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

[hilts_coolerking]

Which country are 15th in the world rankings?

Greece.  Crikey.

[peter w]

Blimey. I doubt you call any of their players world-class never mind the keeper.

Greece? Really? Jesus.

[Dave]

Wouldn't being one of the top fifteen keepers in the world make you pretty much world class, anyway?

Hence the point about it being a hugely subjective term. Some would argue that 'world class' meant that if you were picking a 23 man squad (or even two 23 man squads) from all the players available from anywhere in the world then they would be good enough to qualify. Others would say that is too limited and would double that number, or triple it.

If one were to say that out of six billion people, someone is in the top fifteen of something then yes, they certainly are 'world class'. But if we're going on that sort of scope, you might as well say that the best fifty are. Or that the best hundred are all 'world class'. And you're then in the murky waters of Stephen Warnock potentially being a 'world class' left back.

[Dan England]

Blimey. I doubt you call any of their players world-class never mind the keeper.

Greece? Really? Jesus.

Sad thing is they have won more than England in the last 40 years.

[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. 

With a bit more quality in midfield to both supply Bent and protect the defence we could have had at least four extra wins (I'm thinking QPR, Swansea, Wolves at home and Wigan away, not to mention West Brom at home and possibly Fulham away) under our belt by the time Bent got injured. That's 8 extra points which is significant and would have pretty much seen us safe. I think Gardner, Bannan, Caruthers, Herd, Weimann, Baker etc would have been much more comfortable coming into a side that was already safe. We must remember, they were thrown in at the deep-end of a relegation scrap .

Plus, we should remember that those players all have a year's (tough) experience under their collective belts now. I stick to my original point, if we have some money to spend we should sign some genuine midfield quality and replace bodies that leave with Bosmans/loans.

Agree with your points, particularly the need for a quality central midfielder.  I am hoping that Makoun and Delph will come good and save us a bit of money, but I still think we need one or maybe even two additions in there.  I really like what I have seen of James McCarthy at Wigan and he would be one player I'd be willing to spend a bit of money on with maybe a cheaper, more experienced player coming in as well (Steven Davis from Rangers could be an option).

[Irish villain]

Well I think Given is one of the best 'keepers in the Premier League which is itself one of the best leagues in the world. In my view, we have a better keeper than Man Yoo, Arsenal, Newcastle and most other clubs. Off the top of my head (it's late and I'm only online because I woke up) I think only Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool have a better keeper than we do.

Was Friedal really any better? I think they're about equal only Shay has an extra year or two in his locker. I stand by the term world class (though acknowledge the overall standard of 'keepers isn't what it was ten years ago).

[Irish villain]

Well I think Given is one of the best 'keepers in the Premier League which is itself one of the best leagues in the world. In my view, we have a better keeper than Man Yoo, Arsenal, Newcastle and most other clubs. Off the top of my head (it's late and I'm only online because I woke up) I think only Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool have a better keeper than we do.

Was Friedal really any better? I think they're about equal only Shay has an extra year or two in his locker. I stand by the term world class (though acknowledge the overall standard of 'keepers isn't what it was ten years ago).

Of course it's subjective. I just understand world class to mean any top club would be glad to have them but accept others may have a narrower definition.

[Dave]

Well I think Given is one of the best 'keepers in the Premier League which is itself one of the best leagues in the world. In my view, we have a better keeper than Man Yoo, Arsenal, Newcastle and most other clubs. Off the top of my head (it's late and I'm only online because I woke up) I think only Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool have a better keeper than we do.

I appreciate that it is a view coming through Irish eyes, but if any of ManYoo, Arsenal, Newcastle, Swansea, Man City, Chelsea or Liverpool offered to swap keepers with us I would accept the deal in a heartbeat.

So if one were to say that the English league is in the top three leagues in the world and we assume that there are also good keepers in the other leagues, then this rather unscientific poll suggests that there are likely to be another ten or so who would be just as good elsewhere. Putting Given towards the lower end of a top twenty. Which as said, is still perfectly respectable. Just not spectacular. A bit like Villa really.

[eamonn]

A five year deal for a 36 year old goalie was pretty good negotiating on Given's reps' part. Been solid for the various clubs and country over the years. He was number one at Man City while they were still scrapping with Spurs for 4th but the highest level eluded him. Apart from when Newcastle's brief Champions League sojurn circa 2003 I guess.
And these little injuries he's starting to pick-up are only going to become more regular between now and retirement.

[PaulTheVillan]

I'm happy to keep Given, although I am started to get worried about his fitness.

[LeeS]

A five year deal for a 36 year old goalie was pretty good negotiating on Given's reps' part. Been solid for the various clubs and country over the years. He was number one at Man City while they were still scrapping with Spurs for 4th but the highest level eluded him.

Yes, the highest level has eluded him. That's why he is at Villa. At the level we are currently aspiring to (top 6) he is a good and proven keeper.

[N'ZMAV]

Given is a good shot stopper. I don't think he does too much else that well.

[PaulTheVillan]

A five year deal for a 36 year old goalie was pretty good negotiating on Given's reps' part. Been solid for the various clubs and country over the years. He was number one at Man City while they were still scrapping with Spurs for 4th but the highest level eluded him.

Yes, the highest level has eluded him. That's why he is at Villa. At the level we are currently aspiring to (top 6) he is a good and proven keeper.

Top 10 more like.

[nigel]

Wouldn't being one of the top fifteen keepers in the world make you pretty much world class, anyway?

Agree Paul.
But, at the risk of being drawn into this 'Given Argument', I would like to add, that in my opinion I thought he was 2nd best at Villa.

[asgpaul]

Matt Jarvis linked to a 4m move to West Ham.  I quite liked what I saw of him although that wasn't much to be honest.