NickG

Not picking on you in particular, but just saw this and hits a pet hate for meaningless posts. The use of the word "need" in relation to signings when you mean want. We will find 11 players for first game, and probably good enough for comfortable upper mid table even without further signings. What did you mean by "need"? To be higher than last season? Last season's squad with good enough for 8th. If Pelle joins or similar, even if Schneiderlin and Lovren leave we have; Boruc Clyne / Chambers / Targett as fullbacks. Fonte / Yoshida/ Tadic,wanyama, Davies, Ramirez, Pelle, JayRod Plus JWP - think a lot expected Cork Reid Rowe Gallagher Etc Top half side? Don't need players but I would like keeper, CB, forward

Assuming we are in the market for a new keeper, I am interested in posters views on potential targets. Would a new signing start as first choice? Should we go for a younger keeper? I hate the arrogance I see at other clubs, fans assuming players are there for the taking so I'm not assuming these will automatically be achievable; Marshal Forster Foster Vorm Anyone else? Marshall seems to be at a very good level, but Forster is younger, could he get better with Watson?

Your initial comment seemed so confident, now seem to be struggling to convince yourself... You seemed to miss my main point, who are these five players in each team, from Newcastle down to Hull, Wba, sunderland, west ham etc who the top 4 will be as keen to get as Shaw, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Lovren, Lambert? I think you are struggling to come up with five in total and maybe realise that we have been in an unique position where we have so many players of high ability at once. Our first 11 was clearly not far off them - as seen by some of our performances. Unfortunately our squad was, and is likely to remain short in depth hence we cannot keep players here with CL football. I reckon there's still, even if the next two leave, or us being around same as last season. Of course so much depends on who comes in, and how manager starts. But subject of this thread, and Pelle, give me hope that we may be ok

Can you please name 5 players, at every premier league team who finished below us that Liverpool, ManU and Arsenal would want to sign this window if they had the chance? I suggest you won't be able to which makes your argument redundant. Its a strange, unusual timing thing - we have players who can move higher, coincidentally at the same time. Club have assured us ambition remains the same, to move upwards. It gets slower and harder the higher you get but think its time to stop the bed wetting, watch the team being put together and see where we are. We were told on here we would get cheap unambitious manager. We have not only attracted Koeman, but his brother, Sammy Lee and Dave Watson - sure this isn't with relegation battle in mind.

No, think you are being overly dramatic and looking for problems. Every transfer out, and even rumoured transfer out is to a champions league side. Players offered that generally leave

Very sceptical of this. I don't know whether Lallana went on strike, but its clear he acted with little respect for the club and fans his advertising agency hold dear. Players leave clubs all the time, particularly to join a CL side. Everyone knows that just about any player, in any team outside top 4 would join them given the chance. Lambert is a good example. What Lallana did was advertise it. He signs a contract, next season decides destined for greater things, suddenly his arrogant talk about deciding his future / if he wants to stay etc starts. Maybe would have had better world cup if he wasn't do busy signing Liverpool shirts and talking all things scouse with Stevie G. The public information fits with a Lallana toddler tantrum but who knows. His interview was totally classless, followed by the arrogant paying for his PIC in paper. People talk about players wanting trophies to look at when they retire. His chances have improved. But heard a ex-pro on radio saying one of most important things ex players want, is to still be idolised somewhere. Adam may finish without medals or affection. He didn't leave because of NC or MP going he left for huge signing on fee/wages and publicity of CL.

Need for what? Don't get this "we need" a certain amount of players, in certain positions without quantifying it. I think you mean "I would like..." We are clearly very short with forwards but depends what your aim is. I reckon team (you said without further departures) or Boruc, Chambers, Lovren, Fonte, Clyne, Wanyama, Schneiderlin , Cork, Ramirez, Davis, Osvaldo would do OK. Appreciate its very likely some will go, but also likely some will arrive. Plus Gallagher, JWP, JayRod when fit, Mayuka.

What position do you think we should finish? Do you think we should have finished above Man U? You say we were 3 or 4 players short last season. The fact is our squad was exactly right for 8th, so do you mean with those 3 or 4 players we would have been top 4? 6? 7?

