January Transfer Window - Rumours, Links, B*llsh*t and Made-Up Nonsense

[ROBBO]

Carlos wasn't the only quality central defender to be shunted out to right back, never mind onward and upward.

[Concrete John]

He was when we had a RB as good as Young who should have been playing there.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I can clearly see that some of us should of seeked Counselling after the "Cuellar playing right back" scenario. Anyway L. Young is back and looking good. Think by the time Delph is fit and back in contention Mr H would of set his sights on another young emerging talent and Delph will find it very hard to stake a first team claim. Hope he makes it though ............   

[pedro25]

I think even with a new signing Delph will break through.  Our current central midfield is Petrov and NRC, which is not good enough, both need replacing long term and I think Delph has the potential to be a better player than either.  It should be Delph and a new signing with NRC kept as a useful squad player and Petrov eventually moved on.  I don't see where Ireland fits in to be honest, I much prefer a player like Young off the front man who can take people on.

[Concrete John]

I think it's about options and we have to start thinking more in terms of squad than just the first team. 

Ireland is an attacking midfielder who could be pushed forward to being behind a striker.  Ash is a winger who could be moved inside to play behind a striker.  Delph (we think) is a box to box midfielder who's good on the ball and can tackle - bit of an all rounder.  Given injuries and tactical choices there is space for all of them.  And also for that DCM/deep lying playmaker/midfield general we're crying out for.   

[pablopicasso_10]

there is also gary gardner who is an all rounder...

another option for the future...

[pedro25]

Yes and I might be wrong but I think Ireland has come expecting to take Milner's place and be a regular.  I just feel he won't be here for very long, he was a knee jerk transfer much like shorey was before when we desperately needed a body, didn't really matter who.

[Toronto Villa]

Yes and I might be wrong but I think Ireland has come expecting to take Milner's place and be a regular.  I just feel he won't be here for very long, he was a knee jerk transfer much like shorey was before when we desperately needed a body, didn't really matter who.

The MON era is over. That means the manager can rotate his squad to fit the circumstance. Look at the benches of the top teams and they all have very good players on them. Why shouldn't we? We need not only depth, but for that depth to be quality players so that when they do come on, or start in games, we don't have a dip in the level of our play. It's important that we don't get stuck playing one formation because we don't have the versatility to make changes because our players aren't good enough. Ireland will play lots of games this year. He's come to the right club.

[Monty]

As for full-backs, it seems that left-back is the area for most concern. Lichaj's just been called up by the USA and looks promising by all accounts, and Luke Young is doing reasonably this season despite the odd "arrrg Luke!" moment.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Can't understand this love in for LYoung, think he has been very poor in parts of some games.

  Gets some good blocks in, but his distribution and speed off the mark is very worrying.Would'nt be surprised if we sign a RB fairly quickly tbh.

  CM.....how about Edu at Rangers, always been impressed when i have seen him, and think hes got a lot more in his game.

[pedro25]

Our current pool of defenders cost around £44 million, I don't think that's particularly good value for money.

[Concrete John]

Our current pool of defenders cost around £44 million, I don't think that's particularly good value for money.

Yet is that anymore than you'd expect to have to pay for one of the best defenses in the PL, which is what we had last season?

[Monty]

  Can't understand this love in for LYoung, think he has been very poor in parts of some games.

  Gets some good blocks in, but his distribution and speed off the mark is very worrying.Would'nt be surprised if we sign a RB fairly quickly tbh.

THANK you. Though you do slightly ruin your credibility with the Maurice Edu idea (although in fairness I suggested Lucas not too long ago, we all have our odd likes and dislikes). Luke Young has been playing much better in the last few games but he's still such a liability because he gets sucked out of position and lunges in far too easily. Remember the ridiculous attempt to tackle Jarvis on the wing? Jarvis just skipped past him with ease. Had Petrov or NRC done that there would have been wailing and gnashing of teeth on here. Some people seem to have as big a blind spot in Luke's favour as MON did against him.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Our current pool of defenders cost around £44 million, I don't think that's particularly good value for money.

Yet is that anymore than you'd expect to have to pay for one of the best defenses in the PL, which is what we had last season?

Think Warnock is the only one in the defence i am worried about ......

[barrysleftfoot]

  Edu's only 21/22 though Monty, had a good World Cup, and for me looks as if he has a lot more in him.Probably available relatively cheaply as well.

  Would'nt be a 1st teamer for me, but a better bet than Sidwell/Osbourne etc.