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

[OCD]

Someone like Izaguirre in a 4-3-3 set-up would certainly make us a lot more dynamic going forward and I would try to do something similar on the right side too. I'm torn between moving Herd to right back and having him and Lichaj fight it out for the position or to get a Clyne/Naughton type in to fight it out with Lichaj. I would get shot of Hutton as fast as possible along with Warnock, Dunne and Collins. I don't know whether it's possible to do in one summer but there's a lot of deadwood to get rid of.

We only have 7 games to judge Guzan on from last season but for those games Guzan really impressed me. Certainly more than Given did. Guzan seems to have a better rounded game and dominates his box a lot more than Given. The 2 Stoke games were good examples of that. Guzan came and caught crosses/throws and looked comfortable. Given looked panicked and totally uncomfortable. Given made some great saves and some of which kept us in the Premier League but that's what he is to me - a shot stopper. Given also tends to wait and then launches the ball whereas Guzan was looking to throw/roll it out more often so would be better suited to a passing game.

Either way, if he's released I will see it as a real shame and would be a great signing for somebody. One of the things I was never able to forgive McLeish for was to just cast Guzan aside because Given had returned to fitness. Guzan's performances should have kept him in the side at least a while longer. I hate it when players aren't picked on form and that decision has always irked me.

[TheSandman]

Wouldn't be unwilling to sell Given for the right price. He's on big money, on a long contract, is getting injuries and he's a bit overrated.

I expect, if we get OGS in as manager (as I expect) we will chiefly be signing Scandinavian players so we might see a few interesting names which many of us aren't familiar with coming in this summer. It will definitely be interesting.

[Concrete John]

One thing that bothers me is a manager coming in, to any club, and signing players largely from their old club, home country, etc.

It smacks of laziness and can be as limiting as MON's 'buy British' philosophy.

I have no problem with Ole signing Scandanavians, but I would with him signing Scandanavians and nobody else!

[tomd2103]

Someone like Izaguirre in a 4-3-3 set-up would certainly make us a lot more dynamic going forward and I would try to do something similar on the right side too. I'm torn between moving Herd to right back and having him and Lichaj fight it out for the position or to get a Clyne/Naughton type in to fight it out with Lichaj. I would get shot of Hutton as fast as possible along with Warnock, Dunne and Collins. I don't know whether it's possible to do in one summer but there's a lot of deadwood to get rid of.

Either way, if he's released I will see it as a real shame and would be a great signing for somebody. One of the things I was never able to forgive McLeish for was to just cast Guzan aside because Given had returned to fitness. Guzan's performances should have kept him in the side at least a while longer. I hate it when players aren't picked on form and that decision has always irked me.

I think all four should be moved on, as they are all on big money and we could find much better replacements for a lot less money.  As you say it might be too much to do in one go, but I would settle for just Dunne and Warnock leaving this summer.  Collins might do a bit better alongside another CB and Hutton probably should be given another chance.  Really want to see Clark given a chance at CB this coming season, with another CB coming in as cover for him and Collins (maybe Olsson from the Albion).

Really wouldn't be surprised to see Guzan head back to the MLS.

[OCD]

Not sure what to make of Clark. I really like his composure on the ball but he's looked a bit exposed in central defence. Baker looked excellent in the games he played in (Old Trafford mix-up aside, which I think Collins and Given had a part in) and may well have stepped ahead of Clark for that position. Clark might benefit more long-term from better learning the defensive midfield role.

[tomd2103]

Not sure what to make of Clark. I really like his composure on the ball but he's looked a bit exposed in central defence. Baker looked excellent in the games he played in (Old Trafford mix-up aside, which I think Collins and Given had a part in) and may well have stepped ahead of Clark for that position. Clark might benefit more long-term from better learning the defensive midfield role.

Can see where your coming from with that assessment OCD, though I can't remember Clark being given a run of games at CB.  He was tried at LB away at Wolves this season and had to be moved from there sharpish as Kightly was tearing him a new one.  I just think he is a bit negative when he plays in midfield and always passes sideways and backwards.     

[pedro25]

Agree OCD, I think a bit like Barry was, Clark is too slow for centre half, so centre mid might suit him better long term.

