BlueLion.

I am reading it again and again - people on this forum are criticising Villas-Boas for our failure of a transfer season thus far. I have one question and one question only; why? It is mind-numbingly obvious that Villas-Boas has no say on the club's transfer policy, exactly how it was with Ancelotti (I maintain that Torres was never an Ancelotti signing, like Shevchenko was never a Mourinho signing), and we could also see that a strong-willed person such as Mourinho could only achieve based on what was given to him. So I find it incredible for people to say Villas-Boas is to blame for it all. The way it works at this club is increasingly apparent - the manager gives a list of names to the negotiators and they try and bag whoever the coach wants. Try is the imperative word, here, because after pulling off coups with Ramires and Luiz, and then negotiating a mammoth deal for Torres, it seems their best efforts have failed. And why is that? Is it because our chairman and CEO are more concerned about selling shirts at a 1200% profit back to Asian schoolchildren? Making sure the "global brand" continues to spread? Yeah, okay. What about the loyal fans across the world who have been let down. Gourlay promised us two new signings - and now it is obvious he is talking about Romeu and Courtois. Why do that; why get our hopes up that we would be landing someone like Modric, Pastore or Lukaku? It stinks of unprofessionalism, and just foes to highlight how ruthless-yet-inefficient our board is. Look at the way they just remorselessly fired Ancelotti, and now look at the fact we've been outdone by a Ligue Un club for a wonderful young talent in Pastore. I'm sorry, but to blame Villas-Boas for that is nothing short of ridiculous. He has come in to the club and said he wants to assess the squad we have - to me it seems like he has achieved that to some extent. He has been here over a month and taken charge of four friendlies, using 26 players in the process. Though he hasn't yet looked at the Brazilian trio and Essien because of one reason or another, it is still a massive portion of his squad he has looked at. The only fault that I can find with Villas-Boas is his patience, and that is only because we are running out of time. It is 15 days until we play against Stoke in our toughest opening day fixture since United at Stamford Bridge in 04/05. Our squad has only got worse since Ancelotti left - I point out here the injury to Essien. We need reinforcements, and we need them now, but to criticise Villas-Boas in any way, shape or form is unjustified in my mind. It is obvious he has tried to make a move in the transfer market through trying to bring Modric to the club. But when it comes to negotiations, the manager is barely involved. The money men do the leg work, but they're obviously falling short. If you want to blame anyone, blame the morons who run the club. They're the reason why we're heading into a second consecutive season under-manned.

Gutted we've missed out on the player, but not that price tag.

We could always call Belletti out of retirement if we're short on midfielders...

Romeu and Courtois, well done Ron you moron. In fairness he did pull off the Luiz and Torres deals, but to get the hopes of the supporters up like this is a disgrace. I was expecting at least one star signing, looks like Scott Parker on loan it is then.

I can't believe the club are happy with this situation. Either Villas-Boas is a braver man than I am, or we've got some stupid negotiators.

Dann is the unsung part of the Birmingham defence. He's a massive goal threat as well, he's as good in the air as Terry or Carvalho.

Rather him than Parker, though I am for either of them joining.

Reckon he signs for Man City just to piss us all off.

We should win this seeing as though we're in very good physical condition atm. 2-1 Chelsea, Malouda brace

Precisely. Topic locked.

Football is a game of karma. Remember the Robinho fiasco? I reckon we might be about to pull off a reverse of it.

I know it was in 2009, but so was my quote that he used as part of his argument. All I'm trying to put across is that he is being childish. Why complain about one negative rep when he's given out 60+ ??

The reason people choose to do it is because of his hypocrisy. Allow me to demonstrate: _______________________________________________ Oh, look at the pot calling the kettle black! Perhaps, while we're on the subject, you can justify these negative reps: And the rest of these as well?: So would you like to drop your complaint?

If only you knew the truth, Milan. Termy is giving us all his sob story while he is the biggest abuser of the reputation system out there. As irony goes, that's top notch stuff.

Josh is so little! Haha bless him, he looks like he needs a good hug off his mother!

To Ligue Un it always will be.

When did every man and his dog become football player evaluators?

Aww

Better than both by some distance I'd say.

Not even Ronaldo is on €400,000 a month.

I suppose, although really it was just a 4-3-3 variant, with two wide men and Yossi pushing up. Still 3 midfielders/3 forwards.

Who needs Pastore, Lukaku, Modric and Alexis Sanchez when we can have Scott Dann, Scott Parker, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou?

It isn't just limited to that. I have been talking with PSG fans and they are confident he will sign because he will be their 'star player' instead of being just one other footballer. And PSG are currently in London themselves for the Emirates Cup, Pastore's agent will be meeting both parties I presume.

Reports in France are indicating that Pastore's agent will travel to London today to listen to Chelsea's offer. PSG have already signalled their intent and Palermo are waiting to see if Chelsea will match or raise the PSG offer. PSG supporters are incredibly confident he will be going there, I am currently discussing the transfer on the PSG forum. I honestly think that he will go to PSG where he will be loved and not just 'another star,' and he can continue his development as a guaranteed starter week-in week-out. Gutted to be missing out on another target.