SUMMER TRANSFERS - Your thoughts on who did and did not sign

[g88ner]

I'm sure all manager/fans want business done early, but who was the most influential signing of last summer? - I'd say Van Persie, and he joined United in the middle of August (nearly a month from now). And looking back, does it matter one bit whether some United fans were pissed off at the lack of a big name in July? - no, because they landed the big fish in the end, and that's the only thing that matters.

Obviously we have greater needs that United, but like it or not, we have to wait for the window to unfold before we can say whether it's been a success or not. I know that's boring, and requires patience, but what choice have we got? - we don't know what's going to happen yet!

Sounds like excuses being made.

That's one interpretation, I suppose... but why would I want to make excuses? I'm as desperate for us to sign players as anyone, and I cry inside at the very thought of Wenger signing a new contract , so what possible reason is there for me to make excuses for him or Gazidis?

Is it not more likely (and completely reasonable) that I just like having more information before coming to conclusions?

There's so much misinformation out there on transfers, that sadly I don't think we can trust any of it! - and when that's the case, what am I supposed to base my conclusions on? - that leaves confirmation bias (favouring some sketchy information over other equally sketchy evidence to confirm my suspicions and beliefs) or try and be as balanced as possible, and just wait and see what happens (there's also a third reasonable approach of internally filtering the wheat from the chaff, but with the amount of bullshit out there, I'd say that's difficult).

I'm going with the wait and see approach. Mainly because there's as much evidence of big transfers happening in August as there is in July, so why would I make my bed on 20th July? and not the end of August? - if that's an excuse, so be it... but I'd call it pragmatic.

[northbank123]

I'm sure all manager/fans want business done early, but who was the most influential signing of last summer? - I'd say Van Persie, and he joined United in the middle of August (nearly a month from now). And looking back, does it matter one bit whether some United fans were pissed off at the lack of a big name in July? - no, because they landed the big fish in the end, and that's the only thing that matters.

Obviously we have greater needs that United, but like it or not, we have to wait for the window to unfold before we can say whether it's been a success or not. I know that's boring, and requires patience, but what choice have we got? - we don't know what's going to happen yet!

Sounds like excuses being made.

That's one interpretation, I suppose... but why would I want to make excuses? I'm as desperate for us to sign players as anyone, and I cry inside at the very thought of Wenger signing a new contract , so what possible reason is there for me to make excuses for him or Gazidis?

Is it not more likely (and completely reasonable) that I just like having more information before coming to conclusions?

There's so much misinformation out there on transfers, that sadly I don't think we can trust any of it! - and when that's the case, what am I supposed to base my conclusions on? - that leaves confirmation bias (favouring some sketchy information over other equally sketchy evidence to confirm my suspicions and beliefs) or try and be as balanced as possible, and just wait and see what happens (there's also a third reasonable approach of internally filtering the wheat from the chaff, but with the amount of bullshit out there, I'd say that's difficult).

I'm going with the wait and see approach. Mainly because there's as much evidence of big transfers happening in August as there is in July, so why would I make my bed on 20th July? and not the end of August? - if that's an excuse, so be it... but I'd call it pragmatic.

But unlike other clubs we only really go after players who we know the club wants to sell and/or who we have a free run at. Okay van Judas wanted to go but aside from us being an extremely soft touch, United were pushing and probing the deal through for months, and I imagine they had something to do with his statement and actions before he moved.

So yeah, it is a bit worrying the longer the window goes on because our potential transfer targets are disappearing to other clubs and the less likely it becomes that clubs are keen or even willing to sell key players. Unlike us, most clubs take the view that if they're going to lose their best players they'd rather do it before August so they have time to get replacements of build. Wenger has this idea that the end of the window is the best time to buy players. Complete bollocks. It's the best time to panic buy and shop in the bargain bin but the chances of picking up a quality player - especially with our negotiation tactics - are very remote.

[augie]

Yes g88ner there is a shit load of misinformation out there but lets focus on the facts -

we have a big transfer budget
fellaini has a 23m clause for champs league club
shrek has looked to leave manure
suarez has looked to leave the victims
cesar is up for sale
higuain is looking to leave real Madrid
we have first dibs on cesc

All the speculation about bids etc is largely irrelevant cos as fans we will look at team needs, players available, money available and of course actual signings we have made and all of these paint an absolutely shocking and worrying picture at the mo Can you imagine where we will be if the expected transfers of higuain, suarez, shrek and even cesc happen and none of them join us ? What available quality players will be left on the shelf then ? We have all heard/read comments about 6 weeks being left in the transfer window but quality players rarely, if ever, move late in the transfer windows and we have enough 2nd level (and below) players. Fans like me are only speculating I agree, but the notion that neither wenger nor the board want to spend big on quality cos they don't like the risk to reward odds, has been backed up by inactivity in most of the last few transfer windows so in the absence of any hard proof all we can go on is what we can see in front of us and how we have performed previously

[Brady's left peg]

Yes g88ner there is a shit load of misinformation out there but lets focus on the facts -

we have a big transfer budget
fellaini has a 23m clause for champs league club
shrek has looked to leave manure
suarez has looked to leave the victims
cesar is up for sale
higuain is looking to leave real Madrid
we have first dibs on cesc

