31 Aug 2017 19:26:07
I don't think we will see anyone in or out today.

I think Jose will stick with the first team squad we have. The only players available on deadline day are massively overpriced and normally not your first choice.

For me and for many others on this site we could do with a couple of full backs and a special player for the No.7 shirt.

At RB Semedo has joined Barcelona, Fabinho doesn't look like he is going to move. Aurier has joined Spurs. So who is left? Cedric Soares maybe? Malcuit possibly? But real quality? Maybe not. So best off sticking which what we have.

At LB Mendy was probably the best available this summer and he has moved to City. Ricardo Rodriguez would have been high on my list but he has joined AC Milan. Danny Rose could be a good option but he is at Spurs who are like trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to negotiating. So again who's left? Tierney? Untested and probably not ready yet. Bertrand? Good option but we have potentially a better option in Shaw, plus Blind and Darmian provide good cover.

So again there is no outstanding candidate available. So if we can't get players who are significantly better we are probably better off sticking with what we have. At least they know what Jose demands of them and they will have some understanding with thier teammates.

As for the vacant No.7 shirt for me there was only three candidates good enough for that shirt available this summer. Greizmann, Sanchez and Bernardo Silva.
Obviously Silva has already joined City, and Greizmann has said he is unable to leave Atletico while they have a transfer ban. I would be very happy to sign Sanchez, but I don't think he is interested in a move to us.

I don't think anyone significant will leave, we have several injuries atm and I expect Jose to keep the squad the size it is and readdress in January. We will know who is back from injury and who isn't, or even who has picked up a new injury. Players like Smalling and Young might have to wait until then to leave. As might Pereira and Tuanzebe in possible loan deals.

So for me that's all folks.

1.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 19:37:14
Ricardo Rodriguez Is very poor defensively, has a brilliant shot and cross though. Not an upgrade on blind.

2.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 19:40:02
Other than that I'd pretty much agree.

3.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 19:42:07
Good post shappy.
If those 3 positions had been filled ddg would probably be the only player in the 1st 11 that jose didn't sign. ( assuming lindelof) Changing the whole 1st 11 in just over 12 months was too big an ask. But the changes he has made have all been for the better imo. 7 in he obviously saw how weak the squad was that he inherited.

4.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 19:50:34
We have one remaining attacking spot. The question is do we push for Sanchez or Bale now, or wait for the summer and get Griezman? I'm fine with any of the options, although I wouldn't want Bale if RM insist on DDG moving in the opposite direction. We can get the other two without sacrificing one of our few world class players.

{Ed004's Note - I didn't get a chance to reply to Shappy. I would have to agree with what you've written. We have had 2 very good windows and I think our inability to shift a few players has resulted in us not signing anymore fullbacks. At the end of the day a huge amount will depend on Shaw. Valencia and Shaw as a pair would be as good as any in the league while we have Darmian on the right (started brilliantly there for us when first signed) and Blind on the left (Netherlands first choice lb) as cover along with Fosu, Young, Rojo, Bailly who can all deputise there if needed. Next summer we will probably sort out our fullbacks and there will be new options by then.

I think Griezmann was a nailed on signing until the ban got upheld and if that didn't happen we would be sitting here having potentially had our best ever window. I expect us to go back in for him either next January or next summer so it'll be interesting to see how he plays tonight in front of Pogba and behind Giroud}

5.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 20:04:41
Walker was available for RB alongside semedo we messed up, Valencia I fear will breakdown at some point and we have no real decent cover, darmian at rb or lb for that matter means no help for the wingers and our already width lacking attack gets completely rid of any width.

Also Bertrand is miles better than either blind or darmian for starters he can actually attack and defend unlike either of the 2. Right now he is much better than Shaw and unlike you I don't see Shaw lasting at utd, he seems another Rafael in making.

6.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 20:12:39
Snappy

God post, but I also think Bale has the X factor that we currently lack (you may be classing him as a 10)

I'm also surprised that we haven't lost anybody. Several clubs are trying to sign CBs but there appears to be no interest on Smalling, unless of course we have made it clear he isn't for sale.

7.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 21:14:29
Interesting post shappy but I fear that we've overlooked a lot of weaknesses.
Perisic as a winger is excellent and will do better than Martial or Rashford on the wings.
Tierney is an excellent left back and will be a great addition and much better than anyone we've got.
Sanchez, if we offered him the money, would have taken us to the next level and won us the league.
As it is, we've bought two excellent replacements for what we had and a CB for the future. We've not addressed the width issues we've had for 3-4 years.
Is it a great window? No. Is it what's expected from the richest club in the world (supposedly)? No. Are we much better than last year? No.
We've had a good start but we've played really weak teams. And I don't think we're going to be significantly better than last year.

8.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 21:34:06
CSM, Walker is garbage, really glad City have got him as I think in he is an. Just to be clear, I would rather have my Granny than Walker.

9.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 21:38:03
Cheers Tony, I think it's a good post, but not quite Godly. Lol.

I agree that Bale would fit that description, I just don't think he is worth it. I think he has 2-3 years left at the top due to his style of play and his body giving up on him. I also have serious questions about how many appearances he would be able to make over the next 2-3 years. On his day he is the third best player in the world, but he has only had a handful of those days over the past couple of seasons.

MDL10, I'd have to disagree on Rodriguez. He is pretty good defensively and has played on the left of a back three. But his efforts going forward for me are right up there with some of the best wingers in the world let alone full backs.

CSM, Walker? Have a word with yourself. Lol. I think he is massively overrated. Take away his pace and what does he have? He isn't great technically, he has poor positioning and he has poor decision making. He doesn't have a good enough offensive output to outweigh his poor defensive skills for me.

10.) 31 Aug 2017
31 Aug 2017 22:09:53
Walker is poor footballer. Wed just as well signing usain bolt. Walker just has speed.

11.) 01 Sep 2017
31 Aug 2017 23:48:14
Schmid,

I respectfully disagree with almost all of that post. Shiny new signings aren't the be all and end all of a summer, so far some of the players who were there last season look a lot better. If we had thrown the money about you would be saying mourinho is a cheque book manager. Being a top manager means you get the best out of what you got not just spend money.

12.) 01 Sep 2017
31 Aug 2017 23:51:46
AJH so would Wazza.

13.) 01 Sep 2017
01 Sep 2017 06:32:31
Go on Gds good post 2 first team players this summer and we look a different team all ready.