonso and Keane was done, we'd be getting the better player. Facts and my opinion on why I think that would be sensational for us:

1.- Keane is...28 Alonso is 26.

2.- We can find a lot of second strikers who can do the job, but how many quality defensive midfielders are out there?
A DM with Xabi Alonso's experience and class is hard to find. Damn, he's won a CL(2005) and Euro 2008! And he can pass, he commands the MF, he is reaching the best level of his career and he would be very important here, which I think would make him improve his game. His confidence has dropped since his second season with Rafa Benitez, and Mascherano's arrival has hurt him in his style.

3.- Alonso is proven in the PL. No need to adapt, no need to learn English or anything. He's cultured and passionate, and if he comes, he'll soon get into the yido culture. As he has done with the scousers so far.

4.- Anything past 15 million for Keane is a steal for us. I mean, you look at him with the same eyes a mother looks to his child, (his passion for the club, loyalty and so on) but football is football and we should not overrate our players. 20 million is silly money. Fernando Torres' fee was £20.2 m + Luis Garcia (valued at £4m)

5.- We do have 3 good strikers right now (Berbatov is awesome, but Luis García and Darren Bent are above average if not good) and Dos Santos can play upfront too if required. On the otherside, we don't have a good DM (Hudd, Zokora and Tainio are not PL top level). And I expect Bent's level to be raised if he plays regularly, his good years at Charlton couldn't be only because of luck.

6.- We have Magic Juande to get the best out of him.

7.- We won't waste money, so we could get a good RW spending top money, as we would have gotten a DM withoug heavy investment.

8.- And we could get a starting XI like this:
Gomes;
Hutton, King, Woodgate, Bale;
Bentley (signed with the money saved with the Alonso-Keane swoop), Alonso, Modric, Dos Santos;
Berbatov, Bent/Garcia.

Pretty scaring IMO, and if King is fit this is stronger than current Arsenal, Villa, Pompey, and maybe Liverpool starting XI.

Negatives:
That would be the way to contend to 4th spot, but I reckon Xabi Alonso doesn't want to come here, he may think he already plays for a big club and wouldn't move "down" to another club, (that has to come with Spanish perception of the biggest clubs in England --> there are four that can guarantee CL footy: ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool).

If we manage to break into CL spots, we will be able to attract the best players, and then this team will be seriously improving. Juande managed it at Sevilla, let's see if he can do the same here. While playing CL, THFC will be attractive and we'll be able to sign the best players.

[Baleinho]

Very good post there mate. Its just..... Keane *does a puppy-eye face*

[olly27]

Excellent post Spaniard. I have always rated Alonso Hugely. I would be devestated to Lose Keane, as all of us would be, but you make some very good points. Your starting eleven looks seriously strong all over the park and I like it!

[Indianspur]

if we did get xabi alonso..then we could play 5 in midfield and live with bent and berbs upfront as lone strikers and not replace robbie

[Spaniard]

The main problem is luring Xabi Alonso away from Liverpool, but we have also some interesting things to offer:
-Spanish gaffer
-Good players
-Better conditions
-Important player in the Starting XI
-We could also agree with the player that if a big big club comes for him we will only look to recoup what we paid, we won't be looking to make a profit (which makes our offer interesting because he'll realize of what intentions we do have of making a great squad and compete in CL).
-London is, by far, better than Liverpool

And the only way I think we could persuade Liverpool to sell him to us is using Robbie Keane in the bid (straight swoop) or paying the 16.5 million they ask for.

The front office should be able to convince the best players to come here, so it's up to them to scout and take them here. We did it with Modric (but it was easier, he was playing for Dinamo Zagreb), the hard part is to lure big players away from big clubs.

if we did get xabi alonso..then we could play 5 in midfield and live with bent and berbs upfront as lone strikers and not replace robbie
I disagree with you: we would have 2 strikers, what if one of them gets seriously injured?
We need 3 options the least, that's why Luis Garcia is coming. But we would be able to change our formation as you say, it's just a matter of bringing the best players available and then we'll talk about tactics.

Ramos is quite good at these so I wont be worried, even I expect him to try 4-3-3 in preseason with Zokora-Jenas-Modric in MF and Dos Santos-Berba-Keane/Lennon and 4-5-1 (same MF but Malbranque and Lennon on the wings).

