Transfer Deadline Thread *part two*

[grjt]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=41702.msg1168687#msg1168687 date=1283355257]
[quote author=peterhague link=topic=41702.msg1168683#msg1168683 date=1283354717]
hmmm, i'm not sure really. i think it's possible that our first XI is better than last year, although only very marginally given mascher's departure, but city have strenghtened hugely. i think our best chance is hodgson proving a much better manager than i and a lot of other people give him credit for. if his management can galvanise a team that seemed lost last year, then that benefit could be enough to give us the 10 or so extra points we need to make a fight of it.

the problem with that, though, is that we'll probably be halfway through the season before it takes effect, and too far behind.
[/quote]

I think our season is more dependent of the fitness levels of the key players than the management of roy (no disrespect to roy meant).
[/quote]

Im not disagreeing with you, but PH makes a valid point (so in actual fact its a bit of both, accentuated by what another poster highlighted re the new medical staff).

Roy simply not being Rafa has clearly pleased some people (for example in some mediocre team displays Gerrard has looked quite alot better than he has since Christmas).

Keep the key players fit, Roy to surprise some people with a little more nous than he's given credit for (he took Fulham to the Europa cup final ffs), and Man City to take longer to come together than assumed & Spurs' squad to implode given their 85 midfielders, and 40 strikers.

4th looks alot more possible than it did in May.

 

[Squiggles]

A chance of fourth is wholly dependent upon the fitness of Fernando Torres - a factor which. is a complete lottery.

We'll finish in the top between 4th and 7th. Anything after that is complete guess work.

 

[Hansern]

The fact that we are not in the CL, should mean that Torres doesn't have to play 2 games a week. We will probably play a a bit of a reserve side in the Europa league and that should help Fernando regarding his fitness.
He has to keep fit for the 17 league games before the transfer window opens again. That is absolutly crucial if we are going to have any chance of getting 4th.

The Europa league should be the perfect place for the squaddies and youngsters to get valuble game time and experience. Wilson, Shelvey, Pacheco, Kelly and maybe even a sub apperance from Suso and Amoo.

I'd also like Michael Ngoo to have a look of first team football, i e the Carling cup game against Northampton. At 6"5, pace and great skill. He is definetly someone we should look to develop further.

I agree with Grjt regarding the transfer window, I to think we look a bit better. With Konchesky and Meireles in the side the balance is much much better. Konchesky will improve us greatly at left back, were we got raped nearly every game last season.

Since we didn't sign a striker, I'd like Roy to try Babel and Torres together in some games were we are playing 4-4-2. Kuyt can also be used as a striker, and probably should be utilized there as Maxi should be our RW.


Let's hope Babel can step up in his favoured position. We need it.

 

[Buddha]

On reflection, I'm still gutted that we didn't sign a back-up striker during the window given Torres' injury record.

We surely "could" have, even if it was a loan deal for Grafite of Wolfsborg for instance. Everton had a permit and a deal in place for him, only for the deal to break down at the last minute due to Kenwright baulking at his wages. It wouldn't have been a problem for us.

He's scored 50 goals in 79 appearances for Wolfsburg (outscoring Dzeko during his "arrival" year) and was voted the Bundesliga player of the season in 2009 (the last 6 winners have been Ballack/Klose/Gomez/Ribery/Grafite/Robben).

An opportunity missed.

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=41702.msg1168804#msg1168804 date=1283370060]
On reflection, I'm still gutted that we didn't sign a back-up striker during the window given Torres' injury record.

We surely "could" have, even if it was a loan deal for Grafite of Wolfsborg for instance. Everton had a permit and a deal in place for him, only for the deal to break down at the last minute due to Kenwright baulking at his wages. It wouldn't have been a problem for us.

He's scored 50 goals in 79 appearances for Wolfsburg (outscoring Dzeko during his "arrival" year) and was voted the Bundesliga player of the season in 2009 (the last 6 winners have been Ballack/Klose/Gomez/Ribery/Grafite/Robben).

An opportunity missed.
[/quote]

If we'd signed this player the writing would have been on the wall.

 

[Judge Jules]

Only a right aerosol could make a pun that painful. 😉

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=41702.msg1168813#msg1168813 date=1283371055]
Only a right aerosol could make a pun that painful. 😉
[/quote]

How dare you, sir! Thought it was a marvelous play on words.

 

[Judge Jules]

Granted. Quite subtle for 6CM actually.

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=41702.msg1168824#msg1168824 date=1283371764]
Granted. Quite subtle for 6CM actually.
[/quote]

It was excellent.

Unfortunately when it's that subtle it takes a while to get.

 

[Modo]

Asamoah Gyan: I was right to reject Liverpool for Sunderland

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has said he is "pleased" to be at Sunderland after making a transfer deadline day move, despite rumours Liverpool attempted to scupper the bid at the last minute.

Sunderland's new club record signing Asamoah Gyan Sunderland's new club record signing Asamoah Gyan (North News)

Reds boss Roy Hodgson is known to have asked around about several strikers on deadline day - including West Ham's Carlton Cole and Fulham's Bobby Zamora.

And sources close to the Gyan deal suggest the former Cottagers boss even looked into the possibility of gazumping the Black Cats during the slow-moving talks with Rennes on Tuesday afternoon.

However, speaking after confirming his move to Sunderland for a reported club-record fee of £13million, Gyan said Steve Bruce's persistence had persuaded him to pick Sunderland.

"The Sunderland coach has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now," he said.

"My family is in England already and I am happy this is the right place for me.

"I am pleased I have the opportunity to come to the Premier League."

Hodgson's search for a second striker to play alongside Fernando Torres proved fruitless, meaning the Reds will need to rely on Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, and David Ngog to provide support to the injury-prone Spaniard.

----------------

Is this a case of 1+1 = 3.
This must be one of the worst articles I've ever read.

 

[Rosco]

It really is awful

 

[zlatan18]

no quotes or anything, shit article

 

[TheBunnyman]

As if we had a spare £13m in our pockets...