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

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Whittingham was a superb crosser of the ball, but had little else to speak of.
Really wouldn't want him back, we've got the 2012 remix with Albrighton anyway.

[Hookeysmith]

Although the comparisons with PL to MON are pretty obvious the main difference was that MON liked to go for the fading established players (Heskey / Dunne / Collins / Warnock et al) and get the last drop of performances out of them where as PL has not been a buyer of established named players previously and has relied on finding young / hungry players from lower divisions and moulding them into decent performers. Now this with PL could be that he has never been in the position to spend big amounts on "named" players but he already put his stake in the ground when he said quotes along the lines of "Hungry"  "Not motivated by money" in reference to players - that almost negates any current premiership stars.
MON threw Marc Albrighton into the team but i feel that was more of the fact that he wanted natural wingers and Robertson worked heavily on his crossing ability which sadly he seems to have lost 2 seasons ago.

I expect to be underwhelmed with a lot of the players that PL goes for but i am more than happy to let him have time to turn them into some little gems. It will however be interesting how he does deal with the established, been around the block, pro's we have there already and whether they respond to his methods and style of play.
The last 2 incumbants have insisted on playing gabby as a winger yet if he is really going to shine it has to be as a stiker - will be interesting to see what PL has planned for him.

Most team managers crave to have a goal machine as their striker - well Mr lambert is very lucky that we have one of the best - how he is utlised and fed will be interesting to see

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

I think we should be looking at bringing in real quality for our first team rather than padding out the squad with players who are no better than what we already have. I think quality should be the priority in this window, with any padding that's needed coming in January. Most injuries seem to hit in the second half of the season, we should be looking at getting off to a great start and leaving ourselves with room to beef up the squad in January.

I think squad players should come from the youth set-up with transfer funds/wages saved for bringing in the type of genuine quality that it is difficult to produce consistently in house (but who's addition might benefit the development of younger players). Is Whittingham a good signing and efficient use of resources? Meh, I don't think so.

Someone talking sense at last, we don't need to buy in squad fillers. Leave that to the academy and let them show that they can or can't be left out.
Only buy in two or three "nailed on starters" then let the rest fight for the places that are left.

[James]

Just catching up with this thread, here's my tuppence worth on the recent conversations:

Shay Given - QPR look set to sign Rob Green, which probably ends any speculation over the departure of our keeper. I can't see anyone else taking him, and here's a thought, why would he want to go and walk away from the contract he has with us?

Simon Poulsen - Wanted by Ajax apparently, which doesn't mean that we shouldn't go for him, but probably means that we won't get him.

Vurnon Anita - Newcastle have been quoted £8m for him apparently. Is he worth that? I don't know much about him.

Peter Whittingham - Twice turned down moves to PL last season and season before. Boggies were one of the clubs, don't recall the other. If the fee/wages were reasonable why not? Tidy, if unspectacular player but a beautiful left foot!

As for others, well, I think Dunne, Warnock, Collins could all be on their way as they have only a year left on their contracts and they are hugely overpaid. Regarding Stephen Ireland, if he wants out don't stand in his way if the fee is right! I wouldn't be too surprised to see Bannan and Fonz shifted out too.

All of the above, is of course, only my opinion!

[pedro25]

Although the comparisons with PL to MON are pretty obvious the main difference was that MON liked to go for the fading established players (Heskey / Dunne / Collins / Warnock et al) and get the last drop of performances out of them where as PL has not been a buyer of established named players previously and has relied on finding young / hungry players from lower divisions and moulding them into decent performers. Now this with PL could be that he has never been in the position to spend big amounts on "named" players but he already put his stake in the ground when he said quotes along the lines of "Hungry"  "Not motivated by money" in reference to players - that almost negates any current premiership stars.
MON threw Marc Albrighton into the team but i feel that was more of the fact that he wanted natural wingers and Robertson worked heavily on his crossing ability which sadly he seems to have lost 2 seasons ago.

I expect to be underwhelmed with a lot of the players that PL goes for but i am more than happy to let him have time to turn them into some little gems. It will however be interesting how he does deal with the established, been around the block, pro's we have there already and whether they respond to his methods and style of play.
The last 2 incumbants have insisted on playing gabby as a winger yet if he is really going to shine it has to be as a stiker - will be interesting to see what PL has planned for him.

