January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[The Laughing Policeman]

On the way home from the Manure game I heard a rumour that Bent was 'injured' because a deal has already been struck with QPR for him. As I say it's only a rumour. But QPR are a club with money to spend, and Bent's injury which AM said at the time would clear up in time for the next game seems to have dragged on for a little while now.
I've heard the same rumour a couple of times now. So I'm just putting one plus one together and hopefully making three.

[Aston Manor]

Chelsea is still my bet. Anelka gone. Torres not in form and need a league goalscorer, plus could afford him.


I saw the Pienaar thing Mal, think he would be a brilliant signing for us.

Maybe Pienaar of a couple of seasons ago but not now. Taken one crock from Spurs (Jenas who I think is going to be a permanent signing for us) so I can't see why we should take another from them.

[Aston Manor]

On the way home from the Manure game I heard a rumour that Bent was 'injured' because a deal has already been struck with QPR for him. As I say it's only a rumour. But QPR are a club with money to spend, and Bent's injury which AM said at the time would clear up in time for the next game seems to have dragged on for a little while now.
I've heard the same rumour a couple of times now. So I'm just putting one plus one together and hopefully making three.

Maybe, maybe not. But I cannot believe we for one second would drop our goalscorer because of a transfer to anyone let alone QPR. We need wins so McLeish knowing he is under pressure would allow such a playing ban to happen at the say so of QPR? Rather unlikely.

[Chris Smith]

On the way home from the Manure game I heard a rumour that Bent was 'injured' because a deal has already been struck with QPR for him. As I say it's only a rumour. But QPR are a club with money to spend, and Bent's injury which AM said at the time would clear up in time for the next game seems to have dragged on for a little while now.
I've heard the same rumour a couple of times now. So I'm just putting one plus one together and hopefully making three.

So why did he play the next week against Bolton?

[SoccerHQ]

Two targets I'd go after in January would be Samba and Nedum Onouha.

I keep on mentioning Samba but look at his performance at Anfield yesterday, was heading away practically every cross so I'm sure we wouldn't concede as many set piece goals if we had someone like him in central defence. Offer Blackburn 5m + Collins.

Onouha has slipped out of the picture at City so I can't imagine they'd be asking that much for him, maybe 4m which is the same as we signed Hutton for. Onouha is better and can play at centre back aswell. He was pretty good on loan at Sunderland last season.

As for the rest of the side, I wouldn't get a new striker in as I believe Bent isn't leaving until the summer.

I dread to think what sort of central midfielder McLeish is going to come up with.

[Chris Smith]

Onouha makes Cuellar look like John Gidman. He's a good athlete but a poor footballer.

Blackburn aren't going to sell Samba. The fans already hate the manager, they'd lynch him on the Fernurst car park if he sold their best player.

[Holte L2]

Sell Heskey for a cut price fee and give Delfounso the chance in the second half of season. Sink or swim for him as he has been around the first squad for a while now.

I'd go with this.  He cannot be much worse than Heskey and he deserves a run in the team to prove himself (one way or another).  The last thing we want is a Cahill situation just because we are desperate to shoe horn Heskey in the team all the time.

As would I. If Delfoneuso can physical strength to his game, I think he'll make it. he's good on the ball and can finish.

[ROBBO]

I don't know what any of you have seen that makes you think Delfounso is going to make a premier league player.
He has had numerous chances and never given me the impression he is going to make it, another Luke Moore who will make a living in the lower divisions. Get Samba please.

[KRS]

Havent read much of this thread, so I'd like to throw Dempseys name into the "wish list". He's the kind of midfielder we need right who could contribute with both goals and creativity from the middle of the pitch. A few weeks ago there were rumours that he was unhappy and unsettled so would be a great signing if we could bring him in.

Selling Bent is not an option and hope all these rumours are far from the truth although there are reports that he has had a bust up with AM.

[Gareth]

Dempsey is a decent Premiership player but personally if we are shopping at Craven Cottage I'd prefer to return with Dembele

[Risso]

I don't know what any of you have seen that makes you think Delfounso is going to make a premier league player.
He has had numerous chances and never given me the impression he is going to make it, another Luke Moore who will make a living in the lower divisions. Get Samba please.

I'm with you on Delfouneso unfortunately.  He just doesn't look good enough at all I'm afraid.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't know what any of you have seen that makes you think Delfounso is going to make a premier league player.
He has had numerous chances and never given me the impression he is going to make it, another Luke Moore who will make a living in the lower divisions. Get Samba please.

I'm with you on Delfouneso unfortunately.  He just doesn't look good enough at all I'm afraid.

He just looks out of his depth, sadly.

We have to be realistic, and the majority of our kids are not going to make it. He's 21 soon and at the age where you'd expect him to have shown something, but he really hasn't.

[Greg N'Ash]

i'd rather we kept our powder dry to the summer than splurge out on the likes of Dempsey. Now it looks likely we'll finish 10th or lower but not relegated i'd assume they'd be better options in May when the likes of  petrov are let go. We need strengthening all over the stop really and though i'd like this midfielder in i'm not hopeful we'll get what we want.

[Dante Lavelli]

i'd rather we kept our powder dry to the summer than splurge out on the likes of Dempsey. Now it looks likely we'll finish 10th or lower but not relegated i'd assume they'd be better options in May when the likes of  petrov are let go. We need strengthening all over the stop really and though i'd like this midfielder in i'm not hopeful we'll get what we want.

We'd be paying the ceiling price for Dempsey so it's a no from me.

With regard to The Fonz.  He would still be a reserve striker even without Heskey so it would not be as if we're completely reliant on his ability (or otherwise).  I just think it is time to twist on him or fold.  He could make a very nice life for himself being 4th choice striker but I'd prefer to either give him a chance (with us, or out on loan) to see how good/or bad he actually is.  He's earning too much money to be doing nothing and not being part of the playing squad.

[ozzjim]

I would take Dempsey with glee, but he would be way too expensive to make it a deal worth doing, and he must be 28 ish now.

I would much prefer the club adopt a stance of no incoming player, unless on a free and thus only costing wages on a maximum 3 year deal, being over the age of 26, preferably under 24. Thus giving time to grow, good sell on value and an opportunity to develop a team.