[jrio]

so if pool dont have enough cash to bid for keane ( after the barry transfer ) then i wouldnt be surprised if they offered us alonso as a swap ,

many on here have stated that they would love to see him here in a deep lying midfield role but at the expense of keane ??

have no idea if alonso would consider the move , i ustood he wanted to back to spain or italy , and dont know how ramos views him , but 2+2 =5


(and my thanks to berbs for the math )
There was a low key approach several weeks ago to see if Alonso was interested in coming to us , and he wasn't.

[Lilywhite Lad]

Does anyone remember how it first said we'd signed Bostock and Crystal Palace denied it ruling out his move?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1034336/Espanyol-deny-Tottenham-bid-Luis-Garcia.html?ITO=1490

Well according to this in the second (most genuine) story of what i believe is of many to come today, we have not signed Luis Garcia or made an offer for him. I'm a bit confused here as there also has only been other stories since the first to confirm it of 'reports claiming the signing' and no offical confirmations. Have we really signed him or haven't we?:confused:

[jrio]

We've made an offer but the Espanyol president is hoping other clubs will declare an interest so he can hold out for a higher price. He's been viewed as a player that signals a tactical change, switching from 2 main strikers to one(Berba) with LG as one of a range of attacking midfielders that play off him with the full-backs pushed on.

[choda]

If a straight swap between Alonso and Keane was done, we'd be getting the better player. Facts and my opinion on why I think that would be sensational for us:

1.- Keane is...28 Alonso is 26.

2.- We can find a lot of second strikers who can do the job, but how many quality defensive midfielders are out there?
A DM with Xabi Alonso's experience and class is hard to find. Damn, he's won a CL(2005) and Euro 2008! And he can pass, he commands the MF, he is reaching the best level of his career and he would be very important here, which I think would make him improve his game. His confidence has dropped since his second season with Rafa Benitez, and Mascherano's arrival has hurt him in his style.

3.- Alonso is proven in the PL. No need to adapt, no need to learn English or anything. He's cultured and passionate, and if he comes, he'll soon get into the yido culture. As he has done with the scousers so far.

4.- Anything past 15 million for Keane is a steal for us. I mean, you look at him with the same eyes a mother looks to his child, (his passion for the club, loyalty and so on) but football is football and we should not overrate our players. 20 million is silly money. Fernando Torres' fee was £20.2 m + Luis Garcia (valued at £4m)

5.- We do have 3 good strikers right now (Berbatov is awesome, but Luis García and Darren Bent are above average if not good) and Dos Santos can play upfront too if required. On the otherside, we don't have a good DM (Hudd, Zokora and Tainio are not PL top level). And I expect Bent's level to be raised if he plays regularly, his good years at Charlton couldn't be only because of luck.

6.- We have Magic Juande to get the best out of him.

7.- We won't waste money, so we could get a good RW spending top money, as we would have gotten a DM withoug heavy investment.

8.- And we could get a starting XI like this:
Gomes;
Hutton, King, Woodgate, Bale;
Bentley (signed with the money saved with the Alonso-Keane swoop), Alonso, Modric, Dos Santos;
Berbatov, Bent/Garcia.

Pretty scaring IMO, and if King is fit this is stronger than current Arsenal, Villa, Pompey, and maybe Liverpool starting XI.

Negatives:
That would be the way to contend to 4th spot, but I reckon Xabi Alonso doesn't want to come here, he may think he already plays for a big club and wouldn't move "down" to another club, (that has to come with Spanish perception of the biggest clubs in England --> there are four that can guarantee CL footy: ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool).

If we manage to break into CL spots, we will be able to attract the best players, and then this team will be seriously improving. Juande managed it at Sevilla, let's see if he can do the same here. While playing CL, THFC will be attractive and we'll be able to sign the best players.

I agree with everthing you have said except the underating of Keane and his value. I would tolerate a straight swap, mainly because Alonso, like Keane, is superb footballer, is younger and we very much need a dm. On the downside Liverpool very much need a striker of the quality of Keane to partner Torres. We would have a hand in creating the best partnership in Europe in a RIVAL while taking that away from ourselves. It is NOT as straightforward as you made it sound, though it was a good post that would make us yids think.

[Keanoldinho]

It's all nice talking about a Keano and Alonso swap deal but Alonso won't come to Tottenham so it's never going to happen. **** doing business with the scousers unless it's for one of our fringe players we don't want. Strengthening our main rivals for a CL spot makes very little sense.

[Spaniard]

We don't know who our rival is gonna be.

I would say Manchester United and Chelsea challenge the title, Liverpool fail to perform in November (again) but finishes 3rd and we fight with Arsenal and Everton to finish 4th.

