I agree with much of the sentiment on here, we have made mistakes with transfers since the takeover and as fans we still have to realise that most of the players who join after playing in foreign leagues need time to adjust. We bought some short term players at first who brought us to a higher level but weren't good enough to win trophies with, then we bought players who can win trophies and most importantly the Premier League because this is more of a marathon trophy than a sprint, however this side as we know it cannot win in Europe and time is now running out for many of the better players in our current squad.
What we don't have is a decent enough mix of players. We brought in four players last summer and then four this summer but only one of which has already played in the Premier League but is on a final payday. I think we need to look at mixing up our signings a bit more inject some urgency into our squad. The players we have are underperforming, and even though they won the league and league cup last season they look to have been found out this season. Tactically we are naïve, and this mostly stems from the managers style of playing a set way in each game but not being able to adapt the system or cope with the oppositions particular strengths. To disregard the opposition and their particular playing style smacks of arrogance by the management and playing staff and will be our downfall if we don't change our ways.
Adding players such as Jay Rodriguez (even though he's still out of action), Schneiderlin, Clyne, Barkley, Reid, etc. would add some of the English style of fight to our game which only Milner and Zab seem to possess. The gaps we leave between defence and midfield especially when the fullbacks are pushing up too, keeps causing concern and when our "world class" strikeforce is being outscored then you start to wonder if they can't be improved upon.
Iheanacho should be added to the squad and given a chance as soon as possible, he'll play with no fear and if he can get a work permit he should be given a go. He's better at his age than Sturridge was, and if Aarons and Adamson can lead the line for Newcastle then Iheanacho is good enough for us.
Today Bild have linked both Howedes and Draxler with Utd. Two good players who we should be looking at. We either need better defenders or have to improve the protection our current defence get from the rest of the midfield.
I still think we should do everything possible to try to sign Reus and prise Pogba from Juventus including offering Yaya, Nastasic, Jovetic, Nasri and Dzeko if we need to. We need to increase the tempo of the team but they also need to play with precision. We have some skilful players and great passers of the ball but at present we are too predictable and it is too easy for the opposition to pick us off. Get at us and nick and goal, then defend like mad and hopefully get a chance to score a second which is game over. OR soak up the pressure and defend, then hit us on the break and make us play even more in their half to pick us off again. What we don't seem able to do anymore is soak up pressure and then counter attack at pace, it isn't Pellegrini's way or the players can't do it ? Pogba probably isn't realistic after signing his new deal, but I'm sure somebody similar could be signed if we don't hang around and set the deals up early on.
Things have to change and we need different types of player to develop this squad further, some favourites will have to leave to give squad places up.
