Clichy has left. And Nasri in talks with Citeh.

[LDG]

Coney, there arent two months to complete the team. There is no way in hell we can make the amount of changes we need to while following the traditional formula (for us) of waiting right up to the brink of the transfer windows closure. If we do that, then this season is over before it starts.

We need the players bedding in right from the start of preseason training.

Completely agree.

I'm not saying we should wait until 31st August when the "WINDOW SLAMS SHUT" (fucking hate football terminology, especially Sky). It's clear we need massive changes.

Just saying, until it's concrete, we shouldn't be hanging anybody for things that haven't yet been confirmed. Player IN's or OUT's.

By all means bemoan the carnage of last season, and debate what we MUST put in place before next year. Discuss the relative merits of transfer dealings, rumour or not. But to blame the manager and club for things that haven't actually happened, and are pure media speculation is a bit harsh IMO.

[Darth Vela]

Fuck it, 7m for Clichy? Add another 7 to it and we get Baines, bargain imo.

I don't think we should sell Nasri to anyone round here though, that'd be a very bad idea.

In general terms, we need players sooner rather than later, I'm not sure we could rely on anyone we don't buy in the next 3 weeks for the tough run of games we have at the start but I expect we'll have done more business than Gerinvoh by then.

[LDG]

Fuck it, 7m for Clichy? Add another 7 to it and we get Baines, bargain imo.

I don't think we should sell Nasri to anyone round here though, that'd be a very bad idea.

In general terms, we need players sooner rather than later, I'm not sure we could rely on anyone we don't buy in the next 3 weeks for the tough run of games we have at the start but I expect we'll have done more business than Gerinvoh by then.

Well I would hope, that if we are buying some prem experience; Baines/Cahill?? then they will bed in quite quick, regardless of when they are signed.

It's the ones like Gervinho who will take the time to settle in.

But having said that, I am expecting a hell of a lot more from some other players we already have. I'll get shouted down for this, but I think Chamahk will be a lot better this season. I think if Arshavin can get fit and find what he is capable of consistently, he'll be awesome.

Walcott...I'd like to think we'll see more from him.

Sometimes we let our focus sway from other matters. And for me, the main concern, and has been for a while now, is getting the team organised, regardless of signings.

Yes we need to spend big, moreso if we loose the big players being touted about....but lets not forget we have a lot of talent at the club, all of whom are capable of stepping up a gear. Song, Vermaelen, Walcott, Arshavin, Tampahx....there's plenty there who didn't perform to their ability in the last half of the season. We should expect 50% of our problems to be righted with our current players.

[Darth Vela]

Well I would hope, that if we are buying some prem experience; Baines/Cahill?? then they will bed in quite quick, regardless of when they are signed.

It's the ones like Gervinho who will take the time to settle in.

But having said that, I am expecting a hell of a lot more from some other players we already have. I'll get shouted down for this, but I think Chamahk will be a lot better this season. I think if Arshavin can get fit and find what he is capable of consistently, he'll be awesome.

Walcott...I'd like to think we'll see more from him.

Sometimes we let our focus sway from other matters. And for me, the main concern, and has been for a while now, is getting the team organised, regardless of signings.

Yes we need to spend big, moreso if we loose the big players being touted about....but lets not forget we have a lot of talent at the club, all of whom are capable of stepping up a gear. Song, Vermaelen, Walcott, Arshavin, Tampahx....there's plenty there who didn't perform to their ability in the last half of the season. We should expect 50% of our problems to be righted with our current players.

True, any PL players will need less time to adapt and as they're hopefully a big part of our outlay I guess we can wait a little longer.

Couldn't agree more about the level of talent we have but there is a balance issue between types of player imo, along with the disparity in age/experience/giving a fuck we have in there. There's something up with the squad that goes beyond organisation, I think, but regardless I agree we should expect more from some of our players next year, whether we get it