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

[nigel]

Have to say guys, that I don't think we robbed Liverpool for Downing.
He was, IMO, the best winger in the prem the season before, so warrented the £20m price tag.
The fact that he struggled there is of little consequence.

Turning to Andy Carrol:
If he did sign for us, and I accept that it's a big IF, it doesn't mean we'll play this 'Hoofball' many keep mentioning.
It's not Lamberts style, so he won't let it happen.
I do think, though, that the signing of AC would most likely be the begining of the end for Gabby.

[villastikz]

£15m + £5m they owe us for a Carroll who's Prem goal tally for last 2 season are 11 & 4 goals - that would be dreadful business and will be a big mistake.

If we going to spend £20m on a player we should be looking for a proven goal scorer who can get 20+ goals, not 1 who only got 15 goals in 2 seasons and will be looking for high wage like a 20+ goal scorer - he might not be any better than a 10 - 12 Prem goals a season - we've got Gabby for that already.

[pauliewalnuts]

Carroll's price tag needs to be judged against what you're getting.

One decent season for Newcastle in the Championship, in which he scored 19 goals in 42 appearances.

Then 11 goals in 19 matches in the premier league for Newcastle, followed by 2 in 9 for Liverpool for the rest of the season.

Then last season, 9 in 47 for Liverpool.

Basically, the only time he was prolific, as in a one in two striker, was when Newcastle were in the second flight, and then for half a season in the top flight. Since then, his return has been very poor.

Spending 35m on him was the most ludicrous transfer in years, so massively over-inflated was the price. The issue now is that, although nobody is going to get anywhere near giving Liverpool their money back, the fee paid before plus a few goals at the end of last season are going to mean he maintains a ridiculous price tag.

[Chris Smith]

My impression is that Lambert was just being polite when asked about Caroll and there is next to no chance of him signing for us.

[Mazrim]

Carroll's price tag needs to be judged against what you're getting.

One decent season for Newcastle in the Championship, in which he scored 19 goals in 42 appearances.

Then 11 goals in 19 matches in the premier league for Newcastle, followed by 2 in 9 for Liverpool for the rest of the season.

Then last season, 9 in 47 for Liverpool.

Basically, the only time he was prolific, as in a one in two striker, was when Newcastle were in the second flight, and then for half a season in the top flight. Since then, his return has been very poor.

Spending 35m on him was the most ludicrous transfer in years, so massively over-inflated was the price. The issue now is that, although nobody is going to get anywhere near giving Liverpool their money back, the fee paid before plus a few goals at the end of last season are going to mean he maintains a ridiculous price tag.

Weighted against that is the fact he was in fantastic form before he moved to Liverpool and is still only 23. To put that into perspective, about the same age as Bannan and Albrighton. If he had made a good go of it at Liverpool we wouldnt really be talking about him leaving there for anybody except the likes of Madrid.

I think there were reasons why he struggled at Liverpool, why Liverpool struggled in general, but I accept he would represent a risk at the sort of fees were talking about.

However, I've been consistent in my opinion of Carroll and think he'd thrive here if settled.

[ozzjim]

I thought he looked excellent at the Euros in fairness, held the ball up well and created total panic against Italy, should have started in front of Rooney.

Chris could be spot on though.

[cdbearsfan]

Isaiah Osbourne's off to Blackpool. Good luck to him.

[maidstonevillain]

I thought he looked excellent at the Euros in fairness, held the ball up well and created total panic against Italy, should have started in front of Rooney.

Chris could be spot on though.

He was also practically unplayable during his cameo role in the FA cup final.

[Surrey Villain]

Isaiah Osbourne's off to Blackpool. Good luck to him.

Annual holiday time!

[supertom]

Carroll could offer what we've missed since Big John. He holds the ball up well and is a complete menace when he's on it. When he wanted to be, Carew was excellent at keeping the ball and bringing others into play, and had the ability to really put his foot through the ball if he wanted to. That said, Carew, at least earlier in his time with us, had a turn of pace as well, which Carroll does not. Carrolls heads a ball better though, in fact there's few better in the business right now if you can put the ball on a six-pence for him.

I reckon in a decent side, playing to his strength (which Liverpool did not), then Carroll could thrive. You'd worry about his attitude and keeping out of trouble, particularly with people like Ireland, Dunne and Collins still at the club who might lead him astray.

I would much rather take less of a risk and go for Berbatov though. There'd be less temptation to go long too much, and while he wouldn't offer aerial threat, under the right approach would encourage us to keep the ball on deck and move it quickly. Plus I think he'd score more goals.

[cdbearsfan]

Isaiah Osbourne's off to Blackpool. Good luck to him.

I'm sensing some joke about donkeys could be on the way.
Annual holiday time!

[cdbearsfan]

Quote upfuck.

[seanthevillan]

isn't Luke De Jong going to Germany?

That's what a Geordie mate of mine reckons

Didn't he officially sign for 'gladbach a couple of days ago? I thought I'd read it somewhere anyway.

I think the two clubs have agreed a price (€15mil) and they're just finalising the contract.

[eastie]

The mirror reckon carroll has told close pals hes not interested in joining anyone other than newcastle, at least it showswe are prepared to spend big if needed though so maybe we will be after another striker.

[SoccerHQ]

Not worth a thread, but was Lambert suited up or in training gear on Saturday?

On the gallery from the game it looks like he's wearing a suit:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/e2/7d/0,,10265~11042274,00.jpg

Hope he has binned the jumper and polo for match day.

Lambert was in a suit for one of Norwich's pre season games last season.

He'll be back in his trackies when the proper stuff starts at West Ham.