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

[tomd2103]

Going back to Collins and Dunne, I do think one should stay.

If we want Clark to start at CB, then signing two would mean that wouldn't happen, unless one of those we signed was seen as a reserve CB.  If we get an 'up and coming' player for that then fair enough, but then that would leave us with 3 young CBs on top of (probably/hopefully) Ron Vlaar.  So presuming we want an experienced player in reserve along with Baker, would we get one better than Dunne/Collins? 

In my opinion we wouldn't, so it makes more sense to keep one as experienced cover.     

I'd agree with that John.  If Vlaar (or any other CB for that matter) signs and is partnered with Clark, I would keep either Collins or Dunne as experienced cover.  Their contracts run out at the end of next season by which time we will have a clearer idea of what we really need.  If the new CB and Clark form a good partnership we might only need to bring some extra cover in.  If they don't do that well, we are going to need to bring in a more established player to potentially start for us.  It will be interesting to see if Lambert views CB as Lowton's position going forward.   

[Irish villain]

Like Curcic and Milosevic?

[brontebilly]

Travelling around Poland at the end of the Euros, a few of us picked out the worst players at the Euros.

Vlaar and Dunne were the centre backs.

Given was keeper.

Difficult to judge players on a few games but Vlaar was really poor. He reminded me of Collins actually.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I remember a few years ago when Baros was the best striker in the Euros.

[Concrete John]

If you picked the worst strikers in the Euros, Rooney and Van Persie would be well in with a shout!

[Monty]

Exactly. Just as picking someone on the basis of being good in a major tournament is a stupid idea, so is turning away from a target for having a poor tournament. In fact, I remember one manager (forget who) saying he hoped his targets all have rubbish tournaments to keep the price down!

[tomd2103]

Slightly off topic and don't know if it has been mentioned elsewhere, but just read an online article (on the Belfast Telegraph site of all places!!) that states that Hutton will not be in the squad that is going to the US.  Did he get injured on Saturday or is it a clear signal that he isn't going to feature in Lambert's plans? 

[MoetVillan]

Diouf and Diao both had a brilliant world cup 02 , and went on to be outstanding Liverpool players........

[N'ZMAV]

Can't see many other deals apart from Vlaar happening now we're leaving for the US.

We're coming back in two weeks.

Good.

Can't see many other deals apart from Vlaar happening now we're leaving for the US.

We're coming back in two weeks.

Good.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I doubt Lambert has gone in for Vlaar based on his performance in the Euro's, Judging by comments heard saturday at Burton Hutton will be next years scapegoat if he stays

[villastikz]

Like Curcic and Milosevic?

Neither of them we're good enough for the EPL. Curcic was average at best and Milosevic was brought on the back of 2 good seasons in the Yugoslav league which isn't dissimilar to SPL where a couple clubs are well above the standard their rivals are and can make players look better than they are.

[hilts_coolerking]

Exactly. Just as picking someone on the basis of being good in a major tournament is a stupid idea, so is turning away from a target for having a poor tournament. In fact, I remember one manager (forget who) saying he hoped his targets all have rubbish tournaments to keep the price down!

So to sum up:

Player has good tournament = don't sign him

Player has bad tournament = sign him.  And in fact the worse he is, the better.

Pay no attention to such sophistry.  Vlaar looked all at sea during Euro 2012 in one of the worst Dutch teams for ages.  I'm perfectly willing to accept the possibility that he might very well do much better for us, but I find it hard to take his performances this summer as a recommendation.

[villastikz]

I doubt Lambert has gone in for Vlaar based on his performance in the Euro's, Judging by comments heard saturday at Burton Hutton will be next years scapegoat if he stays

Well we have been scouting out in Holland so not sure if KEA and Vlaar were already on Lambert's list or they have resulted from scouting over last season and Lambert liked the look of them from information given to him by the club but it does seem bit coincidental that he has targeted 2 players from the Dutch league after we already brought Holman in from their.

[rutski]

Like Curcic and Milosevic?

Neither of them we're good enough for the EPL. Curcic was average at best and Milosevic was brought on the back of 2 good seasons in the Yugoslav league which isn't dissimilar to SPL where a couple clubs are well above the standard their rivals are and can make players look better than they are.

what about a player that finished top scorer in La liga, would he be good enough? Milosevic did just that after he left us and went to zaragoza.

[Irish villain]

Like Curcic and Milosevic?

Neither of them we're good enough for the EPL. Curcic was average at best and Milosevic was brought on the back of 2 good seasons in the Yugoslav league which isn't dissimilar to SPL where a couple clubs are well above the standard their rivals are and can make players look better than they are.

Was just responding to your suggestion that we sign one of N'Zogbia's mates. I think that was part of the rationale  behind the signing of Curcic.

Just think what we could have achieved if in 1996 Little had spent £4m on somebody other than Curcic and in '97 had spent £7m on somebody other than Collymore. It's amazing how a manager's career can unravel if a couple of big signings don't work out. Isn't there a quote in Dave's book from Allan Evans that we had 'spent enough but had bought the wrong players'.