Better window than our rivals?

[Montasura]

In terms of strengthening in the areas where it was required, I think only Liverpool have come close to us. That said Chelsea and City already had strong squads and required little strengthening and have significantly better squads than us. However, neither are perfect and have their weaknesses.

Despite some terrific players joining the league this window I see this is possibly one of the most wide open seasons yet. The big boys are not impenetrable, Liverpool are re-emerging as top 4 contenders, United look to be on the descent, Arsenal are ridicously thin yet have an incrdeible creative force in midfield, Everton have had a great window and Lukaku will thrive with them, and Swansea look good despite a stuttering start. And then we have the might Spurs. All set for a brilliant season ahead.

 

[Shea]

The main way I comfort myself with the window is to imagine if Bale had stayed and had a Podolski-esq injury in the first game and ending up looking like the side that played Inter away last year.

We've mitigated the risk of having all our eggs in one basket at least.

It happened with Gazza - huge star player far better and more valuable than the rest of our squad, about to be sold for massive money to Europe only to pick up a career threatening injury which meant he never played for us again anyway and we had to accept a reduced fee for him when he did move on

Bale wanted out and Real were prepared to pay crazy money for him - our only option was to sell, like you say one injury could have reduce his value to us anyway and his heart and head were no longer with us. Sell and reinvest in the squad, we did that pretty well and having made a net profit in the window it enables us to continue to strengthen when we need to

 

[Wardy]

- Liverpool (9/10) - strengthened in all areas, a very good window for them and they kept Suarez
- Man United (3/10) - bought a DMF/CM, but they needed at least 1 more. Can't rely on Cleverley and Giggs.
- Arsenal (5/10) - may have bought ozil, but they're incredible light at the back. Flamini was needed, but still 0 depth in their squad
- Man City (7/10) - Bought some world class talent everywhere as per usual, but the lack of CB signing until Demichelis has cost them 3 points
- Chelsea (7/10) - Didn't really need any signings to be honest, but still bought quality in Willian, Schurrie etc pretty shocked lukaku was allowed to go out on loan though. Didn't get a world class striker they needed.

 

[Mr Gamgee]

apart from ourselves. Liverpool everton and man city had the best windows imo

 

[SteveH]

- Liverpool (9/10) - strengthened in all areas, a very good window for them and they kept Suarez
- Man United (3/10) - bought a DMF/CM, but they needed at least 1 more. Can't rely on Cleverley and Giggs.
- Arsenal (5/10) - may have bought ozil, but they're incredible light at the back. Flamini was needed, but still 0 depth in their squad
- Man City (7/10) - Bought some world class talent everywhere as per usual, but the lack of CB signing until Demichelis has cost them 3 points
- Chelsea (7/10) - Didn't really need any signings to be honest, but still bought quality in Willian, Schurrie etc pretty shocked lukaku was allowed to go out on loan though. Didn't get a world class striker they needed.

Just about spot on.

Chelsea need a sort out the squad it is all over the place. Striker wise they will probably just about get away with it as Chelsea do but will need to rationalise the midfield attack next summer.

JM started to look like the basket case he was at RM after the Beryen game.

 

[sparx100]

I have to say that Everton have done well on deadline day.

The team that worries me the most though is Liverpool. I think that David Brent is building a good squad there, and they wont be too far off the top 4.

 

[robin09]

Sorry to inform you, but they do have Eto'o, Torres, and Ba. Not a bad trio let's be honest here.

Granted, but Jose doesn't fancy Ba, Torres doesn't score enough, and Eto'o - while it remains to be seen - has probably got his best days behind him.

 

[dontcallme]

I think there`s way too much emphasis on the transfer market.

Creating a playing style is vital and takes time. People keep saying Arsenal need a defensive midfielder and a centre back but they pass and move so well that they create plenty of chances and their defensive record was the 3rd best in the league last season. They let in 9 less than us.

Giroud is an excellent finisher and now settled could be in the top 3 scorers this season.

Mourinho will play it safe this season. He knows how to organise a team and doesn`t mind going boring to get a result. They were already very strong, just needed a good manager to do it.

Utd are probably in the most trouble. They know how to play together though and Fellaini will be a good signing. They have lethal strikers. Thye might fall from 1st place but unlikely enough for 5th.

City are another that I`m not so sure about. I´m not sure Fernandinho and Negredo are better than what we bought. Pellegrini really needs to pull the club together. They are strong on paper but haven´t developed a playing style to give them consistency.

Liverpool have been developing a playing style and despite the ridicule Rodgers has improved their play immeasurably in a short space of time. I think they have too weak a squad to get top four though.

Our transfer window has been very impressive, on paper. We had little choice but to sell our star player and other than that have only sold squad players who were very far back in the pecking order.

Lamela, Soldado, Eriksen and Paulinho are 4 very impressive signings. Time will tell on Chadli and Chiriches.

AVB now has a massive job on his hands. He needs to get this team together. Get them passing and understanding each other`s play very quickly. Get the right blend in midfield to make sure we are creating. This season I have us as 5th favourites.

As happy as I am with our signings I think it is a big job to get so many new players performing consistently over the whole season.