One of the main reasons we brought in a top manager (big name!) was that he'd be able to stand up to the TC, not just select from the a la carte. And having done so in Germany, to identify his own targets and use his influence to bring them in, with the lure of CL footy. Jürgen was happy to say he had full control over transfers, and tho you can decide how true that is, I'd have to think when he is given more say in transfers than BR was. Whatever that means, but anyway..
Even if the WHOLE list of names presented by TC was sh*te, am sure if Jürgen and staff had a reasonable transfer proposition, it would've had a good chance of going thro IF you believe FSG had made more money available this summer than in previous summers, and based on some of the bids, I believe they DID.
We fu**ed up on VVD, and Leipzig dug in. Ended up we signed one defensive player, who doesn't appear to be 1st choice. And arguably moved on our best CB. Which unfortunately leaves a soggy turd in Jürgen's lap.
The comments about nobody better out there didn't help. And tho can accept that was 'just something managers say that isn't really true and is for a certain audience", and most people reckon the comments are off the wall, the fact that we didn't sign replacements kinda backs the comments up, which is pause for thought.
With the players we have in defense, hard to see us cutting out mistakes, given we've had a couple of years to do it already and haven't. Unless Jürgen goes 5 at the back, or some tactical change (which would need time to bed in), remains to be seen.
Anyway, it's still early days in the season.
A la Barca, best option is likely to continue to defend from the front. Don't mind the lads back there, the lads up top will keep the ball the other end.
Perfect example, the game (shambles) vs Leicester (2nd team). First half, we looked like Barca at the back (and said so in the match thread!). 2nd half, Cou has a wash, and it's a warzone back there.
Get Cou firing, and our first choice front men, Lallana back, we'll 'protect' the back 5 by keeping the f**king ball away from them.
Having our best front men on the pitch is our best defensive option