The only place to be

Great result but Villa were pretty awful. Lots of promising things but hard to judge against such a poor team. Hazard's work rate seems to have come on leaps and bounds though, and he didn't stop. Luiz stepped up again and apart from a few moments of complacency, he looked very comfortable so has to start there again. Lamps got a goal and got a great reception which will hopefully convince him to lower his expectations in terms of games and wage. Defence looked solid, although Benteke's attempts to stay onside were laughable. Torres deserves credit for a fantastic goal. I said before the game that the first goal would be crucial and the floodgates did indeed open. Great to see Piazon get a run out and he didn't look at all out of place, although by then Villa were already on the bus home. All in all a great result.

Looking forward to the game today but can see travel being a little mental. Nothing better than a home game at Christmas seeing all the kids excited. A win to cap it off would be great.

Obviously I disagree with what pep would want. In fact I think falcao is good type of player, I've he admires and it's a good sign that we're going after . He fits what we are trying to do throughout the club at all age groups.

Clearly you and I have different views of what we need in a striker. I'm not going to argue over it because I can't see that being beneficial. I think Falcao can fulfil our needs in that position simply by doing what he does. I think that will benefit the rest of the players but I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Cavani too. But I simply look at what type of football we're looking to play, and what type of football we might be playing next season if we get Guardiola and I think the best option is Falcao.

Sorry, I don't think I made myself clear in that point. I don't think the Falcao deal is close because he hasn't played in the Europa League. I was simply making the point that if we're letting Sturridge go so soon in the window, then a deal for his replacement (whoever that might be) must be fairly advanced. As for Danny, he's got talent but it's always been the attitude side of things that has let him down. Remember the whole contract issue that caused him to leave City in the first place? Now look at someone like Mata who took a reduced wage to come here, proved himself and now looks to be getting a new contract - that's the type of player we want in my opinion.

I've addressed this point in the other thread but the conclusion is the same - one year ago I would've agreed that Cavani was the right guy but looking to the future I think Falcao is.

I agree that Cavani is a good team player and is better than Falcao in certain regards. I just look at what our team needs and think Falcao is the best available option right now. We need a guy who stretches the field, finishes moves and makes good runs - it sounds simple but it's where we've struggled all season. You seem to be looking for another Drogba, but everything seems to suggest we're moving away from that. It won't solve all our problems, but the effect of having a guy who fits your system can be dramatic. Sure there's the culture shock, but that would be the case with Cavani too. Like I said earlier this isn't an exact science but when I look at all the things we want in a striker at this point in time and going forward, Falcao seems to tick most boxes. If this was one year ago, I'd agree that Cavani would be the best choice.

But that role that Drogba played doesn't exist in the same way anymore and it won't in future if things go to plan. I love the progress he's making, but I think he's going to have to share that striker role or be our 'plan b', although a lot can change.

I think Cavani would've been better for us last year and that Falcao will be better for us now, and especially next season if we actually get the guy we know Roman wants. I really like Cavani, but I look at what our club wants to do and Falcao really does seem the best choice.

It probably helped, but the guy's reputation was simply solidified in that game. Are there other options? Yes. But Falcao ticks more boxes than the other options and you pay a premium for that sometimes.

We are rebuilding and moving to something he isn't particularly known for.

Who?

Falcao is in his prime, and should be for 4 or 5 more years. El Shaaraway (which is Arabic for 'Flavour of the Month') has barely had one good season, whilst Jovetic has had barely more than him whilst also having a fairly serious injury. Now I'm not saying they couldn't be good options but I don't think the money you save buying them is going to make up for the lower chance that they'll have an immediate impact on our season. What we need is a guy who has a bit of experience, has shown consistency and is available at roughly market price which I think Falcao probably is (Aguero was about £38 million so roughly the same, give or take).

The reports were that he was on a relatively small wage so I assume there was an agreement in place to bump him up based on performances and he's certainly earned his money which is exactly the right way to go about things.

Falcao hasn't played in the Europa League this year has he? To me this suggests a deal for a replacement is fairly advanced. That's what I said when Jon Harley left.

Aguero, David Villa and Etoo off the top of my head. Personally I blame Newcastle for signing Alan Shearer for £15 million....

Jesus....how many clubs missed out on Michu? How many missed out on Cisse? These things happen, which is why transfers aren't an exact science. It's a wager at the end of the day. I don't want an expensive flop but I also don't want us to miss out on Champions League football and that's more likely if we keep the current guy up front or get someone equally ineffective. And I don't know why you don't buy the statement about Falcao and our system but I'd take a look at what we're trying to do at the club (not just in the first-team but also in the academy) and then ask what type of striker you do think we're looking for at our club.

Sorry, but some of the points being made are ridiculous. There are logical reasons for us going after Falcao (like the fact he fits our style, like the fact he's available, like the argument that he's the best at what he does, like the fact Guardiola likes him) and some of the arguments against getting him are getting a little silly. People say we should buy someone else but there's a lot of tumbleweed when someone asks who? Even if you get a name you then get weird reasons backing it up and people pretending their privy to our FFP situation. By the way, you said you want a 'cheap striker' and then said Bony could be the next Hasselbaink. Hasselbaink cost us £15 million (which was a club record fee).

In my opinion f he struggled in the EPL he would have residual value from his time in La Liga and also in Portugal, unless he was to become a major flop.

Why don't we just pull some League Two striker's name out of the hat - who cares if he fits our style or not? He'd be cheap and there would be zero pressure. Or if we're going to be marginally less ridiculous, why not just promote Feruz to the first-team. At least he know's the system. Or we could sign the striker who fits our current system, is arguably the best in his position, is AVAILABLE (because this isn't FM and players and clubs do have to agree to transfers) and is someone that we know the guy who we want to manage us in 6 months likes? Oh, and if he doesn't work out here he'd still have value in the Spanish market, especially with Real Madrid.

Ironically it's because of the Mourinho-era that we've struggled to move on. Going back is never a particularly good idea in sport and I still struggle to see the logic of him coming back here when we're building a team that really doesn't play to his strengths. Everything at the club is geared towards securing the services of Guardiola and people are seriously entertaining the notion of Jose coming back? Do people not remember how his time in charge ended? If you want a reminder, look at Madrid RIGHT NOW!

I really don't feel all that bothered by him leaving. I've seen us let plenty of players go and some have upset me but this one strikes me as a bit of good business. The idea of Danny Sturridge is a lot more appealing than the reality and he seems to have become a world-beater in his time on the sidelines.

See, I thought the rumour was that we were after Fellaini, Falcao and Walcott. How about we buy 4 strikers for £5 million each? Doesn't matter who they are or whether they have a long-term future with the club. I'd rather have someone who is at the top of their game, available this January, fits the way our team plays and will play in the future and is admired by the guy that we're trying to hire to be our manager in June.

This Malaga game feels a lot like AVB's game against Napoli, as well as the last days of Mourinho's reign at the Bridge.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: