Saint Charlie

He looks a class act. Has he actually signed? He certainly been linked for a long time.

Not sure about that. I think its more a case that we really solidified that area of the pitch under MP, a big factor in why we improved as a team.

Interesting to see a couple of Telegraph journalists touting JWP as one of the next to breakthrough for England with Euro 16 in mind: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10916796/Roy-Hodgson-should-stay-in-charge-of-England-set-up-but-he-must-turn-things-around-by-Euro-2016.html Also in Tim Sherwood's Independent column he says in English footballnwe don't trust young players with key roles and cites JWP as the only young English player often asked to play the "pivot" role in a similar way to Pirlo. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/tim-sherwood-on-world-cup-2014-there-is-young-english-talent-out-there-but-we-need-to-trust-them-and-be-patient-9552959.html So, after now two full PL seasons as a first team squad member, would you say that he is ready to really make his mark and dictate games for us in the PL? Its a tough question because for me he would still be behind Schneiderlin, Wanyama and Cork in the deep lying role. Main reason is lack of ball winning tendancies which I think holds him back slightly. He will never be as creative or instinctive a passer as a Pirlo or Wilshere type, but its clear has an excellent passing range and technique in a deep lying playmaker role. Someone like Schneiderlin was similar when he first joined in terms of technique, and only really transformed once he added that aggression to his game, which JWP lacks slightly. In a more attacking role which JWP has sometimes played, either centrally or wide, he has been decent and has great delivery, but isn't really a 'threat' to the opposition - I don't see him as a Lampard type which he had previously been billed as - there doesn't seem to be that knack for goals. He is obviously hugely talented technically and tactically and both Adkins and MP have thought a lot of him, plus the England setup obviously do. So, what would you expect of him next season, and would it perhaps influence the club's thinking if an offer comes in for Morgan, that perhaps JWP's development would be best served with playing a more pivotal role in the team? Perhaps it already has with the Cork situation? Either way, I think he will start the vast majority of games next season but will need to add a bit more aggression to his game, in the way Schneiderlin did a couple of years ago, to really start fulfilling his potential. Thoughts on his progress?

I could do, although naively I feel that I could still have it in me to contribute at this level. Will try to refocus and come up with some of my better material, back to the days where I was thought of as a future member of the "one of the good posters that no longer posts and you can see why" club. Quality (positive) posts only from here on in.

I just posted the link, thats all. Seems like there is an interest from Spurs, at the least we would make a big profit and probably have replacements lined up.

Was Bazza a once gifted poster too?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/adam-lallana-try-push-through-7305715

I'm just a fan who posts on a Forum and said we have a lot of work to do this summer. Hardly the most heinous of posts.

£15m bid from Spurs apparently. Would think he is worth nearer to £20m. http://www.vecernji.hr/nogomet/lovren-pred-vratima-tottenhama-stigla-ponuda-od-15-milijuna-funti-946136

Ings would surely struggle for any game time at Liverpool.

Haha. Funny thing is most of that will end up being true. Maybe I will have come back with a new identity. Will have a think tonight and might change my agenda, getting a bit tired of this one myself.

True, we havent been in this market in a WC year for a while. Also slightly bad luck that its this year we will need to replace a key player or players. We havent had to do that for a while either.

That doesn't even address the questions. I know things are happening behind the scenes and said nothing about asking for updates etc. What I am saying is we have a lot to do, more the previous 3 or 4 summers. But people seem to disagree, which is fine, its what the Forum is about. If people think you are automatically a "bed wetter" for thinking we have a lot to do in order to build our team for next season then so be it.

There will always be changes in style between one Manager and another. Be it training, getting used to their methods, formations etc. May well be small, but still more change.

There is no more evidence they will stay than there is that they will go. In fact, more of the evidence seems to suggest they will go. Anyway, regardless of that, all I have said is that we will probably have more to do than most clubs. We already know for a fact Lambert and Rodriguez won't be available at the start of the season and they scored the majority of our goals last season. If, as expected, Lallana also goes then thats a hell of a lot to replace. Please tell me what is wrong with that above paragraph? It is correct surely. Thats the point I was making, we need to be sorting things out soon (and hopefully will) because there is already quite a lot of change with a new Manager, no Lambert of Rodriguez and in all probability one or two of our key defenders gone (CB cover was a huge weakness last season anyway). Is it realistic that we will have signed 6 or 7 players by Aug 16th? No, probably not. So when we start the season we won't have done all our business and new players won't have had the luxury that Lovren did of a full pre season. Notice he hit the ground running. I still don't see whats wrong with that? People can be bothered about kits or that Koeman is on Twitter or whatever, but there is a lot of work to be done. Thats without dealing with the Fonte and Cork situations which is another story.

Again. Of the post above what is overly negative? Its just an accurate summary. Which bit do you actually disagree with?

Easy to say that, which bits do you disagree with? Would be nice to actually hear an opinion? Im not moaning, just pointing out there is a lot to be done in a short space of time and that Aug 16th will come around quickly.

A few have made (decent) additions. Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham, Sunderland, Villa, Man City, West Brom etc. Of course there is time but I can't think of another club who are likely to lose their best three or four players and have a new Manager to settle in. IMO those factors make the summer more tricky for us, thats all. No Alpine mode etc, just a lot to be done in 2 months. Can't see anything overly hysterical about the above.

We will have lost all 3 of our main attackers (Lambert, Lallana and Jay through injury) and the best two of our back four (Shaw, Lovren). Hard to replace, almost impossible for a team like ours. Certainly going into the first game there is no way we will have anything like as good a lineup as faced WBA last year. Still amazed the MP situation took so long to be resolved. Has cost us a lot of time. Suprised too that Koeman is still on holiday!

Yep. Plus what is to say that the replacement isnt also wanted by other clubs. We did well last summer because Lovren and Wanyama played virtually all of pre season. Currently, assuming Lovren, Lallana and Shaw go then we need: 2 x CB 1 x LB 1x GK 2 x Att Mid 2 x Striker Thats eight players to bring in, plis sorting contracts for Cork and Fonte otherwise they will want to be off (as JF has said). Not quick or easy and to be honest thats just to ensure we have a squad on par with what started last season, not an improvement at all. We had Lambert, Rodriguez and Osvaldo competing to start up front and will have none of them this August.

I think the likes of Shaw, Lallana and Lovren have already made up their minds. In which case, with less than 2 month to the start of the season are we not better off finding the best deal for each, getting it done quickly and bringing in replacements before our top targets go to other teams? I am worried there is too much to do before August 16th and that the team that kicks off at Anfield will be i.) Far from complete in terms of recruitment and ii.) Not had enough time to play together, especially considering there will be a new playing style to adjust to. With how the fixtures have fallen we have to start well if we want to have a decent season.

Once we let one go, it becomes hard to keep anyone else who gets an offer from a higher club.

Apparently Lovren's agent sorting out his personal terms with Spurs next week according to reports in Croatia. Can only see him going, but at least we should double our money on him. If he goes to Spurs then the Champions League stuff is obviously ********. Hard to underestimate just how much some of the players loved playing for MP. Tough environment for Koeman to come in to.

Welbeck is an honest player and Utd always like to have two or three Academy players hanging around even if they know they could go out and buy better (understandable). But he had a poor season and no way should be starting for England. If he moved away, played centrally and was more of a main man then he could end up deserving an England spot. Sadly the CL obession means players would rather play little but in big games than often but outside the CL bubble. Was miles better when just one or two PL teams qualified.

LOL