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

[pauliewalnuts]

Movement off the ball is definitely something that needs improving - not just strikers, though, across the entire team. We just don't do it.

[Monty]

100%, Paulie. The worst thing about our team at its most stolid isn't a lack of technique, desire or anything like that, it's the lack of movement. I blame the 4-4-2, as it's either too rigid or so fluid that you just leave massive spaces in the midfield for the opposition to exploit, so in the interest of defensive solidity we do the former and don't move at all. As you say, it's not just strikers - in fact, strikers aren't even the most important players for this.

On strikers, the fact is that every football fan of every club in the world (except, possibly, for Barcelona) thinks that they need a striker, above all else - certainly every English club fan I know thinks that. But the idea that you can solve all your problems with goalscorers is probably naive and missing the point.

[Des Little]

Had a quick chat with my *friend* and he didnt say much , but Keane is looking very probably..   Did mention might be something going on with Crouch, would be very suprised If we got both but maybe its definitely one of them coming..
With Keane looking favourite.

So that's a definite maybe then (winky thing)

Keane and Crouch for Carew plus cash anyone?

[BedsVillain]

FWIW I believe Huntelaar would do very well in the Prem, he didn't fail at Madrid at all, he was just the victim of a fashion change.

I don't think he's really had the chance to shine in Italy, maybe playing for an ageing poorly managed side didn't help, let face it Milan didn't really pull up any trees at all last season. Boriello, their main striker only scored 14 league goals and started most of the games! Huntelaar still managed 7 league goals from mainly sub appearences.

I think if we go back to playing 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with all the attack minded verve we had 2 seasons ago he will thrive, with Gabby and Ashley either side of him. All he would need is a consistent run of games being the main man and I truely think he would score 20 league goals, maybe not in his first season but definetely once he'd settled in.

[Concrete John]

FWIW I believe Huntelaar would do very well in the Prem, he didn't fail at Madrid at all, he was just the victim of a fashion change.

I don't think he's really had the chance to shine in Italy, maybe playing for an ageing poorly managed side didn't help, let face it Milan didn't really pull up any trees at all last season. Boriello, their main striker only scored 14 league goals and started most of the games! Huntelaar still managed 7 league goals from mainly sub appearences.

I think if we go back to playing 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with all the attack minded verve we had 2 seasons ago he will thrive, with Gabby and Ashley either side of him. All he would need is a consistent run of games being the main man and I truely think he would score 20 league goals, maybe not in his first season but definetely once he'd settled in.

So, a frontline something like:-
Gabby - Huntelaar - Young

I'm on record as saying I don't like Gabby playing wide, but that does look excellent!

[BedsVillain]

FWIW I believe Huntelaar would do very well in the Prem, he didn't fail at Madrid at all, he was just the victim of a fashion change.

I don't think he's really had the chance to shine in Italy, maybe playing for an ageing poorly managed side didn't help, let face it Milan didn't really pull up any trees at all last season. Boriello, their main striker only scored 14 league goals and started most of the games! Huntelaar still managed 7 league goals from mainly sub appearences.

I think if we go back to playing 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with all the attack minded verve we had 2 seasons ago he will thrive, with Gabby and Ashley either side of him. All he would need is a consistent run of games being the main man and I truely think he would score 20 league goals, maybe not in his first season but definetely once he'd settled in.

So, a frontline something like:-
Gabby - Huntelaar - Young

I'm on record as saying I don't like Gabby playing wide, but that does look excellent!

He doesn't neccesarily have to play wide the whole time. Although I do think Gabby runs the channels very well, which tends to create a lot of space more centrally. You could have a front two of Huntelaar and Gabby with Ashley playing the free role behind them and switching wings throughout the game. With that we'd need good support from midfield as well as good cover for the back four.


---------------Petrov-------------

----Ireland-------------Milner--

---------------Ashley------------

-------Gabby------Huntelaar----

I think most are agreed that our defence is pretty darn good, we could maybe do with an other versatile fullback if Luke Young is shipped out, maybe Onuoha, or as I mentioned a few pages back Fucile from Porto. But if we concentrate on honing our midfield and attack to be verstile and adaptable then I think we could be a real force.

I'd love for us to keep Milner and add Ireland and Huntelaar if money would allow. Maybe signing someone like Huntelaar would give out the right signal to our better players like Jimmy and persuade them to stay and sign a new contract?!

[SoccerHQ]

I really don't see the fuss about Huntaleer ever since he played at VP in the Uefa game and Laursen kept him in his pocket all night long.

Much rather get Suarez but his price will rocket after the world cup.

[peter w]

I really don't see the fuss about Huntaleer ever since he played at VP in the Uefa game and Laursen kept him in his pocket all night long.

Much rather get Suarez but his price will rocket after the world cup.

Anybody can have a poor night, or even season.

If I was going to pick a Uruguyan who I think can survive in the Prwem it'd be Diego Perez.

[Dante Lavelli]

My go.  Based on realistic links and the likelihood that Milner will leave, I'd be happy to see us lining up as follows next year:

---------------------Brad Snr--------------------

Onuoha (p/x)----Cuellar------Dunne---Warnock

----------------NRC--------Petrov----------------

---Bentley (8m)----Ireland (p/x)----Young------

--------------------Huntelaar-(12m)--------------


Obviously that's a bit harsh on gabby, but I think the competition/rest/rotation will do him, Huntelaar and the team good.  I'd guess that there could be roughly 60 games, plus sub appearances, so enough to be shared between them.

[Concrete John]

Or how about in a 4-4-2:-

                      Freidel
Richards - Cuellar - Dunne - Warnock
Bentley - Ireland - new DCM - Young
               Gabby - Huntelaar

Subs: Guzan, Collins, new Fullback, Downing, Petrov, Carew and Delfouneso

I think that with such an attacking midfield we'd need a very defensive player to protect the back four, so would use NRC ahead of Petrov if we couldn't get anyone new!

[mcgrath_85]

May I suggest Michael Bradley of the U.S.A as our new defensive midfilder.

I don't believe he's been mentioned on here. He really impressed during the world cup and I believe to be just what we need: plenty of energy, box to box, tough, and can score.

He reminded me of a young Nicky Butt.

[pauliewalnuts]

May I suggest Michael Bradley of the U.S.A as our new defensive midfilder.

I don't believe he's been mentioned on here. He really impressed during the world cup and I believe to be just what we need: plenty of energy, box to box, tough, and can score.

He reminded me of a young Nicky Butt.

Just looked at his wiki page (to see who he's playing for now) and noticed this:

On August 31, 2008, Bradley signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach for an undisclosed fee.[2]  It was later revealed that Bradley had agreed to a switch to English club Birmingham City on the condition that the club retained its Premier League status.[3]  However, they did not and he made his Gladbach debut on September 20 in a loss against Hertha Berlin. On November 15, 2008, Bradley scored his first goal for Mönchengladbach against Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich with an eighty-first minute equalizing header. The game ended 2–2.

Lucky escape.

[JJ-AV]

Is this Huntelaar link real?

[mcgrath_85]

Very lucky indeed. They lost out. I think he is a really good player and exactly what we need. Petrov just can't cut it anymore but would still be useful if Martin decides to rotate this season. Also, gawd knows what the situation with Reo Coker is?

I really hope he's on Martin's radar.

As for huntleaar...yes please. He's another...just what we need.

[Concrete John]

Is this Huntelaar link real?

As real as anything printed in NOTW.