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

[Rick_avfc]

Out of the current crop that have broken into the 1st team, i have been very impressed with Herd and hope he can develop into the central midfielder we have been crying out for. 

[Dante Lavelli]

I think we need to get 2 personally. One to replace Petrov, and 1 to replace Makoun. Both need to be athletic, and have an ability to carry the ball a bit too.

If we were having this discussion 12 months ago I'd agree, but with Herd's form this season I'm more than happy to use him more. 

Me too.  There is also Clark who can play DCM.

In a strange way, I think it can be a good thing feeling a player short in some positions.  Not only can we not afford to have two players for each position I think psychology it means that everyone feels completely involved and engaged.  Having players like Beye around the place cannot be a good thing for the culture of the squad.

When Mourinho took over at Chelsea he said the same thing and resisted/declined players from Abramovich, and he should know he has a degree in psychology. 

[ozzjim]

I agree herd has been a revelation this season but without Petrov we have had no experience in there. I think a move for a top holding player along with someone like Guthrie on a free makes sense. Especially as we may play three in there a lot of the time.

[Dante Lavelli]

I agree herd has been a revelation this season but without Petrov we have had no experience in there. I think a move for a top holding player along with someone like Guthrie on a free makes sense. Especially as we may play three in there a lot of the time.

Good point.  In that case I would still prefer a decent player on loan so we’re not obliged to pay their wages for the next three/four years.  Names that spring to mind Van Bommel, Gattuso, Granero, Lassa Diarra or maybe even Frimpong.  Oh I forgot, depending on what money Man City throw at it, Milner or Barry might be an option as loans.

[Mazrim]

Flamini?

[olaftab]

Out of the current crop that have broken into the 1st team, i have been very impressed with Herd and hope he can develop into the central midfielder we have been crying out for. 

Herd will be a star man in PL next season and if we don't improve I can see him on vulture's list in 12 months time.

[tomd2103]

I agree herd has been a revelation this season but without Petrov we have had no experience in there. I think a move for a top holding player along with someone like Guthrie on a free makes sense. Especially as we may play three in there a lot of the time.

OK, he may not be in the "top" category, but I've been impressed with James McCarthy from Wigan this season.  He's only young, but he competes well in midfield and is decent on the ball.  Another option could be Huddlestone at Spurs.  He is not getting a look in this season, but has got definite quality on the ball.     

[Matt Collins]

I agree with others that midfield should be the priority. I know we've struggled to get goals and defend consistently / for set pieces. But a lot of this can be attributed to the weak quality from midfield, having the ball for the minority of the game and inviting so much pressure on us. Remember the Arsenal game at home? After 11 2nd half corners, a goal was always more likely.

We need a combination of good running power, quality on the ball and confidence. Names I like that we may be able to get, depending on resources available:
- Stuart Holden
- Sigurdsson
- Livermore
- Kranjcar
- James Morrison
- Lansbury
- and possibly Steven Defour, not sure if he's doing ok again after his injury? actually, he seems to be at Porto?

And in wide options:
- Dyer
- Kightly
- Matt Phillips
- Dembele (or probably best as a second striker, would love Dempsey, but can't see him coming, ditto Hoillett)

[PaulWinch again]

I agree with others that midfield should be the priority. I know we've struggled to get goals and defend consistently / for set pieces. But a lot of this can be attributed to the weak quality from midfield, having the ball for the minority of the game and inviting so much pressure on us. Remember the Arsenal game at home? After 11 2nd half corners, a goal was always more likely.

We need a combination of good running power, quality on the ball and confidence. Names I like that we may be able to get, depending on resources available:
- Stuart Holden
- Sigurdsson
- Livermore
- Kranjcar
- James Morrison
- Lansbury
- and possibly Steven Defour, not sure if he's doing ok again after his injury? actually, he seems to be at Porto?

And in wide options:
- Dyer
- Kightly
- Matt Phillips
- Dembele (or probably best as a second striker, would love Dempsey, but can't see him coming, ditto Hoillett)

I don't have a problem with some of those suggestions particularly Sigurdsson. But I'd really like us to look outside the Premier League, we can get quality and value for money abroad(I realise Defour is on that list too).

[PeterWithe]

Which Dyer?

[ozzjim]

Flamini?

Would be ideal. McCarthy is a good player too at Wigan and would fit in well.

Ideal world a pair of Flamini and Sigurdson would be awesome, but never likely to happen.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Sigurdson and Dyer won't come to us in the current circumstances. Sig's lot want 10 million for him apparently and I can imagine Swansea wanting a lot of dosh for Dyer.

[Matt C]

Sigurdson will be beyond us now I suspect and will end up playing in the Champions League - we need to unearth the unknown.

[Matt Collins]

I also agree that better value may exist abroad. I just don't know enough foreign based players apart from the superstars! (it's amazing, since meeting my now wife, my knowledge of foreign footballers and my ability at Pro Evo / Fifa have deteriorated markedly)

[pedro25]

I agree about Huddlestone, he and Ireland should be nicely on the same wavelengh, with Herd providing the energy I think that could be a decent middle 3 to supply N'Zogbia, Holman and Bent.