January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[Merv]

I agree. It's for two months; Keane gets to stay competitive during a period he'd otherwise not be playing, we get the option of being able to use a striker of undoubted quality (albeit perhaps now past his prime), and given the state of our squad, we can't turn our noses up.

We could do with a central midfield player, mind.

[Mazrim]

Robbie Keane will be no different to having say a Craig Bellamy, just with a better reputation. He'll be used sparingly yet will keep Gabby and Bent on their toes, will offer far more than Heskey and Fonz and is a different type of striker to what we have right now. He will add some enthusiasm to the club and will want to do well to stay sharp ahead of the Euros. He has significant experience at this level, and is a short term commitment on the part of the club. He's not on a massive salary - around £35 grand a week at LA, and we might not even be paying all of it.

I'd be concerned if this was a permanent signing, but it's not. There's no lose in this situation because if it doesn't work he goes back. If it does then great. The worst thing would be if ends up somewhere else and does well, and we'd be asking why we didn't take advantage of the situation?

In a nutshell.
Maybe Weimann gets another loan deal somewhere for a couple of months or if God truly hasn't abandoned us we pack Heskey off to MON.

[Toronto Villa]

Robbie Keane will be no different to having say a Craig Bellamy, just with a better reputation. He'll be used sparingly yet will keep Gabby and Bent on their toes, will offer far more than Heskey and Fonz and is a different type of striker to what we have right now. He will add some enthusiasm to the club and will want to do well to stay sharp ahead of the Euros. He has significant experience at this level, and is a short term commitment on the part of the club. He's not on a massive salary - around £35 grand a week at LA, and we might not even be paying all of it.

I'd be concerned if this was a permanent signing, but it's not. There's no lose in this situation because if it doesn't work he goes back. If it does then great. The worst thing would be if ends up somewhere else and does well, and we'd be asking why we didn't take advantage of the situation?

In a nutshell.
Maybe Weimann gets another loan deal somewhere for a couple of months or if God truly hasn't abandoned us we pack Heskey off to MON.

I'd like to see Fonz on loan also because his confidence looks shot. He needs a half season or at least a few months playing in the Championship to get him some goals. It's easy to forget how prolific he was coming through the ranks. He needs to get that belief back.

[Olneythelonely]

Bellamy is far, far better than Keane.

[garyshawsknee]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

[Concrete John]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

His role, should he come, would be as a straiker off the bench to change a game and/or get us a goal.  He's a different player to the two you mention, so I'd like both options on the bench and choose which is best during the game.

[ozzjim]

But 12 months ago you would have been pushed to get a taker for a Bellamy hardly lighting up trees in the Chamipionship, he has only recovered form due to being used sparingly by Liverpool and because the rest of their options have been so poor. Not convinced Keane is that much worse to be honest.


Looking at who we are being linked with, there is part of me that says in the summer when Beye, Cuellar, Heskey etc leave and the wage bill comes down further, that we should spend 20 ish million on replacements from the lower leagues, try and get some value for money at young ish ages and see how they do.

For example, if we got a bid of 25 million plus for Bent, had Gabby up on his own, would 3-4 million on Jordan Rhodes be a viable alternative if we are never going to play to Bents strengths? It depresses me, but maybe if re-invested wisely it wouldn't be so bad. I would certainly be more than happy to see us let Warnock, Dunne and Collins go and replace them with the sorts he did at Blues, getting the next Dann, Johnson etc.

[Mazrim]

Fuck Bellamy. He isnt available for a short loan deal and Keane is.

[garyshawsknee]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

His role, should he come, would be as a straiker off the bench to change a game and/or get us a goal.  He's a different player to the two you mention, so I'd like both options on the bench and choose which is best during the game.

I hope you're right John,I don't think he can be much influence on games anymore,of course,if he does,ill be the first to say it was a great signing!

[Toronto Villa]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

Bellamy was playing Championship football last season and has only this season come back to Liverpool. He's got a proven record, and as Bellamy showed the other night still has the ability to make a difference given the opportunity. Plus, he is still playing for his country at a good level. He's not an every game forward anymore I'll grant you that, but he still has enough left in the tank to make a difference off the bench or based on specific circumstances.

[ozzjim]

Fuck Bellamy. He isnt available for a short loan deal and Keane is.

There is that. I am a bit depressed with football today. Randy should put some of us in charge.

[Concrete John]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

Bellamy was playing Championship football last season and has only this season come back to Liverpool. He's got a proven record, and as Bellamy showed the other night still has the ability to make a difference given the opportunity. Plus, he is still playing for his country at a good level. He's not an every game forward anymore I'll grant you that, but he still has enough left in the tank to make a difference off the bench or based on specific circumstances.

Not sure that makes a good anti-Keane argument given that he'll be in the Euros this summer with Ireland and Bellamy won't?

[Toronto Villa]

I think you're doing an injustice to Bellamy TV,Keane has been off Premier league standard for two or three years now. I'd rather have Ireland or Bannan playing in his role.

Bellamy was playing Championship football last season and has only this season come back to Liverpool. He's got a proven record, and as Bellamy showed the other night still has the ability to make a difference given the opportunity. Plus, he is still playing for his country at a good level. He's not an every game forward anymore I'll grant you that, but he still has enough left in the tank to make a difference off the bench or based on specific circumstances.

Not sure that makes a good anti-Keane argument given that he'll be in the Euros this summer with Ireland and Bellamy won't?

Not sure I'm following you John, so sorry if I'm getting this wrong. I'm not anti-Keane. I'm pro Keane and I think the fact that he is playing at the Euros will make him want to do well and stay sharp.

[Concrete John]

In that case - my bad!

[garyshawsknee]

I think City didn't wanna loan him to another PL team,and he wanted to play for Cardiff,whereas Keane was only interesting desperate West Ham and then had no takers after his inept displays for them.

I suppose I should point out that my views are clouded by an irrational hatred of Keane....still don't think he's good enough.