All the speculation about bids etc is largely irrelevant cos as fans we will look at team needs, players available, money available and of course actual signings we have made and all of these paint an absolutely shocking and worrying picture at the mo Can you imagine where we will be if the expected transfers of higuain, suarez, shrek and even cesc happen and none of them join us ? What available quality players will be left on the shelf then ? We have all heard/read comments about 6 weeks being left in the transfer window but quality players rarely, if ever, move late in the transfer windows and we have enough 2nd level (and below) players. Fans like me are only speculating I agree, but the notion that neither wenger nor the board want to spend big on quality cos they don't like the risk to reward odds, has been backed up by inactivity in most of the last few transfer windows so in the absence of any hard proof all we can go on is what we can see in front of us and how we have performed previously

This is how I see it to augie, its ok to be optimistic and hope that the club sign the players required to strengthen the squad. But we have seen this happen all too often before and I'm starting to get that "same old, same old" feeling now.

[swimmer1]

United make another bid for cesc 30 mill plus a add on's time we make a stand and take our option up

[Dan_85]

United make another bid for cesc 30 mill plus a add on's time we make a stand and take our option up

Irrelevant if Cesc doesn't wanna come to us though...

[augie]

United make another bid for cesc 30 mill plus a add on's time we make a stand and take our option up

Cant do it buddy - we are on our hols/jolly up/money grabbing tour at the mo so are far too busy to worry about such trivial matters

[officepest]

United make another bid for cesc 30 mill plus a add on's time we make a stand and take our option up

"Oo iz zis Cesc of whom you speak?"

The problem, as I see it though, is why would Cesc want to return to even weaker squad, with the same manager, than the one he left?

If Barca accept, he's not left with much choice - stay at Barca where he might not be wanted or go to Utd and make Gooners everywhere cry into their cornflakes?

I don't think I could handle the sight of She Said No and Cesc in the same Manure side.

[augie]

And so the inevitable has started...................

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... ter-united

[GranadaJoe]

Although the prospect is heartbreaking, I don't think Cesc will join Manure anytime soon. He's a Barca boy, Xavi is getting older, Cesc got plenty of game time and scored plenty of goals and now that Vilanova has left there will be a pause until a new manager is appointed. Barca have got a couple of good CMs coming through but Cesc is proven quality. They'd be mad to sell him, unless there was some sort of part-ex for a CB.

[GranadaJoe]

I know little of Bernard but he looks to have the skill. I think we do need a really good dribbler. When teams sit back against us neither Pod not Theo can break open a defence. Being three foot tall he might need a bit of time to get up to speed with the PL.

Will still need a ST, DM and GK though.

[spendsum4uckingmoney]

How is it that Liverfool get 6m for Shelvey and 16m for Carroll and yet we cant get anything for most of our dead wood? I think there's a conspiracy going on. I reckon clubs think 'hey it's arsenal lets under bid their players'. Take Bendtner for example. Why on earth are clubs bidding if he is 'too expensive'? They know how much he fucking earns they are just taking the piss.

[markyp]

Although the prospect is heartbreaking, I don't think Cesc will join Manure anytime soon. He's a Barca boy, Xavi is getting older, Cesc got plenty of game time and scored plenty of goals and now that Vilanova has left there will be a pause until a new manager is appointed. Barca have got a couple of good CMs coming through but Cesc is proven quality. They'd be mad to sell him, unless there was some sort of part-ex for a CB.

the most annoying thing if he went to utd apart from him chosing them over us is the fact that 2years ago barca just had to have him,it was all they wanted,they courted him for fuck knows how many years,to sell him just 2 years later would be a massvie insult to us,if they hadn't chased him then he'd still be an arsenal player youd like to think

[officepest]

How is it that Liverfool get 6m for Shelvey and 16m for Carroll and yet we cant get anything for most of our dead wood? I think there's a conspiracy going on. I reckon clubs think 'hey it's arsenal lets under bid their players'. Take Bendtner for example. Why on earth are clubs bidding if he is 'too expensive'? They know how much he fucking earns they are just taking the piss.

I reckon it's because we have criminally overpaid him (Bendy) and that the only clubs interested are mid to lower end sides and they, for the most part, have wage structures that won't allow them to get anywhere near what he earns for sitting on his arse with us.

We have contributed to his ludicrous salary whilst he's been on loan but aren't willing to top-up his salary for a permanent transfer.

Ditto Legohead, Santos, fucking Park, Vela and so on in recent years. It just shows the folly of our skewed wage structure.

[northbank123]

How is it that Liverfool get 6m for Shelvey and 16m for Carroll and yet we cant get anything for most of our dead wood? I think there's a conspiracy going on. I reckon clubs think 'hey it's arsenal lets under bid their players'. Take Bendtner for example. Why on earth are clubs bidding if he is 'too expensive'? They know how much he fucking earns they are just taking the piss.

I guess they figure that he won't want to stagnate on loan for another season and will instead accept a wage cut (for the sake of one season). Given the big game he always talks it reflects woefully on him that he continues to sacrifice his career.

And I don't think it's a conspiracy - there's a reason those players are 'deadwood' and nobody wants to splash out on a decent fee and the wages it would take to tempt them off the gravy train.