Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[PaulTheVillan]

I've read Jonas Olsson hates living in the midlands and wants to get a contract in Spain.

[OCD]

Of the names mentioned today, Clyne would be the only one I would seriously consider.

As for Given, I would prefer we sell Given and give Guzan a new contract with him becoming no.1. I might be on my own there though.

[pedro25]

I wouldn't be averse to letting Given go and taking a punt on a new younger goalie on lower wages

[ASHTONVILLA]

I would certainly let Given go if offered what we paid for him or more. Big wages, injured a lot for a goalie, and not going to get any better as he ages through his overly-long contract. We actually looked better with Guzan in goal last season, so not convinced he is as good as his reputation either.

[tomd2103]

Of the names mentioned today, Clyne would be the only one I would seriously consider.

As for Given, I would prefer we sell Given and give Guzan a new contract with him becoming no.1. I might be on my own there though.

Personally think Naughton from Spurs (been on laon at Norwich this season) could be a better bet than Clyne.

As for Given, I agree that moving him on if we get a good price could be a wise move.  Ben Foster will be available this summer and represents a much better investment in my opinion.

[OCD]

Naughton would be another that I would look at too.

[ozzjim]

It would be bold, but if we could keep Guzan it would be worth selling given if offered over 5 million.

[tomd2103]

Naughton would be another that I would look at too.

We also need a left back, so who would you look at for that position?  In Britain, I really like Neil Taylor at Swansea and Izaguirre at Celtic.  Both are comfortable on the ball and Izaguirre in particular is a great crosser of a ball.  Taylor is a more of a solid full-back whereas Izaguirre really likes to bomb on.  Olsson from Blackburn could be another option.

[OCD]

I haven't seen enough of Neil Taylor to have an opinion on him. Each summer I draw up a list of players I would sign if I were the manager and I do have Izaguirre down on that list as the senior left back. Admittedly though, my knowledge of foreign players is on par with Martin O'Neill's so although my list is all British based, I tend to use it to just illustrate the type of player I would want and assume that there would be a better option available abroad.

Incidentally, on my list I moved Chris Herd to right back with Lichaj as his direct competition so that I could strengthen the midfield. As such, I don't have Clyne or Naughton but I do rate them.

[tomd2103]

I haven't seen enough of Neil Taylor to have an opinion on him. Each summer I draw up a list of players I would sign if I were the manager and I do have Izaguirre down on that list as the senior left back. Admittedly though, my knowledge of foreign players is on par with Martin O'Neill's so although my list is all British based, I tend to use it to just illustrate the type of player I would want and assume that there would be a better option available abroad.

Incidentally, on my list I moved Chris Herd to right back with Lichaj as his direct competition so that I could strengthen the midfield.

My one concern about Izaguirre is his defending.  In all fairness, the level of opposition he comes up against in Scotland is nowhere near what he would face in the Premiership and although I think the attacking side of his game would stand up, I am not sure about the defensive side.  Celtic haven't satyed in Europe long enough the past few seasons to have a look at him at that level either!!  I know Lennon switches to a 3-5-2 (legacy of MON there!!) sometimes and he plays wing-back in that formation.  After seeing Wigan play a similar formation, I wonder if that would suit us next season.  Bring in two flying wingbacks and have a back three of a new signing, Collins or Dunne and Clark.

 

[OCD]

Izaguirre has had some bad injury problems which would be another concern but I think it would be easier to coach an attacking left back to make them better at defending than the reverse. The good thing about Izaguirre being injured is that I think it's allowed one of their kids to come through who has impressed which might mean they put up less of a fight to keep Izaguirre.

I would want us to play a variation of a 4-3-3 system with a contintenal/passing style of play which I suspect would be how OGS would set-up.

[ozzjim]

An attacking left back, right back, solid centre half and at least 1 strong midfield player are needed. I still think Ole will be looking at 2-3 bosmans, but he will be a draw to some players for sure. If he is given 20-25 million to spend it will be interesting to see what he gets.

[FatSam]

Daily Mail reckon that QPR want Shay Given.

I'd let him go if a decent offer came in, and go for Isaksson on a free.

[tomd2103]

Izaguirre has had some bad injury problems which would be another concern but I think it would be easier to coach an attacking left back to make them better at defending than the reverse. The good thing about Izaguirre being injured is that I think it's allowed one of their kids to come through who has impressed which might mean they put up less of a fight to keep Izaguirre.

I would want us to play a variation of a 4-3-3 system with a contintenal/passing style of play which I suspect would be how OGS would set-up.

That is the formation I would ideally like too.  A back four, two holding midfielders in front, an attacking midfielder with a free role and then two players either side of a goal scoring centre forward.  In that formation, the two full backs would provide the width and the two players either side of the centre forward would find the spaces inside.  When you look at the players we have, you could say that our better players (Ireland, Bent, N'Zogbia) would fit that system perfectly.

[Concrete John]

For a while last summer people were talking about how time was up for Big Brad, but he went on to be a regular in a better team than ours.  Given is a fine keeper and, other than Bent, the last person we should be thinking about selling.

Fulbacks wise, I'd settle for just a LB.  Lichaj needs his chance, so I'd rotate him with Hutton, who isn't as bad as some make out, and see if one of them can make the position his own.  If not, then it's one to address in the summer 2013 window.