Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[eastie]

On the downing thread some Liverpool itk has posted a fee agreed undisclosed and medical has been arranged - we await with baited breath- not!

[KevinGage]

They've been saying that kind of pap since about the end of May.  I wouldn't be completely stunned if we're still hearing it up until Aug 31st.

[supertom]

The sooner we get rid of Downing the better. I'm sick of hearing about him and his ability doesn't warrant so much attention. He can happily join a long, long list of "Meh!" players to have donned our shirt. He's not fit to lace Ash's boots, and I don't think Ash was all that either. At least not as good as he thought he was. I do however miss him.

[hartman_1982]

Diego has not been invited to the Wolfsburg official team photo.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

The sooner we get rid of Downing the better. I'm sick of hearing about him and his ability doesn't warrant so much attention. He can happily join a long, long list of "Meh!" players to have donned our shirt. He's not fit to lace Ash's boots, and I don't think Ash was all that either. At least not as good as he thought he was. I do however miss him.

We're bound to miss someone who has been a permanent fixture in our side for 4 seasons...but, this gives us a chance to develop a broader, more varied way of playing. It's just that we need the players to do it! Agreed tom, very happy to see the back of Downing but we must go out and use the money to get someone who will make a bigger impact on the way we play not a lesser one....someone like Milner (if only!!) or a Parker type could help us to do that, and I don't think will ever let us down, as well as helping to bring some of the kids on. We seem to be dallying around a great deal....I can only assume there's stuff being sorted in the background before anything becomes public. We are a very "private" club remember!

[murgsy]

Diego has not been invited to the Wolfsburg official team photo.

Spurs will probably get him for half of Modric's fee

[ozzjim]

Predictably depressing eh murgsy. I just wish I would wake up and we are signing a couple of really exciting footballers that you just know will put Bent in time and time again. For the first time in years we have a great centre forward, but with sweet FA creativity behind him, even more so if Downing goes too.

[olaftab]

Not been around for couple of days. Have we signed Given?

[murgsy]

Predictably depressing eh murgsy. I just wish I would wake up and we are signing a couple of really exciting footballers that you just know will put Bent in time and time again. For the first time in years we have a great centre forward, but with sweet FA creativity behind him, even more so if Downing goes too.

sorry for the pessimism....

[paul_e]

the line up that was posted on the last page is missing the most important element in a line up like that.  You need a Walker style full back on the side opposite your winger who gets beyond the midfielder on that side.  If you get that right (with a more defensive full back the other side) you can do really well out of it.

I'm not comparing players but simply the style but this is key to the right side of the barca team.  Messi can wander all over the pitch but they still have that side open as an option because Alves is possibly the most athletic player ever.  They then play a much more defensive left back in Abidal who steps across to cover in the centre if the opposition get in behind alves.

With Young and Cuellar we have the solid defensive full back behind Albrighton but even at his best I don't see Warnock being able to play the bombing forward role.  Of the current squad I think Delph would be the best bet with Bannan taking his place in the centre.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

the line up that was posted on the last page is missing the most important element in a line up like that.  You need a Walker style full back on the side opposite your winger who gets beyond the midfielder on that side.  If you get that right (with a more defensive full back the other side) you can do really well out of it.

I'm not comparing players but simply the style but this is key to the right side of the barca team.  Messi can wander all over the pitch but they still have that side open as an option because Alves is possibly the most athletic player ever.  They then play a much more defensive left back in Abidal who steps across to cover in the centre if the opposition get in behind alves.

With Young and Cuellar we have the solid defensive full back behind Albrighton but even at his best I don't see Warnock being able to play the bombing forward role.  Of the current squad I think Delph would be the best bet with Bannan taking his place in the centre.

Without thinking about the Barca model, this is pretty much what I was advocating earlier...we need players/a team who can give us a balanced and varied way of playing and where our defence and midfield are equally at home in their own position or covering for a team mate who's gone forward/been pulled out of position. 2 wingers - too predictable. We did a lot of predictable stuff under MON and before the latter part of last season...teams knew how to play/nullify us...and it wasn't difficult. Use the loss of Ash (and potentially Downing) to remould the team in a more varied and balanced way...interesting that Ron Saunders said in his 3rd interview slot that the key advice he could give to a team coach is "shape". And I think we all know exactly what he means!

[JUAN PABLO]

the line up that was posted on the last page is missing the most important element in a line up like that.  You need a Walker style full back on the side opposite your winger who gets beyond the midfielder on that side.  If you get that right (with a more defensive full back the other side) you can do really well out of it.

Thats alright , we have Beye ..

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

the line up that was posted on the last page is missing the most important element in a line up like that.  You need a Walker style full back on the side opposite your winger who gets beyond the midfielder on that side.  If you get that right (with a more defensive full back the other side) you can do really well out of it.

Thats alright , we have Beye ..

Yes, but WHY?

[JUAN PABLO]

the line up that was posted on the last page is missing the most important element in a line up like that.  You need a Walker style full back on the side opposite your winger who gets beyond the midfielder on that side.  If you get that right (with a more defensive full back the other side) you can do really well out of it.

Thats alright , we have Beye ..

Yes, but WHY?

not sure , MON thought he was worth all the millions..

[ASHTONVILLA]

With Young and Cuellar we have the solid defensive full back behind Albrighton but even at his best I don't see Warnock being able to play the bombing forward role.  Of the current squad I think Delph would be the best bet with Bannan taking his place in the centre.

It wouldn't surprise me if he played Warnock in midfield. He played as a defensive midfielder quite a lot at Blackburn and now NRC has departed we are just as hard up for defensive midfield players as we are left backs.