Samïr Nasri is a good replacement for Hleb, anyway we will have to wait to see if he adapts a) quickly and b) well to the team and England.

I wouldn't say our rival is Liverpool, mainly because they have 2 of the very best players in the league (Torres-Gerrard) and a good starting XI with the likes of Reina, Skrtel, Carragher, Mascherano, Babel...

We only have one of the best (King) and he only plays 10 games a year. We have a great partnership upfront (Berbatov + Keane) and when they play togheter their link play makes them much more dangerous than the two players alone (1+1=3), but we need something more.

We can hope Modric or Dos Santos become great, but what we do really need is defensive stability. Every Tottenham game can not (and should not) finish 7-4 (Reading) or 4-4 (Chelsea, Aston Villa). If we score more than 1 goal we must win that game, and if we score 1 goal only we should at least draw.

Comparative goal (favour - against):
1.- Manchester United (80 - 22); (+58)
2.- Chelsea (65 - 26); (+39)
3.- Arsenal (74 - 31); (+43)
4.- Liverpool (67 - 28). (+39)
5.- Everton (55 - 33) (+22)

11.- Tottenham (66 - 61) (+5)

That form is what a CL contender form should be, and we are one DM and one CB away to be a good defensive team. We score enough goals (one more than Chelsea, one less than Liverpool), but our defending has a lot to improve, and this is a MUST.

[Keanoldinho]

We don't know who our rival is gonna be.

I would say Manchester United and Chelsea challenge the title, Liverpool fail to perform in November (again) but finishes 3rd and we fight with Arsenal and Everton to finish 4th.

Samïr Nasri is a good replacement for Hleb, anyway we will have to wait to see if he adapts a) quickly and b) well to the team and England.

I wouldn't say our rival is Liverpool, mainly because they have 2 of the very best players in the league (Torres-Gerrard) and a good starting XI with the likes of Reina, Skrtel, Carragher, Mascherano, Babel...

We only have one of the best (King) and he only plays 10 games a year. We have a great partnership upfront (Berbatov + Keane) and when they play togheter their link play makes them much more dangerous than the two players alone (1+1=3), but we need something more.

We can hope Modric or Dos Santos become great, but what we do really need is defensive stability. Every Tottenham game can not (and should not) finish 7-4 (Reading) or 4-4 (Chelsea, Aston Villa). If we score more than 1 goal we must win that game, and if we score 1 goal only we should at least draw.

Comparative goal (favour - against):
1.- Manchester United (80 - 22); (+58)
2.- Chelsea (65 - 26); (+39)
3.- Arsenal (74 - 31); (+43)
4.- Liverpool (67 - 28). (+39)
5.- Everton (55 - 33) (+22)

11.- Tottenham (66 - 61) (+5)

That form is what a CL contender form should be, and we are one DM and one CB away to be a good defensive team. We score enough goals (one more than Chelsea, one less than Liverpool), but our defending has a lot to improve, and this is a MUST.



Not true we're targeting a CL spot and manure and chavski won't be getting knocked off. So it will be one of either the scum or scousers so they're our direct rivals for a CL position so selling our best players to them is madness. Regardless of what people think Tottenham is targeting a CL spot this season that's why Ramos is getting the big bucks and he has a hugh transfer kitty.

Berbatov, King, Woodgate, Bale, Hutton, Gomes, Keano and Modric they're also some of the best players in this league.

[gazzaG8]

Not true we're targeting a CL spot and manure and chavski won't be getting knocked off. So it will be one of either the scum or scousers so they're our direct rivals for a CL position so selling our best players to them is madness. Regardless of what people think Tottenham is targeting a CL spot this season that's why Ramos is getting the big bucks and he has a hugh transfer kitty.

Berbatov, King, Woodgate, Bale, Hutton, Gomes, Keano and Modric they're also some of the best players in this league.

Completely agree mate the nucleus of the side is spot on & imo CL material.
I have faith Ramos & Levy can bring in 1 or 2 new world class faces, not potential, but world class faces to really push for a top 4 finish.

[Lilywhite Lad]

Not true we're targeting a CL spot and manure and chavski won't be getting knocked off. So it will be one of either the scum or scousers so they're our direct rivals for a CL position so selling our best players to them is madness. Regardless of what people think Tottenham is targeting a CL spot this season that's why Ramos is getting the big bucks and he has a hugh transfer kitty.

Berbatov, King, Woodgate, Bale, Hutton, Gomes, Keano and Modric they're also some of the best players in this league.

