And, we're off.....2016/17

[USER1999]

We'll probably never know but it's likely to be money. Not just the fee, wages but often the parasitic agents.

Arsenal just wont pay over the odds for a player and IMO if you are in bidding war then it's better to step away because the player is probably not worth fighting for.

Utd, City and Chelsea are willing to part with large sums all day long and if it doesnt work out then no problem they buy more.

I accept that certain players will sign for Utd because they are United but this won't apply to Chelsea or City quite the same way.

Quite a few players had Arsenal as a first choice, Mhkitarian and Mahrez to name a couple, but most of the time Arsenal never even put a bid in, despite showing interest with the player and his agent.
If you want to buy players, you have to be in the market.

I don't think there has been a coherent transfer strategy for 5 plus years. There's no identifying what is needed, draw up a short list, and go out and get what you need about Arsenal. If the best the scouting team could come up with was Vardy, they can't be working very hard. We have ended up with a team of busy midfield midgets. Even Ozil and Sanchez weren't planned, they were an accident, when the selling clubs needed to balance the books.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Bolassie has officially signed for Everton. We have paid over the top but that is the market and we have the Stones money banked to cover it. He will certainly add pace to the team, I don't know enough about him to say more. Pace in a team is always a good thing though.

Could Hart be next? Looking at the top teams it is Everton and Liverpool who need a top keeper, the others have that position covered. I assume City have someone lined up to replace him as Cabellero is pretty poor for their level IMO. I'd take Hart.

I think Bolasie is a good player, and someone who can play on the wing, or up front. Still raw in terms of application at times, but very strong, direct and skillful.

I'd have Hart over mignolet, or Robles anyday. Whether Stekelenberg is the same standard, better or worse, I dont know.

Overall, them two signings I think would be good for the blues, and will improve you.

 

[pbrown7582]

Is from the same source that told you weeks ago we'd signed Mata😃

Deal was all set not my fault he sacked our retirement home off...... :rofl:

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Good to see the refs still don't know the difference between a foul and a yellow card.

Shocking decision to book Kante.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Oscar just got a 9.5 for the execution.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Oscar just got a 9.5 for the execution.

With the new rules on mouthing back to the ref Costa won't last long

This ref is poor - every foul a booking ?!

 

[pbrown7582]

You wait until there's a debatable last man foul on the edge of the box.

Free kick outside and red card or penalty and a yellow card.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

With the new rules on mouthing back to the ref Costa won't last long

This ref is poor - every foul a booking ?!

He's ruined the game.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

You wait until there's a debatable last man foul on the edge of the box.

Free kick outside and red card or penalty and a yellow card.

It's pathetic

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Oscar just got a 9.5 for the execution.

Theatrical I agree, but still a penalty.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Theatrical I agree, but still a penalty.

Never a penalty that Sir.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Never a penalty that Sir.

Stick a stiff arm across William's chest like Reid did as he is running and it is a penalty in the modern game.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Stick a stiff arm across William's chest like Reid did as he is running and it is a penalty in the modern game.

Sorry mickie, I think we've crossed wires, I was talking about the pen that wasn't given in the 1st half and not the actual pen that was given.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Sorry mickie, I think we've crossed wires, I was talking about the pen that wasn't given in the 1st half and not the actual pen that was given.

So was I!

 

[Deleted member 1740]

So was I!

Oops sorry Mickie, Still not a pen though.

That's the problem,too many pens have wrongly been given in previous years and now those are pens in the modern game.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Oops sorry Mickie, Still not a pen though.

That's the problem,too many pens have wrongly been given in previous years and now those are pens in the modern game.

I agree but if it is now usual for them to be given then they all have to be given.

Thing is it is a game for "Big Jessies" these days but them's the rules.

 

[Blue in Munich]

He's ruined the game.

Sorry Stu, he wasn't that good. If that's the standard of refereeing we can expect God help us.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Sorry Stu, he wasn't that good. If that's the standard of refereeing we can expect God help us.

It makes me wonder what the assessors are watching when they assess these refs. I'd like to read some of those reports.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Sorry Stu, he wasn't that good. If that's the standard of refereeing we can expect God help us.

It will be worse than last year. I can see referees being a big talking point and the new law changes making it harder for them to referee with any discretion. Chelsea looked an effective unit last night. Much tighter front to back

 

[Kellfire]

Finally caught up on Sunday's games. I liked the look of United in that second half - much quicker at breaking, the front four happy to interchange positions and all making direct runs rather than worrying first and foremost about keeping possession. Hopefully a sign of things to come as the players get used to the system. With Mhkitaryan and Pogba to also get starts, it's exciting times at Old Trafford.