The first XI is actually quite strong (though an attacking mid is needed - especially so if Jack is broken). But the first XI never play - and it's not just us, the days of having your first-choice XI which you more or less pick every game are gone for most top clubs. You need a squad of players. You need 18 players roughly on the same level, and an extra 7 who are very capable back-ups. Everyone rotates and you have to rotate. But aside from our starting XI, there is no quality.
Flavs is right that sorting out the wages situation should be a priority. We lost Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy but gaining Arteta, Park, Gervinho, Mertesacker, Santos and Benayoun wasn't cheap in terms of wages. It is silly to keep paying players who never play. I have a lot of sympathy for him but Diaby - why the fuck is he getting paid? Gibbs - why the fuck is he getting paid? Every player has to count. If you're paying them £40k a week, their performances have to be worth £40k a week. If they never play, what's the point? Get rid, free up some cash and find some players that will play. Some mass changes needed.
"Rip everything up and start again" - Syn (02/05/10)
There is not a cat in hell's chance of us buying Hazard.
rumours going round that Djourou has signed a contract extension for two years
By rumours, do you mean Twitter?
Not one of the more interesting rumours. Why only two years, though?