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

[nick harper]

Reconstructing an entire defence in a close season is a big gamble if that is what he intends to do.

The back four had to spend large parts of games defending last season and given the whole season was a disaster, it is easy to remember the poor games they had. However, there were plenty where their performances helped us get points we didn't deserve.

I exclude Hutton from that faint praise as he has no redeeming features at all.

[Matt Collins]

It was probably on the bit on SSN where they just read out what's in the papers.

People at work fall for it everyday. Me - that's just paper talk. Them - 'no, it's on Sky Sports as well'.

Yeah, the bit where they read out what's in the paper. Most annoying.

Even though that bit involves tabloid journalists, holding up tabloids, with a bar at the bottom called "paper talk"?

Its all speculation because I think lambo is keeping his cards close to his chest. But at a hunch I suspect we are:
- definitely trying to sign a centre back, but are looking to move someone on first, probably Collins ( though we might move anyway if it looks hard to sell)
- are looking at left backs too, but unless we find one at a decent price and can move warnock on, we may stick with warnock and lichaj as the options there.
- are looking for a strapping centre forward, possibly taking someone on loan if we need to.

That would still leave centre midfield as the main area of uncertainty going into the season. Lots of options there, and lots of players that may have significant potential. But not a single centre midfielder who's actually done much in the EPL, with the exception of ireland who's a more advanced player. Karim and bannan, with gardner, delph herd as the back up players, might be great. Or it could be bloody awful!

[UK Redsox]

The Warnock & Collins story is now no longer on the Sun's website

[DrGonzo]

" Vlaar now appears resigned to staying with Feyenoord.

"Feyenoord is in my heart and I have been through a lot here," Vlaar told RTV Rijnmond.

"I think the chance I will move to Aston Villa is not so big anymore.

"I don't want to be kept on a leash, so a transfer is off for now."

[themossman]

Reconstructing an entire defence in a close season is a big gamble if that is what he intends to do.

The back four had to spend large parts of games defending last season and given the whole season was a disaster, it is easy to remember the poor games they had. However, there were plenty where their performances helped us get points we didn't deserve.

I exclude Hutton from that faint praise as he has no redeeming features at all.

IMO it was criminal that the entire defence wasn't reconstructed in the last close season, especially after all the most senior players had shown themselves to lack not only basic footballing skills but the slightest shred of character. I'd be chuffed if we got rid of that pair of keystone cop esque clod-hoppers for £4m quid.

[TheSandman]

Reconstructing an entire defence in a close season is a big gamble if that is what he intends to do.

The back four had to spend large parts of games defending last season and given the whole season was a disaster, it is easy to remember the poor games they had. However, there were plenty where their performances helped us get points we didn't deserve.

I exclude Hutton from that faint praise as he has no redeeming features at all.

IMO it was criminal that the entire defence wasn't reconstructed in the last close season, especially after all the most senior players had shown themselves to lack not only basic footballing skills but the slightest shred of character. I'd be chuffed if we got rid of that pair of keystone cop esque clod-hoppers for £4m quid.

This. My main concern is that Dunne and Hutton aren't following them out of the door. Of the four, Collins would be the one I'd most like to keep as he can provide experienced back up to new/younger centre halves and is less likely to rock the boat than Dunne.

I feel quite sorry for Warnock in a way. He gets a lot of stick but he always gives 100% for us. It's not his fault that he's not a good footballer.

[Matt C]

Later in the summer can see Warnock ending up at Everton as a replacement for Baines.

[Toronto Villa]

Collins has now been involved in two very public incidents that have brought shame on the club. Also, given his age he has the highest potential sale value. Dunne, while an idiot for his part in the hotel incident is still the most experienced of the defenders, has little resale and I believe a year left on his deal. I can see why the club would keep him and just release him next year.

[ktvillan]

I don't agree that Warnock has ever been all that. First season he looked okay but in a physical, huff and puff kind of way rather than with any decent technique or intelligence, which is what I hope PL is looking for in his players.  Even at his best he was a liability, diving into rash challenges in or around our box, putting us under unecessary pressure, and as someone has said, the diagonal ball over his head catches him out every single time.  And that was before he decided to go in for slapstick own goals and gaffes.  Collins tries hard but gets dragged out of position too easily and is generally average.  O'Neill got, and will get, the best out of both, but that's not saying much in my opinion.  Won't shed a tear over either of them going, as long as they are replaced.

[PaulTheVillan]

Warnock was Ok until MON rushed him back for the League Cup Final.

[johnny from donny]

vlaar deal off according to sky

[luke25]

vlaar deal off according to sky

They've probably just picked up on the quotes that we've been discussing for the past few hours. He'll sign when and if we want him.

[peter w]

So just reading what Koeman said then.

'Off for now' means nothing. if we want him we'll buy him.

[johnny from donny]

no, reading quote attributed to vlaar about not wanting to be kept on a leash. Although, a phone call from lambert reassurring him we want him & will do the deal next week would most likely sort this one out

[peter w]

it'll  be a telephone call that'llgo something like this...

PL: Ronnie, we're sorry, wait until we come back home, don't worry, wait until we come back...

CR: What ish wrong? Ish it my wife? I musht get drunk every night.

PL: Ronnie, why worry, wait until we get back home.