[OCD]

The Newcastle game sticks in my mind where Carroll was too much for him. Admittedly he could have improved since then but having seen Baker play a few games I think it highlighted the weaknesses in Clark's game.

I think it's sometimes necessary to make sideways and backward passes. I read an interesting interview with Brendan Rodgers recently where he said there are spells in a game where you're not really penetrating the opposition's defence but by continuing to move the ball around, your own players are recovering. The opposition obviously aren't going to score if they can't get hold of the ball too. Clark could well become our modern equivalent to Gareth Barry.

[Monty]

I still think Clark may well have something to offer at centre back. He had a bit of a horror show against Carroll, but that happens - I doubt many would turn down Vidic despite his huge struggles against Torres and Gabby - and he's young enough to learn. Hopefully, in our team, the roles of centre back and holding midfield won't be too different in terms of their roles in keeping the ball.

I think it's sometimes necessary to make sideways and backward passes. I read an interesting interview with Brendan Rodgers recently where he said there are spells in a game where you're not really penetrating the opposition's defence but by continuing to move the ball around, your own players are recovering. The opposition obviously aren't going to score if they can't get hold of the ball too. Clark could well become our modern equivalent to Gareth Barry.

It's a very Barca-esque idea, relaxing with the ball. Very enlightened, and requires huge amounts of practice to get that automated passing and moving on the go. For the time being, I'd settle for us attacking patiently with the ball on the deck. That's the first step, though that Barca style possession defending should be an aim.

[OCD]

I think that's the crux of the issue, Monty. We all want centre backs who are comfortable on the ball, which Clark certainly is and we just haven't seen enough of him at centre back to have a definite opinion on where he will end up playing. If he does prove himself as a centre back, it would mean having 2 very good, young, left sided centre backs. Ideally, I would prefer an experienced right sided centre back alongside one of Clark or Baker which would mean one losing out - unless one happened to become an accomplished defensive midfielder.

As for style of football, I'm just looking for us to become much better at retaining the ball before we start to look at any lofty ambitions. We started playing some nice stuff under Houllier but otherwise we've always been one of the worst sides for possession for as long as I can remember. Even Stoke had better possession stats than us when I saw the stats following the home game against them this season.

[Monty]

The passing stats which exposed Norwich's long-ball tendencies were very damning about us. We finished 16th for number of long balls per game, which is pretty good - until you see that we were also 18th for number of short passes per game. The conclusion? We just never had the ball. We were pathetic. It's about time someone came in and continued what Houllier tried to start.

I wouldn't mind having two left-sided centre backs. I mean, plenty - if not most - centre back partnerships are two right-sided players. I'm sure two left-siders, if they play well as defenders together, would be fine.

[OCD]

This season we reached new levels of awful but it's been going on for so long. Gregory - awful football, Taylor mk II - some football, O'Leary - just awful, O'Neill - predominantly long ball and counter attack, Houllier - he was trying to implement passing football, McLeish - non-football. It's no surprise the suggestion of a manger who wants his side to play football has been so popular.

It's not just that their left sided but also because they're both relatively inexperienced. Having 1 left sided centre back and 1 right sided centre back isn't essential but if we're looking to identify replacements for Collins, Dunne and Cuellar we might as well plan on a balanced partnership.

[Monty]

Yeah, not before time! Seeing how Swansea passed the ball around us with such ease really was humiliating.

I don't disagree on the experience issue, but I would emphasise other criteria of suitability over footedness. However, that player would probably end up being right-footed anyway, so it would all work out.

[Toronto Villa]

You could argue that Given kept us up with that incredible save at the Stripey's in the dying moments. That said, he's 36 and if we got our money back I'd be tempted to go for some big Scandanavian fucker with another big blonde battering ram right in front of him. It ain't Villa without a Scandanavian at CB. One thing Ole is going to realise is that the current lot are utterly pony at defending set pieces.

[JJ-AV]

If we got a big offer (£7m+) we should sell. But we'd need a replacement in mind. Offering Guzan a new deal as #1 is too risky, IMO.

Perhaps Fraiser Forster from Newcastle. Keep Guzan too and have a safety net then.