Most team managers crave to have a goal machine as their striker - well Mr lambert is very lucky that we have one of the best - how he is utlised and fed will be interesting to see

I agree Gabby should play up top with Bent, which probably leaves Holman and N'Zogbia wide with Albrighton as back up, ok so far, the problem is central midfield.  You'd have to probably say Herd and Ireland right now, with Clark, Bannan, Delph, Makoun and Gardner in reserve.  Several options, but any two looks like a weak midfield, a 3 would be stronger.  If we buy a new centre mid or 2 we would have to shift 2 or 3 of the current options, which wont be easy.

[Concrete John]

Can't agree with the 'fading established players' bit as MON's main transfer strategy.  Other than Heskey and Dunne, did he sign a player over 30, other than the short term Agathe/Sutton deals?  And you mention Collins as an example, who was 25 when we signed him.  Warnock was 27 and other than that we had a lot in the mid to lowe 20s (NRC, Ash, Milner, Downing, Davies). 

[Risso]

Can't agree with the 'fading established players' bit as MON's main transfer strategy.  Other than Heskey and Dunne, did he sign a player over 30, other than the short term Agathe/Sutton deals?  And you mention Collins as an example, who was 25 when we signed him.  Warnock was 27 and other than that we had a lot in the mid to lowe 20s (NRC, Ash, Milner, Downing, Davies). 

I think the likes of Harewood, Carew, Luke Young and Petrov were all late 20s when signed.  Not past it, but certainly not "young".

[QBVILLA]

Can't agree with the 'fading established players' bit as MON's main transfer strategy.  Other than Heskey and Dunne, did he sign a player over 30, other than the short term Agathe/Sutton deals?  And you mention Collins as an example, who was 25 when we signed him.  Warnock was 27 and other than that we had a lot in the mid to lowe 20s (NRC, Ash, Milner, Downing, Davies). 

I think the likes of Harewood, Carew, Luke Young and Petrov were all late 20s when signed.  Not past it, but certainly not "young".

I thought they were all 27, apart from Young when we signed them? Approaching their prime (allegedly)

[nigel]

Whittingham was a superb crosser of the ball, but had little else to speak of.
Really wouldn't want him back, we've got the 2012 remix with Albrighton anyway.

have to say, Rip Van, that Albrightons crossing was pretty awful last season.

[Toronto Villa]

With Lambert I'm going to be a lot less concerned about the current "name" or reputation of the player as compared to what he might do upon arrival and his ability to to bust a bollock for the cause. Whittingham has ability and is a much more developed and mature player than when he left. If Lambert thinks he adds quality, balance and desire then I'll back it all the way. I'll take that sort of signing than a player with a more established reputation coming here and taking the piss while being paid handsomely for 3 or 4 years.

[N'ZMAV]

Whittingham was a superb crosser of the ball, but had little else to speak of.
Really wouldn't want him back, we've got the 2012 remix with Albrighton anyway.

have to say, Rip Van, that Albrightons crossing was pretty awful last season.

Albrighton couldn't cross a fucking road.

[nigel]

Whittingham was a superb crosser of the ball, but had little else to speak of.
Really wouldn't want him back, we've got the 2012 remix with Albrighton anyway.

have to say, Rip Van, that Albrightons crossing was pretty awful last season.

Albrighton couldn't cross a fucking road.

Didn't want to be thaat blunt N'ZMAV 

[Irish villain]

I'm glad you feel the same GordanCowansIsTheGreatest. Lets improve our quality, replace anybody that leaves, and then start looking to strengthen the squad.

I'm not sure the lack of squad players such as Peter Whittingham was the reason we were still fighting the drop in April.

[PaulWinch again]

I think we should be looking at bringing in real quality for our first team rather than padding out the squad with players who are no better than what we already have. I think quality should be the priority in this window, with any padding that's needed coming in January. Most injuries seem to hit in the second half of the season, we should be looking at getting off to a great start and leaving ourselves with room to beef up the squad in January.

I think squad players should come from the youth set-up with transfer funds/wages saved for bringing in the type of genuine quality that it is difficult to produce consistently in house (but who's addition might benefit the development of younger players). Is Whittingham a good signing and efficient use of resources? Meh, I don't think so.

I'm agreed on that, we need quality not much of the same.

[tomd2103]

I'm glad you feel the same GordanCowansIsTheGreatest. Lets improve our quality, replace anybody that leaves, and then start looking to strengthen the squad.

I'm not sure the lack of squad players such as Peter Whittingham was the reason we were still fighting the drop in April.

The problem we have had the past two seasons is that injuries to experienced players have left us relying on the younger players for considerable periods of the season.  During those periods in the past two seasons, we have tumbled towards the relegation zone.  With that in mind, I personally would be looking at building a solid squad first and foremost.  Once we have a solid squad, then I think we should be looking to add the quality players who can take us to the next level.