Rich

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.

I disagree, outside of that ridiculous suspension he got, I think Jonjo has shown nothing but great professionalism last season and obviously setting himself up for this season. He's a creative player, offensive player that was vital to our promotion campaign, we have to live with some aspects that are missing in his game from a defensive perspective, just like we did with HBA. That's why you put players around him that can do the things he can't, Hayden for me was a perfect foil last year. No idea if we will be controlling games or not, a lot of teams are set up for counter attack these days, it's not always how high you finish in that determines how much of the ball you have, hell last season on a number of occasions we lost the possession stats war quite comfortably. Jonjo should be a major player for us next season, hell the way recruitment is going it could very well be the same group in the middle as we had last season, we've been linked with no one who would be a direct replacement for Shelvey, we probably do need an understudy though because we were awful when he was out of the team last year. Think this is all fair enough and it's a really good point about the amount of possession teams have, although I do expect us to be one of those teams who set up to play a conservative, counter-attacking style. Maybe he then becomes essential for releasing quick attacks due to his range of passing, as we've seen plenty of times already. But maybe I'm wrong and we'll play similarly to how we did last year. He is still too quick to gripe and point the finger, for me, and his lack of willingness to track runners or even do the basics of blocking/covering around the box will be an issue if we come under more pressure against better teams, but it's not terminal. Was really just interested to see what other people's opinions on him are. As I said, I like him as a character and as a player, but he didn't even start last season as first choice so I think it's fair to think he could be under some pressure for his spot this season, especially as I do expect us to do some significant business in CM. I hope he's even fitter than he was last pre-season, of course, and that he can keep improving in the deep-lying role. The mention of him as a 10 was largely due to how Rafa deployed Gerrard in 08/09, though he did have the luxury of Xabi Alonso and Mascherano in behind... Also appreciate that Shelvey isn't as dynamic as Gerrard was then and hasn't shown much when used as a 10 in the past at other clubs. NB: Finally instigated a bit of conversation since returning. Noice.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jonjo-shelvey-started-training-month-13262365 Still think there are some big questions over his character (especially when things are going against us or he just has some basic defending/tracking to do), but I like him and I'm quite heartened by his continued professionalism in terms of improving his fitness. He must know that he'll be coming under threat this season, given that we won't be controlling games and setting the tempo as much. Are people expecting him to be an automatic starter? Any chance of him moving forward into the hole?

One more sleep.

TWO MORE SLEEPS

What do we reckon he's on? £30k or so? The concern I have with this (and the constantly mooted loans for youngsters) is that we're possibly not convinced of attracting quality players to take up these spots in the squad. The optimist might suggest Rafa is planning on combining loans and compromising on keeping someone like Gouffran so he can go and drop £20m on three or four real difference makers... Interesting argument to be had about whether we're better off bolstering the squad and removing all of the deadwood where possible, or keeping people like Colback and Gouffran involved but bringing in fewer players of a higher quality to improve the first team. What would people prefer, given that we obviously can't have both?