Who now then?...

[pavelsrnicek]

If Fernandinho stays fit and in form then we should be fine for most matches bar Liverpool and some in the Champions League but it is a concern that losing one player can cause serious problems. Neither Delph, his passing is nowhere near good enough for a Pep type DM, nor Gundogan, he has the ability going forward but he doesn't have the defensive nous that Fernandinho has. Both can fill in but neither are long term options for the role. I think if we lose Fernandinho for any prolonged spell we'll play 3-5-2 as in effect the middle defender plays a similar role to the DM.

 

[Airbags Optional]

Or we are missing the point that Pep is happy and that if the right player is not available, he will not just buy for the sake of it

 

[blueparrot]

If Fernandinho stays fit and in form then we should be fine for most matches bar Liverpool and some in the Champions League but it is a concern that losing one player can cause serious problems. Neither Delph, his passing is nowhere near good enough for a Pep type DM, nor Gundogan, he has the ability going forward but he doesn't have the defensive nous that Fernandinho has. Both can fill in but neither are long term options for the role. I think if we lose Fernandinho for any prolonged spell we'll play 3-5-2 as in effect the middle defender plays a similar role to the DM.

Think you have answered your own question with the last bit, a fit Mendy gives us the option we didn't have last season. I think it will be our first option against Liverpool a fit Fernandinho or not.

 

[mosssideblue]

Or we are missing the point that Pep is happy and that if the right player is not available, he will not just buy for the sake of it

+1

 

[MeatHunterrr]

Well its quite obvious that Pep is not happy with his DM options. I don't think he chased Fred and Jorginho for fun

 

[blueparrot]

Well its quite obvious that Pep is not happy with his DM options. I don't think he chased Fred and Jorginho for fun

They were available so we went for them, it doesn't mean the same as chased. We won't go for someone else if the right player isn't available yet. We don't do stop gaps or panic buys anymore.

 

[mosssideblue]

Well its quite obvious that Pep is not happy with his DM options. I don't think he chased Fred and Jorginho for fun

I think there are two ways to interpret what he said.

One believing because we had targets that we didn't get so he must be lying, the other believing that because we didn't get our targets he is saying that as he wont buy for the sake of it so he is happy with what he has and will make it work and is therefore being truthful

 

[BlueBrain]

Oh believe me im not saying we should go for a stop gap that doenst fit. I am just pointing out that this decision not to chase that big signing this summer due to price may be the wrong way about it and we may end up regretting it come season end.

 

[93.01]

Not all seem to be aware of what bluebrain is saying. Whilst many acknowledge the concerns, it's tempered by the belief that ultimately we have enough or will be OK based on last seasons performances. Bluebrain is right. Whilst we are a great team, we're short in one or two areas given how gruelling this seasons schedule is likely to be.

 

[doobyedoobye]

We didn't get our top target and that happens frequently for nearly every club for one reason or another. Maybe the second and third options were simply not superior enough to our current options to warrant the massive outlay in fees and wages.