Using the champions league run as a barometer for where we currently stand is a big mistake imo.
That's a knockout competition, one in which we had some good fortune go our way (not saying we didn't deserve to be in final because the guts we showed during that run was unbelievable) but we did have some fortune along the way, such as VAR against City for example.
Our league form is a better indicator of where we are and in what direction we are trending, I understand your point about a lengthy injury list and fatigue but doesn't that just highlight that we need reinforcements?
We lost more games this season than the last two combined, I truly believe a big part of that is because we have been inactive in the last two windows, we have even had Poch saying we need to spend because is is concerned with our form in the league.
I think it's a huge mistake to believe we can continue to operate like this and remain in the top 4, let alone win any trophies.
Well let's look at the core squad over a collective period for a better reflection. Taking Walker and Dembele out of the group we have achieved more with this group of players than any group has in what 20 years? Trophies are of course important but I'm talking growth from a business perspective as ultimately without the business element the football club wouldn't be what it can and should be.
We struggled this season but we had a hugely transitional year relocating stadium, no preseason for 9 of our starting XI, 55% of our squad missing just under 33% of games played due to injuries or international call ups. No home advantage for 75% of our campaign etc.
There are variables that have to be considered. Take for example the games on which we lost or at least some of them. If we had played like we were happy with a draw I can think of 4-5 games where we would have not lost. Burnley away, Wolves at home, Southampton away, the Woolwich game at home we gave away a last minute penalty because we had pushed forward for a win (we got lucky in that one granted with them missing the penalty), insane individual errors (I think we'd made 13 leading to goals last season, something that is solely down to the individual in question), it was a hard slog but we got there in the end.
I think we were able to play Son, Dele, Eriksen and Kane on maybe 10-11 of our 58 games, that clearly will have its effects on us, let alone all of our central midfield missing at least 14-15 games each and 3 of our 4 central defenders being out for a minimum of 12-14 games each.
I'm not saying I don't think we need new signings, I absolutely do but I don't think it's at the desperation levels you mentioned in the post I replied to. I'd love Ndombele and Lo Celso, I think they both have all the hallmarks of quality that would improve us but if clubs like Real Madrid or Juventus are sniffing around them we will have little choice but to bide our time. I want signings but only the right ones and I definitely don't want to see the club smash their transfer record by nearly 100% getting players in that I'll disrupt the financial harmony within the squad and the team. Risky business we've seen fail at Leeds, Sunderland, Woolwich, even at Manchester United. For £88m or whatever Lo Celso is seemingly valued at, I'd want a little more than a guy who couldn't cut it at PSG. I make the club right taking its finances seriously but that's just my opinion when looking at the whole view of it all. Each to their own and all of that.
