[quote author=Gerry_A_Trick link=topic=45700.msg1347505#msg1347505 date=1307796521]
I think Comolli aims to get quality in whatever position, and doesn't think of the team. If he sees a quality player that's good value he'll recommend him. I don't see anything wrong with this as long as we don't overload a certain position, which I don't think we'd do. United have two quality centre backs and it hasn't stopped them spending close to 30m on two more.
If quality players are available then we should get them. If we have a problem position, and there are no players out there worth buying, I'd prefer we buy no one, rather than getting a Pennant just to fill a gap.
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Agree with every word of this post. Comolli's track record at Tottenham suggests that he doesn't buy players to improve a specific position. He simply goes after players who he thinks represent quality and long-term value and lets the coach figure out how to use those players. That's I am not surprised about our splashing money on a player who doesn't seem to address our squad's most pressing needs - I don't think Comolli is concerned about the near-term shape of the squad at all. I have no doubt that he will improve our squad long-term, but in any given season we might end up with a table that has 5 legs on one side, and only 1 on the other. Or a congested central midfield with little defensive bite and not enough wing options. We'll see. I think Kenny is a kind of manager who is flexible enough to make things work even if the squad is somewhat imbalanced, as long as he has talented and hungry players at his disposal. He reminds me of Hiddink in this respect. If Comolli worked with someone like Rafa (or Van Gaal, or Martin Jol, with whom he actually did have a misfortune to work) - forget it!