Summer 2010 Transfer Thread: B*llsh*t, Rumours & Wishes

[supertom]

First and foremost we need to take some of the pressure off Gabby and Ash by allowing them some more rest. That means improving our options beyond the first 14 players.

The tendancy with Gabby I'd say, is to start brightly, but begin to fade away in the tail end of the season, or somewhere in the middle. Sometimes he'll find a 2nd wind in the run-in, but not so much last season.

Still 16 goals last term is not to be sniffed at. His touch needs work, but it's a damn sight better than 4 years ago. Above all, Gabby works extremely hard on improving his game. For someone so young, he's now had 4 consecutive seasons hitting double figures. That's impressive. And he makes goals too.

It would seem he's back on Fabios radar again. Sadly I don't think Ash is. He must have stolen Fabio's Danish from the breakfast cart when he was last in the squad

[sfx412]

Young brings nothing to the International side, others more experienced don't and his inconsistency with crossing is a big hindrance to him.

Gabby didn't score enough goals to get ahead of tried and tested Internationally experienced strikers, and didn't look to be in the form of his life like Milner, whose performances were from the sublime to indifferent when he got there.
If any of the 3 stay at VP this will be their International make or break season and I'd expect all 3 to make it.

[pedro25]

I agree neither played out of their skins to get in, yet both had better seasons than SWP and Heskey who got in ahead so from that point of view they can consider themselves unlucky.  Ash certainly is a far better left sided player than SWP.  Of course Bent had a better season and scored more goals than Gabby so maybe it should have been him instead of Gabby or Heskey. I'd probably have taken Bent and Gabby and left out Crouch as I wouldn't play with a target man, it's a bit out dated now.  Harsh on Crouch as his record is excellent for England.

[pauliewalnuts]

Ashley barely had a chance to prove himself for England, though. Same with Gabby

Few things better illustrate the need for England to ditch the majority of their squad than the sight of SWP coming on in the WC, and Ashley Young and Adam Johnson sat at home.

[Merv]

Ash if at his best would get into the England team but when given a chance he seemed like a frightened rabbit and was afraid to take people on in an England shirt.

This is bang on. When I've seen him play for England, Ash has almost played within himself, not doing the things he's good at. I remember one awful attempt on goal that soared miles high and wide. Certainly hasn't made the most of his chances so far... surely he'll get another crack at it.

For me, Ash is far superior to SWP and has more to his game than Lennon. He should be persevered with - one of England's failings has been pressing players into positions they're not comfortable with and a real lack of fluency and balance - Ash is genuinely able to play wide right, wide left, off the central striker and having him in the side would allow England to do so much more, tactically.

Gabby was unlucky not go. Yes, he does seem to run out of steam in the last third of the season but again, he's a striker who can fulfil more than one role; can play on his own, holding the ball up, or in a slightly wider role, running at players and stretching defences.

If England want to break out of their rigid formation hell, these two have got to be a part of the future.

That's all.

[Concrete John]

I'd agree with you, Merv.

The biggest problem though is that in order to bring in these players, you have to start leaving out some of the established squad members.  The ones with the big egos, bank balances and friends in the press.  That's what the England manager needs to do, be it Capello or a new man.

[Merv]

Absolutely. It's been the main problem in the last few years. I really thought Capello would be the man to build a team - a team - and not shoe-horn the 'big' names into his starting X1, regardless of balance and form. Pick players on the evidence of his own eyes, not reputation.

Coaches have to make big decisions - which means leaving out a big name (Lampard or Gerrard? Time to decide after six years) but too many England managers have bottled it.

Even earlier this week I read a piece by one of the Guardian sportswriters, picking his England team for the 2014 WC. At the heart of the defence.... John Terry. He'll be 33/4 by then, and was a liability at this WC. I despair.

[curiousorange]

The sportswriters know about as much as the rest of us so I wouldn't be too concerned with that.

One thing to mention about Ash' contribution to England is that he was rarely played in the way that he wants to play and gets to play for Villa. I know there are several players who can complain about the same but Capello would not entertain the idea of giving Young licence to roam from wing to wing.

Unfortunately I think he's destined to be one of those 'mavericks' that were never quite understood enough to be a success at international level.

[Chris Smith]

Young brings nothing to the International side, others more experienced don't and his inconsistency with crossing is a big hindrance to him.

Rubbish. His crossing is better than the more experienced SWP and the less experienced Lennon. Capello gambled on their greater pace but in hindsight might have been better going for our man's better technique.

[Concrete John]

Those sort of players need the side to be structured around them, or at least made allowances for, and it takes a REALLY special player for that to happen at international level.  I still think he can make his mark for England as a more orthodox left winger.

[KevinGage]

Parker is the sort of player that would improve us without transforming us

In a nutshell John.

I'd welcome any deal (providing this isn't typical Mirror fiction), providing it was one of a few for that position.

In time, Milner could be a very good, effective allround CM. Parker already is.  And has been for years. Only problem is how long he's got left at the top level. His game is based on energy, moving from box to box and the like.

[pedro25]

Yes I think Milner will eventually become a Parker/Scholes type, but at his young age now I still think he can offer more a little further forward, maybe as the more advanced of a central 3 as as well as his energy etc. he's a more than decent attacking threat.

[sfx412]

Ashley barely had a chance to prove himself for England, though. Same with Gabby

They had 2 years and as Milner showed if you are in form and good enough When you consider star boy Walcott was left out and he had a couple of good games for Capello they weren't that unlucky.

Few things better illustrate the need for England to ditch the majority of their squad than the sight of SWP coming on in the WC, and Ashley Young and Adam Johnson sat at home.

Can't see the logic of that in the games pre WC SWP played better than most when he came on that's why I'd guess Walcott was at home and Lennon and sWP went.

Neither Young or Johnson have had many games at International level, neither were in startling form so why take them ? Just goes to show, me at least what a performance Milner put in to not only get there but as I predicted play. Plenty on here,  said he wouldn't.

[sfx412]

Young brings nothing to the International side, others more experienced don't and his inconsistency with crossing is a big hindrance to him.

Rubbish. His crossing is better than the more experienced SWP and the less experienced Lennon. Capello gambled on their greater pace but in hindsight might have been better going for our man's better technique.

As to the crossing comment I beg to differ as any recent viewing of SWP's games will prove, but who am I to argue your exalted opinion, oh mighty one.

He gambled on Milner's ability and work rate, or did you miss that ? Wouldn't be surprised if you had'

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Young brings nothing to the International side, others more experienced don't and his inconsistency with crossing is a big hindrance to him.

Rubbish. His crossing is better than the more experienced SWP and the less experienced Lennon. Capello gambled on their greater pace but in hindsight might have been better going for our man's better technique.

As to the crossing comment I beg to differ as any recent viewing of SWP's games will prove, but who am I to argue your exalted opinion, oh mighty one.

He gambled on Milner's ability and work rate, or did you miss that ? Wouldn't be surprised if you had'

I'm with the mighty one on this, Young is a far superior crosser of the ball than SWP.