In many ways its been a solid window.
But I can't help but feel we have done more to stay the same than we have to upgrade and really kick on as a team and as a club to challenge for trophies, and it lies in the "we have the best starting XI in the league" mentality that I think is toxic.
When we talk about adding players we talk about 'cover' - which is what LLorente is. Big clubs, like United, Chelsea and City use the word competition.
Why do we act like our team is so precious? Why purchase 'cover' for Kane when we can show ambition and purchase someone to play alongside him, or compete with him for the berth?
Ferguson's great United sides did not find 'cover' for Rooney - he strengthened by challenging Rooney to a duel with Tevez and then Berbatov.
Anelka with Drogba.
Sturridge with Suarez.
Now Ibrahimovic will push Lukaku. Big clubs want legitimate STRENGTH in depth - not depth for the sake of it.
We're now left in a scenario where we see our starting XI as too precious to be challenged. Why should Eriksen be a starter week in week out? Or Eriksen? Why do we have no pacey/direct alternatives to our attacking midfielders? Why do we have nobody who can win a game by themselves a la Mahrez, Mane, Sanchez, Hazard like our rivals?Have we made ourselves believe that our team is strong enough as it is and only needs bench options to 'give Harry a rest' 'or give Dele a breather'
Thoughts welcome
How successful was our Window?
posted on 1/9/17
Llorente is a terrific signing. Not impressed with your other business tho tbh.
Stood still at best, which would be fine if others had too.
posted on 1/9/17
3/10. Would have given it 5/10 if we'd done the deals 3-4 weeks earlier.
posted on 1/9/17
3 is quite hysteric
posted on 1/9/17
No idea as I've never heard of Sanchez and never seen Aurier play.
I like Llorente but I've no idea how we can play to his strength with the limited width we have.
posted on 1/9/17
comment by Smeg (U6574)
posted 56 minutes ago
No idea as I've never heard of Sanchez and never seen Aurier play.
I like Llorente but I've no idea how we can play to his strength with the limited width we have.
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didn't we deliver the most crosses into the box last season?
the answer seems quite obvious... our fullbacks...
that's how we play
posted on 1/9/17
comment by Chronic (U3423)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Smeg (U6574)
posted 56 minutes ago
No idea as I've never heard of Sanchez and never seen Aurier play.
I like Llorente but I've no idea how we can play to his strength with the limited width we have.
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didn't we deliver the most crosses into the box last season?
the answer seems quite obvious... our fullbacks...
that's how we play
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Most attempted this season, not sure about last. 82 played this season, with City & Utd on 77.
posted on 1/9/17
comment by Smeg (U6574)
posted 59 minutes ago
No idea as I've never heard of Sanchez and never seen Aurier play.
I like Llorente but I've no idea how we can play to his strength with the limited width we have.
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Regardless of width, he'd be a threat from set pieces. Think of all the corners we had against Chelsea.
We have a lost a bit of our threat from set pieces. Not many goals coming from our CBs.
posted on 1/9/17
-a
posted on 1/9/17
Not convinced by Llorente but we'll see. Trust him to score off the bench more than Janssen at least
Our main failure has been a lack of attacking mid/wide forward. As this means Sissoko is first option behind Eriksen/Dele/Son until Lamela returns
Having Rose and Lamela back fully fit will be huge
posted on 1/9/17
I'm going slap Bang in at 5
2 young defenders
1 good Stop gap striker
1 potentially great RB