If we have another window where we don't buy a Xhaka upgrade, I'm gonna support the

[Luis Anaconda]

Anyway, LA. You're the won with the football brain. Am I wrong to bemoan us not prioritising a CM partner for Partey?

Isn't this like when AW had Almunia in goal and decided "we only have 5 midget no.10s so I'll buy another 2 or 3 this window."*

Or GG {him, not me} saying "We have Hillier and Selley in MF but we really need even more CHs."

*FTR, I loved AW's midget no.10s team. Imagine putting Santi {or Cesc or TR7} between Partey and Odin.

I don't think you are wrong to believe we can upgrade on Xhaka but don't think it is as easy or as necessary as you think. For one thing the way Arteta wants to set up means we don't play with a central two or an orthodox number 10. With Odegaard inked in on the right, in the lefthand roleWe need a player who can be both creative and defensively sound - which Xhaka can be, for all his faults. He is also a presence on the pitch. I don't think players like to play against him. In short, yes there are better players out there but not that many that fill the type of player we need. And the striker was definitely the priority. I have faith in Jesus

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

I don't think you are wrong to believe we can upgrade on Xhaka but don't think it is as easy or as necessary as you think. For one thing the way Arteta wants to set up means we don't play with a central two or an orthodox number 10. With Odegaard inked in on the right, in the lefthand roleWe need a player who can be both creative and defensively sound - which Xhaka can be, for all his faults. He is also a presence on the pitch. I don't think players like to play against him. In short, yes there are better players out there but not that many that fill the type of player we need. And the striker was definitely the priority. I have faith in Jesus

Cheers. Sensible as ever.

FTR, I always thought a 9 was the no.1 priority and am happy with Jesus. {Dunno much but he's mid-age, won things with City and he's a Brazilian called Gabriel. I'd be more up for Raphinia if he was a Gabby, too.}

Is there not a Santi out there? He could defend as well as create. And he was a midget no.10. And he was the inly midget no.10 in history who could play 1-2s with himself while smiling all the time. I loved him.

Btw, where does this Viera fit in? With ESR that means at least two top players out of the starting line up.

And why are we being linked with a 5'9" CH?

Partey gets injured {as he will} and GX gets one of his red cards {as he does} at the same time, and it's a very expensive bench with Mo and Sambi in MF.

[Luis Anaconda]

Cheers. Sensible as ever.

FTR, I always thought a 9 was the no.1 priority and am happy with Jesus. {Dunno much but he's mid-age, won things with City and he's a Brazilian called Gabriel. I'd be more up for Raphinia if he was a Gabby, too.}

Is there not a Santi out there? He could defend as well as create. And he was a midget no.10. And he was the inly midget no.10 in history who could play 1-2s with himself while smiling all the time. I loved him.

Btw, where does this Viera fit in? With ESR that means at least two top players out of the starting line up.

And why are we being linked with a 5'9" CH?

Partey gets injured {as he will} and GX gets one of his red cards {as he does} at the same time, and it's a very expensive bench with Mo and Sambi in MF.

Whole point - Santi was a one off. Wish we could find another player like him. No idea about this Vieira though. I'll be honest, I had never heard of him before we suddenly signed him. Looking forward to seeing what he can do from what I have read though. We certainly need another body in midfield (and without wishing to upset Red) I can see this Martinez stepping in there if we were to sign him

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Whole point - Santi was a one off. Wish we could find another player like him. No idea about this Vieira though. I'll be honest, I had never heard of him before we suddenly signed him. Looking forward to seeing what he can do from what I have read though. We certainly need another body in midfield (and without wishing to upset Red) I can see this Martinez stepping in there if we were to sign him

So Martinez is a small DM. Bit like Torreira but more expensive. And I thought LT11 was fine until Dick Emery played him as a no.10.

If we can't sign a MF, bring LT and AMN back and see if one of them can step up and make the place their own.

What people forget about the invincibles is that we had two giant MFs. That meant 2 more headers of the ball at corners, both attacking and defending. {Olly G was one of the best at defending corners, btw.}

But having two big MFs who are good at heading as well as the tackling, running, passing bit was vital to that team.

That African Palace are linked with sounds interesting.

[pjlincs]

I don't think you are wrong to believe we can upgrade on Xhaka but don't think it is as easy or as necessary as you think. For one thing the way Arteta wants to set up means we don't play with a central two or an orthodox number 10. With Odegaard inked in on the right, in the lefthand roleWe need a player who can be both creative and defensively sound - which Xhaka can be, for all his faults. He is also a presence on the pitch. I don't think players like to play against him. In short, yes there are better players out there but not that many that fill the type of player we need. And the striker was definitely the priority. I have faith in Jesus

I have faith in Jesus too. Reckon he'll get on the end of a few crosses. Nailed on imo.