I think we may well have a stronger more balanced squad. Also with young players like Clyne, Wanyama, Chambers, JWP, JayRod we may find one or two really push up a level next season. If, for example we lose Shaw, Lallana and Lambert Buy Tadic, Pelle, Ings, the Celtic CB and LB playing in France - we maybe in profit but with better squad

You are guessing , same as every one. Only facts we know is that since KL has owned us we have spent well for our level each year. Always more than came in. We also know the club directors have publically, formally stated that there was money available to manager - before any sales, and all money raised is available for the manager

Don't always agree but this says it how it is. The bed wetting is the conspiracy theories of doom and gloom. When we start losing first team players to west ham, then maybe get concerned, all we have seen so far is players moving, for generous fees to teams well above us. I'm just about over Danny Wallace and Steve Williams so I'm sure I can cope with these departures. So to answer OP- We are selling players because they are good enough for champions league, we can't offer it, club have negotiated good fees which means they feel the money can improve the side more than turning it down & sticking with squad. For example, Lallana, Shaw and Lambert = £60m? Tudic, Pelle and Kolo =£25m?? Replaced players and enough for Danny ings, a keeper, spare left back and centre back. Risky but good chance better

I think the term "selling club" is a lazy meaningless label. It counts for nothing. There are personal circumstances effecting whether players want to move but generally players go to the highest level they can, whether it is Ronaldo leaving united, Bale leaving Spurs, Rooney Everton, Van Persie Arsenal, Shaw leaving us. What is unusual is we have a team where several players could play at higher level at the same time. Its hard for us to jump a couple of levels (to match their ability) as we can't recruit players willing to make up squad numbers, sharing first team football without champions league. I So far champions league sides (let's accept its pretty unlikely Shaw will get Champions league football during his stay)are the problem. The sales will be bad if the money is badly spent, however the prices look very good. Our problem maybe attracting top players not affording them. For example if departures stay at Shaw, Lambert and Lallana. With the money we could buy; Classie Tadic Left back from Nice Left back linked to in Scotland Danny ings Pelle Centre back from Holland been linked with 3 Much better squad and in profit (maybe). Also, top youngsters will see Shaw as a reason to come here.

We are weirdly strong at RB - Clyne and Chambers both good enough to start each week for a side higher than us, and both young. Can we keep them both happy? Clyne has had some decent games at LB, - is Shaw £30m better (now rather than potential) than Clyne? I see relegation predictions have started! Would Koeman keep this team up? Boruc Clyne, Chambers, Lovren, Fonte, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Davis, Ramirez, JayRod Osvaldo Maybe couple of those will go, but there will be signings -Pelle for Osvaldo? Bench inc Cork Gallagher JWP

Got to laugh, when his racist views are commented on, our poster from Austria comes back with a sharp insult...'Nazi'. Wonder why? Oh OK, you are not a racist as you don't mind some of them! That's up there with 'I can't be racist some of my best friends are black' You have missed one of chalet maid's written off player list - yes he hated Schneiderlin, thought Lallana was poor, and welcomed the signing of JayRod with an in depth assessment of his skills, saying "why the f#£k did we sign him?!" ....never seen him play but as he is Latin American clearly lazy, attitude problem, happy to be sub, Carlos Kick about Gashton.

Saint Charlie - as you valued Shaw at £20m this season, I guess your current thinking is; 1) Ralph and Les are impressive to get best part of £10m more, and 2) we did the right thing selling so far above his value,?

Normal alpine racist abuse. Latin American = lazy / bad attitude IF you had seen him play you would have noticed how brave/ positive he is with the ball, the way he is keen to have the ball, for example being available for Clyne when boxed in etc. He even tries to tackle, although I don't feel he is a natural. For much of the season, due to JayRod and Lallana's form he couldn't get in the side. Just as Cork is third choice for his position. English Cork was poor soul who must be frustrated. Gaston is Carlos Kick about happy to waste on bench. Alpine is just showing his racist stereotyping. He has never seen him play and bases his opinion purely on his ignorant prejudices.

With financial fair play, getting £40m would be a huge benefit to the club, however much we have. Does turning down very large bids already fit in with your previous negative views of a fire sale and club not being ambitious?

Remember Alpine has NEVER seen him play.

