Considering how much of our spend was funded with prior player sales, and the huge amounts of TV money, I'm a little disappointed we didn't spend more. We went out and spent a load on Rom and that was a fantastic move, but after him our most expensive signing was Besic, who cost a measly £4m.
Up front and in central midfield we've strengthened though, to the point where those positions have gone from lacking depth to having excellent depth. I'm disappointed that we didn't sign a playmaker type, with Pienaar and Ross being injured, only Naismith and Osman can play off the striker. Unless the plan is for Atsu to play there. I just don't see that as a good enough array of options, even in spite of Naismith's excellent form.
We look strong on the wings, with Mirallas, McGeady and hopefully Atsu all providing quality options who each bring something different. However Pienaar's injury does put a strain on our depth in this department, and I'd hate to see us having to use Osman there.
At the back, people were no doubt kneejerking massively. I do think John Stones should get a chance but he is on the books, and probably the best 3rd choice CB we've had in years. Alcaraz gets stick but providing we're not playing pacey, counterattacking sides I think he's competent. Distin will have a good season again, I'm sure, the question marks are only over Jagielka. If he can't ungashify himself, Bobby needs to put Stones in and sign another CB in January.
If Coleman gets an injury, we're buggered, which makes me wonder why we didn't go for Alderweireld? Available on loan, covering RB and CB very well. Bizarre. Otherwise though, I think we're well stocked. Robles is a solid enough number 2 -- only Chelsea can boast 2 excellent keepers, and they're going to struggle to keep the 2nd happy. LB is a very strong position, up front there is genuine competition which is very encouraging; it took a long time for us to sign a quality striker, so to now have 2 on the books is just brilliant stuff. Besic and Gibson will provide competition and depth in midfield, and we still have a few young players who might get chances. Finally, Barkley/Kone/Oviedo should return at some point and that will be a big boost.
So all in all, B+ from me. We spent big for possibly the first time, but this was somewhat let down by the fact that we spent little else, in spite of the huge spike in income. Bobby addressed the problems we had at the start of the window, but perhaps let himself down by failing to address the ones we had at the end. Whether he'll be proven right or wrong will depend on injuries and form, but with a vicious European group and an already rubbish start to the season, we've got a lot of work ahead of us and a lot of reasonable doubt about what we can actually achieve.