What time is it?

[Didsbury Dave]

I'm surprised and disappointed that a manager with such experience, and under so much pressure, fails to adequately cover all the bases.

I put last January down to the fact that he had just arrived, but if this window results in our squad actually being lighter than it was at the start of the window... then he really hasn't done himself any favours whatsoever...

I agree 100%.

Its a results business and the results needed between now and the end of may will be crucial.

So do I. The weaknesses in our squad are there for all to see. And the surplus in other areas.

 

[Soulboy]

I agree 100%.

Its a results business and the results needed between now and the end of may will be crucial.

So do I. The weaknesses in our squad are there for all to see. And the surplus in other areas.

At the start of this window we had a 25 man squad that included Logan, Michael Johnson, Vieira and Jo... so to all intents and purposes we had a 21 man squad.

Since then we're removed Bridge, RSC, Adebayor and brought in Dzeko. This means, in effect, we have a 19 man squad. Take SWP out of the equation as he is unlikely to figure again... now it's an 18 man squad.

That's 11 first team and 7 subs.

And that's before injuries (Richards, AJ, Balotelli) and suspensions kick in.

We are then relying on youth players... and we have loaned out Mee, Tutte, Ibrahim (and Cunningham injured) who are the most experienced.

We are, in my humble opinion, seriously under strength for what might very well be the most important run-in to a season for us in living memory. Failure to finish in the top 4 is unthinkable given the consequences of that happening...

 

[Didsbury Dave]

So do I. The weaknesses in our squad are there for all to see. And the surplus in other areas.

At the start of this window we had a 25 man squad that included Logan, Michael Johnson, Vieira and Jo... so to all intents and purposes we had a 21 man squad.

Since then we're removed Bridge, RSC, Adebayor and brought in Dzeko. This means, in effect, we have a 19 man squad. Take SWP out of the equation as he is unlikely to figure again... now it's an 18 man squad.

That's 11 first team and 7 subs.

And that's before injuries (Richards, AJ, Balotelli) and suspensions kick in.

We are then relying on youth players... and we have loaned out Mee, Tutte, Ibrahim (and Cunningham injured) who are the most experienced.

We are, in my humble opinion, seriously under strength for what might very well be the most important run-in to a season for us in living memory. Failure to finish in the top 4 is unthinkable given the cobnsequences of that happening...

Important to note how many players have gone who would improve our squad now. Bellamy and Ade certainly. Cases could even be made for Onuaha, Weiss and Sturridge.

 

[Plain Speaking]

So do I. The weaknesses in our squad are there for all to see. And the surplus in other areas.

At the start of this window we had a 25 man squad that included Logan, Michael Johnson, Vieira and Jo... so to all intents and purposes we had a 21 man squad.

Since then we're removed Bridge, RSC, Adebayor and brought in Dzeko. This means, in effect, we have a 19 man squad. Take SWP out of the equation as he is unlikely to figure again... now it's an 18 man squad.

That's 11 first team and 7 subs.

And that's before injuries (Richards, AJ, Balotelli) and suspensions kick in.

We are then relying on youth players... and we have loaned out Mee, Tutte, Ibrahim (and Cunningham injured) who are the most experienced.

We are, in my humble opinion, seriously under strength for what might very well be the most important run-in to a season for us in living memory. Failure to finish in the top 4 is unthinkable given the cobnsequences of that happening...

Agreed, plus Tevez had back injury which kept him out of contention yesterday.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I certainly don't understand what the board's logic is on our activity?

Why would it seem prudent to weaken our squad ahead of imo the most important run-in in recent history?

Beggars belief.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I certainly don't understand what the board's logic is on our activity?

Why would it seem prudent to weaken our squad ahead of imo the most important run-in in recent history?

Beggars belief.

It would be well worth a thread on the main forum about this very issue, but I can't be arsed getting tubthumped to death.

 

[blueinsa]

I certainly don't understand what the board's logic is on our activity?

Why would it seem prudent to weaken our squad ahead of imo the most important run-in in recent history?

Beggars belief.

The only explanation that is logical is that FFPR has frightened them to death but i was under the impression that this window wouldn't be covered and as such, we could still spend if we wanted.

Yes we have spent big on Dzeko but the worry is and the vast majority of us share that worry is that the real weaknesses of our squad just isn't being addressed.

Lets all hope that Bobby has got it all covered and we are worrying unnecessarily.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I certainly don't understand what the board's logic is on our activity?

Why would it seem prudent to weaken our squad ahead of imo the most important run-in in recent history?

Beggars belief.

It would be well worth a thread on the main forum about this very issue, but I can't be arsed getting tubthumped to death.

I was thinking about it but couldn't be arsed.

I am genuinely concerned, really don't understand it to be honest. Having been 2nd on the 1st Jan I thought if anything we would push on and improve our squad in order to challenge for the title - instead I am now resigning myself to a battle for 4th.

In answer to blueinsa's point as well, I really don't see the FFPR rules as being behind this, Chelsea's "deal" for Torres puts paid to that theory.

 

[Anonymous]

I certainly don't understand what the board's logic is on our activity?

Why would it seem prudent to weaken our squad ahead of imo the most important run-in in recent history?

Beggars belief.

It would be well worth a thread on the main forum about this very issue, but I can't be arsed getting tubthumped to death.

Tubthumped to death.....:- )

(a thread on the subject would be interesting though!)

 

[blueinsa]

It would be well worth a thread on the main forum about this very issue, but I can't be arsed getting tubthumped to death.

I was thinking about it but couldn't be arsed.

I am genuinely concerned, really don't understand it to be honest. Having been 2nd on the 1st Jan I thought if anything we would push on and improve our squad in order to challenge for the title - instead I am now resigning myself to a battle for 4th.

In answer to blueinsa's point as well, I really don't see the FFPR rules as being behind this, Chelsea's "deal" for Torres puts paid to that theory.

Agreed and the reason i said it could only be that as from a footballing point of view, the failure to strengthen and push on is baffling.