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

[phantom limb]

I think we should sign Roger Johnson and Stephen Carr. Seriously.









(Not seriously, because they're both shit). Ahaha.

[enigma]

I sense an "agree to disagree" coming on, I can't say my view has had many supporters. But I stick by it.

I happen to agree and have said pretty much the same in the past. The days of the out and out poacher have passed, just like the old style number ten has become all but extinct. These days a forward needs to have more strings to his bow than just goal hanging.

You haven't been reading "Inverting the Pyramid", have you? I recognise the analogy between the goal-poacher and the old-style playmaker.

Terrific book, as many people have said, because it deals with how football is "actually played on the field".

I have read it, aye. Really good book.

The only two old style poachers at top teams I can think of are Pippo Inzaghi and Michael Owen and they're both about fit for the knackers yard.

[Monty]

Things are very difficult for poachers at the top of the game these days. A lot of those half-chances that they used to feed off don't exist as much any more. Also, the predominance of one up front (or three, depending how you notate the formation) has really been a problem for this type of player as they like, traditionally, to play with a partner in a two.

[ozzjim]

I actually think that one of the major problems of having two strikers is that you end up with two players with their backs to goal at the edge of the area, which severely limits your playing style - you will have a shortfall of central midfield options, but two players to get it to for them to hold up. This pretty much means that you end up relying on balls to the edge of the area, as you say, going wide and crosses coming in.

One of the great points of Lampard's play is that he's always facing goal but running from deep, making him so difficult to pick up. With this, you don't really need the striker to make the kind of run you've mentioned, as he could act as the decoy and drag defenders with him, allowing the midfielder coming from deep more space.

We do need to change our style, I think, to compete at the very top level, and I think that means an emphasis on passing through the middle, and for that we need no shortfall in midfield numbers like has so often happened this season and in previous seasons.

2 posts ont he last page I have totally contrasting views on. The first being Defoe, who is still a woefully bad team player and shoot 99.99 times out of 100, which is why he got hauled off at Old Trafford on Saturday after 53 minutes and has been poor away from home in big games this season. He is no different to 2-3 years ago and is IMO even more of a specialist than Bent as he offers no strength to hold onto a ball either.


However, the quoted post, I agree with totally and is why I think this summer Ireland would be a brilliant buy, and played in a 3 with Milner and Reo Coker would give us a really strong midfield that could get 30 goals, with Gabby giving 15 or so on his own up top.

Keane I would take but for no more than 6-7 million as there is no resale value. He can come from wide areas well and effect the play in a deep role, which we lack too when going 4-4-2.

[KONSPIRACY]

I think a lot of this depends on the style of play on the pitch. If we continue as we are then it needs to be a Bent or Defoe type goalscorer, however if we change to a more attractive style of play then an Anelka or Berbatov would be more suitable.

I dont see much changing next year in terms of how we play unless we get a midfield maestro to conduct things, however as they would all command similar transfer fees I'd rather we spent on the latter rather than what is being described as a one dimensional striker.

As such, may be Berbatov and a playmaking midfielder (total cost £20-25m) would be the best option with Gabby/Fonz playing off the shoulder.

[Concrete John]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!111111111


ASTON VILLA PURSUING IRISH QUARTET
Midlanders monitoring transfer market
O'NEILL: Needs to strengthen
By Garry Doyle, 24/04/2010

MARTIN O'NEILL wants to pack FOUR Irishmen into his luxury Villa this summer - with Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Aidan McGeady and Stephen Ireland ALL on his hit-list.

But the Aston Villa boss faces competition from Birmingham for McGeady and Manchester United and Everton for Ireland.


And Mick McCarthy's Wolves side are preparing to break their strict wage-budget to try and bring Keane back to his first club.


However, Keane's next destination is almost certainly going to be Villa, who made a belated move for the Irish skipper in the January transfer window but Keane had already committed his short-term future to Tottenham.


And despite Harry Redknapp's claims that Keane still has a future at White Hart Lane, the reality is Spurs will offload him if they receive a bid in excess of £10million.


O'Neill also has his sights on Doyle, McGeady and Ireland - but his pursuit of that trio comes with terms and conditions attached.


He will only move for Ireland if James Milner is tempted by a move to one of the big five - although a possible swap deal with Manchester City is on the cards.


Secondly, getting Doyle out of Wolves will be a tall order as the ex-Reading striker has built up a close relationship with McCarthy.


McGeady, however, is on his radar but again O'Neill is treading carefully on this subject because of his close friendship with Celtic owner, Dermot Desmond.

from NOTW

With the exception of Doyle, I can see benefits for all those players, even if they wouldn't be my first choices!

[Risso]

Or to give an alternative view point:

Yessssssssss!

I'd happily take those 4 as a package.

[Mazrim]

Big Five? Oh for fucks sake.

And what aboslute worthless clueless fucking shite that article is.
I wouldn't be suprised if we're after some of those players. Ireland and Keane anyway but its a terrible read.

[Dave]

I'm not even sure which five clubs he is referring to.

[Mazrim]

I'm not even sure which five clubs he is referring to.

Clearly, they are:

Man United
Arsenal
Liverpool
Chelsea
Tottenchester Villaton United.

[Concrete John]

I'm not even sure which five clubs he is referring to.

Probably whoever finishes 1st to 4th plus Liverpool.  The fuckwits.

[SoccerHQ]

McGeady looks wank everytime I see him play.

[gervilla]

McGeady looks wank everytime I see him play.

Yip. He is . Seen him play plenty for the Republic of Ireland. Utterly useless. On a par with Heskey.

[villa1]

Not sure how good Mgeady would be in the Prem.

I'd take Ireland though.

[PaulTheVillan]

Or to give an alternative view point:

Yessssssssss!

I'd happily take those 4 as a package.

I would also.

McGeady can offer cover for Young and Downing.

Ireland is quality.

Keane/Doyle will offer us more than Heskey.