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

[Dave Cooper please]

Speaking of Annan, whatever happened to Eddie Annan, once of Sligo Rovers and Ayr United I think.

According to Wikipedia he's playing for Arthurlie (I'd much prefer some Arthur Lowe).

[eamonn]

I knew if anyone knew you´d know Dave.

[BedsVillain]

Let's not go overboard about Annan. He had a good World Cup, but how many of us actually know more about him than that? Certainly not me. It would be rather like turning down Ganso and Neymar on the basis that they had a bad youth World Cup a year or so ago, or (ahem) signing Milan Baros on the basis of one good Euros.

I'm not saying he's a bad player, far from it, he seemed very promising. But I'm not sure it's sensible to call for his signing on the basis of one tournament.

Completely agree with your theory Monty. But with regards to Annan, and not wanting to blow my footballing trumpet (or sound like that fella who used to be on here, who seemed to a handle on all of world football...forget his name) ...but I was singing Annan's praises before the world cup. Saw him playing for Rosenborg a few times last season and he just really caught my eye. Reminded me so much of Essien at the time and it was no surprise when I looked him up that he was an international team mate of his.
Had some reservations at the time, mainly because of the strength of the league, but thought he looked very accomplished at the WC and worth a punt if the price was reasonable.

[TheSandman]

(or sound like that fella who used to be on here, who seemed to a handle on all of world football...forget his name)

John Blackwell?

[BedsVillain]

(or sound like that fella who used to be on here, who seemed to a handle on all of world football...forget his name)

John Blackwell?

Yeah I think that's the fella!

[KevinGage]

This thread and the Fabregas one have been very Blackwell-esque recently.

To the point where I'm surprised he hasn't dropped in to show his appreciation.
We've even had mention of players in Norwegian leagues FFS! I thought that would have been enough to smoke him out.

Probably not enough mention of obscure coaches or bizarre choices of ex-players to fill coaching roles.  Rivaldo for head coach at Villa anyone? That will take some beating, but that's your challenge should you choose to accept.

[Toronto Villa]

This thread and the Fabregas one have been very Blackwell-esque recently.

To the point where I'm surprised he hasn't dropped in to show his appreciation.
We've even had mention of players in Norwegian leagues FFS! I thought that would have been enough to smoke him out.

Probably not enough mention of obscure coaches or bizarre choices of ex-players to fill coaching roles.  Rivaldo for head coach at Villa anyone? That will take some beating, but that's your challenge should you choose to accept.

You know, all you have to do is type Oyvind Leonhardsen three times......

[VillaZogmariner]

From caughtoffside.com (whatever that is!)

Aston Villa are looking to bring the French six footer Guillaume Hoarau to Villa Park as soon as possible. In a £10m move that looks to be a long term replacement for that of either Emile Heskey or John Carew, Hoarau, who stands at 6ft 4in is just the type of player that Gerard Houllier is looking for as he continues to build for the future.
For his height, Hoarau is extremely agile and can finish as well as anyone else at the top of their game. At 26 years old he at the right age to perhaps move on to the Premiership. Currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain he has smacked in a whopping 23 goals in just over 50 appearances and the Aston Villa boss will be hopeful he will do the same at Villa Park.
Having sold James Milner at the beginning of the season, Houllier does have cash to spend and with the foundations of a very good defence already in place, will simply buy more attacking options such as the Villa target Hoarau.
Aston Villa have started well but their “big men” up front, Carew and Heskey are getting older and it looks as though the Villa boss wants to bring in a goal scoring talent but on a long term basis.

As soon as possible? That would be January 1st then.

[KevinGage]

Suggested this before, he looks like he has all the attributes to do well in this league and is just coming into his prime. Probably within our range too as I don't think the top, top sides would go in for him.

Would prefer a more concrete link than caughtoffside.com though.

[JUAN PABLO]

So they have read Kevin gages posts on here

[PeterWithe]

For me he has'nt got the burst of acceleration that Delph has, hes not as good in the tackle as Delph is, and he has'nt got as good a shot as Delph has.

I'm with you in believing that we have got something special with Delph but his tackling is atrocious, he goes to ground far too easily and he looked like a booking or sending off was never too far away.

Easy to remedy all that though, my concern is that by the time he is fit again we might only have a season or two before his contract is up.

[Matt Collins]

Houllier linked with £10m young black French forward?

Alarm bells ahoy!

[BedsVillain]

With you on this one Kevin! Hoarau is quality striker, said it on here before, he's a more agile Big John, looks like him too! He's very tall but is as good with his feet as he is with his head...would be constantly praised by pundits for, 'Having a great touch for a big man!'

YOU TUBE CLIP

One of the more watchable youtube clips of him, but his best goal has to be the one at the fusbal table at the end. Quality!

If we were going to look for a long term 'big man' replacement for JC or Emile then I would love Hoarau, if not him then Fernando Llorente would be another quality choice!

[Shrek]

Llorente is a good player.

[KevinGage]

Llorente would be excellent but with Bilbao still maintaining a Basque only policy I couldn't see them letting him go, unless it was for silly money.

Hoarau's team mate at PSG Sessegnon is well worth a look too. But we're probably covered for attacking midfielders.