So true, these are players that should lift us into the top four next season, particularly with the attack we've got and how it is developing. If we can keep Keano and Berby, then we're in for another season with plenty of goals again and sheer quality up front. I agree with Spaniard in the sense that we need defensive stability, as we do concede nearly as many goals as we score. Just look at the string of consecutive 1-1 draws last season, where we went 1-0 up, but failed to keep the lead in each of them. A team like us shouldn't be dealing with that, as that is the difference between us and a top four team, so with the extra firepower in Modric and Dos Santos, and hopefully a strong RW on the way, we should have no problem in turning that 1-0 lead into a 2 or 3-0 lead.

As for defensive stability, you've already stated our entire back 4 to be some of the best players in the league and you're spot on with that, so why the problem of so many goals let in? Well the absences of Bale and King haven't at all helped, and with such an inconsistent goalkeeper, it isn't surprising we've let in so many. The arrival of Gomes should also help thwart the goals going in and decrease them, and if our back 4 stay fit and in good health, we shouldn't have many worries.

Despite this, we still need to match the quality of our rivals who i agree to be the Scouse and the Scum, but in order to do this, as already been said, a good strong DM is vital in filling that gap that we miss and can hopefully keep the ball in the centre of the park, easing the pressure off our defence. Alonso is a great choice, but sadly unrealistic. We lost a great DM in Carrick and that is the type of player we want to fill that role agin.

We also need good consistency too, we can't just sit back some matches, even if we are playing weaker teams, because i believe this season to be very tightly contested and we will have our work cut out in order to prove ourselves. Lost points could be vital this season and could be the difference between a 5th place and 4th, so we need to stay strong at the back, and strong up front, with a good creative midfield flow that i think Dos Santos and Modric will provide and hopefully Bentley, who is a much more creative and team player than Lennon imo. This should enable us to match our rivals and if Garcia does join, he will be a good back-up player that can fit in many roles, hence becoming very useful in our attack on the top 4.

[choda]

Not true we're targeting a CL spot and manure and chavski won't be getting knocked off. So it will be one of either the scum or scousers so they're our direct rivals for a CL position so selling our best players to them is madness. Regardless of what people think Tottenham is targeting a CL spot this season that's why Ramos is getting the big bucks and he has a hugh transfer kitty.

Berbatov, King, Woodgate, Bale, Hutton, Gomes, Keano and Modric they're also some of the best players in this league.

I totally agree. Liverpool don't have better players overall, inferior if we get the top cb and dm. Benitez has bought poorly in my opinion, very poorly for the most part. Ramos has bought more good players in 6 months than rafa did in two or three years.

If you live in Spain and watch the cl results when they are out of the title race, it is easy to overate them. Fact of the matter is they usually squeeze by those games with defensive formations and prioritising the games because they don't really have the players.

He doesn't even play one of his best buys: Alonso. And when he does play he doesn't really get the ball as they hoof it over his head. Not a great team, we could easily pass them out if he doesn't get two top wingers and a top class striker to play with Torres.

And by the way Babel was utterly shit last season as a left winger. He is all right foot, if he is any good he certainly isn't on the left.

[Spaniard]

I saw at least 30 of 38 Liverpool games of last season, and we could discuss if their players are class or not, but I can not believe some opinions here on Rafa Benitez.

He has bought poorly? He had an entire squad to build with little money, he has had to buy patch after patch because he had not the money to spend big, and when he has spended he has delivered (Torres). I think Reina is a good keeper, Skrtel and Agger are good CB and they are young, Alonso, Mascherano is quite good at his position (the best defending, although he's not any creative) and then there's El Nino.

He has also bought Crouch (he has been sold on 4 million profit), Zenden (free), Voronin (free), Aurelio (free) and so many crap players that I could be here writing them until tomorrow, but he did that because he needed short gap options. God damn, he had to play Dudek and Traoré in his first season, and Riise played LW...

I wouldn't call Rafa Benitez transfers a disaster: if he has bought patches he's either sold them on a profit or they are still with them. He has also sold the likes of Diao, Cheyrou, Le Tallec, Cisse... seriously, the man had a lot of work to do.

In my opinion, he has built a good squad, but they are lacking so much quality if they want to climb up the table. They have not the money and RB this year looks completely lost in the transfer market (why Barry? why Keane? he needs a great RW with flair and pace and not Dirk Kuyt)

But they do have Torres and Gerrard and some proven PL players. I'm not meaning Modric, Dos Santos, Gomes & co are not good enough, just saying they haven't still played a PL game.

I'd keep on but I have to go...it's friday night...;)