DuncanRG

Who?

No, and this article offers very little evidence that this might be the case. The Premier League has never bought the world's absolute greatest - it's made them. Think of the greatest players in the history of this league - Giggs, Henry, Cantona etc - none of them were brought in as world beaters. We've always sold our very best to the likes of Barcelona and Madrid but only a handful go on to better things. Ronaldo is the only obvious example. England remains one of the dominant countries in the Champions League - we had a winner two years ago, a finalist the year before that and it wasn't so long ago that we had an all-English final.

This, one hundred percent. We are miles off Arsenal and Liverpool.

Nope, he's fine. His positioning and awareness are great. He's good but not exceptional in the air, which is why we brought in Lovren. Most ball-playing teams play a tall, strong centre half alongside a quicker one who can read trouble and mop it up - see Vidic and Ferdinand, arguably the model pairing for a successful Premier League team. If we are after one more signing for the starting XI then centre back might be a good choice, but I don't think we are and don't think we need to be.

Yeah a few did

Kind of -success on the pitch would have to come first, but increased capacity would be crucial to sustaining it. We'd have to be in the top six to shift 40,000 tickets on a regular basis.

There's nothing sentimental about keeping our best and most crucial attacking player, by quite some distance, in the team.

Goodness me

Short answer - no Long answer - no, but we'll have to see how they work together

Nope.

I agree, but for a World Cup we'll want people like Cole in the team, his experience will be vital. There's every chance that Shaw will outperform him this season, but probably not Baines.

Berbatov scored 15 last season, as did Lambert. Bent's a prolific goalscorer who needs to prove he can do it in a changed league...

Neither are first choice for their countries, it should be stressed. Let's not get too carried away!

Depends on his fitness. I'd imagine he's pretty sharp but who knows? May not have been in the gameplan either.

Not an unreasonable claim. Neither Berbatov nor Bent would suit our style of play so no point thinking we should have got them, but if it works out then those two will at the very least match us for goals.

I think he played well but I'm not feeling the gushing praise. Gave away a lot more fouls than Cork would, but he's clearly got heaps of talent and needs a run of games to forge a partnership with Schneiderlin. I was impressed, but not blown away as many seem to have been.

There's every chance Osvaldo will start on the bench. In fact, I'd quite like that - give him a proper roar when he comes on.

Don't think he was a household name round here before we started getting linked.

No massive urgency, you're right, but if we're going to get another player that's where I'd strengthen.

Actually, Clyne could travel if England qualify and Walker or Johnson are injured/have a very poor season. I really can't see that unless there are serious injuries. Baines and Cole are absolutely nailed on otherwise

Morgan could well make the French squad if he manages to build on last season and we do well. Think you've about covered it, can't see anybody else making it.

Set the controls for the heart of the WUM

Goodbye and good luck!

Interesting you post this after the retirement thread...

Boom!