Rich

What's he like? I'm WiFi-less atm Keep in mind that these are largely just first impressions, but rather than just watching highlight reels I was looking at a selection of every involvement he's had in certain games against certain opponents (Benfica v Porto, Benfica v Sporting, Greece v Belgium, Benfica v smaller teams). The things that stood out as being really positive were his positional awareness and speed at covering for full-backs (particularly his right-back as he often plays on the right side of the two in a 4-2-3-1), his ability to win the ball on the run when it seems like his opponent has gone past him and his calmness when receiving possession under pressure in his own half. He's constantly looking to provide his defenders with an out ball from what I can see, and contrary to what Jotenko said I'm not seeing a player who takes an age to make a decision. Most sequences see him finding space, receiving the ball and either playing a first time pass backwards/sideways or turning when there's less risk and looking to play forward. The major negatives I can see are his aerial ability for a player of his size (around 6'2"), although he gets up well for aerial challenges he's often not getting much direction on his headers (which is a massively underrated way of retaining or gaining possession) and his speed across the ground, though you wouldn't necessarily expect a defensive midfielder of his stature to be fast. He's not slow, though, certainly looks more mobile than Shelvey and Colback if not quite as quick as Hayden. In addition to this he appears to be a yellow card fiend and can be a bit rash when committing to a challenge, but that sort of comes with the territory. Just generally looks a classy operator and while £17.5m is obviously a hell of a lot of money for someone who has never been completely established as a first choice in Benfica's team, the route he's taken to the top (coming from lower leagues like many of the players Rafa has signed since coming) and the way he takes responsibility on the pitch makes it look like there's a lot to be positive about. Even at 28 now he looks like a player who could go on well into his 30's.

Just sat watching Samaris clips for half an hour. I like it, I like it a lot. One of the deals that hasn't been denied anywhere, right?

256 season tickets left in the Gallowgate and Milburn combined, although some more could pop up in the corner after people have shifted.

Is he the least Man Utd striker to ever be signed by Man Utd, or am I forgetting someone?

Exactly what I'm saying, I agree on bit about he obviously has quality to score at the rate he has mind. I'm just not seeing the must buy or regret it level of player it feels like everyone else is seeing. People just nervous that we've got 3-4 glaring holes in the squad and no word on players to fill them, it's fairly understandable. I'd hope for another significant breakthrough by early next week to calm things again and keep the momentum going.

Think he is just an expensive gamble, because it's really hard to evaluate someone who we've only seen in the most creative side in the division when he's played (and often in circumstances where they've been heavy favourites to win or chasing the game). Still, you have to be quality to score at a rate like he has, but his overall game hasn't shown much just yet. Even ignoring the fact we haven't ever spent anywhere near £25m, maybe at this current time with the budget we have he'd be seen as too much of a risk on someone the data/video is sorely lacking on?

As much as it will never happen, Ben Arfa coming back would settle his status one way or the other. Still love the mad bugger but could never see Rafa going for him.

And for those more knowledgable than me, was it just at Liverpool where Rafa had one attacking full-back and one more limited? Or is it a pattern he's generally stuck to elsewhere as well?

On the train, so here's a list of the current first choice left-backs in the Premier League. I'm not a huge fan, but does Dummett stand out that much, other than being one of the most defensively-tilted ones? Where would people rank him? By the same token, where would people put Gibbs? Nacho Monreal Charlie Daniels Gaetan Bong Stephen Ward Marcus Alonso Patrick van Aanholt / Papa Souare Leighton Baines Chris Lowe / Scott Malone Christian Fuchs James Milner Aleksandar Kolarov Matteo Darmian Paul Dummett Ryan Bertrand Erik Pieters Martin Olsson Danny Rose Jose Holebas Allan Nyom Aaron Cresswell Few of these are wing-backs I suppose, but it's close enough.

Also, did we ever find out what happened to the Gabriel Pires link? That one seemed too random and too early to just be fabricated.

Lifting bantz aside, if he's been training with the first team then I'd be happy enough that it's Rafa green lighting a move for him and I can't imagine it's a heavy outlay. If he stays around the squad as our emergency option at the back it allows Sterry to go out on loan again with no real danger of being recalled and unsettled. Other than this I'm slightly disappointed to see the Grosicki link evaporating, but hope that it's because we have loftier ambitions. Although he's raw I think Loftus-Cheek could be superb in the #10 role if Diame was a blueprint for what Rafa is looking for, if there's nothing available this summer (or nothing in our price range) then it would look like a solid move to me.

Transfer bidet. http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Coach-Mick-Mcarthy-Look-at-Camera-Smile.gif

Probably a shower. Seems a fair compromise and it's probably too hot for a bath anyway.

Does the free signing of a 20-year old from Arsenal warrant a transfer bath?

#MikeAshley agrees he doesn't write emails, letters, memos. Says he "scribbles little notes." But prefers to do things verbally. This man runs our club.

#MikeAshley: "I am not Obi Wan Kenobi in charge of the Death Star"

Really don't like Clucas, downed tools defensively at times last season when the going got tough. Not sure that's the sort of character we want and definitely don't think he has the ability going the other way to warrant that. Definitely signing him now, of course.

Agree with Stifler tbh.

Sam Larsson anyone? Know we've got plenty of Swedes on here and he seems certain to leave Heerenveen this summer (contract up in June). He's been a huge contributor in terms of goals/assists and is a right-footed left-winger, loves a dribble. Predominantly being linked with Fiorentina at the moment.

No more sleeps. When pre-season starts, we start buying.

Would definitely take Grosicki. Bit of a one trick pony in terms of his play and not so hot technically, but would be a very decent option for us on the left. He had quite a poor reputation in his early career for his off-field behaviour, but has apparently settled down a lot in the last few years and it's showing on the pitch. He's apparently got a relegation clause in his contract, if rumours are to be believed, so despite his age we'd probably have a nibble if the money was right. Could see Rafa loving his work rate, would be like having a Gouffran who is actually useful from open play in terms of build-up, but he doesn't have the same goal threat.

One more sleep. Seriously though, I'll be surprised if we don't have our second signing made (or on the cusp ala Sels last year) by end of play tomorrow.

Two more sleeps.

Keita to Liverpool gaining traction, what a signing that would be.