Gerrard was probably about two years older when he was a guaranteed starter every week for Liverpool - and he is seen by many as a great. If he wanted to move you can bet a top 6 side would sign him quickly. Just because he isn't scoring weekly goals or keeping top players out of first 11 doesn't mean he isn't a top talent. Our midfield - Morgan, French international, Lallana clearly seen by 2nd team in country as improvement, Davis- Irish captain in his best season for years, JayRod was best goal scoring young midfielder until injury, Wanyama - international (captain?) And already solid experienced player. JWP still a boy and to get as much game time at his age shows how good he is.

I disagree. I wasn't confident prior to the tournament but having seen most games I honestly believe we have players who could have done well. Our problem, and its not new, is the football establishment loving names, experience, clubs played for over ability and form. Rooney and Gerrard are so over-rated its amazing. Rooney when on form and a team plays around him, a decent top level prem player. No more. His main attribute was his early physical development meaning he was a bit of a prodigy & has already had a long career. I'm not saying he is crap but is not world class when in form. When he isn't he is poor and upsets the balance of the side. I have no doubt we would have been better if Barkley, Lallana of Lambert played instead - in fact we looked better - as a team - when Lambert played behin d Wellbech or when Lallana replaced Rooney in friendlies - but Rooney must play. Gerrard - was an excellent marauding midfielder. Was. Now, he is deteriorating but is Roy's captain, guaranteed a place - and plays a role not particularly well. A bit over a year ago I thought Schneiderlin outclassed him at St Marys. He was slow running, getting caught in possession, - funnily enough much like how he gave up prem title & world cup. Glen Johnson - if he had been here this season he would have ended up third choice RB - behind two English players. Baines. I was going with the popular thinking and agreeing that he should start, but was concerned that he isn't that special going forward and pretty weak defensively. He was 4th best fullback when we played Everton few weeks ago. I know we scored from own goals but how easily did Clyne beat him to get cross in? More than once. Haven't seen Shaw beaten like that all season. Then against Italy he did the same. Danny Wellbech....??!! Accepting keeper, CBs, and injuries, would this midfield/attack have done worse? Clyne, same CBs, Shaw Henderson/ Barkley Sterling/Lambert/Lallana Sturridge Roy mentioned Clyne several times so wasn't far off squad. Would other countries have stuck with Rooney and Gerrard? Are the players of other countries that much better or do they just pick balanced team of players on form.

I agree. Think Colin's suggestion looks too defensive for me - basically losing one of our best players, a forward, Lambert and his direct replacement being Yoshida, a CB. If we use VW, (or maybe CC) think it can be attacking, holding control of the back with three allowing 5 (for example ) in midfield to be more advanced. Maybe Lovren/ Fonte/Wanyama Clyne, Ramirez, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Shaw Gallagher, Rodriguez Bit academic as squad will change but interested in type of player we may sign to fit system.

I've read Koeman prefers a back three, how would that be implemented with current squad? I don't know much about practicalities of that formation, or the best type of players for it, but.. Would our best 3 be; Lovren, Fonte and Wanyama? Wanyama plays very deeply protecting the CBs (and we don't let goals in!) Would this be much different to how we play when VW is in side, with Clyne/Shaw advanced. Other option could be Chambers? If we are buying/ selling CBs - are some better suited to playing in a 3?

Alpine welcomed jayrod with " why the f have we signed him". Think my prediction was 9th for last season - not bad, yours? I know you are not the sharpest tool, but 6th was talking about targets THE CLUB would set, sounds like they maybe set higher targets. As you would struggle with realism for last season...how about season before? You said so far adrift by Christmas that relegation would be guaranteed. I said, and stuck to all season despite bad run, we would be mathematically safe before last game. I could understand living in unrealistically positive world, but you live in unrealistic negative world - waste of your life

One of my all time favourite posts!! So someone who predicted every one of last four or five seasons totally wrongly, thought JayRod and Morgan bad signings, thinks all signings are done at start of window etc etc...classes himself as realistic! Lol, alpine, you are miles away from being a realist. I'm sure even your intellect could follow the evidence.... If, for example, my predictions over the last few years were shown to be correct, and your 100% wrong - surely even you can see the fact, objective not subjective - I have been more a realist than you? Still Happily clapping - if you aren't happy and still spending time following saints you are a fool - life's too short. It was clear that there was some uncertainty but the club came out, said papers were lying and gave reassurance. As they did in January. KL and her team have surely earnt some faith?

Interesting dynamics of agents - Koemans share agent with; Depay, Wesley Schneider Pelle Lens Finbogatson Van persie